Now & Forever 3 - Blind love (10 page)

“Hey, what happened? Where are you going?”
Peter said, confused.

“I gotta rest before the next show,” she
said, obviously lying, leaning over and kissing him on the forehead.

This was the second time he bombed out
with a woman in one week. He finished his fourth drink remembering he didn’t
care about Deena, it was Lara he couldn’t erase from his mind, even after four
drinks. He pictured her kissing him while
Liebesträume
played on the radio, in bed, under the summer moon, under the orange and gold
leaves of an autumn birch tree. If he closed his eyes, he could feel her lips
again.

Then the alcohol hit him hard; feeling
dizzy he quickly opened his eyes, realizing he could barely stand up. He
fumbled in his pocket for his cell phone. It dropped on the floor and he almost
fell out of his chair retrieving it. Finally he turned it around and pushed the
first button.

“Mac? I’m sorry…can you come get me?” He
clicked off the phone and rested his head on the table.

Chapter Six

Early afternoon in the neat little house on
James Street

Peter couldn’t stand Lara’s closed window. He sat down at the
piano and played Chopsticks seven times hoping it would annoy her enough so
she’d open the window.

“What?” she finally threw open the window.

“We have to talk.”

“Talk?”

“Can you come over?”

“Okay, okay. Stop the Chopsticks, all right?”

“Are you coming now?”

“I said okay didn’t I?”

Lara found her way outside and up on the front porch of
Peter’s house. He was waiting for her.

“Do you want some iced tea?”

“No, thank you,” she said, feeling her way to a chair then
sitting down.

“Water?”

“No.”

“Okay. Okay. I want to apologize for kissing you.”

“Are you sorry you did it?”

“I enjoyed it. I’m sorry I upset you or it upset you.
Whatever. You know what I mean.”

“I thought we were friends.”

“We are friends, aren’t we?”

“I guess so.” She shrugged.

“I like you, Lara. I don’t want one kiss to screw us up.”

“I’m not ready for…for…for you. This seems like the millionth
time I’ve put my life back together since I was sixteen. Every time I think I’m
okay something terrible happens and I’m at square one again.”

“I know about your parents, but…”

“After my parents died, my father’s brother and his wife took
me in. I received a lot of money as reparation for the loss of my parents, like
money could buy me a new set! Anyway, my other uncle, Brandon Stewart,
squandered much of the money then took off. That’s when my mother’s brother, my
uncle Jim, took over. I took more control of my life, moved into my own
apartment when I was twenty and was getting my life together.

“I don’t remember all of what I was doing, but I know I was
making progress, growing up on my own. Then Keith died…and this happened.”

“Now you don’t want to fall in love?”

“I’m trying to get my sight, my memory and my life back.
That’s enough.”

“Maybe love would help you?” Peter coaxed.

“Maybe. And maybe I’ll get dumped and…disaster again.”

“What if you didn’t get dumped?” Peter asked.

“My optimism went out the window with my luck. I have no way
to work, no place to live. Peter, you’re my best friend. What if love screws
that up? Then I’ve not only lost a lover, but a friend too. Can’t we continue
on the way we are?”

Peter laughed. He never had a woman say she wanted to be
friends with him before. He knew he was being selfish and Lara was right.

“I see your point. But don’t shut me out, okay.”

“You mean, like the closed window?” she asked, a smile
playing at her lips.

“Closed, shut for three days.”

“I promise I won’t do it again.” She stood up, keeping one
hand on the chair back.

“Want to make up over ice cream tonight?”

“Ice cream is so messy.” She made a face.

“Cones, no spoons. I’ll get you at eight?”

“You’ve talked me into it.”

Peter took her hand and helped her to the door. She insisted
on finding her own way home. He stood in the doorway, watching her to make sure
she was safe.

* * * *

Sam took Pat to the Cozy Corner diner for dinner before the
movie. He held her hand as they walked into the auditorium where the movie
would be shown.

“I like to sit up close,” Sam said, “do you mind?”

“My favorite spot, up where all the kids are. Then I see
everything clearly,” she said, walking next to him down the aisle.

