Cafe Romance (23 page)

“Anyway, it wasn’t until I had gotten out of college that we ran into one another again. Matter-of-fact, she chased me down once because I did not see her inside the doorway of a store I happened to walked by that she was in. For the next four months she pursued me as if I was the only living soul that mattered in the universe. But I knew she had a reputation as being quite an item with men. Again, believe me when I say I was reluctant to get involved with her.”

Yvette shifted in her chair to get more comfortable but she never took her eyes off of his lips.

“Being in the navy at the time, I knew I was about to go overseas with my command and that was reason enough for not wanting to get too serious with her. Well, that didn’t stop her. She swore that she loved me and would wait for me to return at the end of my nine month tour. After weeks of her telling me how much she wanted to be my woman, I caved in.”

Kurt paused to take a swallow of his cocktail, then picked up where he had left off.

“Anyway, she was good about writing me initially. But towards the end of the cruise, well
…
that was another story. I rarely got anything from her, letter-wise or package-wise. Then one day, after I had returned to the States, I had an interesting conversation with my cousin Dwayne. He also knew Roxanne. And he knew that we had been a hot item. Well, that’s when he tells me about a visit he had over at a good friend of his named Michael. Seems like Michael had quite a collection of photos on his bedroom walls featuring one particular young woman. And the woman in the photos just happened to look rather familiar to my cousin. That’s when my cousin asked his friend what her name was. Michael answered Roxanne. Dwayne then told him that his cousin Kurt had a fiancée named Roxanne. He then asked his friend where she lived. His friend named the street. My cousin said that his Cousin Kurt’s fiancée lived on a street with that same name. Conflicted, no doubt, Michael could not believe what he was hearing about
his
girl. But the two didn’t have to venture much further in figuring out the scandalous situation they had just uncovered.”

“That is so unreal and really sad, Kurt,” Yvette said, reaching over to clasp his hand in hers. “I am sorry that this woman could not appreciate a good man like you. But her lost is my gain, though. I don’t need to hear anymore. It’s a wonder you still talk to her.”

“Listen, I did nothing wrong, so I had no reason to hold contempt in my heart for her, although I was deeply hurt by what she had done behind my back.”

“I know,” Yvette said before taking another sip of her drink. “Hey, how about we head over to your place now. I am just so bowled over by your RV.”

“Sounds like a plan to me, especially since we’re finished with our drinks.”

Yvette drove Kurt home to his RV. Getting out of the car, she walked around it to embrace her handsome beau. Once inside of his RV, she kissed his neck and face and lips and passionately. Chinese food did not appear to be on her mind. Coming up for air, she paused to gaze into his eyes, saying, “Listen Kurt. If there is past hurt still inside you somewhere, know that I’m going to do my best to make you forget about it. And I am going to make you forget about the likes of Roxanne and Leslie. This I promise, Kurt.”

Whether she knew it or not, it was a feeling and pain Kurt was determined not to revisit anytime soon with either one of them. Right now he felt it was important to demonstrate to Yvette that he thought more of her than his ex-lover or his soon-to-be ex-wife. He wisely used the remainder of his time with her to do just that. Before departing, the two held one another by her car. She promised to call him when she got home.

Closing the door of her condo, she revisited their conversation. Initially, she led him to believe that she had bought into his explanation about Roxanne, but it wasn’t a full purchase. But by the time she returned to the part when Roxanne stepped out on him, and she remembered the pain in his eyes and his sad expression, she knew he had been telling the truth. It was at that moment his hurt, sadness, and pain had become hers.

T
urning off the stereo, Kurt retreated to his bedroom. Switching on the night lamp, he sat down at his computer with the thought of surfing the Net. Then his cell-phone rang.
Yvette!
was his first thought. Pressing the phone against his ear, he gave a joyous greeting but was caught off guard by the soft sexy voice that responded on the other end. It was Roxanne. 

“Hello Kurt,” she breathed. “I know I’m a few days late, but I just wanted to let you know that I’m in town.”

“Roxanne,” he responded, feeling a wave of apprehension course through him. “I’m glad you made it down safely.”

