Lesson That Taught Love, page 7
“It is, but I wanted you to have it. “As I took a sip of her iced tea, savoring every last drop as if would be my last.
“You know one of these days you have to tell me all about it. Your time served, I mean. And what you’ve been doing in the meantime. I’m sure you’ve got all types of stories.” That I did; but none I wanted to relive or talk about. The past was in the past. I was adamant on letting it stay there.
I wasn’t sure what it was when it came to getting my hands dirty but give me something to do outside, and you won’t hear a peep from me all day. I’d started in on the repairs for the roof a few hours ago and in efforts not to drive myself crazy with the delicacy of how much work must go in it, I took a quick breather to get started on the backyard.
That wouldn’t take me long. After about four lawn bags of leaves, I had this place looking almost unrecognizable.
“Wow.” Beck surprised me as I swung the fifth and final bag over to the others. “I didn’t even know it could look like this again.” She shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand.
“So now that everything looks the way it’s supposed to; I don’t suppose you can give me an idea of how soon I can start planning my masterpiece.”
“Well,” I gestured for her to follow me as I led her through the yard. “The two most important things about growing things is soil and location. In short, nothing will grow if they’re not in the right spot to.” I reached down and grabbed a handful of the earth, letting its pliable, granular texture slip through my gloved fingers.
“Despite how you’ve been treating it, you’ve got some good dirt back here.” I stood. “But.” She added, with a brush at my shoulder. I let out a deep sigh.
“Want my professional opinion?”
“As opposed to your unprofessional opinion?” she argued back, which caused me to laugh a little. I suppose it was good to have someone around that made you laugh at yourself sometimes. I didn’t want this job to be over. Being around her, it made me feel good in a soothing sort of way. Plus, it didn’t hurt she was easy on the eyes. I knew little about her, but after this, I planned to. Some people gave you a good feeling. Beck was one of those people.
“It’s best to set something down facing east, somewhere with good shade coming in on the west. Sun is good when it’s that morning sun but that afternoon and early evening sun might fry everything out to the point where nothing will ever want to grow. South is good too, but seeing how the sun hits your backyard, east might be best. Depends on what you’re trying to plant.” She beamed.
“Anything and everything. I don’t know; I might start off with something simple like tomatoes or bell peppers. Something that doesn’t take all season to start seeing. But uhh…if you want to head back to the roof, I can finish up back here. I think I can handle bringing a hose to all of this and laying that mulch down to get this bed ready. Least I could do to free up some of your time.”
My brows shot up at her suggestion. Not that I was questioning her abilities, but I had my doubts. After all, she wasn’t exactly keeping a good eye on things before. “You sure?”
“What, you don’t think I can?”
“On the contrary, Ms. Dobson. With that fire you’ve got, I wouldn’t doubt anything of you. Just my expertise is all. My uncle taught me everything there was to know about landscaping before I went up and enlisted. I’ll leave you to it. Think it’d be alright if I used your restroom?”
“Sure, go right on ahead.” she shooed me away. I wandered her house in search of her bathroom but didn’t have a hard time finding it being there were only three other rooms just down her hallway. Once I’d done what I came to do, I washed my hands and made it back to her living room. She had a whole library worth of books, and when I say library, I mean bookshelves covered almost every wall in the living room.
I’d only been here twice, and both times I gave little thought to my surroundings. I’d approached one particular shelf sandwiched between two larger ones as Beck surprised me with a tap on my shoulder.
“Hope you don’t mind the little detour I took. Just got a better look around with all the bookshelves you have in here. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to take a quick break before I head back out there. The humidity ain’t bad, but it’s the rays that do me in. Got me remembering my time back in the army.”
“No, I don’t mind. Tell me what it was like. Iraq and Afghanistan, I mean. You hear stories, but I’m not one to believe everything I see on TV.” I shrugged. For me, there was nothing to tell. Nothing I cared to share with her about. All I could deem appropriate was that it was real hot…and dry. That had taken me some time getting used to. I didn’t want to bother her with the rest , so I changed the subject to something that centered on her.
Most women I knew could talk for hours about themselves if you gave them the right subject. I was never big on talking; I was more of a listener. When someone spoke loud enough, that is. Taking it all in, I found myself overwhelmed with bookcase after bookcase that sat elegantly in her living-room. Some books on relative theory(whatever that was). Others? Fiction writers I knew almost nothing about. If she'd read even half of these, I assumed that she was more cultured than the rest of us here.
“You’ve got a whole library worth of books. I don't even think the local high school has this many books." She winced.
“I wouldn't call it a proper library. Personal maybe."
"Have you read them all?”
“Many of them more than a few times. When I can get a good deal on the book haul, I do my best to take advantage. What I can't afford to buy, I check out from the library. I know it sounds stupid."
But on the contrary, it didn't sound stupid. It wasn't something I enjoyed, and come to think of it when I had a chance to go to some fancy universities; I passed on the opportunity. I knew I wouldn’t have the girls who were the only reason I even graduated around doing my work for me. If I could turn back time, I think I may have at least given it a chance, but I don't regret serving. Everyone finds their purpose in life. School just wasn't mine.
