Life After College

Here\'s another. Enjoy.

--Scribbles05


Chapter 31

4 years later.......

I’ve gotten better over the years. I’m not my usual self of course, but better than I was. I’m alone now. Completely alone. Sofia has since graduated college and has gotten engaged to Raymond and pregnant. Five months to be exact. They live in a nice little loft in the city. She has become a fashion designer for some company and Raymond is working in a company as a computer communications technician.

Damon is now a senior in college. Both he and Clint decided to go to the same school; he, for oceanography and Damon for sports medicine. Damon was going to try to make it pro with his soccer, but a busted knee two years ago during a soccer match ended it.

So that leaves me. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m alone, in a big house, with nothing to do. Seeing as how it was too hard for me to drive it and how many memories it brought me just looking at it, I decided to sell Dicky’s four door truck. I actually gave it to Raymond at first, but he wouldn’t take it. So I charged him one dollar to take it home to his pregnant fiancé.

The kids seem to think that I am trying to find comfort in food. I, personally, don’t think so. I mean, sure, I’ve gained a few (just a few) pounds over the years and have had to up my pants size twice but hey, I’m not 25 anymore. If I DO have a problem, I guess it started a few months after the funeral, when the three of us flew to North Carolina for a little get together at Vivian’s house. She, Diana, and Christina put together a huge feast for a particularly small crowd. It was only us, them three, the twin’s husbands, and their four children. I believe I ate more than I talked. By the time it was over, I had finished off two full plates, my slice of orange pound cake, and the rest of Sofia’s sweet potato pie. Vivian, still grieving some, kept herself busy serving food. And I guess me -being in my own little state of grieving- ate whatever she placed in front of me.

I may question the whole food thing, but I do admit that I have taken to drinking again. I promised that after the ordeal in New York, I’d never drink again, but now that my husband was gone, I see no purpose in holding on to it. I keep a case of Heineken in my fridge next to my two packs of brown sugar flavored bacon and Quizno’s sub. I’ve gotten better at my drinking over the years as well. I can hold my liquor a lot better than what I used to.

It was a hot weekend and I decided to stay in the house (big surprise there). Donning Dicky’s favorite faded blue shirt from college, pink boxers, and pale green terrycloth robe, I sat in the den watching QVC and HSN, with a bag of chips in my lap and a beer in my hand. I know I had spent over $300 ordering shit I’d never use. I had just finished calling in an order for a potato slicer, when I heard Sofia walk in with Raymond. “Dad?!”

“I’m in the den.”

Sofia walked in holding her round belly and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Hey dad.”

“Hey babe. How’s it goin’ Raymond?”

“Good thanks. You?” He sat on the other end of the couch I was on.

I shrugged. “Been better.”

“You’re right about that.” Sofia said as she sat on the coffee table in front of me. Blocking the damn tv. “Dad, you look like hell. Have the people at work noticed your change?”

“No. I tend to pull myself together some when I go to work thank you very much.”

“What about Bernie and Francis? You talked to them lately?”

“A few times. They are doing their own thing right now. Since they’ve gotten Haley six years ago, they’ve been running ragged keeping her happy.” I frowned my brows thinking for a minute. “What is this? A intervention?”

“Yes. It’s time you get back out there in the world, dad. Go shopping like you used to, take spontaneous trips, DATE for crying out loud. Just stop all the damn eating.” She watched as I looked her dead in the face and popped a chip in my mouth and ate it. I heard Raymond hold back a laugh and I jokingly winked at him with a smile. “Dad! It’s not funny.”

“I’m sorry, hon. I was just kidding. Anyway, I haven’t dated in over....... twenty years. Even if I was ready to get back out on the dating scene, I’d have no way of knowing how to go about it.”

“What do you mean ‘even if I was ready’? You ARE ready. You can’t stay in this big house alone.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s not good for you. You used to have this sparkle about you. It was so lively and fun and playful. You’ve lost it now.”

“Babe, I lost it four years ago.”

She touched my knee. “You can get it back, dad. All you have to do is try. Fall in love again.”

“I’m not sure I want too.”

Sofia smiled. “Too late. I’ve already got you a date.”