“What are you doing?” she asked, unaware of how sensuous her voice sounded.

“I was about to go online” he replied, his voice deep and rich.

“Look, I probably don’t have much time,” she said with some urgency. “What’s your business number in case I need to catch you at work?” Somewhat reluctant, he gave it to her.

“Where’s Don?” he asked. 

“Actually, he’s pulling up into the driveway right now. He’s returning from the grocery store. Anyway, dear, I just wanted you to know he’s leaving first thing in the morning for the offshore oilrigs. You don’t know how much I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

“Roxanne, perhaps this is not such a good idea.”

“Believe me, I’ve changed, Kurt,” she stressed. “Look, I’ve got to hang up now but I’ll call you back tomorrow. All I want is one night out on the town with you. Just one night so that I can make up for the all the trouble I’ve caused you.”

“I still don’t know, Roxanne,” he said, feeling like he was about to get into something he might have a hard time getting out of.  “Let me think about it.”

Hearing the key turn in the door, Roxanne hurried to say, in a broken whisper, “Look Kurt, just one night!  That’s all I’m asking. Will call you tomorrow. Bye!” Click.

His phone went silent.

R
oxanne savored the idea of going out with Kurt. For her, it would be like old times
...
dancing
…
promenading through the park
...
sharing ice cream. Where you found one of them, the other was never too far away, she remembered. There was nothing like the good ole days, she thought.

Returning to the present, she focused on the looming figure standing not far from her. Suddenly she felt the room turn cold.

“Why, hello dear,” she greeted her husband gingerly, as she stood up and rushed into his arms.

Nonchalantly, he turned her away saying, “What have yah been up to all day and where’s my damn dinner? I don’t smell the first crumb cooking. What the hell have yah lazy ass been doing all of this time?”

“Don, I’m not lazy. Matter-of-fact, I was about to start your dinner but I decided to bathe first and style my hair and select a nice sexy outfit to wear, just for you,” she answered dutifully, shaking as the fearful images of past beatings returned to her. “I do look pretty to you, darling, don’t I?”

“Looks to me like ya’r ready to hit the streets like some two-bit whore,” he snapped back with asperity. “Go take that damn skirt off before I rip it off. And get ya’r high yellow black ass in that kitchen and fix me some dinner!” She could tell that he had been drinking.

“You know, you’re such a bastard!” she recoiled, rushing him, her little fists pounding his chest with little or no impact. “I regret the day I married your Irish ass!”

Pushing her down to the floor, Don pointed a threatening finger and waved it, saying, “Yah’r nothing without me, bitch. Remember that! Now go take off that damn dress before I rip it off yah.”

“Look, I’m not your goddamn maid so stop treating me like one. If you hadn’t heard, slavery has been abolished!”

An intense silence enveloped the room. Measuring his words slowly and deliberately Don said, with obvious restraint and slow staccato delivery, “Bitch, for-the-last-time-get-yah-ass-into-the-bedroom-and-take-that-damned-skirt-off-and-fix-me-something-to-eat!”

Roxanne stood in place choosing not to respond.

“Now! Goddammit!” he roared.

“Like I said, I’m not your maid and I’m certainly not your whore,” she tossed back. “So, go screw yourself!”

Don stood in place fuming, ready to explode any second.

Knowing how far to go with him and anxious to escape from his disturbing presence, she retreated to the bedroom where she collapsed onto the bed and released a flood of tears. In the background she could hear him cursing her like some madman.

O
utside it was sunny late afternoon. Inside, an uncomfortable Kurt leaned back in his chair and contemplated his next move with Roxanne. He knew it was next to impossible getting out of seeing her while she was in town. She just wasn’t having it. Inside, he hoped that she was truly serious about making amends for the pain she had caused him and that there was nothing more to it than that. Anyway, all she had asked for was one night out on the town. Hell, what harm could she possibly cause in one night? He pondered.

In the end, he convinced himself that he was probably overreacting to the situation. After much thought he decided to take her on her word as a changed person. But he would make it clear to her that this was a one-time event. With the matter settled, at least in his mind, he went on to surf the Net. Before turning in for the night, he ironed a shirt to wear for work the following day. An overdue introduction was also on the schedule with Yvette’s girlfriend, Juanita.

