Okay, that’s a lie. I just hate the way it’s
impossible to jog and drink coffee at the same time. After tossing and turning
alone last night when I should have been tangled up with Chase, I woke early
and decided if I’m not getting lucky I might as well get in better shape.
Besides, what else do I have to do on a Sunday morning?
I lace up my sneakers and hit the
pavement with purpose. But that energy fades with each advancing step. My abstinent
morning exercise plan messes with my normally caffeine infused routine. So when
I turn the corner about a half mile into my jog and Kiki flags me down with a
cup of java in her hands, I have to stop.
The cool morning air hits the hot brew
and causes a swirl of steam to rise over the mug. She observes my infatuation
and invites me inside to join her in a cup. I can’t not say yes. Not saying yes
to coffee is like refusing Jesus. Okay, bad example. Lots of people refuse
Jesus. I can still be friends with those people. But people who refuse coffee?
I don’t trust those fuckers.
So, instead of running to stay in shape
for my hot ass fireman boyfriend, I’m having coffee with Kiki at her kitchen
table. Enjoying every second. I inhale the roasted brew before cooling it with
my exhale to take a long sip.
Kiki’s interior décor is a mix between
eclectic grandma and boho chic. Really, I wouldn’t expect normal from Kiki, so
it fits her perfectly.
“So, what is it you do for a job,
Callie?”
“I’m a graphic designer.”
“Oh, that’s lovely, dear. Do you make T-shirts?”
She furrows her brows and sips from her mug.
I grin in response. “I actually do
design for a firm that specializes in website development and company
re-branding. Sometimes I get to design logos that go on T-shirts.”
“A creative mind. I knew we were kindred
spirits.” She pats my arm. “Plus, you’re a coffee addict like me.”
“How did you know?” I sigh as I take
another sip. She laughs, a throaty chuckle with a knowing look on her wrinkled
face.
“It’s written all over your face. I’m
what I like to call seasoned. I’ve been on this earth a while. I can tell these
things.”
I bite my lip. She does seem to
exceptionally intuitive. Maybe she can help me out. “What else can you tell
about me?”
“You love yourself one of those fire
boys,” she answers with a glint in her eyes.
“How do you know that?” I almost gasp.
Maybe she’s psychic or a fortune teller. Oh, maybe she can read my aura.
“I just know.” She shrugs as Silas jumps
onto the table. Kiki shoos him down and he complies with an irritated meow.
“That, and the ladies at tai chi told me you’ve been dating the captain.” She
smirks. When she raises her mug to salute mine I have to let loose a little
laugh of my own. No special mind reading powers, just good old fashion
neighborhood gossip at its finest.
“Yes, I’ve been dating Chase for a few
weeks now.” Remembering the disappointment of yesterday and our missed date I
have to resist the urge to pull out my phone to see if he’s called or texted.
I’m sure he hasn’t. He won’t get off until nine and with this being his third
shift in a row I don’t expect he’ll want to come over.
“Trouble in paradise already? That’s not
good! You’re a beautiful woman. He’s hot as sin. What’s the problem?”
“No trouble. Really.” My lips pull into
a frown as I remember the Evil Grocery woman. Maybe there’s more trouble than
I’m aware of.
“I’m not convinced. Tell Kiki about it
and I’m sure I can help. Besides, I know everything about everyone.”
I grin and consider her offer. I’m sure
she does know everything. But I wonder how good she is with sharing secrets. I
don’t have the time or energy to be involved in neighborhood politics. She
scratches at her neck and it reveals a little of her weathered skin. I’m
surprised at the colorful ink scrolled across her shoulder. This woman is full
of surprises and there’s something in the way she smiles at me that makes me
want to be her friend.
“Okay. I’ll tell you my problems on one
condition.”
“Shoot.”
“You tell me the stories behind all your
tattoos.” I smirk and she does that throaty chuckle again.
“You sure about that? That could take
days. I have lots of ’em.”
“Stories or tattoos?”
“Both.”
“Yeah. I’m sure. What’s that one on your
shoulder?”
“Oh, this ol’ thing? This is one of my
favorites.” She pulls down the neck of her blouse and her bra strap so I can
see better. It’s a bouquet of flowers. I recognize the violets, periwinkle, and
lilies, but it’s the foreign words scrolling through the center in script
lettering that captures my focus. It’s beautiful.
“What does it say?”
“Il dolce far niente.” The words roll off her tongue in a soft
caress.
“Is that
Spanish?”
“Italian. It
means, it is sweet doing nothing. This was my first tattoo. I got it the summer
I turned eighteen. My friend and I took our life’s savings and flew to Europe.”
She chuckles that rough laughter. “You can imagine our parents weren’t too
thrilled. We had been raised to grow up and find a spouse. Maybe spend a few
years in college first, but then find a mate. Instead, Bets and I took off for
an adventure. My parents tried to keep me from going. Insisted I was doing
nothing with my life.”
“So you got a
tattoo about doing nothing?” I grin.
“Yes. Though
it was far from the truth. I ended up doing
my fair share of Italian men that summer.” She waggles her almost
translucent brow and I lean forward over the table. This woman is fascinating.
Her fingers stroke the rim of her mug, and light bounces off the diamond on her
left ring finger.
“Did you marry
one of those Italians?” Her eyes follow mine to her ring and she just grins.
“My turn is up. Tell me about
the captain.”
I can’t help
the way my face pulls into a smile just thinking about Chase. I take a gulp of
coffee and try to put my feelings for him into words. “He’s the most attractive
man I’ve ever dated. And I’ve always been a bit infatuated with his profession.
But I didn’t pursue him. He asked me out, and, well, it’s only been a few weeks
but I’m a goner. He really is the most perfect man.” I know I’m gushing and
sound more like an infatuated teen than a grown ass woman but I can’t seem to
stop. Kiki smiles warmly and then pats my arm before standing to move to the
counter. She brings back the coffee pot and motions to my cup. I nod with a
grin.
“Beautiful
men. They were always my downfall, too. And a man in uniform is difficult to
resist. I’d warn you to be careful, but sounds as though you’ve already crashed
and burned for this one.”
“Is there any
reason I should be careful with Chase?” I ask because something tells me if
there is, this woman would know.
“Oh, honey,
there’s always a reason to be careful in love. Doesn’t mean the heart listens.”
She smiles and I return it. I should excuse myself to leave now. It’d be polite
after taking up so much of her morning, but I don’t want to take off just yet.
I want to know more about Kiki—her tattoos, her stories, her life.
“Will you tell
me about another tattoo?”
“If you have
the time, dear. I’m sure you have other places to be than spending your day
with an old woman.”
“I have time.”
At my answer her grin pulls into a smile that fills her entire face. Her eyes
crinkle so much they almost close.
“Well, how
about this rose here . . .”
I get so
wrapped up in Kiki’s tales that it’s hours before I finally jog home. The
afternoon sun beats down on my skin and the humid air makes it difficult to
breathe, but there’s a lightless on my soul and even in my steps as I trot the
familiar path home. I’m glad fate crossed my path with Kiki today. Rather than
spending the entire day obsessing about Chase I gained a new friend, one whose
wisdom and life adventures fascinate me beyond measure. I can tell she’s a
little lonely, and who wouldn’t be, living in that house alone with no career
and no family. But today I think I needed her company as much as she needed
mine.