“Oh, don't tell me this is our class’s school yearbook,” I examined closely before pulling off the shelf to look. I’d never gotten one, but since linking up with Beck, I’d been hard on myself for not placing her face anywhere. I felt like if I had a look at her high school self, maybe I'd have a better idea of who she was, what sort of things she liked, the crowd of people she made friends with. My memory was shit, and if I would start anywhere, a yearbook was a good starting point.
What I didn't count on was Rebecca being so defensive about it. She practically tackled me for the damn thing, but she still wasn't able to pull it free from my grasp. I held it up away from her, dangling it like a hook with bait above a dozen pitbulls that hadn't eaten in some time. Judging by the way she was so eager to get it back, She knew what that felt like.
“You know; I'd rather you not look in that yearbook."
"Why? If I open it, what am I going to find?” I taunted." You're not going to find anything. Now give it here." She said with a little jump.
"I pretty much just wrote on all the pages. It's not even that interesting. Now hand it over." She said making the mistake of leaning in closer to where her body stood pressed to mine, sending that familiar tinge of madness coursing through me causing the crotch of my jeans to feel tighter. Even through her clothes, her body was woman soft, and now I wouldn't stop thinking about how I'd like to feel the rest, with my hands next time. She had to know she drove me crazy.
“There's no way you're worked up over something that ain't even that interesting. So you won't mind if I open it up have a look then." As I flipped through the pages, my eyes lit up at the one home to my picture. A big old heart and tiny kisses were drawn in a doodle like fashion that made it hard enough not to find the humor.
“Awww… would you look at that? You know, I've got to admire the skilled artwork involved with all them hearts and kisses you drew around my photo." I gloated. And I intended to rub it in until I noticed the second boy with the same heart around his.
"Wait a minute. Is that Harvey Shearwater?" And only to add insult to injury did I notice Percy Tanner with doodles over his picture but with more hearts this time and even some bows and arrows.
“What’d you have a thing for the whole damn football team?" I said but came out more like a laugh.
“First of all Kit, I was seventeen. I could do with my yearbook with how I damn well pleased. Now let me have it."
“Fine, but only if I get to have a look at your picture. Then I promise, no more embarrassing moments from when you were seventeen." She laughed.
“You can’t promise me that. Wait until you see my picture." I handed it back to her and watched her flip through the pages until she settled on the D’s through H’s. She held it up so close to my face, I had to take a few steps back to keep my eyes from getting blurry. Once I had better focus, I took the book from her hand and laid it down on the desk nearby.
There she was, Rebecca A. Dobson. She did sort of look the same. The only difference was she wore glasses then, and her hair was once pin straight.
Under her photo it read:
Rebecca Dobson
Senior Class Treasurer
Math Club President
Science Club Vice President
It was no wonder we didn’t run into each other. Beck was one of those college-bound girls with decent enough sense to stay away from me. I didn’t do much thinking at that age. A woman like her back then would have probably made me feel dumb as rocks.
“Look at you,” I finally said. She let out a loud exasperated sigh.
“Get on with it. C’mon let me have it.” She said waving both hands toward herself in a taunt. “What? You thought I would tease you on how you looked? Not much has changed about you other than your hair.” I stood to face her.
“Although I will confess I like what it looks like now than what it looks like in this photograph. Can’t articulate why. But honestly, there’s nothing to poke fun at. You were beautiful then, you’re beautiful now.” She offered a smug smile as she guarded her mouth with her right hand.
“Oh c’mon Beck. Don’t tell me you’re one of those shy types who don’t know she’s beautiful.”
“No, of course not.” She sneered.
“Good, because it goes without saying but just thought I’d say it. Looks like it’s about time for me to get back out there.” As I edged toward the front door and stepped out onto her front porch.
The sun was setting sooner than I planned but with all the progress I've made today ensured that my workload tomorrow would be no more than an afternoon. I packed up my tools and made my way down the ladder. She was sitting on the porch holding up a chewtoy for Patches to play with. She kept teasing, and he kept buying it. Good thing he was an old dog. Otherwise he may have had more energy to fight her with.
“Let me guess. Done for the day?" I tipped my hat to her after putting it on." You would be right." I said, loading all my equipment in the back of my truck.
“Well, if you had time to stick around, I was in the mood to make something." She said, meeting me by my truck tucking her hands into her front pockets.
“You're trying to spoil me, woman." And if I haven't felt compelled to check on my mother, I would've said yes." I would; it’s just I haven't heard from my mother all day. I just like to know she's alright…"
“Oh no, that trumps some silly old meal. Are you just about done with everything?”
“Just about. It's not going to take me long tomorrow to finish up the rest. Maybe about noon or so?" She nodded impressed." Wow. That sounds like good news. Although I liked having you here. Made things less boring around the house. Without my car, I'm just designated here unless I walk. With work alone, I do enough walking." I whistled, and Patches ran to my side. As much as he liked it here, I thought it best to take him home. If I had to leave, then he had to leave. There was no arguing about it. Although, he had the advantage of sneaking out at night. This would be the last time I'd have the pleasure of seeing Rebecca until the morning, and even that seemed like an eternity."
