It was strange that I would remember something so small, at a time when I was crushed, a part of me dying, thirsty for the ability to retreat as I had sat before him choosing the stone. I remember not wanting to do anything but go back to the morning I brought her to the hospital. God how I wanted that morning back so very much. I wanted to try to relive it, and in some way, create a different outcome. I had stood in this large prefab building with Kit, trying to pick something appropriate. I remember little of that day, except the desire to go back to before the delivery, and his hat….that damn hat. The last time I seen this man, I was feeling little to nothing.

“Mr. Kelly, I assume you ended up with some free time. Thank you for coming.” I shook his hand, which he so eagerly offered. His palms were calloused, rough. I didn’t remember feeling that ten years ago. Was this the outcome of many days using his hands for crafting stones, or was it yet another thing I failed to feel back then?

“Ms. Porter, it’s been some time.”

“It has, as you know….I was hoping to discuss things further.”

******************

I was pleased that I still had 40 minutes to get some things done in the office before meeting Fran at the café. I tried hard to focus my attention on the annual summary, but found it both frustrating and impossible to do so. I started to second guess myself. Perhaps I should have waited to speak with Cindy first, as to whether my idea with Akey Monument was a good one. Before I could begin to give any further weight to the doubts which had formed, I felt someone watching me. I slowly brought my eyes to the doorway, and standing there, holding a picnic basket was Fran.

“Hey you,” She said in the softest voice. “I had a fabulous idea, and I hoped you would agree.” Fran walked into the office with the basket she had in one hand, and the now noticeable blanket she had folded over her other arm. She came to me and offered a light kiss on my cheek before settling the items down for a moment.

“A picnic? Really? You realize the closest park is about 30 minutes away don’t you?”

“Who said we were going to a park?” Fran said as she took hold of the blanket. “I was actually thinking of something a little more interesting.”

I watched as Fran unfolded the blanket and spread it on the floor by the high glass windows.

“Here? In my office?” The idea was both exhilarating and silly in a ….well in a free and childlike way.

“Sure….why not?” Fran asked as she walked towards my desk to retrieve the basket.
“Unless you were truly craving some French cuisine?”

I folded my arms and smiled as my office seemed to fill with a sudden freshness, innocence….life. It was a long time, a very long time since this room held anything more than the work itself, and an often weary Bette Porter.

“Um...no….not at all.”

After accepting the turn of events for lunch, it was then I noticed how darling her khaki colored cargo capri’s were. The black chiffon cami had been a wonderful match, as it allowed her bare shoulders to reveal themselves, creating an all too inviting image before me. I could feel my heart begin to race at her beauty, and it wasn’t long I felt my eyes undressing her.

“Bette I was……um…….”

James’ voice startled me. I felt for a moment as if I had been caught with my impure thoughts.

“Jesus!” I exclaimed loudly as I turned towards the door, taking my body away from the desk that I had inadvertently leaned against. James seemed a bit disjointed by my alarm. He looked from me to Fran, who had just about had everything set up nicely on the floor of my office. There was an odd look in his eye moments before he spoke.

“Oh….I’m sorry…..I….I’ll talk to you later about it. No big deal.”

“It’s okay,” was all I was able to get out before James had turned from the doorway. “James?”

I turned back towards Fran a moment, taking in the picture that was obviously before James. “Excuse me a moment,” I said to Fran before leaving my office.

“Sure.”

I was able to catch James just as he headed towards the front door.

“James. Wait up.”

James had stopped and waited for me, his hand on the shiny brass bar.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” I could see that James’ expression was strange. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I was just going to remind you that the Café gets busy around this time, and that if you were both going to be leaving, you should be thinking about doing so soon.”

James’ tone was cold, short, and distant. It was obvious that there was a problem.

“I…..um…..would I be incorrect in saying that I sense some…..well some…..Jesus, I can’t even put my finger on it. You just seem to be a little off. What’s up?”

James and I worked pretty closely over the last 12 years. We both had gotten to know one another really well during that time.