Paper Cranes (18 page)

Trying to dodge the obvious attempt to bring
us
back into this, I sounded off.

“Why can’t he have a puppy? You already said he’s fiercely independent and reliable. Sounds like the perfect gift. If he is anything like his dad, you can be sure that pup will be in good hands.”

“Well, that would require his grandparents be okay with it as well. They are highly protective and not exactly a big Lee fan.”

I wanted to ask a million questions, but felt it would be exceptionally invasive. What right did I have to ask about his relationship with his son’s grandparents? None, that’s what.

“What if you took him to the pound; let him play with the puppies. You wouldn’t have to adopt one, but it will get him used to them if they should change their minds.”

“Would you go with us?” Lee looked at me, almost pleading.

“I… I’d love to. That is, if you’re okay with me meeting your son.”

“Well, it’s been over a month since we met. You haven’t killed me yet, so I’m ruling out that you’re a homicidal maniac. Just in case, I still have your license on file. You know, should I end up in a ditch.”

“I can’t believe you even had me on the radar for potential homicidal maniac. How rude!”

“Look, you asked for my ID first, so I don’t want to hear it,” he laughed. “Besides, Jackson is a huge part of my life, and, well, you are too. It’s time you met.”

My grin must have been a mile wide the way I took in those words.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Without a doubt in my mind, but first we need to get you better. That, and I don’t get him back from his grandparents for another two weeks. I miss him like crazy.”

“I can’t imagine loving something so much,” I murmured.

“Don’t worry, you will someday.”

“I hope so,” I smiled.

“Hey, are you going to support group Thursday?” Lee had a strange expression on his face, almost pleading me to go.

“I guess if I feel better, why? Is it a decent topic?” I asked.

“I guess you’ll just have to show up to find out,” he smirked evilly.

“I feel like I’m missing the punchline,” I giggled as I sniffed.

“No, nothing out of the ordinary. I would make an effort to go though.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll try I guess.”

“Dove, I gotta say this, and you can’t hurt me for it.”

“Oh Lord, what?”

“Maybe it’s the endorphins, or you wanting to meet my son or something, but you look really sexy right now.”

“Lee…”

“No, take a compliment,” he smirked.

“But I look like shit. My hairs in a knot, I have zero makeup on and I’m pretty sure this shirt has holes in the armpits,” I laughed.

“I know.”

“But why,” I questioned.

“This is when you are most vulnerable –it’s so incredibly sexy.”

“Okay, killer. I think it’s time to call it a night.”

“Why do you do that?”

“Do what?” I asked as I removed my feet from his lap.

“Take a compliment for crying out loud. It’s not always sexual in nature.”

“You said I was sexy. How is that not sexual in nature?” I eyed him as I began picking up trash.

Snatching the trash from my hands, “You. Sit. Rest.”

“You’re really bossy sometimes.”

“Okay, so maybe it was a little sexual, but I didn’t mean for it come across that way. Honestly.”

“What other way could it have possibly come across as?” I chuckled.

“Can we just drop this? Now I feel like an asshole for saying anything in the first place. Way to go! It’s your fault completely!”

“Why? I like how frazzled you get,” I smirked.

“Yet, if I said it again and meant it, you would go screaming for the hills.”

“Ehhh.”

“Yes. I’m starting to get to know you pretty well, Dove. I know your little ticks.”

“If you know me so well, Daniels, what am I thinking right now?” I sat up straight on the couch as I grabbed a tissue for my nose.

“Hmm, you’re mad that you’re sick and can’t kiss me, but mostly you’re mad that I knew the ending of Clue,” he smiled, pulling my feet into his lap again.

He was spot on, on both accounts to be honest.

“So what if I was mad?” I grinned.

“About which part?”

“About you knowing the ending of Clue,” I laughed out loud.

“Dove, if you weren’t sick, I’d clobber you with this pillow right now.”

We sat for a while laughing at one another. Watched several more movies before I fell asleep again. The entire night Lee had fed me, filled my drink, gave me medicine, and rubbed my feet. The constant attention made me feel so wanted and cared for. Aside from the minor flirtation, the endless consideration for my well-being was wonderful.

As I drifted in and out of lucid dreams, every once in a while, I would peek to see if Lee was still there. Every single time I peeked, he was right there. He was sleeping straight up on the couch, which couldn’t be comfortable. Yet, he was doing it for me and me alone.

At about three am, I woke in a heated panic, gasping for air.

“What? What is it?” Lee immediately woke from his slumber.

“I…I just had a horrible dream. I…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. It just felt a little too real.”

Lee didn’t ask any questions as he pulled me into his lap. Wiping my sweaty brow, he just stared at me for a while. I could see his beautiful brown eyes tracing each line, wrinkle, and freckle on my face. There was worry or even pain behind those eyes, but he never said what bothered him.

