Sooner or Later, page 13
She frowned. “You were on our waiting list?”
“Yes.”
“Give me a minute.” She turned to her computer screen. “Yes...here it is. The waiting list. Umm. I don’t see your son’s name here. No wait a minute. It was and then it was removed by parent’s request. An E. Cardoza?”
Dai turned green. Elena had gotten her revenge.
Ava patted his hand. “Honey, could you give us a minute?”
He stared at her, looking devastated and unsure.
She smiled in reassurance.
He stood and turned to Alexis. “It doesn’t even have to be for the entire term. He’ll be with his mother for a week. I will pay whatever—”
“Honey,” Ava said with more force. She didn’t want him to appear desperate although she knew he was. She stood and pretended to be kissing him on the cheek, while instead whispering, “Trust me.”
His eyes met and held hers. For a moment she thought he would kiss her again, as an intense, heated look of trust burned through any lingering worry and fear.
The darkness of his gaze would have frightened someone else, but to her the expression in his eyes was as intimate as if he’d cupped her face and made a vow with the ferocity of a warrior headed to battle that said, I’ll never doubt you.
He left her shaken and longing to be the person he thought she was. Folu didn’t like her strength. Dai depended on it. She would not fail him.
He squeezed her arm, a gentle reassuring act that made her body grow hot, before he turned and left.
The moment the door closed Ava returned to her seat and said, “I’ll be honest. We’re desperate. But I understand you’re in a bind. I will volunteer my services in exchange for letting Donovan come for even half days here. He’s really excited about attending camp. It’s all he’s been talking about and I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Alexis tapped a finger against the desk. “I’m listening.”
“I work with kids and teens as a psychotherapist.” And with her reduced clientele she had the time. “I can send you my credentials. I have passed stringent background checks. Not to boast but I’m good at what I do.”
Alexis grinned. “Does Dai know how lucky he is to have you?”
“Most times. When he forgets I remind him.”
She looked thoughtful. “Well, we do have a separate list and offer special privileges to those who work for us. There are two students who’ve aged out of the program and Donovan will soon be your son anyway so I think I can make this work.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course I’ll want a wedding invite.”
Ava laughed nervously. “Right. It’s still a ways off.”
“I’m kidding. We could use the help. A lot of our kids are dealing with more tension and anxiety than usual. We’ll have to sort out the schedule and it might be trying at times.”
“I’m used to that.”
Alexis held out her hand. “Okay, then welcome aboard.”
27
Ava found Dai prowling the length of the grounds like a caged lion. He halted when he saw her. He didn’t speak. Fear. Hope. Scattering over his face. Their eyes met across the distance.
He slowly walked towards her.
She decided to take him out of his misery. She gave him the “Okay” sign.
He broke into a run.
She glanced around hoping they were alone then waved her hands for him to stop.
He kept running.
Her heart pounded as the distance between them swiftly disappeared.
He didn’t stop running until he was close enough to grab her and spin her around.
“Calm down,” Ava said, hugging him back and laughing.
Dai held her tighter. “You don’t know how much this means to both of us,” he said, his breath warm against her cheek.
“I do. Now put me down.”
He sighed. “Do I have to?”
“Yes.”
When her feet touched the ground again she felt a little dizzy and knew it wasn’t only from being spun around. She felt strangely giddy, remembering the touch of his lips from this afternoon, the feel of his arms. She’d never been aware of him like this before. She knew he could be as exuberant as his son, but she’d always taken it in stride.
But this time felt different. Was it a sense of relief? Glad that she’d managed to help him? Or something infinitely more dangerous?
She felt like she’d gone into battle and come back and he was proud of her. He didn’t find her too strong. He trusted her. Depended on her. It was an intoxicating feeling. So few people treated her that way.
“How did you do it?” Dai said.
Ava hesitated. That was the one tiny snag in her plan: The lie. “I’ll tell you in the car.”
It was like watching a scene from a movie.
Alexis clasped her hands behind her back as she stared out the window. She’d never seen two people so much in love. She’d worried about her rash actions.
There were few things Alexis trusted, but seeing Ava and Dai together she knew accepting their son had been one of the best decisions she’d made in a long time.
28
Ava never looked more beautiful to him than she did at that moment but Dai had a sneaking suspicion she was avoiding his gaze.
They hadn’t made it back to the car. Instead she’d suggested they take a walk. There was plenty to see, the building giving way to a lush expanse of green, stately trees and a large pond reflecting the rays of the sun.
But Ava didn’t look at any of it. She kept her head bent.
“What’s wrong?” he finally asked her.
She bit her lip. “I lied.”
Dai felt his legs grow weak, his head started to spin. “You mean Donovan didn’t get in?”
She looped her arm through his. “No, no,” she said quickly. “I’d never lie about that.”
He took a deep breath, feeling the world return to normal. “What is it then?”
“About her thinking you’re my fiancée—”
He sighed. “Yes, about that.”
