Authors: Chamein Canton
“Great game, honey. You extended the win streak. I
heard the reporters buzzing about it.”
“It is a big change from how we started out at the beginning of the season.”
“My dad always says that baseball has such a long
season; it’s the end of the season that matters, not the
beginning.”
“He’s right about that.” He put his arm around her
waist. “Ready to go?”
She put her sunglasses on first. “Sure am.”
With security in front, Marcus and Cathy stepped
outside where they were nearly surrounded by an onslaught
of reporters and photographers.
Security separated them from the newshounds.
“Marcus! Care to comment on Cybil’s statement?” a
female reporter asked while her photographer took
pictures.
Marcus was annoyed. “What statement?”
“How do you feel being called a chubby chaser,
Marcus?” a male reporter asked.
“What?” Marcus shouted.
They never stopped walking to the car. Marcus
unlocked the doors by remote. The questions and camera
flashes came at them so fast Cathy could barely distinguish
a woman’s voice from a man’s; to her, they were all sharks.
“What about you Ms. Chambers? How do you feel
about it?” another voice shouted.
Cathy ignored the question and Marcus helped her into
the car. Security covered him long enough for him to get in
the car and pull away from the melee.
Cathy and Marcus were quiet for a moment. Marcus
silently fumed over the comment and subsequent press
feeding frenzy. Things with him and Cybil had not been
civil after the breakup but in the last few months it had
seemed that she finally let go.
“I’m sorry about all of this.”
“It’s not your fault, Marcus. You didn’t have any control
over this.”
“I had no idea Cybil talked to the press.”
“Honey, it was just a matter of time. She couldn’t let it
go.”
“You’re not bothered by this?
“It’s par for the course. The media has focused on our
obvious differences, which is size, and our commonality,
which is you. I can’t be bothered about it. Otherwise I
wouldn’t be able to listen to the radio again.”
“This was on the radio?” He was alarmed.
“Yes. My son Andrew called me about it during the
game. He heard an entertainment/gossip report on one of
the stations he listens to upstate.”
“What did you say to Andrew?”
“I let him know I wasn’t bothered.”
“Are you sure?” He didn’t quite believe her.
“Listen, Marcus, I promise you I’ve heard worse.”
He didn’t look completely convinced. “Are you sure?”
She put on her happiest face. “Trust me. I don’t think
I’m being punished by God. Somehow I don’t think he’d
use Cybil as a tool to do that. This is a pure media thing,
not divine retribution.”
“You’re telling me the truth?”
“Of course. I have too much to look forward to tonight
to let Cybil George bring me down.”
“You know, we don’t have to go out. We could just
make a night of it at home.”
“No. Why should we change our plans over something
so ridiculous?”
“Good. I can’t wait to take you out and show you off.”
She smiled. Of course it bothered her. It had taken
Cathy years to make peace with her body issues, to find a
way to incorporate self-esteem into her life. Now one of the
most beautiful women in the world was raising the issue
again.
Cathy thought about Madison’s philosophy to stop
feeling sorry for herself and shake things off. Cybil George
had called her chubby, but in the end all that mattered was
that Marcus was with her, not Cybil. Even if the world
thought she was not Marcus’s type ,as long as she didn’t buy
into it, too, they had a shot at being happy together.
As promised, Louis had left Cathy’s purchases in the
apartment, in fact on the bed. Marcus picked up the bag.
“Ooh, what’s this?”
She played coy. “Just a little something I picked up
before the game.”
“Can I take a peek?” Marcus said playfully.
She grabbed the bag from him. “You just have to wait.
It’s a surprise.”
He looked like a little boy. “Come on. Can’t I have one
tiny peek?”
“Sorry, you just have to wait.” She hung the dress up.
“Now do you want to get cleaned up first?”
“We don’t have to call dibs on the bathroom. I’ll use the
guest bathroom. This way you can build up to your revelation.” He kissed her.
“I think you’ve seen too many makeover shows.”
“You could be right. At any rate, my love, I will leave so
you can get ready.”
“Thanks, sweetie. I won’t be long.”
“Take your time. You’re worth the wait.”
Cathy had everything she needed to give herself a real
attitude adjustment from frumpy to sexy. There was sexy
lingerie, sexy strappy shoes, a sexy dress and the perfect
accessory, a very sexy man to go with it all.
After a quick shower she got dressed and walked out
into the bedroom to check her reflection in the full-length
mirror. “Not bad,” she said out loud. All that was left for
her to do was her makeup.