I
t was unusual was for Kurt to be late for one of their
Café
rendezvous. He had never been late before. Drawing a deep breath, Yvette peered through the dimly lit restaurant pondering his whereabouts. Seated next to her were Juanita and her sister Nola. The three chatted and nibbled at their salads as they awaited the arrival of Kurt and their main order. A minute into her ‘
very
concerned’
mood, she spied Kurt’s handsome form. Though late, his expression was suitably apologetic; his eyes alight with subdued excitement.

“Please, allow me to apologize for being late but I had an important last minute phone call come in right as I was about to leave,” he explained as he stood before the three lovely diners. What he failed to say was that the caller was Roxanne Polite.

Joining the three, Kurt slid down next to Yvette, giving her a slow, secret smile, she understood. Leaning lightly into him, she titled her face towards him. His musk scented cologne raced through her senses, leaving her desperately longing for his touch. No doubt, this afternoon get together was giving her more pleasure than any day since she first stumbled across him here at the restaurant. It delighted her being seated beside him, her best friend Juanita across from her and Nola next to Juanita. With a leisurely smile she began the introductions.

“Kurt this is Juanita, Juanita this is Kurt,” she began vibrantly.

“Nice to meet you,” Juanita replied in a wonderful low voice, soft and clear.

“The pleasure is mine,” he returned, withdrawing his hand. Her grip had been firm, sincere. Her smile warm and benevolent. Her light brown eyes misty and wistful. Juanita was as he pictured her. Beautiful. A right-to-the-end type of friend. Loyal. Devoted. Trustworthy.

With light brown eyes that were gentle and contemplative, Nola, her voice, though deep, was crisp and clear, added, “Glad to meet you, Kurt.” She was a younger version of her sister Juanita, though sporting a different hair-do and color. Honey blonde. Late-twenties, no doubt.

Kurt returned his attention to Yvette, whose eyes clung to every word he spoke. Once their food arrived he got down to the business of eating. As he cut his grilled sirloin into small bits, he listened as the three women talked about fashion, children, and Nola’s new hair color. Between mouthfuls the three women would do their best to entice Kurt to join in the conversation but he knew there was no way he could indulge them at their level of interest. But he did give it a try. After dessert, he bid them goodbye and returned to work.

When the working day drew to an end, he mounted his bike and headed for home. His thoughts were on Yvette and the lovely time they had together at lunch. If ever there was an angel on earth, in his eyes it was Yvette. And he hoped before long that she would be his. But for now, he’d regarded her as a very special friend.

T
he morning came much too early for Roxanne. With great effort, she rose up and out of the warm bed. Don was about to leave for his helo flight out to the oilrigs. As was expected, she played the loyal devoted wife who was sad to see her husband leave. In reality, she felt a certain kind of liberation whenever he left on his all too brief excursions. It took her less than a year to realize she had married Don for all the
wrong reasons – security, wealth and social status, foremost. Love barely figured into the equation. But that was how it all began
…
her and
The Beast
.

Don hailed from a wealthy Irish family who had made their fortune in the oil business back in the thirties. And Roxanne, who had pre-notions of living the fabulous life, decided to take the first meal ticket that came along. Don was quite civil, that is, in the beginning. The trouble came less than six months later when he grilled her about a phone call she had received from a male caller. She explained to him that it was a first cousin of hers but Don was not convinced, not until another relative of hers, he knew well, validated this. After that testy incident, she watched Don grow jealous, overbearing, and self-centered and above all, abusive.

At thirty-seven, the man had few redeeming attributes. He was not even a good lover. But he did provide her with the fabulous life-style she had longed for, a $390,000 home they shared, a $3,000 a month personal spending allowance and frequent chauffeured limousine service. In return, she provided him with two sons to carry on the family name, and made herself available to him whenever he needed to satisfy his sexual cravings. And yes, she was expected to play the perfect hostess for her husband’s social gatherings at home.