I laughed like maybe she was joking. “You did what?”

“I distinctly remember my English professor, Mr. Tyler Clay, telling me he was gay back in my sophomore year. I was talking to him about the writer Oscar Wilde, and he told me -in so many words- that he liked guys too. I met up with him yesterday during my lunch break and I told him all about you. I brought up a little meeting between you two and he agreed.”

“Please tell me you didn’t.”

“I did.”

“No.”

“Come on, dad. You’d like him. He’s smart, funny in a dry humor type way, very sweet, and he’s extremely cute.” Raymond flashed her a look. “Of course, I have my eyes on you, honey.” He smiled.

“No, Sofia.”

“Pleeeeeaaase? Just give the date a shot. If you don’t like him, that’s it. You can come back here and down more beers and pizzas all you want. You can say you atleast tried.”

I sighed dramatically. “All right. When’s the damn date?”

“Tonight. At Zumas. Seven o’clock.”

“Wow.” I said sarcastically. “Movin’ a little fast aren’t we?”

“For you, not fast enough. Now get dressed. Raymond is gonna drop us off in town before he goes to get groceries.”

“Wait a minute. Where am I going?”

“Shopping, silly.”

I looked at her like she had two heads. “What. And miss People’s Court?”

************

“I’m not in the mood for shopping.” I told Sofia after we got dropped off. “Can’t we just go into Hardee’s and eat until Raymond gets back?”

“.......No.” Sofia said as she looped her arms around my arm and walked me down the strip. We walked into Dolce and Gabbana first.

“I don’t......feel......like......Look at those shoes!” I left Sofia and walked to the shoe section. I picked up a pair of black alligator skin shoes and twirled them in my fingers. “They’re heavenly.”

“That’s the dad I remember.”

By the time Raymond came to pick us up again, I had bought one black and one dark blue pinstripe suit from Dolce and Gabbana, a tweed suit from Prada, three shirts from Armani, a red and white stripe seersucker suit since the summer is approaching, sunglasses from Yves Saint Laurent, and a pair of shoes from each. “Geez,” Raymond said as he helped me pack some of the bags in the truck. “Did you get enough clothes?”

“Did I overdo it?”

“Heck no.” Sofia said. “That’s enough for three or four more dates with Tyler.”

I looked at her. “Don’t push it, blondie.”

************

Seven o’clock came around faster than I had thought. After I drove myself there, I stood at the door, pausing. I decided to put on a black suit with a white v-neck cashmere shirt under it. I even slicked my hair back in it’s normal wavy do. I was iffy about whether I should wear my wedding band. I didn’t want him to think I was trying to have a secret fling, but I also didn’t want to give up my ring. Sofia gave me one of her thin gold necklaces and I slid the ring on that and hooked it around my neck.

I rubbed my thumb over the ring as I looked at the door. Why am I so nervous? I’m just doing this for Sofia. It’s not like I WANT to really date this man. *Just go in there and play nice, Drew.* I thought.

I took a deep breath and walked in. Sofia said he was blonde, so I started to scope out heads. After a minute, I came across blonde hair. The hair was short. Cut into a Brad Pitt-esque type buzz cut. My eyes followed down to the face. It was a very manly face; strong jaw, keen nose, high cheekbones.......full lips.

He was sitting at a table in a gray suit and white shirt with open collar, but he stood up when he saw me. I walked over and extended my hand. “Tyler Clay, I presume.”

“Yes. And you must be THE Andrew Payne I heard so much about from Sofia.” Soft hands.

“That’d be me.” I smiled at him.

He was still for a minute before he ‘snapped out of it’. “Please. Have a seat.” We sat down on opposite sides of the small circular table. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a silver cigarette case and lighter. “Mind if I smoke?”

“No. Mind if I drink?” He shook his head and I grabbed a waiter. “Hi. A glass of your best Hennessy please.”

“Make it two.” Tyler added.

“You drink too?” I asked once the waiter walked away.

He shrugged. “Casually. Special occasions. Stuff like that.” He blew out smoke. “You know, seeing Sofia, I expected you to be a blonde.”

“Disappointed?”