“It was the only way I could get her to agree to let Donovan in.”
“And that bothers you?”
“No, it’s just...”
“It’s okay,” he said quickly, not wanting to lose this chance. “No one needs to know that we lied. It’s not like we have a bunch of parent-kid events to attend. We don’t have to appear as a couple since Donovan will be picked up by the bus and...Why are you frowning like that?”
“I also volunteered my services so I’ll be working here possibly once a week. We have to make sure to keep this lie from him. However, Alexis doesn’t run the camp and the likelihood of her saying anything to him is slim. I think it’s safe to keep this between us. I don’t want him to have to lie. We have to be very careful so—” She looked at him when he abruptly stopped. “What?”
“You’ll be working here?”
“As a volunteer. I had to sweeten the pot.”
“How many hours?”
“Don’t know yet.”
He shook his head. “No, you’re busy as it is as a psychologist.”
“I’m a psychotherapist.”
“Are you sure she won’t take a donation? Money’s not a problem.” He began to turn.
Ava grabbed his arm. “It’s okay. It’s better this way. I don’t mind.”
He swore. “But that’s not what—”
She squeezed his arm. “It’s worth it and my schedule is flexible.” She didn’t want him to know she had the time. She brought in enough money from high powered clients that the clinic where she worked didn’t care about her reduced hours. She looked around the expansive grounds. “I can see Donovan having a great time here.”
“But you’ll have to pretend all summer.”
“It’s okay. I’ll survive eight weeks.”
“Like I said, he’ll spend a week with his mother in August. But if she finds out we lied before then...”
“She won’t.” Ava playfully poked him in the side. “ But I’ll be crimping your style. If you meet a sexy single mother—”
“Stop right there. After Elena I’m taking myself off the market for a while. Dating is the last thing on my mind.”
“I guess you could use a break. We both could.”
He kissed her on the lips. Lightly, tenderly.
Ava looked at him surprised. “What’s that for?”
Dai’s eyes danced with mischief. “Just thanking my fiancée the best way I know how.”
Donovan’s scream of delight could have pierced Ava’s eardrums but his joy had been worth the pain. They’d decided to tell him the moment he returned home from school.
He jumped, he spun in circles, and he made up a crazy dance.
“There’s a lake,” he said.
He’d told her that many times but Ava still smiled and said, “Yes, I know.”
“And there are going to be lots of trails and things to do.”
“Yes.”
“And there’s a lake.”
“Your dad worked really hard to get you in so do your best not to get into trouble.”
He was playing air guitar and not listening. Ava hadn’t really expected him to. It usually took him a while to calm down after excitement like this.
Dai smiled at her. “You made a little boy’s dream come true.”
And their plan would have worked perfectly if Mrs. Dayo hadn’t gotten a root canal.
29
It was too beautiful a day for a disaster, a cool breeze tempering the heat of the summer sun, but disaster struck anyway.
Because of Mrs. Dayo’s root canal Ava found herself helping her mother run errands for her. It was usually a task given to Cat, but because of Ava’s broken engagement, her mother had assigned Ava to come with her almost as punishment as if to say: This will be your fate if you don’t find another man soon.
And Ava, in no mood to argue, let her. She’d already managed to attend a housewarming party (where she’d spotted Maya and Keeden being chummier than she’d ever thought they could be) and a baby shower without much drama and her reputation intact. Most people felt sorry for her rather than thinking she was in anyway the cause for being newly single again.
She and her mother had picked up Mrs. Dayo’s dry cleaning, bought items for her garden and had finished grocery shopping for items for a special stew her mother wanted to make.
Ava was helping her mother load the trunk, making the car sink under the weight of the many bags, when she heard someone say her name.
She turned and saw Alexis. Suddenly she felt no breeze and the sun felt as if it could burn off her skin.
She wanted to jump into the trunk and close the hood.
“Ava,” Alexis said, coming closer. “I thought it was you.” She hugged her as if they were old friends.
“Yes, well I don’t want to keep you.”
Her mother stepped forward, making it clear she expected an introduction.
“Th-this is my mother,” Ava said. “Mom this is Alexis Taylor.”
Alexis smiled at her. “A pleasure. You must be so proud of your daughter.”
Her mother nodded. “I am. Most times.”
“You’re being modest. The way she helps others is a credit to you.” She looked at Ava. “How is Donovan enjoying things?”
Over the last three weeks he couldn’t stop talking. Especially about his new best friend. “He’s been over the moon.”
“I’m glad. And you’ve been a great help as well. The kids really enjoy talking to you. I’m glad your fiancé is willing to share you with us.” She winked. “It was a pleasure meeting him.”
“Yes, yes,” Ava said quickly, sending her mother a nervous glance.
Alexis’ cell phone rang. She checked the number then said, “Ugh, it’s my sister adding more to an already long list of things I have to pick up for Dad. Talk again soon.” She headed to the store’s entrance.
