“She did it, Lisa, honey. Jessie was a champ.” Lisa listened to Jim on the phone, allowing the tears to run freely down her cheeks. She was still unsure about renewing her friendship with Jessie, but it felt good to have her old friend back on her side. “She made herself available to be deposed as soon as we could arrange it with Robert’s lawyers and never backed away from the tough questions. Let me tell you, Lisa, Robert has some sharks in his corner.”
“It’s a good thing I have the best of all sharks in my corner, Jim.” Lisa laughed through her tears.
“You certainly do, and I plan to keep proving it to you until this entire mess is behind you.”
“Thank you.”
“No thanks needed, until we’re all signed, sealed, and delivered.”
The attorneys were now heading back to the negotiating table, attempting to forge an agreement both parties would accept. “You know, Lisa, now that Robert’s countersuit has been withdrawn, as long as you remain discreet, you can pursue whatever private life you desire. I’d recommend keeping any relationship low-key, but don’t deny yourself a life in the interim.”
“Are you sure, Jim? There is someone.” Lisa knew who she wanted, but wasn’t sure if she had the right to approach her, yet.
“Keep your private life private, and all should be fine. I’m hoping to have things tied up tomorrow. Drop in late in the day and I may have something concrete.”
Hanging up, Lisa lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. Soon. This would all be over very soon.
Chris was becoming a frequent visitor to the apartment just above her own. Every second weekend he would arrive, school books in one backpack, clothing in the other. Lisa looked on, trying to remain cautiously optimistic, watching her son blossom as his relationship with Jeff deepened with every visit.
Smiling, Lisa remembered how sweet Jeff was after Chris’s first visit. Her young friend seemed to be awaiting her arrival in the sitting room the following Monday morning.
“Hi, Jeff, I didn’t expect to see you up so early. I have to be at the deli at ten.” Quickly pouring a cup of coffee and grabbing a muffin, Lisa sat near Jeff.
“I normally wouldn’t be, but I wanted to talk to you.”
Jeff sounded serious, not his usual upbeat self. A chill ran up Lisa’s spine. Chris had left the previous day seeming so upbeat. She had assumed the feelings between the two men were mutual. The last thing she needed was to have created a situation where Chris wouldn’t want to visit her because the cause of his broken heart lived one floor above.
Taking a deep breath, Lisa placed her cup and muffin on the coffee table. “Okay, you can always talk to me, but I’m not sure I want to hear what you have to say.”
Jeff stood up and began to pace, adding to Lisa’s anxiety in an already uncomfortable and awkward situation. “Lisa, you know how much I respect you, right?”
Oh God, what’s he going to say about Chris? was all she could think after such an opening.
“I think so, yes.” Lisa’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Well, I just want you to understand where I’m coming from when I ask you something.”
God, how she wished he would stop beating around the bush and just come out with it. But previous experience had taught her it was best to let Jeff tell his story in his own way and time.
“You know I’m about seven years older than Chris.”
“Yes.” She was surprised by Jeff’s statement and continued to watch as he walked back and forth.
“Some people would say Chris and I are from two different worlds and practically two different generations.”
“I know.”
“But we don’t see it that way.” Lisa was still confused, but felt herself beginning to relax. What was he trying to tell her?
Jeff bit his lip and looked directly at Lisa. “We clicked from the very first moment we saw each other. It was as if we’d known each other before we met.”
Lisa nodded, trying to follow Jeff’s train of thought.
“Anyway, although you know I’m a romantic and sometimes we romantics do things without thinking, this time I’m thinking first.”
Lisa had finally had enough and needed to know what on earth Jeff was leading up to. “Out with it already!”
Jeff chuckled. “Sorry, once a drama queen, always a drama queen.” He sat next to Lisa on the sofa, taking her hand in both of his. “I feel like a guy telling a girl’s dad his intentions are honorable. Lisa, I want Chris to move in with me when he comes to live in New York City this summer.”
That was definitely not what Lisa was expecting. “What?”
“I know it’s fast, and I haven’t even asked him yet.” Jeff began to talk a mile a minute to get everything out. “He’s coming back next weekend and the weekend after. And we both get along better than either of us expected. Shit, we even use the same brand of toothpaste.”
Lisa started to laugh out loud.
“It’s not funny. I guess I’m asking if it’s okay with you if I ask Chris if he’d consider living with me. I’ve never lived with another guy and it might be a disaster, but—”
“But it might not, and not grabbing an opportunity with both hands can be the worst thing a person can do to him or herself.”
Jeff let out the rest of the breath he was holding in. “You understand. So?”
“So, I say my son will be twenty in less than a year and is quite smart and clear-headed, most of the time. I believe the decision is up to him.”
“And if he asks for your advice, or support?” Jeff’s eagerness was amusing Lisa, yet she was careful not to put him off by belittling his concerns.
“He’d get both, but I’m the last person to advise someone about finding the right person. I’ve struck out twice, both times in a big way.”
“Maybe you’ve been looking in the wrong place.” Jeff winked at Lisa and glanced quite obviously at the stairway leading up to the brownstone’s apartments.
“Maybe I’ve been staring it in the face for so long, I’ve taken for granted what I really wanted all along.”