"Yeah well, this weekend doesn't have to be the last time we spend time together. After tomorrow I'll be just as sad to be through with the work because… well, I just kinda like you." I smiled, and in turn, she smiled back. One of those pretty smiles, too. The sort of smile that took years of flirting to perfect and would probably leave me eating out of the palm of her hand.
“Bet you say that all the pretty girls."
“Only the ones that put me to work two weekend days in a row. The others? Well, they only get a gist of my attention." I joked. “But really Beck, I mean it. If you ever need anything, I'm only a phone call away. Whether it's something around your house or if you'd be open to doing something. See a movie, have dinner or just something you like to do. I'm open." I wasn’t a man with a shit ton of ideas, but at best, I at least had an open mind.
“We can do different, or we can do simple. Simple is fine by me as long as it’s with the right person." I lifted Patches onto the bed, and after good thorough under-chin petting Beck had given him, I latched the door to the back of my truck shut.
"As friends?" She squinted, followed by slick, coy smile." Maybe. Maybe not. I’d just like the chance to get to know you. Personally."
“Because you kinda like me?" She teased." I mean, I know I'm no Percy Tanner with the extra hearts around my picture,” I laughed as she hit me across the shoulder. My signal it was time to go before she tired of me.
"Well go on and think about it. In the meantime, I suppose I best get going," I said walking to the driver side of my pickup as I strapped myself in and closed the door behind me. The engine roared to life when I started it up and just moments before I expected to pull off, Beck met me at my window catching me off guard as her mouth met mine in a hot, wet slide.
First hand, her lips were magic. Making me see things and feel things I hadn't felt in such a long time. I had an inkling I'd be savoring this kiss long after her lips left mine. Lips like hers had that lingering effect. Warm, welcoming and with the right trace of wild that would have me stammering for days. I didn't know what I did to deserve that, but I was feeling homesick when she pulled away. If my lips belonged anywhere, they belonged on hers, and rightfully so.
“As friends first. Then we can see if we get to that maybe not." If I wasn't the man I was today, I might have done anything, said anything to get her to give me more than that one kiss. But if I learned anything about her today, it was that she was smarter than me. Besides, I was patient. I’d never done the whole court first, everything else later thing ever in my life. The way Beck made me feel, it was more than enough reason to try something new.
Chapter 6
Kit
It had a few weeks since her lips touched mine. The first time had been the only time, and I kept wondering about if there’d be a next time. Rebecca had this funny way of being in control of situations. If I reached into kiss her, I was certain to be met with the tip of her fingers stopping me halfway or even worse one of those damn church hugs.
I understood, I suppose. If I weren't me and I was pursuing me, with my reputation with women, I’d be adamant, too. It was just something about her, though, that made her worth the chase. The afternoon lunches, the night conversations on the phone. Whenever I heard her voice, I got those butterflies in my stomach I didn't even know I could get any more about a person. Thinking back to past woman, I'd never had that feeling about someone. Although if I was honest with myself in this place of worship, it wasn't as if I'd ever tried to be in a serious relationship with someone. I had a habit of screwing things up with every decent woman I ever had because there was always another one.
A prettier one.
A sexier one.
One that was more willing to put up with my bullshit.
The hell I put for Candice Duvall through, I deserved that drink to the face my first day back here. She was what you'd call my high school sweetheart, only I wasn't all that sweet, and it was more or less one-sided. Still, she was my longest fling ever, and even then I was always doing what I did best, and that was letting my private parts do all the thinking for me. One of the reasons why I was so willing to play this waiting game.
Beck wasn't like any woman I’d ever been with, and I would do anything to be part of her world. If she had rules, I planned on respecting them, but I thought about her almost every minute of every day. She wasn't just someone I was attracted to. She was my friend, and that's what made her different than the rest.
The pastor recited the last word says final sermon as my mother tapped me on the shoulder for staring too long at the rows on the other side where Beck sat with her two best friends, the Jean twins and their significant others, along with their babies.
One by one, folks rose from their seats as candid conversations filled the church with endless chatter. I stood and helped my mama as she shooed me away with every intention on chatting up her old bingo pals. I took the time to make my way over to Beck’s side to say a quick hello since I wasn't sure for how much longer she’d stick around for.
As I approached, one twin jutted her chin in my direction making Beck turn around and flash me that smile that made me weak in the knees. I’d been drawn to women by a lot of things, body parts that make chemical sense but none that made me feel the way it did when she smiled at me. She looked nice today in this floral print sundress she paired with a denim shirt she wore tied at the waist. Her thick coils were style up with a few loose ringlets spiraling down her forehead like a sort of curly bang that seemed draw attention to her stunning dark brown eyes. I was sure that sirens, the ones you learned about in Greek mythology, possessed those same brown eyes. Whenever I saw them, I just had to get closer, even if it meant drowning to my death.
