Page 46 of Blinded
She moved in with him two weeks after his surprise proposal at the Color Run, and a month later they were settled into a routine that worked for them both. The few chores that Angela didn’t take care of, they divided between themselves. He had gladly surrendered the kitchen to Sandra. Her cooking was much better tasting and her menus more diverse than the hospital’s. Most evenings they played with rope. Some nights he created elaborate designs that took them deep into the headspace Kinbaku gave them. Other times he did uncomplicated but beautiful arm or leg ties, while they watched something on television. Now Sandra knew he would support her in her work and life goals, she’d let her final barriers fall and their relationship, sex life, and Kinbaku scenes had benefitted.
Most important to GT, though, was that Sandra was happy and relaxed. To have her in his home had benefits he hadn’t considered before. Two days ago, GT had come home tired, frustrated, and wound up from work. Instead of walking into an empty house, Sandra had been there for him. A truck driver hadn’t seen a boy on a bike and ran over him. The talented teenager had been on his way home from school after track practice, working hard to earn a college scholarship. GT had operated on the young patient for a long time until he and the vascular surgeon finally gave up. The truck had shattered his lower left leg beyond repair and they couldn’t do anything but amputate. Carrying his own frustrations and tired from the surgery, GT had to tell the family Samuel’s leg was a lost cause. The mother had just crumpled and cried. The dad didn’t seem able to comprehend the fact that his boy wouldn’t be running and doing the normal things a teenager did. Clinging to hope, he kept asking the same questions. GT’s patience had been wearing thin, but then the man had flipped an internal switch and started yelling and screaming, blaming GT and the staff for what had happened to his son. Afterwards, he didn’t know how he had managed to maintain his composure, but somehow he’d found the strength. By the time the distraught father let him be, GT had spent two extra hours in the hospital and that was before writing up the case and talking with the hospital lawyer about the potential lawsuit. When he finally got home, Sandra had been fantastic. First, she had listened to him without interrupting. After he’d spilled his guts, Sandra had kissed his cheek and told him to take a shower. When he emerged from the bedroom, she had re-heated their dinner and they ate in silence. When he finished his meal, she diverted him further by giving him a blowjob that had his mind reeling and his body satisfied.
GT went straight to the kitchen, where Sandra was making dinner. “Hmm, smells good.”
Sandra came up on tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips before returning to stir the contents of the frying pan. “You’re staring into space, GT, and seem miles away. Where are you?” she remarked over her shoulder.
“Actually, I was really close,” GT said with a smirk. “I was thinking about the day before yesterday.” He didn’t elaborate and teased, “Are you blushing?”
Sandra turned her head away as she concentrated on the food instead of answering his question. “How is your patient doing?”
He decided to let her off the hook – for now. “The boy is doing remarkably well. He’ll be walking with a prosthesis as soon as he recovers from his other injuries.” GT hugged her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. He looked down at broccoli, peas, and bell pepper and inhaled the fragrance of garlic and ginger. “Shrimp or chicken stir fry?”
She gave him a sideways glance and answered. “Shrimp. I went to the Brookside farmers market today, and the fresh veggies inspired me.” GT blew on the piece of bell pepper she held in front of him before accepting the morsel of food.
He hummed his approval and kissed her cheek. “How long before it’s ready?”
Sandra whisked together soy sauce with lime juice, brown sugar, and cornstarch in a small bowl and pursed her lips. “After I’ve coated the veggies with this sauce, I just need to add the shrimp and cook until heated through, so maybe another five minutes?” She dipped her pinky finger, tasted, and added a pinch of red pepper flakes.
“Good, I’m hungry. I’ll set the table.” GT put dinner plates and utensils on the table and took the carafe of water from the fridge, while Sandra finished the dish.
While they ate, GT tried to keep the conversation flowing, but Sandra was uncharacteristically quiet, and her answers when he asked her about work had been monosyllabic. He cocked his head and studied her. Her shoulders were drooping, face expressionless, and her movements minimal. Something was wrong. He scooted back his chair and patted his leg. “Come here, hana.” She pressed her lips together, but gave a slow nod and settled on his lap. With his left hand on her thigh, he used his right to cup her head and press her against his chest. Sandra let out a heavy sigh – the air from her mouth warm through the fabric of his shirt. GT didn’t know how long they sat like that, but she seemed to draw strength from him, so he waited patiently.
Finally, she pushed back, so she could look into his eyes. “Thank you, GT, I didn’t realize how much I needed that.”
He took her lips in a long, controlled kiss. He enjoyed the feel of her yielding body, her soft lips, and the lingering taste of the stir fry on her tongue but pulled back when she tried to deepen the kiss.
GT shot her a meaningful look. “Remember, hana. No retreating allowed.”
She let out another sigh, but this one more of regret. “I know, Sir. I’m sorry.” She gave him a small pout. “Old habits die hard.”
He smiled reassuringly but didn’t say a word.
“It’s Gisela.” Although it was strange for GT to hear Sandra call her mother by her given name, he understood why his hana didn’t use mother or mom. Gisela might be Sandra’s mother in a biological sense, but she had treated Sandra more like a possession.
“What about her?”
“She wants to meet Saturday to go over the guest list for the wedding because. . .” Sandra made air quotes and mimicked Gisela’s prissy voice. “Her exact words were, ‘You know how important keeping up appearances is. It might be your wedding, but it’s also a way to meet influential people and settle you into high society,’ Also, I’m supposed to get your guest list and Marjorie’s, too.” Sandra swallowed hard and widened her eyes to keep the shimmering tears at bay. “I hate it when she does that. Damn it.” A tear escaped her left eye, despite her effort to hold them back. “It’s our day, and she’s hijacking it, making the wedding into a big social event. Plus, she’ll manage to take up the whole day with other stuff. I don’t want to wait until next year to get married. ‘But we can’t have it sooner. There’s too much to plan.’” She pulled her sleeve over her hand and wiped at the tears.
“Here, let me.” GT grabbed a tissue from the table and dabbed under her eyes, soaking up tears and catching running mascara. She hated looking like a raccoon, and he enjoyed taking care of her. If it was true what she said about Gisela, he needed to take care of that, too.
She gave him a watery smile. “Thank you.”
“Is there anything about the wedding you like?”
“Getting married to you.” Her words were so heartfelt and honest, GT hugged her against his body in a silent thank you.
“I wish there was a way to marry you and not have to deal with society and Gisela’s expectations and demands.”
GT narrowed his eyes as he held Sandra, a plan started to form in his mind.
The next Friday, GT told her, “I’m taking you away for a weekend of fun and relaxation tomorrow. Can you be packed and ready first thing in the morning?”
She looked at him in shock. “What? Now? What about the preparations for the wedding? Gisela is going to blow a gasket.”
“I’ll deal with her.” GT reassured her and followed it up by a short and clear phone call with Gisela. “I understand the need for fitting and tasting, but Sandra is more important. One weekend won’t make any difference.” He was silent as he listened to Gisela splutter and stated in a reasonable tone. “This is not negotiable, Gisela. We’re out of town for the weekend. Have a nice evening, and give your husband my regards.” He ended the call and gave Sandra a boyish grin. “Done.”
Sandra hugged him and kissed him fiercely. “Thank you, GT. I need a reprieve from her.”
