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Like clockwork, around nine o’clock every night for a week, Maxwell and I talked on the phone, catching up on each other’s lives. I almost felt like I knew his kids after our conversations. I knew how much Ashlee loved Instagram and Alex was following in his dad’s footsteps on the basketball court. And, if I ever needed any computer help, Adrian was my boy.
Late Wednesday afternoon, while at my desk editing copy for a client’s brochure, my cell phone rang. I looked at the caller ID.
“Hey, you,” I answered with a smile. “Nice surprise.”
Maxwell responded. “How’s your day been?”
“Not bad. I’m wrapping up some edits for the day.”
“You think you’ll be ready to head home soon?”
I peered at the clock, four forty-five. Usually I stayed late to avoid sitting in traffic so I was looking at another hour. “Did you have something in mind?”
“I was hoping we could meet, maybe for coffee.”
I couldn’t keep the grin off my face if I tried. “Coffee sounds great. I know the perfect place. A lady from our church has a great place uptown right off College Street. It’s called Southern Delights Cafe.”
“Sounds like it’s walking distance from my office.”
“Mine too. I’ll meet you there in thirty minutes?”
“That sounds great.”
Despite our planned date only two days away, my skin tingled with giddiness over our impromptu coffee meeting. I had learned in one of our late night talks that Maxwell’s office building was only a few streets over from mine. Like me, he parked in the nearby parking garages and battled with rush hour traffic. We’ve been so close to each other for months.
By the time I entered Southern Delights Cafe, Maxwell was already at a table with two cups of coffee.
“Wow, you already grabbed coffee.”
“I remembered how much you liked caramel. Thought you might like the caramel latte.” He dipped his head with a slight smile. “I hope I’m not being presumptuous.”
I sat stunned. “You remembered that?”
“Oh yeah. You still eat Twix candy bars? Remember how you liked to eat the caramel off the cookie?”
I giggled. “I still do.”
I’m not sure why I felt compelled to look, but I noticed Maxwell wasn’t wearing his wedding ring. When did he take it off?
We chatted for an hour about the old days until Maxwell’s phone rang. “Sorry, I need to take this. It’s my daughter.”
I nodded and sipped my remaining latte which had now grown cold. I watched Maxwell’s face as he talked. His smile slipped away, replaced by a wrinkle in his eyebrow. His voice rose slightly. “Where are you? Alright calm down, I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Ashlee rode home with one of her friends and there was a car accident. I’m sorry, I need to go.”
“Oh no, is Ashlee okay?”
“She said everything checked out at the hospital, but I wish someone had called me earlier.”
“Where is she?”
“Carolinas Medical Center.”
“Well, that’s not far from here. You can get there in ten minutes, easy.” I looked at his face. “Why don’t you let me drive you? You look distraught.”
He shook his head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
I grabbed my keys. “I would feel better if you let me. My car is probably closer.”
Maxwell looked like he wanted to protest again but followed me out. In ten minutes, we were on our way. I’m not sure what prompted me to interject myself into their family emergency, but helping Maxwell felt right.
We arrived at the hospital, and Maxwell inquired about his daughter. Someone led us to a room with the curtains closed, and Maxwell rushed to his daughter.
His daughter seemed smaller in person, but I’d only seen her from far away at church on Sunday. Her hair was braided and pulled up high in a ponytail. Ashlee had her dad’s eyes which were now fixed on me.
“Dad, who’s that?”
I cringed as Maxwell turned to face me. Why did I do this again? I should have stayed in the waiting room. It wasn’t like I was family.
Maxwell’s smile brought me some comfort.
“This is Donna Madison. She’s coming to eat with us on Sunday, remember?”
Recognition entered her eyes. “Oh yeah, you and dad were best friends. I have a best friend who’s a boy too.”
Maxwell raised his eyebrow. “You do?”
“Yes, Ricky?” The tone of Ashlee’s response implied her father should have already known this.
Still frowning, Maxwell patted his daughter’s hand. “Okay. How are you doing? Where’s the doctor?”
“I’m fine, Dad, ready to go home. Mrs. Lancaster’s car is messed up in the back, but we didn’t get a scratch on us.”
Maxwell nodded. “As soon as I find the doctor, okay?” He turned to me. “Can you stay with her?”
I nodded. Sure, I could stay with a girl I hardly knew. But I’ve known her father most of my life. I stepped into the room and sat down in the chair. I knew, even at fourteen, she had to be shook up from the event.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you. You must have been scared.”
She peered at me, her eyes taking me in head to toe. “I was at first, but when I realized I wasn’t hurt, I was okay. I’m just worried about Mrs. Lancaster. She was pretty upset with the guy who ran into us.”
“I can imagine. So, your dad says you’re the cook?”
Ashlee smiled. “I learned a lot from my mom. I used to do a lot of baking with her. She also taught me how to cook rice, chicken and other stuff like that too. Dad’s a pretty good cook too. He just works a lot sometimes.”
“I see.”
Ashlee found her phone and we ventured off into silence.
Maxwell showed up to break the awkwardness. “The doctor signed your discharge papers. We can get you home,” he said to Ashlee.
As we headed out of the hospital towards my car, Maxwell turned to me. “You can drive me back to the garage and we can take it from there.”
“Sure, not a problem,” I nodded.
Once we were in the car, Maxwell placed his hands on my arm. “I really appreciate you being here with us today. You went out of your way.”
Conscious of Maxwell’s hand on my bare arm, I looked over at him. “That’s what friends are for, Maxwell. Let me get you to your car.” I peered over my shoulder. “I’m sure Ashlee is ready to get home.”
I glanced in my rearview mirror as I drove and noticed Ashlee was watching me. I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or worried. She accepted that I was her dad’s old friend from childhood. Would Maxwell’s children accept a different type of relationship?
Once I entered the parking garage, Maxwell guided me to his SUV.
While Ashlee situated herself in their vehicle, Maxwell leaned towards my driver’s door. I rolled my window down.
“Thank you, again. I’ll see you on Friday.”
I smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”
I floated on cloud nine the entire way home, elated that Maxwell was looking forward to our date on Friday. I was too.
It was Sunday afternoon with Maxwell’s family that had me worried.
Were we doing too much too fast?