“Are there any specifics that might go along with your statement?” Jeff smirked.
“Could be, but I’m not quite ready yet.”
“Lisa, care for a little unsolicited advice?”
“Not particularly, but go ahead.”
“Take your own advice and don’t miss an opportunity. It may not come again; it took you long enough to find her. She really loves you, and she’s one hell of a fine human being.”
Lisa sipped her coffee while Jeff, who now appeared considerably calmer, poured himself a coffee and grabbed a muffin. “I’m going to head back upstairs now and relax for a while. Then I’m going to call Chris and tell him how much I’m looking forward to his next visit, and after that I’m going to work on my plan for asking him if he’d like to move in with me.”
“Plan?”
“Remember me, the hopeless romantic. I want to make sure this is an offer he can’t, and won’t, refuse. I’ve even got the subway routes from here to Columbia all mapped out. It’s actually more direct than I would have guessed.”
“Good luck, to both of you.”
“Right back at you.”
Jeff went upstairs, leaving Lisa to think about their conversation. What was she waiting for? She knew what and who she wanted, and the longer she waited the longer she risked losing everything, but she had promised herself she wouldn’t get anyone else entangled in her divorce.
The divorce. The last great hurdle. Lisa blinked, the sound of her stomach growling pulling her out of her musings. Having gone upstairs to retrieve her purse and jacket, Lisa quickly ran a comb through her hair and returned to the sitting room to grab a bite to eat before work. She was scheduled to work through the dinner shift, but the next day her shift wouldn’t begin until right before dinner. Lisa would have plenty of time to go to Jim’s office and wait until he could see her. She hoped he would have answers for her, conclusive answers.
Whatever the status of the case, Lisa was sick of living in a holding pattern. She couldn’t bear any further roadblocks in the negotiations.
Gigi’s entrance into the sitting room pulled Lisa from her thoughts. “Good morning, heading out to work early?”
“Yes, I have to be there in half an hour. Are you heading out early, too?”
“Meeting with my agent. The owner of the new gallery just off Times Square is interested in my work. He wants to show a few of my pieces as part of his ‘Great Art in the City’ show. It opens the end of the summer.”
“That’s incredible! They’ll love your work, everyone who sees it does. Kelly was thrilled when you showed her those works in progress.”
“Kelly’s a great kid. She obviously appreciates good art.” Gigi winked.
“I can’t argue about Kelly.” Lisa laughed, gazing at Gigi. “The show would be an amazing opportunity for you; I hope it works out.”
“There are some other things I’d like to work out while I have the chance.” Gigi moved close to Lisa. Just sitting in close proximity started Lisa’s heart racing. She felt like a teen, falling in love for the first time. Except she wasn’t a teen, she was a mature woman who knew what she wanted, but it had to wait until the right time, a time with no obstacles or unfinished business standing in the way.
“Gigi, I know what you want. I think I want that too, but—”
“But?”
“But I need to break free from the chains binding me to my disaster of a marriage. Until the divorce agreement is drawn up and signed, I feel like I’m in some sort of enforced bondage.” Laughing, Lisa continued. “And not the good kind I’ve heard some talk about at Rick’s.”
Gigi chuckled. “Well, I hope we can explore a little bit of the good kind in the very near future.” Gigi looked right and left and then grabbed Lisa’s hand, dragging her to a spot away from the front window. She pulled Lisa close, pressing their lips together. Lisa pulled back and looked Gigi in the eyes, knowing she should move away, yet choosing instead to return the kiss. It felt so good, so right. Lisa parted her lips, inviting Gigi inside. Tasting Gigi, Lisa moaned, unable to restrain herself, tired of waiting.
Gigi’s fingers tangled in her hair. Lisa loved the blissful feel of Gigi’s body against her own. This was what she wanted, but it had to stop until they were free and clear. Robert’s threats were never completely off Lisa’s mind. Lisa didn’t want anything by half anymore. She wanted it all. The two separated, panting, smiles plastered across both their faces. This would have to be enough for the time being.
Still smiling broadly, her lips swollen and face flushed, Lisa winked at Gigi. “Bonded to you would be a pleasure, but I first need to be released from my past.”
“Lisa, can we have dinner tonight? Nothing more, just dinner.”
“I’d like that, but it would be best to have it here. The last thing I want to do is add fuel to Robert’s ridiculous fire.” Lisa realized it was time she left and retrieved her purse from the coffee table.
“Heading out to work?”
“Yes. Good luck with your agent. I’m sure you’ll be a shoo-in for the show.”
* * * *
Lisa left the brownstone with Gigi looking longingly after her.
“Thanks,” Gigi mumbled. “I just hope I’ll be able to have you with me when it opens,” she continued aloud into the empty room. It had just felt so full until Lisa walked out the door. “Fuck, this totally sucks! Why the hell did you have to come here, of all places? I was happy without you, but now you’re here and I can’t fucking move on! Hell, I don’t want to. Don’t make me wait too long, Lisa. I’m not getting any younger.”
Gigi added her cup to the bin of used dishes with a forceful bang and left the room. The entire space was too full of Lisa. Gigi touched her fingertips to her lips, tasting the shiny lip gloss residue, proving Lisa was real and might be hers soon.