It was called "The French Cafe," which would normally be the kind of place I would avoid, but one of my co workers got me hooked on the french vanilla mocha latte. I now went there every Sunday like clockwork, placing my order before sitting at my favorite table near the back. I would read my Sunday paper and watch the happenings in the small town I called my home. I didn't interact much with the people, that was my wife's job throughout our marriage as she never met a stranger.
My wife would have loved this little piece of European culture in a small southern town, another reason I went there to read a Sunday paper I would rather have read at home. I had promised her I would get out of the house some, and five years after her passing away I did: every Sunday at "The French Cafe." I lived a very simple life since she died, working six days a week and them Sunday at the cafe. This week was like any other week as I placed my order at the front counter with my paper tucked under my arm. I never expected a new chapter of my life to start that day or maybe it was an old chapter revisited, I am not sure.
The ambiance of the cafe was very quaint. The tables were round with long white table cloths, the Baristas wore berets and the soft music was very French. I will never admit to liking the place but I was comfortable there. The comfort was in the quiet and routine of my Sunday morning as I bought my paper, placed my order and turned towards my table in the back. No one ever sat there but me, so I was a bit surprised to see a woman sitting there this September morning. She was staring into her coffee cup as I scanned the rest of the empty tables choosing a new place to sit.
I almost decided to take my paper and go home, but something made me look again at this woman in my comfort zone. She was now staring at me, a smile on her pretty face that seemed familiar to me. I smiled back as I locked eyes with her and feelings came over me I had not felt for years. The hair was now a gorgeous bright white and the lines in her porcelain skin were clearly defined, but the eyes gave it away. I had not seen Carolyn since I was a senior in high school but those beautiful brown eyes were imprinted in my memory.
I walked towards her, wondering if she would even remember me, not realizing I was the reason she was here. We exchanged pleasantries as I sat down at the table with her. She seemed nervous but genuinely happy to see me as we caught each other up on our lives over the last twenty seven years. She had remarried about two years after she left my school, and stay married for 20 years before he passed away three years ago. She talked glowingly of this man who was a wonderful husband and stepfather to her daughter, the only child she would have. She just retired from teaching, telling me how strange it felt to be on vacation in September for the first time in over thirty years.
I didn't ask why she would vacation in this hole in the wall town; I didn't wonder why she chose this cafe or even this table. I just was so exhilarated in her presence, as if a breath of new air was inhaled in my dormant routine life. I was breathlessly clueless why in all the fake French cafes in all the world she would walk into mine. Clueless, and then quite confused, as my enchanting former teacher looked into her lap and told me she dropped something on the floor under the table.
"Do you mind, Dalton? This dress is a bit tight and not meant for stooping over in public," she asked in a shaky nervous tone.
I was still clueless as I happily got on my knees and lifted the table cloth to retrieve her fallen item. I first saw her black heels on the floor and a rush of hormones ran through my veins. My obsession with the beautiful Mrs. Garrity back then started with her tiny shapely sexy feet, and they were under this table out of her shoes. I looked for the item when I saw them and I was eighteen again, salivating over those perfect sexy feet. They were still a creamy white with perfectly manicured nails, and those same fire engine red toes I fell in love with. I then noticed the envelope that fell, it was under one of those perfect feet and kind of bent upwards against the foot of the table. My hand shook when I went to grab it, longing to touch those dainty soles again.
I wasn't prepared for what happened next as the talented Mrs. Garrity used her other foot to grab the envelope between her tasty big toe and sweet second toe. She maneuvered the envelope towards me and I slid the envelope from between her toes with my quivering hand as they wiggled seductively. I was shocked, could this be why she was here?
It felt like I was under the table for an eternity though the whole sequence lasted about fifteen seconds. I backed out from under the table cloth as it slid from my head, mussing my hair in the process. I didn't want to appear to linger so I scrambled to my feet. I held out the envelope, but Carolyn was back to staring into her coffee cup.
"That's for you," Carolyn said as she slipped on her heels, stood up quickly and started past me.
Now I was really confused, had I misread the under the table flirtation? Did that even happen? I felt like that same confused teenager but I couldn't just let her leave, could I?
"Carolyn, please wait," I started to reply to her when she cut me off.