Just as she sat down her phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Cathy?”
It was Cathy’s mother. At sixty-three, Elizabeth
Anderson outwardly appeared to be a docile woman but
Cathy and Anna knew better. She walked softly and was
licensed to carry a concealed weapon, her tongue. She
didn’t curse a person out, however. It was all in the delivery.
Elizabeth could pump Cathy full of holes in no time flat.
“Mom?” Cathy was now filled with dread.
“I haven’t heard from you in a while.”
“It’s been less than a week, Mom.”
“Even so, you could have called.”
“I left you a message, Mom.”
“I know. You just don’t want to hear my mouth.”
“You aren’t exactly supportive about things, Mom.”
“You know why. You and Anna know what’s right.”
“We know what’s right for us, Mom, which happens to
be the opposite of what you think.”
“Imagine how I felt when Ingrid told me all about
what’s been happening in the news with you.”
“Mom, I’m dating Marcus Fox.”
“Well, he’s new.”
“God, Mom, you say that like I change men like I do
underwear.”
“You were just going out with that Paul guy.”
“Mom, we broke up nearly three years ago. I haven’t
been out with anyone else until now.”
“So you are going out with this Marcus Fox?”
“Yes, Mom. In fact, we’re going out for dinner and
dancing tonight.”
“I hope you have something appropriate to wear.”
“I’m wearing a nice dress.”
“You don’t have too much cleavage showing or
anything? You have to be careful when you’re…” She didn’t
finish the sentence.
Cathy finished it for her. “Plus-sized. You know, Mom,
I don’t dress like nun nor do I dress like a hooker. I’m right
in the middle.”
“I’m just saying this man is a baseball player so people
are going to watch you like a hawk.”
“People always have something to say. It’s just human
nature.”
“You don’t have to get snippy with me. I am still your
mother.”
“I’m not getting snippy. I’m just stating a fact, that’s
all.” She got defensive.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m not sure. Marcus made the reservations.” She
looked at her watch. “In fact, I’d better get going so we’re
not late.”
“All right. We’ll talk early next week.”
“Okay, Mom.”
Cathy hung up, took a deep breath and put her lipstick
on.
“Cathy?” Marcus called.
“Yes?”
“Are you ready?”
“Yes. I’ll be right out.”
She checked herself one more time in the mirror,
grabbed her wrap and purse. “Here I come.”
Marcus was waiting in the living room. His eyes
widened.
“What do you think?” she said as she twirled around to
give him the 360-degree view.
He stood up. “You look beautiful.” He smiled.
“Thank you very much, kind sir. You look pretty
fantastic yourself.”
“Thanks.” He put his arm out. “Your chariot awaits.”
Cathy barely caught the name of the restaurant as they
entered, but the décor and atmosphere were elegant and
intimate. The maitre d’ showed them to a beautifully set
table where a bottle of chilled champagne awaited them.
Marcus held her seat.
“Thank you.”
He sat down. “So what do you think?”
“This is very nice.”
The waiter came over. “Would you like me to open the
champagne now, sir?”
“Absolutely.”
The waiter opened the bottle and poured two glasses.
“Thank you.” Marcus lifted his glass. “I’d like to make
a toast.”
Cathy raised her glass.
“To us.”
“To us,” she said as they clinked glasses together. “This
is lovely, Marcus, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I took the liberty of picking
tonight’s menu. I hope you approve.”
“How in the world did you find the time to set this
up?”
“That’s my little secret.” He winked. “Besides, one good
meal deserves another.”
Cathy took another sip. “This champagne is fantastic.
Now what’s on the menu?”
“If you look on your plate there’s a card with all of
tonight’s delicacies.”
It read
:
Supper for Two:
Appetizer: Blini with Smoked Salmon
Soup Course: Zucchini Vichyssoise
Main entrée: Chicken with Morels and Haricots Verts
Dessert: Crème Brulee
“This sounds wonderful.”
“I bet you’ve made a few things on this menu yourself
before.”
“Once or twice.”
“I knew it. You know, I haven’t met many women who
love to cook. Where did you get your love of cooking
from?”
“With a maternal grandmother from South Carolina
and a great grandmother from the Virgin Islands, the food
was always good and I watched them in the kitchen when
I was a little girl.”
“You watched your grandmother
and
your great grandmother?” He was incredulous.
“Yes, I had the best of both worlds. I wouldn’t dare say
I’m in their league but I can hold my own in a kitchen. I’m
an all out foodie.”
