THE CHECK PART 5

THE CHECK PART 5

Ah, honey, I said to Natalie, what you saw... I didn't mean for that to happen. I wasn't sure what to say. I had already lied to her. I meant it to happen. I know I did.

Dad would like him, Natalie responded softly as she sat back down on the couch. She was right he was Tom's type of friend. I think my daughter was giving me permission. I smiled at her. After all she went through today, she was thinking of me. She grabbed the remote to finish the movie as I moved toward the couch. We both knew the whole movie by heart it was a comfort food for the soul. I sat down, my daughter still looking at the remote. She looked up to me.

He has lawyers, Mom, Natalie observed, very good ones. I think you do know someone with a lot of money. My head snapped back to the door, like I expected Jared to still be there. The loss of control swamped me again. Who is he? Natalie asked, as she set the remote back on the table, the movie still paused.

Natalie and I searched the Internet, goggling Jared Thompson. The number of links was staggering. I was expecting to wade through hundreds of useless links to find something remotely connected. I was wrong. My mouth opened as his picture appeared, suited up like a banker. It was an article in Forbes from five years ago, titled
Another Billionaire Born.

Jared had founded a very successful Internet security firm. I glossed over the technical aspects and concentrated on the meat. It was a rags-to-riches story. He came from modest roots, working his way through college doing odd jobs. There were a few landscaping jobs listed which seemed to still suit him. He graduated at the top of his class and embarked on entrepreneurial success. He had sold the firm, thus his wealth.

Another article speculated the company would collapse without him. Other articles mentioned the sale was forced, something about an accident. I goggled again, adding the term accident.

Oh, God! Natalie commented. A picture of an SUV, crushed to half its size from the passenger side, was at the top of an article from a Seattle newspaper. The article talked more about the dangerous intersection than the occupants. Reading deeper, it mentioned that Jared was hospitalized and his wife was declared dead at the scene. I covered my mouth and tried not cry.

The next link had the same picture. It said Jared was in intensive care and not expected to survive. The dates on the accident articles were about a year prior to the sale of his company. After the sale of the company, there was nothing about Jared. We did find an obituary about his wife, Cynthia. She was buried in Seattle. There was no mention of children, only parents and a sister.

We tried to find additional information, but only retrieved more of the same. There were some early articles about the growth of his firm. Nothing seemed to exist after the sale of the company. At least nothing Internet-worthy!

Why would he give us money? Natalie asked.

We don't know that he did, I replied. Natalie gave me her are-you-stupid look the look all kids perfect freshman year. Well, we don't, I reiterated. Even I knew it was a weak argument. Jared became, in my mind, a little scary. Something didn't add up. Why would a billionaire buy the house next to mine? Why would he suddenly pay off my debts before we had even said hello to each other? He defended my daughter with all he had. According to Natalie, he almost killed Dan. Now I kissed him and he enjoyed it.
I liked it and it terrified me.

I kept Natalie home from school and I called in sick. I barely slept, my mind reeling from a guilty kiss I couldn't forget. Natalie had passed out on the couch after midnight, in the middle of a movie neither of us was watching. I covered her with a blanket and watched her sleep. Dan would have ruined her. I knew that in my heart. No matter what Jared's motives were, he had saved my baby. I owed him everything for that. If he had truly paid off my debts, I owed him for that. I had nothing to pay him back with.

That kiss why did I do that? I knew if Natalie wasn't in the house, I would have gone farther. I shook my head. The thoughts didn't go away. 'Slower next time?' he asked me. Tom, please forgive me.

I made a big breakfast that morning. Something I rarely did. Usually we survived on cereal or a toaster pastry. I needed to feel more like a mother. I hadn't been there when Natalie needed me, but I could be here now. I broke out the waffle maker; it hadn't seen the light of day for a couple of years. The smell that filled the kitchen was warming, very homey. It brought Natalie from the couch.

I'm late, Natalie said, moving slowly.

You're staying home today, I said, I already called it in. Natalie smiled her hair was all bunched up from the couch. This was family, albeit a small one, but family nonetheless.

I couldn't help but smile back. Waffles were a really good idea.

That smells good. Natalie was practically drooling. I put a waffle, the second one I made, on her plate. The first one was a little deformed, so I kept it for myself. Butter and syrup and some orange juice I felt more motherly.

You like him, Natalie said with no context, after we finished eating. The context was understood. It was on both our minds. She was too old.