Her mother slowly turned to her. She clasped her hands together and raised her eyes to the sky. “I knew you wouldn’t disappoint me.” She hopped around in a circle before raising her hands to the sky.
“Mom, stop it,” Ava said looking around the parking lot.
“Praise God. My prayers have been answered. You will not be a shame to me. I knew I needn’t have worried that that sister of yours had tainted your mind. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s not what you think.”
“How can it not be? She said she met your fiancé when you’d only told us weeks ago you’d broken up.” Her mother pulled out her cell phone. “I must call—”
“No, please don’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not him.”
“It’s not who?”
“Folu.”
She frowned. “What do you mean it’s not Folu? You have another fiancé?”
Ava hesitated. “In a manner of speaking.”
“What? Stop speaking in riddles.”
“It’s no one. I’d really prefer not to talk about it yet.”
“A secret? When have you started keeping secrets from your mother?”
You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. “It’s complicated.”
“Is he married?” She pointed at her. “You have no business with a married man. If they can break one vow they can break another. And they will always tell you they will marry you someday. Don’t believe them they just want—”
“I’m not seeing a married man.”
Her mother started to smile. “I know. You made him up to save face, didn’t you?”
“Right. Something like that.”
She frowned. “But then that white woman said she’d met him. How could she have met him before me?”
“You’ll meet him if it works out. I didn’t want to let anyone else know because it was so sudden after my breakup with Folu.”
“Well, at least you’re taking marriage seriously, unlike your sister. I am relieved to hear it and as long as it’s not that bald man with the ridiculous son I will have no qualms.” She’d heard Alexis mention Donovan but thankfully made no connection since he didn’t register as important.
Ava couldn’t believe her mother could reduce an attractive, successful single father like Dai to “that bald man with the crazy son.” She felt her temper rise but kept it under control. Dai might be bald but it didn’t take away from his appeal, at least not in her eyes and Donovan was a high spirited kid with lots of clever ideas. But she couldn’t stand up for the father, without her mother getting suspicious; however, she could stand up for the son.
“Donovan isn’t ridiculous. He’s very bright.”
“He could exhaust a swarm of bees. He can’t sit still. Hardly stops talking. Remember when he broke a tea cup?”
“He glued it back together.”
“It doesn’t matter. We’re talking about your new fiancé not that bald friend of yours.”
“Stop calling him bald.”
“He is bald, isn’t he?”
“He’s also gorgeous, funny and smart.”
Her mother sniffed.
And she was reminded of how her family thought of people without advanced degrees. “He is smart,” Ava repeated. “He owns a very lucrative business and has made a great life for himself. You shouldn’t reduce him to one characteristic. I thought you liked Dai.”
“I do. He’s a hard worker, but you’re not so desperate to have to settle for a man which such baggage.”
She thought of telling her mother the truth: “I was helping Dai get Donovan into a special summer camp and sort of posed as a couple to do it,” then realized her mother wasn’t the most understanding of people and didn’t want her to know Dai’s business.
Her mother clapped her hands together. “I forgot the bell peppers!”
“I think we have some at home.”
“Green ones. I need yellow and orange.” She hurried back towards the store before Ava could stop her.
As Ava hurried after her she saw a familiar figure also enter the sliding glass doors.
Dai.
That’s when she started to run.
30
Alexis and her mother could not see Dai at the same time.
Ava frantically searched the aisles and eventually found him in the condiments section. She grabbed his arm. “What are you doing here?”
He stared at her shocked. “Shopping. It’s sort of customary in places like this.”
“You rarely shop here.”
“I’m picking up something for Auntie,” he said. “And I don’t have a lot of time. I left Donovan with her. He’s good with her and likes playing with her dog, but I have about thirty-five minutes before I start to worry that he’ll get into trouble.”
That made sense. He still checked on the mother of his former boss, the mechanic who’d allowed him to work in his car shop when he was in high school. His former boss, who’d been like a father to him as well as a friend, had suffered a stroke several years back, and had asked Dai to check on his mother from time to time and they’d soon become friends and he treated her like a grandmother.
Ava pushed him in the direction of the exit. “Go, I’ll buy it for you.”
“It’s more than one thing.” He narrowed his eyes. “What’s gotten into you?”
Ava heard someone gasp and turned and saw Alexis. “There you are! We were just talking about you,” she said.
Dai frowned. “You were?”
“Yes, Ava introduced me to her mother.”
His voice cracked and his brows shot up. “You met her mother?”
Alexis took a step back, startled by his outburst. Ava grabbed his hand and patted his cheek. “Yes, darling but it’s okay.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” Ava kept her voice light and turned to Alexis. “You know how in-laws can be. She frightens him a little.”
Alexis grinned. “I met her and she frightens me a lot.”
Ava laughed and tried to take the hand basket from him. “So let me finish your shopping.”
“Seeing you two together,” Alexis said, “I think you should just elope. Don’t let your family get in the way.”