“So you’re really into the Food Network.”
“Definitely. Before the Food Network I spent Sunday
afternoons watching cooking programs on PBS, one after
the other.”
“But raising two kids as a single parent, how did you
find the time to hone your skills?”
“Remember earlier today you were doing a little math
problem that involved me?”
He thought for a moment. “Oh, that math problem.”
“Let’s just say celibacy had its rewards. I had to put the
unspent energy to use somehow. I used mine in the
kitchen. I finally realized I’d gone overboard when I made
bagels at home. Bagels, of all things. This isn’t Paducah,
Kentucky. This is New York. You can get bagels anywhere.
I decided then and there I probably needed a more appropriate outlet for my energy.”
He laughed. “In other words, a sex life.”
“Exactly.”
“That is too funny.”
“Now of course my sons are spoiled. In college they’ve
had to resort to packaged cookies, muffins and the like.
Everything was and still is made from scratch at home.”
“With the exception of bagels.”
She laughed. “Right.”
“You realize you’ve
really
spoiled them.”
“Absolutely. I know my future daughters-in-law are
gonna hate me for it.”
“Of course they will. They won’t have the excuse of
work or anything else since you managed to do all of it as a
single parent.”
“Oh well.” She shrugged.
“Since you’ve done this menu before, maybe you can
make it for me someday soon.”
“That’s cool with me.”
Cathy and Marcus had a lovely dinner. Cathy silently
grew more impressed with Marcus’s choices for the menu.
From the appetizer to the entrée, every part of the meal
complemented the next. Then it was time for crème brulee,
always one of her favorite desserts. Cathy’s eyes lit up as the
waiter placed the ramekin in front of her. She took a deep
whiff of the caramel scent as it wafted in the air. The raspberry coulis further tempted her palate.
Marcus was pleased. “This looks so good.” He dove in.
“It really does look wonderful. I love the presentation.”
Suddenly she was too self conscious to eat with her usual
abandon.
Marcus looked up. “Dig in. You’ll love it.”
Cathy quietly took a deep breath. “I know.” Not
wanting to draw attention to herself, she took the smallest
spoonful and ate it slowly. She tried to make it look as if she
were savoring the taste but she didn’t fool Marcus.
“What’s the matter, Cathy?”
“Nothing. I’m just savoring the taste.”
Marcus put his napkin down. “I’m sorry, Cathy, this
just isn’t you.”
She tried to act innocent. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen you eat dessert and I loved seeing the pure
pleasure on your face. Tonight you look as if someone has
a gun pressed to your temple. What’s going on here?”
“I am enjoying this,” she insisted.
“No, you’re not. You’re being self-conscious.”
“Maybe I am.” She put the spoon down.
“You are.”
“You weren’t the one they called chubby,” she retorted.
Marcus leaned back in his chair. “So that’s what this is
about?” He shook his head. “You don’t look like the type
who would let something so ridiculous and untrue bother
you.”
Cathy knew he didn’t have a clue. “I’m ashamed to
admit it, but yes, I’m not perfect. There are days I struggle
with self esteem without the glare of the media. Now that
I’m in their crosshairs, it just feels like it’s going to take on
a life of its own.”
“Sweetheart, one of the things that attracted me to you
was your independent spirit. At Keen’s you sat down and
ate your lunch without apology. So you’d rather deny yourself something you obviously enjoy just because of what
other people might think?”
The words hit her like a hammer. “When you put it
that way, it sounds shallow. I’m not a shallow person.”
“I don’t think so either.”
Cathy knew Marcus was right. “The hell with them. It
would be an insult to you and the chef not to enjoy it.” She
dug right in. “Besides, we’re going to burn off some calories
dancing.”
“Right.” Marcus dipped his spoon into the coulis. “Do
they have a special name for this raspberry sauce?”
“It’s a raspberry coulis.”
“It’s good.”
“I know.”
Cathy was glad Marcus didn’t let her off the hook. Why
should she let a few words ruin their evening after he’d
planned such a lovely dinner? They were going to burn up
the dance floor later and get their hearts pumping. Dancing
counted as an aerobic activity with Marcus, only this time
Cathy would be on her feet.
A short time later Louis pulled up to the front of the
dance club. A valet opened the door and there were
delighted sounds from fans when Marcus stepped out with
Cathy on his arm. While he stopped to sign a few autographs and posed for a few pictures for the paparazzi, Cathy
hung back.