It scares me, I said honestly, not admitting Natalie's statement was true and not denying it. I began putting the dishes in the sink, allowing me not to look at her. A mother shouldn't discuss such things with her daughter.

Daddy wouldn't want you to be alone, Natalie said quietly. I stared at the sink. I tried to stop it, but couldn't. Tears came. Tom, forgive me. Natalie hugged me from behind. She was more motherly than I. I turned to her.

It wouldn't mean I didn't love your father, I stumbled with the words.

I know.

No one could replace him, I argued.

I know.

I really like Jared, as weird as all this is. I had cemented my feelings. I think he likes me.
I didn't think anyone would like me again. I admitted it, out loud. He made me feel desirable. I liked that feeling. I needed that feeling again.

I'm okay with it, Mom, Natalie said, giving me permission I didn't need, but sorely desired. He's rich and not bad looking for an old guy. I saw the hint of a smile on her face as she said it.

Are you calling your mother old? I said, a grin fighting away my tears. Natalie gave me a big smile. She knew she had changed my mood.

I caught Jared on his way out to his ten o'clock meeting. I had waited, like a schoolgirl, at the front window. I loved how he smiled when I waved down his car. He pulled into my driveway and rolled down the window. His eye had blackened, but the swelling had decreased. I really liked how he looked at me.

If you need us, let me know, I offered, or, we can go with you if you want. Jared looked so handsome in his suit. He ignored my offer.

Can I take you and Natalie out to dinner tonight? Jared asked. My insides were jumping up and down. I tried to not let it go to my face. I wasn't sure I succeeded.

That would be lovely, I answered, the words formed smoothly. Maybe I hid my desires.
Casual about sixes Jared added.

Perfect, I said, a little louder than I intended. I reigned in my glee. I composed myself to better represent my age.

Linda? Jared asked with his desirable smile.

Yes, Jared.

I'm excited too, Jared said as he backed the car out of the driveway. I found myself bouncing on my toes. I waved like an idiot and didn't care. I was no older than Natalie at that moment. It felt really good. I was a desirable woman with the heart of girl. I was going to have that boy.

He's taking us out for dinner tonight I told Natalie when I returned from the driveway.
Us! Why not just you?

Because he is a nice guy, I surmised. Because you need a night out after yesterday and he knows you are important to me. I smiled after putting all those thoughts in her head. I left out, because we need your permission and he knows it. It's just casual, so whatever you want to wear. I headed off to my closet. I only had about nine hours to find something to wear. Maybe I should go shopping.

I wondered if my skirt was too short. It looked fine in front of the mirror. Now, sitting in the car, it hiked up farther than I had anticipated. A good four of five inches above the knee I tried to ignore it; it was too late now. Natalie was in the backseat of the car, designer jeans and some kind of white frilly pullover I didn't know she owned. It was cute and fit her age. Jared went with an olive green polo tucked into pleated khakis. He hadn't stopped smiling since we got in the car.

Played hooky today, Natalie?

Yeah, Mom thought it was a good idea. Let the rumors quiet down before I return to school. Jared was nodding his head in agreement.

How did your meeting go this morning? I asked. Jared looked over from the road. His eyes fell to my knees then snapped up to my eyes. My skirt was too short.

I think we all agreed that pursuing assault charges was heavy-handed, Jared smiled.
Dan is conscious and decided it may not be wise. Turns out he turned eighteen a couple of months ago. Jared glanced back at Natalie. He insists he wasn't planning what you thought he was.

He lets you off the hook, if I let him off? Natalie asked. She put the pieces together faster than I did.

Don't worry about me, Jared said, if you want to drag him through the mud, do it. He deserves that much, and more. Natalie didn't respond. I looked back to see her aimlessly looking out the window, thinking. Jared didn't push it any farther.

I straightened my skirt and tried to make it longer when I stepped out of the car at the restaurant. Jared was coming around the vehicle, so I could easily hide my efforts. Natalie noticed, her eyes signaling she thought it was funny. It wasn't funny. My skirt was too short.

Natalie moved ahead, leading the way to the entrance. Jared carefully put his arm around my waist. He leaned to my ear. You have lovely legs, he whispered. Blood rushed to my face as I looked at his smile. He meant it. My skirt was just right. I pulled his hand farther around me and leaned into him.

Thank you, I returned quietly. Natalie was grinning at me as she held the door open for us. I wanted to wipe the grin off her face.

It was embarrassing and wonderful.

To be continued