Читать книгу Tabloid Teacher - Dominique Butler - Страница 12

It was ten minutes to eleven, when Jake arrived at Patsy’s gated community. He was glad there was some sort of security here. If any photographers had followed him, the gate was sure to slow them down a bit. He did not need for them to find out who Sam was before he had a chance to speak to her. He waited at the gate while the call box dialed Patsy’s apartment. The phone rang three times before she picked up.

“Hello?” said a shrill voice over the speaker.

“Aunt Patsy, it’s me Jake. I’m at the gate.” He called into the speaker.

“Oh!” she cried out in surprise and the gate began to open.

Jake had chosen not to call her in advance so she wouldn’t make a fuss over him; cooking, cleaning, and preparing for his arrival. Guilt flooded over him. He had not come to see his aunt in two years. He had seen her over the holidays at family functions, but for the past two years he had traveled to Miami, but he had not taken the time to visit with her. Now he was doing so with an ulterior motive.

Patsy flew out of her apartment as the black SUV pulled up. Her arms were wrapped around Jake’s neck before he even stepped out of it.

“I don’t know how you two did it!” She exclaimed. “You two kept that secret so well. And to think all this time I was talking to Sam about you and she was in love already. She should be an actress because I never would have known.” She stepped back allowing Jake to get out. He could barely bring his lips into the semblance of a smile.

Aunt Patsy would be so disappointed if she knew the truth. He thought. He looked around at the neighboring condos trying to imagine which door was Sam’s.

“I wish you had told me you were coming. I would have made your favorite dish.” She ushered him into her tiny home. Nothing had changed since the last time he came. There was the same sectional that took up one wall. It pulled out into a sofa bed. Then a small dinette marked the space where the dining room was. Sliding glass doors looked out onto the lake. He knew the layout from having stayed there many times while growing up. He had spent many vacations there because his parents had to work. Aunt Patsy and Uncle Albert retired in Florida. They bought the condo and an R.V. They traveled throughout the year visiting different places in the R.V. and stayed in the condo during the winter months. When Uncle Albert passed away Patsy sold the R.V. and rarely traveled unless there was a special occasion. He had last seen her at his cousin Susan’s wedding 6 months ago.

“Sit down and tell me all about how the two of you met.” She whirled around the room fluffing pillows and quickly dusting off dozens of knick-knacks that decorated every table top and shelf. Everywhere they traveled Patsy bought a souvenir. Each knick-knack held an invaluable memory. Finally, she stopped and pulled up a chair directly across from Jake. “Where are my manners? Would you like something to drink?” Jake nodded and she rushed to the kitchen. While she pulled glasses out of the cupboard, filled them with ice, and poured in fresh squeezed lemonade, Jake desperately tried to come up with a story about how he met Sam.

“Go ahead honey, I’m listening.” She called from the kitchen. Jake stayed quiet. Soon Patsy emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with the two glasses of lemonade and some cookies. She set the tray down on the coffee table and watched Jake expectantly. Jake quickly reached down and took a bite out of one of the cookies. He tried to swallow, but found it rather difficult with his throat feeling as tight as it did. He picked up the lemonade and tried to wash down the cookie. A piece of the cookie went down the wrong pipe and he began coughing. “Are you all right?” Patsy jumped up and patted him on the back.

“I’m fine.” He managed to choke out. After a minute he was able to suck in a deep breath. “Have you talked to mom?”

“Oh yes. I told her all about Sam. She’s such a nice girl. She works so hard too. I don’t know how she does it. You know I cook for her and the girls sometimes 'cause they’re all so thin. She seems to live off of junk food, too. So once in a while I make them a nice home cooked meal. The girls often eat at their grandma’s, but by the time Sam comes home its way past dinnertime so she eats my meals. I don’t mind really. I mean I can’t really eat leftovers all week now can I. That reminds me I was making some pot roast for tonight. Sam loves my pot roast. That is one thing I do like about her, that girl can eat. We also share her dog, because she doesn’t want him to be lonely during the day.” She pointed to Spot who was lounging in a corner and smiled at Jake. Jake quickly decided to ask another question before she did.

“How are the girls?” She had mentioned “the girls” before so hopefully this would provide some more information on Sam.

“You have met them haven’t you?” Patsy asked.

“Sure, it’s just I’ve been so busy lately.” He took a sip of lemonade hoping Patsy bought his excuse. Who exactly are these “girls” anyway? Are they roommates, sisters?

“Of course dear, oh Lexi seems more and more like her mother everyday and Ellie is just a little ball of sunshine. I hear them sometimes at night laughing and giggling.” She smiled sweetly. “You’ll make such a good father.”

Jake almost spit out his lemonade. That was an awfully random comment. Well, I guess if they think I’m getting married they must think children will be next. “I guess mom was pretty surprised, huh?”

“Yes, yes she was. She said you never said a word about Sam. How long have you too known each other anyway?” She was suddenly rather serious.

“Oh we go way back Aunt Patsy. Sam and I have known each other a long time.” Jake swallowed hard. He looked down and picked a cookie crumb off his shirt. He hated lying especially to his family. It wasn’t like acting at all. When you act you’re telling a story to entertain. When you lie you’re telling a story to deceive.

Aunt Patsy relaxed a bit. “I’m glad, ‘because too many young people rush into marriage nowadays. Of course, I don’t really know the whole story about Sam’s marriage, but I think she rushed into that one and I’d hate to see you get hurt. I truly believe that a marriage should be based off of a close friendship. When Albert was alive…”

Jake relaxed in his chair. Once Aunt Patsy started talking about Albert she was lost to a world of memories. He quickly recapped what he knew about Sam. She’s been married twice. She lives with girls. She has a brother. I really don’t know a lot. He sighed. Patsy thought it was about Albert. She continued on with her story wiping a tear from her eye.

Jake spent the rest of the day with Patsy. He helped her cook the pot roast, listened to her talk about Albert, and above all avoided questions about his relationship. He listened intently for more clues about Sam. He was able to decipher that she was a schoolteacher which led him to wondering when she would get home. The apartment next door had been quiet the whole day. He convinced Patsy to eat dinner on the patio looking out on the lake so he could eavesdrop for sounds and watch the neighboring apartment for movement. He didn’t want to ask Patsy about Sam’s schedule because as her fiancé shouldn’t he know.

By nine o’clock Jake was sitting at the dinette with Patsy playing cards. “Well, look at the time.” Patsy suddenly said. “I had better get that pot roast wrapped up for Sam.” She jumped up and went into the kitchen. She pulled out a slew of Tupperware containers until she found one that was the right size. She had barely finished packing the meat when Jake heard a car engine outside.

“There she is.” Patsy said. Jake gulped and followed Patsy out the door.