A Different Kind of Forever(46)
“I thought you liked Michael.”
“I do. God, yes, he’s incredible. But he is so far removed from the kind of man I thought I’d be with at this point in my life. If you were single right now, what kind of man would you want?”
Sharon pursed her lips. “I’d want a man I don’t have to explain Paulie’s ADHD to. Somebody who understands why I’m at a soccer game instead of making dinner. Somebody who knows why I’m miserable about putting my mother in a nursing home.”
“Exactly. Bill Watson. Does Michael even come close to any of that?”
“Listen, you’ve been going out with one form of Bill Watson or another for the past few years. Without much success, I might add. The only man who’s managed to float your boat since your divorce was that English guy, and he wasn’t very Bill Watson-like. What’s so wrong with a guy who’s incredible?”
“I don’t know. I’m just a little overwhelmed right now.”
“By a poster boy? Well, that’s understandable.”
“He should be here any minute.”
“Oh?”
Diane blushed. “I’m making him breakfast.”
“Uh huh.” Sharon’s eyes danced over the rim of her coffee cup. “Is that what you’re calling it these days?”
Diane was smiling. “We are kind of in that can’t-keep-our-hands-off-each-other phase,” she admitted.
“I am so jealous. Really. He’s how old?”
“Oh, stop it. He had all the stuff I need for my roses sent over. A guy delivered everything yesterday. Can you believe it?”
Sharon looked into the back yard. “Now, there’s class for you. Most men send a dozen long-stemmed roses after that first big night. He sends a whole garden.”
“I know. I’m so lucky.”
“Hey, so is he,” Sharon said stoutly, “and don’t forget it.” She was still looking into the back yard. “Is that him?”
Michael had come around and was standing in the patio, looking at the pile of slate, roses and bagged compost. He smiled as the two women came out, kissing Diane and nodding to Sharon.
“Hello. I’m Michael.” He held out his hand.
Sharon shook it warmly. “Nice to see meet you. I’m Sharon. I was on my way out.”
Michael held up his hands. “Wait. Don’t leave on my account. Want to have breakfast with us?”
Sharon grinned at Diane. “Isn’t he sweet?” She turned back to Michael. “No, thank you,” she told him as she headed for the back gate. Once behind Michael’s back, she turned around to her friend and mouthed, ‘He’s so cute’, before leaving them alone.
Diane kissed him. “See. All the stuff is here. Everything is going to be beautiful,” she declared.
“Will you please let me help you with this?” he pleaded. “At least today? I mean it. You’ve already proven what a great hole-digger you are. We’ll get some things in the ground, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you. That’s what we can do this morning.”
“Now, about tonight. Do you like to dance? Ever hear of the 1896 Club?”
“I love the 1896. We were just there, in March - for my birthday. All the girls.”
“The girls? Emily and Megan?”
“No. Sue and Sharon and Carol and Clair and Ginny. The girls.”
“Oh,” he chuckled. “Well, how about tonight with the boys? Seth wants to take David there. Some people we know are playing. Great music. Even some Motown.”
“I’d love to go.”
“Good. So what’s for breakfast?”
“Blueberry pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice. How does that sound?”
“That sounds good.”
“But I thought,” she said slowly, sliding her hands under his shirt, “we could do something else first.”
He smiled. “Something else sounds good too.”
She heard his truck drive up, and came out the door to meet him. He was wearing a cowboy hat made of finely braided straw, with a thin band and a small blue feather. She met him in the middle of her walk and kissed him warmly.
“Are you in disguise?” She asked politely.
“Yes, as a matter of fact,” he explained as they walked to the truck. “The 1896 is the kind of place where I’ll get recognized. I’m not in the mood. I figure in a club famous for R&B, they’ll leave the jerk in the cowboy hat alone.” He started the truck. “What do you think?”