Page 16 of Diners, Damsels & Wolves

Sixteen

Clarissa

L ate Sunday morning, Clarissa rushed to finish putting the pies in the freezer. Anxiety and excitement curled in her abdomen. Thinking about her plan, a thrill coursed through her. She had to get home fast.

She’d seen how kind and caring Tom could be with her, the inexplicable way his presence made her feel safe. She’d never felt more herself than when she was with him, as if overnight, he’d become her everything. Trusting him implicitly, she bared her soul to him. She wanted Thomas to hold her in his heart, body, and spirit the same way she now held him. She didn’t even know when it had happened, but she’d fallen for this man.

Meeting him in the diner every day was no longer enough. She needed him in every intimate part of her life. Wanted him to know every piece of her, the good and the bad.

Being in his presence soothed the aches in her turbulent soul. In him, she’d found everything she never knew she needed. A partner, a place for her spirit to rest.

Parking her car in the driveway, she was happy to see a home aide was there. Going inside, she introduced herself. This one was named Sally. She was middle-aged and kindly.

With introductions out of the way, she rushed to take a fast shower. Getting out, she grabbed her phone. It was just after ten; she still had time. Opening her messages, she texted Tom.

I’m ready early if you want to come by now?

Blow-drying her hair, she waited for a response. It didn’t take long.

I’ll leave now.

Throwing on her bathrobe, she went out to Rachel and Sally. Rachel was doing a puzzle while Sally took notes on a clipboard.

“Hey, Sally?” she asked. “Are you okay to take Rachel out of the house? On walks or to the store, I mean. She hasn’t been able to get out much.”

“Of course I can.” She beamed at Clarissa.

“I thought it might be nice for her to go to the salon. She used to love spending time at Mary’s Salon on Main Street, do you know the one?”

“Yes, I know the place,” Sally said.

“Would you mind taking her today? Now?” She pulled some tip money from her purse. Since she didn’t have to pay off the rest of her car at Andy’s, she had more cash than usual. “Here’s thirty dollars.”

“Sure thing!” Sally took the cash and turned to Rachel. “Hey, Rachel, have you been to that salon, Mary something, I think it’s called?”

“Oh, I adore Mary’s.” Rachel looked up, her eyes bright. “Have you never been?”

“No, I haven’t,” Sally said.

“It’s a lovely little place over on Main Street, she has oversized sofas and tea. Even if you’re not getting your hair done, it’s a great place to visit.”

“You know, aunty,” Clarissa piped in, “you haven’t gotten your hair done in a while. Why don’t you two go?”

“That sounds like a great idea!” Sally got to her feet.

“Okay,” Rachel agreed, going to her room to grab shoes.

“You are a lifesaver, thank you,” Clarissa said to Sally before flitting to her room.

Pulling off her bathrobe, she sprayed peony perfume and pulled out the dress she planned to wear today. It was blue, knee-length, with puffy sleeves that went down to her wrists. The pattern was woodland critters, rabbits, foxes, and wolves, running around ferns and leaves. It was fun, had pockets, and offered her decent coverage of her arm.

After applying a quick bit of eye makeup, she brushed and fluffed her hair, hands shaking. Taking a deep breath, she felt a warmth spread through her chest. She was taking agency over her life. Successfully orchestrating adult alone time with a man. They could talk like real adults, and maybe make some noise, without being overheard by a chaperone.

She could do this.

Agency.

Initiation.

Confidence.

She repeated the mantra in her head to soothe her nerves.

And did she ever want to talk to him. Not just the casual conversations they had in the diner; not the quick hellos they shared in the parking lot. She needed to give him a proper apology for the other day and wanted to confirm where he was in this relationship. Was it too soon for that talk? Hell, she’d been single for so long she hadn’t the faintest idea. But she knew he felt right .

Maybe her worries about dating had all been for naught. Maybe all she needed was the right partner. She could care for Rachel and allow herself this small shred of happiness. Couldn’t she?

When a knock sounded at the door, she shoved a foil in her pocket and ran to answer it. She thought she’d jump out of her skin if her nerves didn’t calm down. Opening the front door, her heart melted.

Tom was a vision, wearing slacks and a navy blue button-up, his top buttons undone with his sleeves rolled up. Her own personal Adonis stood on the front steps. His ginger hair glowed in the late morning light, an adoring smile plastered across his face. Worries vanishing, she knew everything was going to be alright.