Authors: Kate Hopkins
Haley left the living room and walked into the kitchen, where she opened the refrigerator and took out the makings for a sandwich. She put everything on the counter and then grabbed a loaf of wheat bread from the breadbox. Unscrewing the lid on the mayonnaise jar, she grabbed a knife from the utensil drawer and slathered the creamy sauce on a slice of bread. She added ham, Swiss cheese, tomato and lettuce, and topped it with the other slice of bread. Returning everything to the refrigerator, she snatched a can of coke and shut the door.
Just then, the phone rang. Without bothering to check the Caller ID, Haley seized the cordless from the counter and pressed the talk button. "Hello?"
"Haley, please don't hang up," Chad said. "Listen to-"
"You have some nerve calling me," she said coldly.
"I know I screwed up," he said. "I know I hurt you."
"You don't know," she said hoarsely. She cleared her throat. "You don't know. I loved you . . . I gave you all of me and -" Her eyes filling with tears, she paused.
"Please," Chad begged. "Give me another chance. I swear I will-"
"You will what?" she snarled. "You will make sure to be more careful with your affairs so I won't find out. I can't trust you anymore. When there's no trust, it's all just a waste of time. I think I've wasted enough time on you. Don't call me anymore." She hung up the phone and angrily swiped the tears away. She refused to spend another second crying over him. Picking up her sandwich, she transferred it to a plate and went back into the living room.
"Who called?" Sandra asked, her attention on the phone in her hand.
"Chad," Haley muttered, sitting down on the couch.
Sandra frowned. "What did that dirt bag want?"
"Another chance," she sneered. "I guess he wasn't done making me look like a fool. He was-" The ringing of the phone interrupted what she was going to say next.
"Don't answer it. It might be him."
Haley set her plate and coke can on the coffee table and leaned over to look at the caller ID on the phone. "It's Simon." She quickly answered the phone. "Hello, Simon."
"How did you know it was me?"
"Caller ID," she answered.
"I see," he said. "Given what happened this will probably sound like a stupid question, but-"
"I've never known you to ask stupid questions," Haley uttered.
"Oh, believe me, I've asked plenty." He cleared his throat. "How are you?"
"I'm . . . okay," she said hesitantly. "I'm glad you called, Simon. I never thanked you for all you did."
"No thanks necessary."
"I disagree." Feeling a sharp pain between her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I know it wasn't easy for you to tell me. You put your friendship with him on the line and-"
"Our friendship has slowly been heading south for a while now, Haley," he confessed. "You have nothing to do with the decline in it, so don't feel guilty. Well I will let you go. I just wanted to check on you and see how you're doing. If you need anything don't hesitate to call me."
"Thank you, Simon," she said, feeling a rush of affection for him.
"Take care of yourself, Haley," he said softly. "I'll talk to you soon."
"Bye, Simon."
"Bye."
Her heart in her throat, Haley hung up the phone. "He just wanted to check on me and see how I was doing."
Sandra nodded. "I thought as much. Eat your sandwich."
To please her sister Haley picked up the sandwich and took a bite. She wasn't the least bit hungry, but she would eat if it meant she didn't have to see that worried expression on Sandra's face again. Ignoring the sick feeling in her stomach, she forced the food down.
That evening found Simon standing in front of the bathroom mirror, tying his black and blue striped tie. According to his watch, it was a quarter till seven. If he didn't get moving, he would be late to the party. Marian Wilcox frowned upon tardiness. If you were late, you had better be prepared to listen to a lecture on why it was rude to keep a person waiting. He hated her lectures.
His tie neatly knotted, Simon turned out the light, strolled into the bedroom, and grabbed his black suit coat from the back of a chair. He slipped his arms into the sleeves and brushed a piece of lint off the lapel. Moving to the dresser, he scooped up his loose change, wallet, cell phone and keys. He stuffed the items into his pants pockets and then checked to see what time it was.
"Ready to roll, little bro?" Daniel asked from the doorway. "You know if we're late we'll have to suffer the wrath of Marian, the dragon lady."
Simon turned and saw his brother was wearing a pair of old faded jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt. "You do know Gran is going to have a fit when she sees what you're wearing."
Daniel grinned. "I know. I live to make her life a living hell. I get a kick out of watching her nostrils flare and that little vein in her neck, the way it stands out, priceless. Let's roll, bro. I'm driving, by the way."
"Like hell you are," Simon growled. "Last time I rode with you, you almost ran over an elderly man."
"He walked out in front of the car."