"Dalton, I need to go now before I change my mind," she said walking briskly towards the door.
I was flabbergasted, I started to chase after her but then stopped. I could do anything if she changed her mind. I was disappointed as I was sure she wanted me as much as I did her. I felt like that same kid standing at the side of the school as she drove away twenty seven years ago. She went out of my life so abruptly back then, after changing it so significantly.
My coffee was now cold and my paper unread, but she was all that was on my mind. I had almost forgotten about the envelope when I sat down at my table. I slowly opened it wondering what was inside and a whole new wave of emotions engulfed me. The flat card with a strip on it had a post it note with the words "room 111" written on it. I finally realized, I didn't want her to change her mind either.
I was at the motel across the street in minutes and I walked towards room 111. I slipped the card in to the door and it seemed like an eternity but finally the two lights flashed and the door clicked allowing me access. I walked into the room silently and saw the armchair, the bed and little else. The bathroom door was closed and I began to wonder if she had changed her mind after all.
"I was afraid you weren't coming," a voice from behind the door said.
"Of course I am here; you knew I would be," I replied.
"Let me talk for a second okay, I need to explain," Carolyn stammered a bit as she talked.
"Okay," I replied as I sat in the armchair facing the bathroom door.
"I found you on Facebook about a year ago. I had a bit too much wine to drink and I told my best friend about our encounter and she convinced me to look you up. I was in a bit of a rut after Jason died and she felt it was time for me to move on. I told her she was crazy but when I saw your picture I was flustered. I felt things I haven't felt for years."
Carolyn continued after a brief hesitation,"I finally got her off the subject but the next evening I was overcome with curiosity so I went to your page and read. I found the link to your wife's blog. I was touched by her battle with cancer, how much you had supported her and how much she loved you. I started to basically cyber stalk you on Facebook. You didn't write much at first but after your family badgered you I learned a lot. I laughed at your funny quotes, I marveled at your successes and I cried when you were sad. It made me wonder what if?"
" 'What if' what Carolyn?"
"Please, let me finish. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change my life with Jason any more than you would change yours with Juliet. I just wondered what if I wouldn't have driven away alone that day. Maybe I was right and it was for the best, but maybe not."
Again she hesitated, but with a quiver in her speech she continued, "After a year of cyber stalking you, I finally worked up the courage to see you. I got on a plane and here I am. I knew you would be at that table at that cafe on Sunday morning. I also knew I wouldn't have the courage to say all of this to your handsome face so my elaborate plot to get you here commenced. Now here you are"
"You sound surprised?" I questioned.
"Maybe I am a little but relieved is more like it."
"After what you did under that table did you really think I could stay away?" I asked.
"Yes, dear Dalton I do remember your weakness. I was nervous as hell but when I saw you at the counter I knew I had to give it everything I had. I don't know what it is about you but you changed my life."
"I changed your life? You were such an influence on me Carolyn. I am who I am because of the confidence and emotional freedom I got from you." I said choking back a bit of a tear, " I know it was only a few days but they meant the world to me."
"You restored my faith in men, my dear Dalton. I would have never given Jason a chance after my first marriage or any man for that matter. Then you treated me with so much compassion and so tenderly. Those few days meant everything to me as well. I owe you more than you could ever imagine."
The silence was momentary but seemed endless. I was full of emotions as the first love of my life was only a few feet away and I wanted her as much now as I did back then. I wasn't sure what to say next but then she finally continued.
"So here we are. I cannot believe I am doing this but there is something about you Dalton, something I can't explain. I still can't believe I put my feet up on the stool that day for you to look at. I can't believe I asked for a foot massage from my student. Then, I stripped naked in that classroom that day, in all of my swelled up pregnant glory."
"You looked as amazing that day as you do today," I chimed in.
Carolyn continued, "Dalton, something in those big brown eyes of yours made me do all of that then. Hell, now I can hardly believe I am standing here like this."
"Like what?" I asked as the bathroom door slowly creaked open.
I had my answer and I was speechless. Carolyn walked out of the bathroom and I was overwhelmed with enchantment. The petite but very pregnant 34 year old beauty I fell for back then was now a petite 61 year old beauty I fell for all over again.
She was dressed in lingerie that had me breathless as I sized her up head to toe.