The gall… the nerve. No more…
“Look, I’m sorry. You’re right, okay? You never really speak up until you’re at your breaking limit and I think that’s why Mom keeps doing what she’s doing. I… I can’t handle her, Aiden, I just can’t. I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’m not built for it. I can’t stomach it. I tried, but she’s just too much. I need to live my life, man. We only get one.”
“Do you know how many dates I had to cancel in the past because of her? Do you have even a fraction of a clue about how many times I’ve had to ask for a flexible work schedule because of Mom but had to blame it on other stuff? How well do you think that makes me look for a promotion, huh?” He was met with silence. “Do you know how much sleep I’ve lost worrying about Mom over the years? And now I’m just numb. I don’t feel anything at all. Do you realize how this has impacted my life? Either you don’t, or you just don’t care!”
“Aw, Aiden! Come on! You know good and damn well that—”
“Stop pawning her off on me. She’s your mother, too. You want to be alone with your girlfriend tonight. Well, guess what? I want to have a stress-free evening, too…one I can enjoy, all right? I want off this hamster wheel, but you all just won’t let it happen. It’s like you want me to explode!” He laughed dismally as he snatched open a cabinet door and grabbed the garlic powder. “She’s so egotistical that she asked if I had plans tonight. I confirmed it and she still asked me to come over.”
“No, I don’t want you to explode, Aiden. And we both know it’s just to keep her company because she hates being alone.”
“She left me and you alone for most of our life in her own way. We barely got to see the sober version of Mom so she now can deal with being alone, too—see how she likes it for a change. I am tired of this shit.”
He abruptly disconnected the call with Perry before the man could utter another word. He was all talked and excused out.
Aiden went about his duties in the kitchen, his chest heaving a mile a minute. Pausing several times, he took deep breaths, trying to reel himself in, convince himself that everything would be fine if he just pushed it all out of his mind. Turning off the pasta sauce he added a few seasonings, then dashed to his hall bathroom and sprinkled water on his face. He checked himself out in the mirror, ran his fingers through his hair and looked at his reflection long and hard…
Just then, the doorbell rang. He hung his head, sighed, turned off the bathroom light, and made his way to his front door. Throwing on an award-winning smile, he opened the door and thrust his arms wide open.
“Welcome! Give me a hug, beautiful.” He pulled her into his arms and squeezed her so tight, he hoped and prayed she couldn’t feel his anxiety, and detect how his world was colored in the most depressing of hues. She felt so good in his embrace. He inhaled the sweet scent of her hair and pretended for just a moment that life was good… life was great. When he finally released her, she stepped inside and chuckled, her hands full of bags and whatnots.
“Be right back.” She set the bags down on the nearby couch. “Your dessert is in the car. Gotta go back and get it.”
“I can grab it. Let me help.”
“No, no, no. I’ve got it.”
In less than a minute, she returned with a big box and a smile on her face. He closed and locked the door behind her, then she carefully placed the cake near the bags.
“Damn.” They both burst out laughing. Her coat was hanging open, revealing a blood red cat suit with matching high heels. The dark, shiny waves of her hair were slicked back, and her lips were covered in bright red lipstick. A seductress was she… “You look… just wow. You look amazing.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you like what you see. I have some birthday surprises for you here.” She motioned towards the bags sitting on the couch. “But, uh, I see you just couldn’t make this your special day, could you? You had to share it.” She shot him a ‘shame on you’ glance before turning away to take a gander at the place, all decked out with assorted decorations.
“Look, it’s Valentine’s Day. You’re my date, so you know I couldn’t just not do anything at all. Besides, we can celebrate both. Let me take your coat.” She placed her purse on a nearby lamp stand as he helped usher the camel jacket off her, revealing her outfit in its entirety.
Oh…my…goodness.
He bit his lower lip as he looked her up and down, refusing to even attempt to hide his budding lust. Turning away with reluctance, he hung up her coat in the nearby hall closet.
“Hey, I want to put your birthday cake in the kitchen. It’s over here, right?” She pointed towards the arched doorway, decorated with heart shaped lights.
“Yeah.” Her heels clicked across the hardwood floor as she carefully carried the sweet concoction. He followed close behind her with the bags filled with assorted, colorful tissue papers.
“How cute!” She looked at the flickering heart shaped lights, then entered the kitchen tossing her sights here and there. “Oh, my goodness, something smells good.” She set the cake down on the island. “I swear you are trying to blow my fitness goals here and we’re only two months into the new year!”
“Hey.” He pointed to the stove to show off his handiwork. “Gotta feed the soul. Angel hair pasta with pesto, fettuccini with grilled chicken, garlic bread, salad… nothing major, but I love Italian food.”
He set the bags on the island beside the cake, but before he could say another word she turned towards him and grabbed him close. He landed in her warm arms, enfolded in an all-consuming embrace. Addison wrapped herself around his body, and planted a sweet, needy kiss against his lips. Sliding his arms around her waist, he returned the favor, this time tasting with his tongue. As he slowly caressed her arms, his breathing slowed and his calm returned as she took over his senses, made herself at home in his soul. Who knew how much time passed with them like that? But too soon, they both seemed to awaken from a daydream, reluctantly letting one another go.
“Have a seat in the dining room. I’ll get everything on the table.”
“Not on your life. I am helping.” She walked over to the island and pulled the cake out of the protective box covering. His brow rose when he saw the name on the white box: Mousse Boutique.
“How in the world did you get a cake from them so last minute?” The Mousse Boutique was well known for pricey, rich, one-of-a-kind desserts and pastries, and you simply didn’t walk in there and pick something up. No, it took weeks, sometimes months of planning to get your hands on one and when you did, it was typically at some monumental gathering such as a wedding or 21st birthday gala.
“Well, it just so happens that my sister owns several florist shops and she does a lot of weddings so she pulled some strings for me.”
“Wow! It’s good to know people in high places, huh?” He laughed as he gave the cake a closer inspection.
HAPPY 32nd BIRTHDAY AIDEN –