"He was crossing the crosswalk," Simon retorted. "He had the right of way. You on the other hand had a red light."
"Fine," Daniel sighed. "You can drive. Let's go, grandpa."
Shaking his head, Simon followed him downstairs.
. . . .
"I see you chose to ignore the dress code for my party," Marian said to Daniel.
Simon watched with amusement as a vein in her neck stood out and her nostrils began to flare. "Gran, I-"
"Do not interfere, boy," she said.
Simon left Daniel to fend for himself and made his way through the crowd. At the bar, he ordered a scotch on the rocks and turned to study his surroundings. The room was large with beige walls and hardwood floors. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, the crystals sparkling in the light. Lining the walls were framed oil paintings of landscapes. Art, collecting it, was something that Simon's grandmother enjoyed. Large potted ferns were placed here and there throughout the room. A set of doors, leading out onto the balcony, were open, letting in a cool breeze and the scent of honeysuckle.
"Thanks for leaving me with that old bat," Daniel said, emerging from the crowd, a few minutes later.
"Any time." Grinning, Simon raised his glass and took a drink.
"Give me a whiskey," Daniel told the bartender. While he waited for his drink, he scanned the crowd. "Most of the people here are old."
"You knew they would be," Simon pointed out. "Why did you come?"
"Free booze and food." He took the glass the bartender held out to him and took a long drink. "Man, I needed that. I might just hang out here all night. It beats-"
At that moment, Haley came hurrying up to Simon and grabbed him by the arm. "Come with me quickly."
"Haley, what-"
"We'll talk, but not here."
"Hey, beautiful," Daniel said.
"Sorry, Daniel, no time to talk." She pulled Simon through the crowd toward the balcony. Once outside she led him over to a private corner and released his arm. "I overheard your Gran and a woman I've never seen before talking about you. Your Gran was pointing out your good qualities to her. It was as if she was trying to sell you. Believe me the woman was hanging on every word. I knew it was only a matter of time before they sought you out."
Simon groaned. "That old woman is going to drive me insane. I knew what she had in mind when she announced she was having a cocktail party. She throws a party when she thinks she has found the right woman for me." He brought a hand up and touched her cheek tenderly. "Thank you for saving me."
"I'm just returning the favor," she said shyly.
He stepped back slightly and gazed at her. Despite her puffy eyes, she looked stunning. The green dress she had on made her eyes appear greener. She wore her hair up, exposing the graceful column of her neck. His eyes settled on her full lips and the urge to kiss her tore through him. He quickly averted his gaze and tamped down his urges. She had just ended a bad relationship and was vulnerable. He was not going to take advantage of her while her defenses were low. Taking her hand, he steered her toward a bench and they sat down. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"I couldn't take staring at the walls and thinking of him another minute," Haley confessed. "I had to get out for a while." She paused. "He called me earlier today."
Simon stiffened up. "What did he want?"
"Another chance." She laughed bitterly. "I'm not that stupid." She shifted on the bench, drawing Simon's attention to her legs. He swallowed hard and loosened his tie slightly. "Are you all right?"
Praying his voice was steady, he said, "I'm fine."
They lapsed into silence for a time. Both were comfortable in each other's presence that they didn't feel as though they needed to fill the silence with meaningless conversation. Simon tilted his head back and gazed up at the sky. The stars were out and seemed brighter than usual. He breathed in deeply the scent of honeysuckle. Its sweet perfume permeated the air. "I'm glad you came, Haley. I was afraid this evening was going to be a waste of time." He waited for her to respond. When she didn't he turned his head and looked at her. Her eyes were closed. He leaned in close and brushed his lips against her cheek.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled, opening her eyes. "The cool breeze makes me sleepy."
"I thought maybe I was boring," Simon said.
"Never," she muttered. "I just didn't-" She broke off as her stomach growled loudly. "Sorry."
"When did you last eat?" he inquired.
"Around noon," Haley answered. "I had a sandwich. I wasn't hungry, but Sandra was there so I ate to please her."
Simon frowned. "You have to eat. You can't skip meals. It's not healthy. I have an idea. Why don't you come home with me? I'll cook you dinner."
Haley arched an eyebrow. "You cook?"
He smirked. "It's one of my hidden talents."
"Are you any good?"
"I haven't won any awards, but I think I'm okay." Simon got to his feet and held out his hand. "Would you join me for dinner, Ms. Denton?"
"I would love to." Haley took his hand and stood. They left the balcony and wound their way back through the crowd.