“Not in the least. I rather like what I see.”

I chuckled. Flatterer. Okay. “So, you’re a professor. Is that all you do?”

“Yes.”

“Your dress is a bit expensive to be bought strictly off a teacher’s pay.”

“Really?” He smiled.

“Yep. Those Gucci shoes you have on cost $170 alone.”

Tyler looked down at his shoes, then laughed. “You’re good.”

The waiter came back with the drinks and started to sip mine. “I know.”

“Okay. Here’s the deal. I am a Professor of English. I am good at what I do. But I don’t need the job.”

“Why?”

“My grandfather was very well known in his time. Grew into a lot of money over the years. He got old, past it on to my mother. My mother got sick and gave it to me before she passed.”

“And what is it that your grandfather did?”

“Publishing.” He said as he blew out smoke and dabbed his cigarette in the ashtray.

“Oh. I’ve never heard of Clay Publishing.”

“No. My mother’s maiden name was Thomas.”

My breathing stopped. He’s Thomas Publishing. That was the heavyweight in publishing companies. No other company was bigger than them. “You’re TP & Company?”

“Yep.”

“I guess you’re right. You don’t need to teach.”

“Keep it on the down low though, okay? Not many people know who I am and I rather like it that way.”

“Sure. So why did you tell me the truth? You could’ve easily said something else?”

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

“........I don’t know. You were the head of a big time mob and your real name was ‘Boom-Boom’ Clay.” I downed the rest of my glass and asked for another after we placed our food orders.

Tyler laughed. “That was creative. Hey waiter, get me another glass too.” He said to the young boy I had just spoken to. He tapped his finger against his neck. “Your necklace. Is that a wedding ring?”

I grabbed the ring and rubbed it. “Yes. I’m........I was married. For seventeen years.”

“I hope I’m not being too nosey when I ask, what happened?”

“Richard died. Four years ago.”

“Richard..... The lieutenant of the SWAT team. I remember hearing about that on the news. I’m sorry.”

I nodded and downed another glass. “So am I. But I’m coping. Well, what about you? Married. Before, that is.”

“No. Never been married. I was in a long relationship with a man once. It would be about six years ago now. I caught him having sex in my car with another man one night. He said he was going to see his mom.”

I winced. “That’s terrible. I’m sorry that happened to you.”

“Yeah. So, after him, I raised my brother’s kid, sent him out into the world, and now I’m alone.”

“That sounds a lot like me.” I signaled for the waiter to bring me another drink. “Along with Sofia, I also raised my son Damon, sent them both out into the world, and now I’M alone.” The waiter came back with my glass. I started to drink it down.

“I guess we’re both meant to be together then.” He watched me put my empty glass back on the table. “Wow. You can really put them away can’t you?”

I blushed and smiled. “You should see me with a sirloin steak. I could probably eat half of my body weight in it.”

“I would look forward to seeing you do it one day. I enjoy watching you.”

************

“I had fun tonight.” Tyler said as we walked out the restaurant together.

“Me too. When Sofia told me that you were an English professor, I thought you were going to be one of those guys who wears sweater vests and khakis, keeps forty pens in their pockets, and stays with their mother.”

He smiled. “You thought all that?” I shrugged. “And now that you saw me?”

“Better than what I expected.” I reached my car and started to pull out my keys.

“Wait.” Tyler reached for my elbow then slid his hand down to hold mine. “I’d like to see you again.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’d like to get to know you better. Even if this doesn’t grow into something more, we could atleast be friends, right?”

“Okay. So when do you want to do this?”

“Tomorrow morning. I’m treating you to breakfast at one of my friend’s new bistro .”

I rolled my eyes. “You really like watching me eat, don’t you?”

“I won’t lie to you. I like the way your mouth moves.” I could feel him rubbing my hand with his thumb. I almost felt like swooning. Almost. “Tomorrow. Ten o’clock. The Cranberry Bistro.” He held my hand for a while longer before he let go and walked to his car.

TBC...

Hope you liked it. I have a little something you may like coming up in the next chapter. Stay tuned in b/c it\'s only two more chaps left. *cries softly* Oh, and please review. Thanks.