“Go to sleep, Dove. Nothing will happen as long as I’m here.”

“Why are you still here?” I questioned.

“Just go to sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning,” he forced a smile.

My eyelids grew heavy as he swept away the straggling hairs on my damp forehead. The soft strokes across my head soothed me, as I molded into the muscular crevasses of Lee’s body. A perfect fit.

I woke the next morning to find Lee had let himself out, but a crane was left perched on my pillow. Scrolled across the wings was, “You are sexy.” At that moment, the only thing I could do was laugh. Of all the times to say I was sexy, it was when I felt the lease bit attractive.

A
fter suffering, probably, the worst cold of my life, I was up and running like normal just in time for my next support group meeting.

Lee:
You coming to support tonight?

What was with him and this particular meeting tonight? Had I missed something?

Me:
Yes, Lee. I will be there.

Lee:
Awesome. Need a ride?

Me:
I think you like driving me around.

Lee:
That and I don’t trust that car of yours. You heard what dad said.

Me:
Yeah, Yeah. It’s on its last leg. I get it.

Lee:
Yep.

Me:
I think it’s a conspiracy if you ask me. I think you just told him to say that so you could drive me around.

Lee:
Naww, I’m not that conniving. Well, maybe.

Me:
Maybe it’s time to say goodbye to her although that makes me incredibly sad to say out loud.

Lee:
Oh I love car shopping!

Me:
I think you just like cars in general.

Lee:
True story.

Lee:
So…

Me:
So what?

Lee:
What time should I pick you up?

Me:
How does 6:30 sound?

Lee:
See you then, Dove.

Lee was certainly adorable with his gentlemanly gestures. He hadn’t pushed the issue of dating since he came over when I was sick. As oddly as it sounded, the absence of his attempts made me a little blue. It was nice to see the guy try so hard.
Evil, I know
.

Even though he hadn’t flirted in a while, didn’t mean I was going to let my looks fall by the wayside. The last time he saw me, I had a cold and was a hot mess. I needed to look my best.

I slipped on a loose dress and combat boots, circa Claire Danes from My So-Called Life. Visions of my youth crept into my mind as I applied my makeup and brushed out my tangled hair. Completing my outfit, I slapped on a velvet choker.
Yeah, definitely an Angela moment
.

As I waited, I hung my newest cranes. Sprinkling the paper creatures throughout the branches, I stepped back to admire the dangling creations. The branches were filling up, but I loved them so.

“KAT! LEE’S HERE!” I heard JoJo scream instead of walking her happy ass up the stairs like a normal human being.

“Coming!” I yelled back.

I threw myself down the stairs, racing to see Lee. Once we locked eyes, every bone in my body relaxed. He was my remedy when I was having a difficult day.

“Hey Angela Chase, you ready to go?” Lee joked.

“Hell yes! You got it,” I said giving him a high-five

Giving JoJo a kiss on the cheek, we hurried to the truck.

“Have fun kids!” Jo shouted from the porch.

Climbing into the truck, I could still feel the heat encapsulated in the cab. Seconds later Lee appeared at the other door. As soon as he climbed in, I could smell something incredibly delicious – Lee.

“You’re all spiffed up tonight. You even smell like a boy too,” I joked with shocked expression on my face.

Clutching his heart, he curled over as if in pain. “Low blow, Dove. I thought I always looked good for you,” he winked.

“Oh you do, except this time your hair is done, your beard is trimmed and you have on cologne. Got a hot date later?”

“I can’t look and smell good from time to time?” he actually sounded a little offended.

“Sure, but don’t change too much. I like when you smell like oil and pine needles.”

“I hadn’t known I smelt like that, but I’m certainly glad you approve,” he laughed.

“I’m not completely clueless all the time,” I smirked.

“So, I kinda have a question for you,” he looked over nervously.

“Let me have it,” I twisted to look at his facial expressions.

“Do you want to come over and make dinner with me after the meeting? Dad’s out of town on a fishing trip with his friends. I feel like we are always crowding JoJo. Besides, I think it would be neat to show you where I live.”

I always wondered what his place looked like, but I didn’t want to invite myself.

“Yeah, that sounds great,” I smiled.

“I just have two requests.”

“Oh shit, what?”

“I get to choose one of your bucket list wishes, and you can’t make fun of my childhood room,” he smiled.

“Now I can’t wait to go to your house? What, do you have it all decked out like the Lone Ranger?

“Sort of. I may have a rather interesting piece of artwork in my room,” he said, avoiding eye contact.

“You are completely predictable at times, Lee Daniels. As long as it’s not a picture of a naked, cowgirl pinup, I think we’ll be fine.

“Oh hell no. There are children in the house,” he laughed hysterically, “If anything, they would, at least, have bikinis on.