When the lights went down, Sam took her hand and folded it
into his. After the movie finished, they discussed the characters and the plot
while strolling to Sam’s car.

“Why wouldn’t he admit he loved her?” Pat asked Sam,
referring to Mr. Lucky, the title character in the movie.

“Don’t know. Some macho guy thing from the thirties, I
guess.” He laughed and Pat did too.

“Can I take you out for ice cream, Sam?” Pat asked, turning
to face him.

“Like when we were kids…perfect. What’s your favorite
flavor?”

“It’s a toss-up between butter pecan and mint chip. How about
you?”

“I’m a big mint chip fan.”

“Did you ever have it with hot fudge?” she asked.

“Sounds great.” Sam maneuvered the car into the line of cars
leaving the lot.

“The Creamery has the best ice cream around. Turn right at
Fifth Street.” At The Creamery, they both ordered small mint chip hot fudge
sundaes.

. Sam’s cell phone rang and he couldn’t find the “on” button
in time to catch the call. Obviously flustered and embarrassed, he abruptly
shoved the phone in his pocket.

“I try to stay current with all the technology but it seems
to move ahead faster than I can keep up,” Sam admitted.

“Me too. I don’t need the computer much in my work,
fortunately. But I do have to keep records and communicate by email.”

“Hell, bird watching is still done with a good pair of
binoculars and eyes,” he laughed, digging his spoon into the cold confection
again.

“I do need to keep up-to-date on changes in psychology and I
surf the net for those. Listen to me, ‘surf the net.’ I’ve been hanging around
with too many underclassmen.”

“I’m amazed at the stuff you find on the net…from porn to
what’s playing at the movies,” Sam said, sucking down another spoon of ice
cream.

“Porn! Sam!” Pat said, blushing but grinning.

“Just wanted to see if you were paying attention, Patsy.” He
chuckled.

When he drove her home, she invited him in for coffee. The
house was as warm and cheerful as Pat herself. There was a small entryway for
boots, umbrellas and coats opening into a large living room with two sofas
arranged around a big fireplace. Soft colors were complemented by a few neutral
area rugs scattered on the natural wood floor. The kitchen was separated from
the living room by a counter. A small wood table with four chairs provided a
cozy place to eat.

Pat took him on a tour. There was a queen size bed in the
bedroom, which pleased him, along with a small fireplace with a white marble
mantelpiece and hearth.

“Charming room. Does the fireplace work?”

“I don’t know. We never got around to trying it out,” Pat
responded.

An image of making love to Pat in the large bed with a fire
blazing flashed through his mind momentarily and a smug smile crossed his lips.

Pat disappeared into the kitchen to make coffee. One living
room wall had sliding glass doors leading onto a deck overlooking Linden Lake.
Sam went outside to look at the stars. In a few minutes Pat joined him,
carrying two mugs of coffee.

“Milk, no sugar, right?” she said, handing him a steaming mug
of coffee.

“You’re observant,” he said, impressed.

“I have to be in my work.”

“It’s a beautiful night. Do you ever look out at the stars?”

“Of course. We have a perfect view. There’s the Big Dipper,”
she said, pointing.

Sam put his mug down.

“Where?” he asked, feigning ignorance so she would move
closer to him.

Pat put her mug down and got up close to him, raising her arm
up and pointing.

“Right…over…there. See?” she said, turning toward him.

Sam pulled her closer to him with one long arm and looked up.

“I see it now,” he said, easing her into his arms.

He kissed her sweet and slow. She softened against him.

“You’re lovely tonight,” he whispered.

“Thank you,” she whispered back then brought her mouth to his
for another kiss.

He wanted to take it slow but it was becoming harder to rein
himself in. She was pretty, sweet, smart and he wanted her. Pat parted her lips
and Sam moved his tongue in slowly, not wishing to scare her again. She let out
a little moan. He tightened his arms around her bringing their bodies closer.
His lips tugged on her lower lip, his tongue possessed her mouth. The kissing
got intense.

Pat stepped back, breaking away to catch her breath. Her
cheeks were flushed and her eyes were shining. Sam glanced at her breasts,
covered by a pretty, coral-colored lightweight sweater and his fingertips
tingled. But he wasn’t going to rush her and the second date was too soon to be
touching her…which often led to further exploration… and to lovemaking. He knew
she wasn’t ready. He needed to slow down. He took her hand in his and kissed
it, keeping his hands safely occupied.

