Elly In Bloom (12 page)

Maybe with some black sandals…

Her dressing room door wrenched open. “What the HELL are you wearing?” shrieked Snarky Teenager. “You look like a depressed social worker. Take that off, right now!” Elly stared at her, but didn’t move. “What are you waiting for? I brought these dresses.”

Elly crossed her arms. “I am NOT getting undressed in front of you. Get out.”

“I don’t care what you look like naked – I’m naked all the time.”

“Yes,” agreed Elly, “We know. Even when you are dressed you are naked.”

“Fine, I’ll turn around. Just put this on.” She tossed a dress, all poof, in Elly’s direction.

“I will look like a cupcake in this, just so you know.”

“Probably!” was the reply.

Elly slid the dress over her shoulders, turning to the mirror with an exaggerated sigh. To her amazement. She did not look like a cupcake. She was…pretty.

“Wow,” she whispered.

The dress was light and lovely, with black netting over rich mulberry fabric. The scoop neck top was covered in silk cream rosettes with a pale pink ribbon at the waist. It hugged her curves while at the same time making her look at least ten pounds thinner. Elly tucked her hair behind her ear shyly. She looked good.
No. She looked great.

“I love this dress,” she stammered.

Snarky Teenager looked up from her phone, where she’d been furiously texting.

“Yeah. You look hot. That’s definitely the one. Make sure that you don’t wear your granny panties and get a decent pair of heels.”

Elly ignored her and pulled her clothes back on. She almost hated taking the dress off.

“Hey, um, thanks for coming with me,” she offered softly.

“Well, someone had to stop you from dressing yourself.”

That was a sweet moment
, thought Elly as she drove home, the dress sitting on the seat beside her. She was still bothered that Kim had canceled on her –it was uncharacteristic of her – but the shopping trip had been surprisingly successful.

Two hours, one razor and two bloody band-aids later, Elly assessed herself in the mirror as she waited for Isaac to pick her up. Her blond curls – normally frizzy and thick – had been tamed into delicate tendrils that bounced when she walked. Her bright blue eyes stood out against a smoky granite shadow and her full lips looked pouty and moist. She could barely walk in her strappy heels, but it didn’t matter. Anything that made her look longer rather than rounder was a plus. Cadbury whined at her feet, sensing that Elly was about to do something out of their ordinary routine. She bent down and rubbed his head softly.

“I’ll be home late tonight. I know you’ll leave me a special little present for being gone, so try not to get it on the carpet,” she whispered to him.

Cadbury grunted as the doorbell rang. Elly quickly ran Cadbury into her bedroom and shut the door, ignoring his frantic barks.
So much for a romantic start to the evening
, she thought, as she opened the front door amidst a cacophony of dog protests.

Isaac stood in front of her and she watched with fascination as his lips turned up in a smile.

“Hey – are you ready?”

She noted his worn t-shirt and jeans.

“Yes, I’m ready.” She looked down at her dress. “I’m overdressed.”

“No” he said, “It’s a pretty nice place. I’m just a bum.”

He grabbed her hand, and Elly was unable to breathe.

“I think we might be already late,” he said, pulling her down the stairs.

Elly emerged into the afternoon sun and noticed Keith watering the flowers in front of both their buildings. As Isaac half-nodded in Keith’s direction, Keith gave Elly a friendly whistle.

“Wow, look at that dress!” Elly smiled at him. “Yeah, it’s nice. Thanks for watering my flowers.”

Keith eyed her. “Be good tonight!”

Elly laughed. “Thanks, see you later!” Isaac led her down the street to the parking area, towards a very sleek black Honda.

“Nice car,” said Elly.

“Its okay…I guess. It feels corporate to me.”

He left her by the side of the car and walked around to the other side. Elly stood awkwardly as he unlocked the door.
Okay, try to not to flash anybody
, she thought, as she clumsily ducked under the door.

Isaac’s car was incredibly messy. The back seat was cluttered with sheet music, empty plastic containers showing the remnants of some sort of vinegar salad from Groves, the world’s most expensive grocery store, assorted clothing, CDs and dirty used tissues.

Gross
, thought Elly and forced her eyes to the front. She turned to Isaac.

“I’ve never been to a jazz club before. I’m kind of excited.”

Isaac raised an eyebrow at her and her heart went all tilt-a-whirl.

“It’s great for the senses. You have the smoke filling your lungs, sweet from cigars and tobacco, the hazy light of the stage, the wine on your tongue…” He lingered on the word tongue. “And then the music. The guy we’re seeing tonight, Jack Shepland, is a genius. Pure, unfiltered genius.” He leaned forward in his seat excitedly. “The things that he does with music are absolutely inspiring. He takes the erratic rhythms and turns them into something so intrusive you don’t even know that you felt that way until you heard these notes. Man, he awakens me.”

Elly really liked the way Isaac gripped the wheel, the way his mouth moved when he spoke and how his hair fell over his left eye. His words fell like rain around her, drenching her, and moving on without her consent. He talked of Jack and musicians with single syllable first names…
Joe, Miles, Kay, Huck
…all the way to the club, which was simply called Blues.

