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7
Randi
Monday mornings were never pleasant, but today, it seemed harder than most. Despite not working this weekend, I seemed to have gotten lesser sleep than usual. It wasn’t as though I had no clue as to why. Sam Bethel haunted my thoughts. The man was impossible to figure out and it was driving me crazy.
Normally I could read a person so I could guess what they wanted. It’s what made me so successful as a designer. Clients might not know how to express what they wanted, but I could pick up on the signs and deliver their heart’s desire to them. That made everyone involved happy.
Sam had made it very clear that he did not want any part of that room in his house. I had agreed to dismantle it and restore it to the same ole boring vacant room it was before. I’d made three attempts to fulfill his request, and each time there seemed to be a reason why I couldn’t do it.
“Do you think this is doable?” my client asked.
I quickly snapped my attention back to where it belonged. On work. I looked at my clients list and the room. “I do not see why not. You have plenty of room for it all. Of course, putting the jacuzzi will require special permits as well as a licensed plumber and electrician. I’ll handle that and schedule it all for you and I’ll make sure that it is all installed before all of the other amenities,” I explained.
“Thanks. We would prefer no one knowing about this if you know what I mean,” his wife said softly even though there was no one else in the house who could hear her.
“Understood. The city will also want to inspect the installation, but I’ll list this room as a spa, and it won’t affect your taxes or raise any further questions. Do you have any other concerns?” I asked.
“How long do you think this will take?” he asked.
“The longest piece is the jacuzzi. After that, I’ll need only another week to paint and build the shelves. Also, the swing will take an entire day. I believe this should be done within thirty days. Will that work for you?”
It was very possible for me to get it done in three weeks, but that would be putting more pressure on myself than I wanted right now. There was still unfinished business at Sam’s, and not just business either. I felt a connection, a powerful attraction, and I was positive he did as well. There was something preventing us from making a move.
Is it him, or is it me? Or maybe…I’m wrong about it all and he’s not interested.
“We are celebrating our thirtieth wedding anniversary in two months, and this room is a gift to ourselves. We were thinking about taking a cruise, but I told my husband that a cruise is only for a week and this room will last us so much longer,” she blushed, wrapping her arm around his waist and resting her head on his chest.
I watched as he kissed the top of her head and replied, “I hope it gives us another thirty years of pleasure.”
Seeing a couple like them in their fifties still lusting after each other warmed my heart. It also made me jealous a bit. Although I’ve had several serious relationships in my life, and at that time, I might have even told them that I loved them. But it never looked like what this couple had. The way they were looking at each other was beautiful to watch. My past relationships couldn’t even compare. They had lacked the deep love. The one that makes you feel as though they are not just important to you, but they are part of you. That life without them would never be the same. Maybe I had loved them but wasn’t ever in love with them. Not the forever kind.
What I’d give to feel those butterflies of yearning.
He signed the contract, handed me the check and now all I needed to do was go home and start scheduling. That was the hardest part of my job. The shopping and installation on my part was fun. I liked being hands on. And even though I wasn’t considered an artist by any means, when my rooms were complete, they looked like art to me.
On my way back to my house, I decided to stop and grab lunch. I knew once I started working, I’d be tied to my laptop for hours. There was a small diner that had amazing roast beef sandwiches and delicious fries. That should hold me off till dinner time.
I pulled into the lot and went inside. It was kind of crowded, but they were serving the lunch crew, so it was expected. There was an empty booth all the way in the corner, and I grabbed it. When the waitress walked over and handed me the menu I said, “I already know what I want.”
“Great, what is that?” she asked.
“Sam.”
“I’m sorry. We don’t have anything called Sam on the menu,” she said.
I looked at her and said, “Sorry. I just saw someone I know.”
“Ah. Sam. He’s a regular here.” The waitress called out and said, “Sam, there’s room down here.”
I hadn’t meant for her to call out to him. Hell, I hadn’t meant to say his name at all, it’s just that I was stunned to see him, that’s all.
Sam looked in my direction, smiled and walked over to the table. “Hi Randi. Would you mind if I joined you?”
“Not at all,” I replied.
“Do you want your usual, Sam?” the waitress asked.
“Yes, but I’ll eat it here.” He turned to me and asked, “Have you ordered yet?”
