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Chapter 45
Hendrik
BeatriceandIhaveblown our noses and washed our faces, still grinning at each other.
It’s Jared. He’s here to report in on the crew’s classes and business successes of the week.
I, under my newly-revealedothersecret identity,The Professor,was very attentive to Beatrice as I introduced her again to Jared. I made a point of telling Beatrice that Jared and I had been great friends for many years now and that he and I were business partners in two prosperous and growing businesses. As I did so, I noticed that Jared stood taller.
Jared used more words than I’d have given him credit for to ask after Beatrice’s health, to remind Beatrice of the times they had met (“that hospital emergency”), and to say he would be very pleased to give her best regards to his wife, Luz. Jared made sure that Beatrice knew that if ever she was ever coming to or staying in this neighborhood on her own, he and the men would watch out for her.
Jared looked over at me, “Professor, does she have the emergency numbers?”
Jared is no fool. He knew that I was going to be with Beatrice for a very long time.
“No, not yet,” I responded, “But we can do that before you leave.” Jared nodded.
I didn't know why I thought my “confession” to my Lady Fair was going to be so hard. This woman makes me feel so at ease!
Jared wasn't with us very long, and when he left I explained more about my relationship to Jared, the two business ventures, and the rest of Jared’s crew.
As I did so, I moved to the kitchen and beckoned her over. “How about a smoothie? Look in the fridge and in the fruit bowl over there to see what you would like in a smoothie. How does that sound right now?”
Beatrice got really quiet. Stepped over to me. “Smoothie. I’ve been all yours from the moment you asked me, “Wanna get a smoothie?” that day at the tech convention.”
I’m going to cry. Or shout with joy.
Can’t decide. Don’t wanna.
I move into Beatrice and take her face in my hands. We just gaze at each other for the longest time.
I look at her and can’t feel my body anymore. It’s floating somewhere in the outer stratosphere. Her words are so emotional for me, that in a whisper I'm not sure she can hear, I tell her, “You had a Very Berry Cherry smoothie. You’ve been in my heart ever since.”
We held each other close, in our cozy lips-to-legs embrace.
She didn’t pull away but asked me, “Does your father know exactly what you've been up to and how stinkin’ rich you are and all about your secret identities?Gee Willikers! You’re Hendrik Endersson, The Professor, Henry Higson. Not to mention the elusive, media-shy Hank Enders …”
I nodded, “Besides the advisors I told you about who are paid to keep secrets, Papa and Carly are really the only ones who ever knew the whole story. As you know, Craig really was one of MetriCooks’ first employees and certainly knew of me in those early days as ‘company founder Hendrik Endersson.’ But I have to say it: Honestly, even though I know his name, and he mine, I never met the man!”
Chapter 46
Beatrice
Asthetwomenwrapped up their conversation earlier, my eyes roamed over Hendrik’s studio. Very high ceiling. A compact, well-designed bathroom. My eyes roam across his galley kitchen. I look up and the art from the building foyer is somehow painted into the ceiling and lots of crown molding makes the whole thing look very chic, indeed!
One thing I notice is that Hendrik’s place is pristinely clean and the whole place looks cozy, efficient, and fresh.
One thing I don't notice is … a bed! Unless he sleeps on his sofa. I look closely at the sofa but can't see how it is a pull-out sofa bed.
On the floor, then?
Ah-Hah! That’s why we’re always at my place!
You’ve wondered enough about him. All will be revealed ... someday.
I chuckle at myself.
When Jared was ready to leave, he’d made a point of coming to me with his hand out. We shake hands. He reminds me that I now have the so-called emergency number.