Blues was located in University City, in an area known as The Loop. It was a young, fresh college area filled with chic furniture galleries, indie movie theaters, contemporary art galleries and homeless people. It was a town of opposites, one that was filled with as many head shops as expensive eateries. Elly rarely ventured here, for it reminded her that she was completely un-hip and she feared getting mugged by one of the many shady individuals on the street. The Loop made her feel both boorish and scared at the same time. Isaac, however, fit in perfectly. He expertly parallel parked – a skill Elly envied – and was still feeding money into the meter when he was approached by some unabashedly cool people and they proceeded to talk in indie jargon that she could barely follow. Elly stood awkwardly beside him, clutching her straw purse with both hands and tottering on her thin heels. Isaac talked for a few minutes before introducing her.

“Hey, this is Elly. She owns a flower shop by my place.” He slipped his hand around her waist. Elly almost fainted. Isaac waved his hand at the group.

“Well, we better head inside before we miss our seats. I mean, I guess we could stand…”

No standing,
thought Elly
, please no standing.
The thought of standing for the next three hours on her tottering heels was terrifying. Elly could barely stand now as it was.

“Hey, it was nice seeing you guys!” said Isaac and there were handshakes all around. Isaac, so cool and confident in every step, led her into the club, effortlessly shaking the line and the bouncer.

The club was dark and intimate, with deep wood walls making an elegant half-circle. A long iron railing that wrapped between the tables was covered with burning candles, and the overhead lighting cast a burgundy glow over the entire place. Elly thought that she had never been to a place that was so unabashedly sensual. As Isaac led them to their table, Elly stumbled into the corner of the bar.

“Ouch!” she winced. “It’s so dark in here!”

Isaac put his mouth against her hair, “It’s a shame. You’re gorgeous tonight.”

Gorgeous Tonight! Gorgeous Tonight!
her heart sang back. Their reserved table was up front, near the stage. Isaac sat down and quickly hailed the waiter, while Elly situated herself in her dress.

“Two Scotch on the rocks,” Isaac told the waiter. He turned to Elly. “You can’t listen to jazz and not drink scotch. It would be a crime.”

Elly nodded furiously. The waiter brought over their drinks. Isaac smiled at her and raised his glass.

“To love and freedom and art.”

Elly raised her glass as the music began. She took a long drink, tasting all too late what was in her mouth. She gagged and grabbed for her water, her eyes filling with tears.
It burned, dear God, it burned!
Once her vision cleared, she saw Isaac laughing.

“You must have never had scotch before,” he mused.

Elly gasped, “I can’t imagine why anyone EVER would have scotch. This tastes like turpentine!”

Isaac grabbed her hand in his, while she coughed into her other. “It’s an acquired taste, not unlike myself. Have I mentioned that you amuse me greatly?” he murmured.

The night went on, and was truly wondrous. Elly felt the music vibrate over her in pulses, every fiber of her body attuned to each smile and head nod that Isaac directed her way. They were so close to the stage that conversation was impossible once the music started, but it didn’t matter. There was an undeniable connection, and every time Elly turned to marvel over his incredible features, she caught him staring at her. They stayed for the opening act, Jack Shepland, and then the closing band.

It was 1:30 am when they left the club and Isaac suggested pancakes. Elly had never been more tempted to kiss him. Over mounds of dripping amber syrup and ripe blueberries, Isaac and Elly talked of Clayton and all its intricacies. Isaac seemed to know the town very well, and told her about dozens of hidden gems throughout the city. Elly was sure she had never had such a good conversation while at the same time keeping so much unsaid.

It was 3:30 am when Isaac walked her to the shop door. While Elly hoped that the night would never end, her body felt very differently and was screaming for bed. Trying to make light of what was sure to be an awkward moment, she stepped up onto the doorstep and took out her keys. Isaac reached for them, turning over her brass antique key in his hand.

“This is really cool,” he murmured. He pulled himself up to the step and breathed his warm breath on her face. He smelled like scotch and blueberries. “It fits you. You’re different. Smart.” He traced the side of his finger down her face.

“Amazing,” he growled, and then he covered her mouth with his.

CHAPTER

EIGHT

Kim swirled angel hair pasta around in its garlic sauce and slurped it into her mouth.

“So then he kissed you?”

Elly ripped off a hunk of bread and pulled it through some vinaigrette.

“Ohh...” she sighed, her mouth full of food. “And what a kiss it was.”

Kim gave her an approving look. “Yes? Go on.”

Elly put her finger to her lips. “A lady never kisses and tells.”

“But you’re not a lady. You wore flip flops to an Italian restaurant.”

Elly looked at her feet. “They’re comfortable…”

They were having a late dinner on the patio of Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant. It was a hushed, clear evening outside, with hundreds of large white light bulbs draped overhead.

“Okay...back to the kiss!” Kim demanded.

Elly’s thoughts raced. How could she explain what was probably the most magical fifteen minutes of her life? The way he gripped her face so softly, and yet clung to her so fiercely? The way he whispered things into her lips – intoxicating, secret things? How he had left her, his hand lingering in her hair, looking back and then heading across the fire escape? She had not been able to make it up the stairs at first, and getting to sleep had been impossible with the taste of him still burning on her tongue. She lay in her bed, hands clutched to her heart and Cadbury across her legs, murmuring “Isaac…Isaac…” Her uncanny resemblance to a 14 year old girl embarrassed her.

Elly put her fingers on her lips.

“It was incredible. I don’t think I have ever…
ever
been kissed that way. His mouth…”

Kim made a disgusted face. “Okay, okay, that’s enough. You are still my friend. I don’t want to hear about mouth details. Tell me more about
him
.”