“I’d better go, Patsy,” he said, reluctant to leave but
knowing if he didn’t go soon, his self-control would crumble and he might wreck
the warm relationship they were building. He didn’t want to lose Pat,
especially over something as stupid as pushing her for sex.
Hell, I’m not a kid.
He liked Pat more
than anyone else he’d dated…more than other women he’d had sex with since
Ellen’s death.

“Okay. It is late. Thank you for dinner and the movie.” He
thought he detected a note of regret in her voice.
Wishful thinking?

Sam walked to the door, kissed Pat goodnight then stopped
when she put her hand on his arm, pulling him back slightly.

“Oh, before I forget. I found our two favorite Cary Grant
movies at the video counter at Randolph’s. Would you like to come over next weekend?
We could have our own Cary Grant double feature and I’d make dinner to eat
between the movies. Does Saturday work for you?”

“Damn. I promised to babysit for Mac’s kids on Saturday
night. He and Callie don’t get out much. How about Sunday, if we start in the
afternoon?” Sam suggested.

Pat smiled.

“Sunday works for me. Can you come around three?”

“Three’s fine. I look forward to it,” Sam said, his lips
curling into a warm grin.

He kissed her goodnight and got in his car and drove home.
Peter was asleep when he arrived. Sam released a sigh of relief for being able
to avoid his son’s third degree about his date. He tiptoed quietly into his
bedroom and went to sleep.

* * * *

Peter, Lara and Sam were invited to Callie and Mac’s on
Saturday night for an early dinner. Afterward, Callie and Mac were to go out
dancing, leaving Sam with Jason and Kitty while Peter and Lara returned home.

This was Lara’s first time at Mac and Callie’s house so
Callie went out of her way to make the blind dancer feel at home. She explained
to the children before Lara arrived what blind meant. Callie reserved a task
for her to help with in the kitchen, to make Lara feel like part of the family.
Peter kept an eye on Lara so whenever she needed anything he was there.

“Dad, I hear you’re giving Casanova a run for his money,” Mac
said, raising his eyebrow, grinning.

Peter made a face at Mac, trying to warn him to drop it but
he was too late.

“None of your business, son.”

“Grumpy and defensive! I’m admiring your success with the
ladies,” Mac teased.

Standing behind his father’s back, Peter shook his head
vigorously at Mac.

“Don’t go there, Mac,” Sam said, his temper rising slowly.

“Boy, what happened to your sense of humor, Dad?” Mac asked,
offended.

“Can’t I have a private life? Do I question you about your
private life with your wife?” Sam asked.

“You’d better not.”

“Show me the same courtesy, will you?” Sam slammed his beer
bottle on the coffee table.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I’m impressed you’ve found someone you like
so quickly. I’m sure you miss Mom,” Mac said.

“You’ll never know how much.” Sadness leaked into Sam’s
voice.

“Dr. Weiss is special to me, Sam. Please don’t break her
heart,” Lara said.

“I won’t, Lara,” Sam chuckled.

“Now there’s an image, Pete, Dad as a heart breaker!” Mac
said, unable to resist teasing his father.

He and Peter cracked up. Sam left the room in frustration.

“Don’t tease your father so much. He’s precious,” Callie
called from the kitchen.

“He can take it, Callie,” Peter said, toasting with his
brother with his bottle of beer.

“But I’m not sure I can,” she said.

Sam came back into the room.

“Actually, I have broken a few hearts in my day, boys. Any
time you want some pointers from me, feel free to ask,” Sam said, his eyes
twinkling.

* * * *

Callie and her friend Eliza Maine hijacked Pat one Friday
afternoon and gave her a makeover before her next date with Sam. They brought
her wardrobe up to date and threw out her white cotton underwear. Along with
hip hugging jeans, she bought bikini underwear and matching lacy bras with good
support, to give her the cleavage needed for her sexy new tops. By the time
they got through with her, she felt like the sex goddess of the sixty set.