Page 37 of Painting Her Fate

I wait for her to get it out of her system and I’m about to reply to her when my mobile chimes with a video call request from none other than, Tamara. I think I’ll let this go to‘missed call’. I stare at it, contemplating shutting it off because I know she will keep calling until I answer.

“You gonna get that?” Zander glances my way before focusing back on the road. I want to tell himnoand warn him what would happen if I did

answer, “We have a little time before we arrive at the café.”

With a groan, I tap my mobile and answer. Tamara’s lovely face pops up and I caught her checking her hair. Her trademark poufy pom poms are cute as always, and her makeup is of course on point. Tamara rushes as she speaks, her tone matching her bubbly mood and bright smile.

“Hello lovely! I have sooooo much to tell you. How are things?

Getting on, okay?”

“Je vais bien (I’m fine).” I glance out the windshield then back at my mobile. If I’m not alone when she calls, I will speak French, so Tamara knows to be mindful of what is spoken. I am a private person and would like to keep it that way.

Tamara’s face scrunches to better make out where I’m at, “That’s nice. Wait. Are you driving?” Her head tilts in confusion, “Whose car are you driving?”

“A friend is driving, not me.” I try and make this as plain Jane as possible. Tamara will know all about this man sitting next to me in no time at all, if I reveal him, that is.

Tamara’s face lights up, “Do I know thisfriend? Is it the same one that your dad met today?” Her questions are rapid fire. “Show them to me! I want to say hello!” I bite my lip. This could go very bad.

“Go ahead- I’m not bashful.” His grin still in place as he focuses on fitting through a tight one-way street with cars parked on both sides. I turn the mobile so she can get a glimpse of him driving and I know what’s coming next. Her screech fills the space.

“Oh-my! He isgorgeous! You have been holding out on me, mistress!”Why did I answer this again?No way! She did not just use that term for me. “Hey sexy driver! What’s your name?”

Zander chuckles when glimpsing my red face.Now I go find a hole to hide and die in.He yells back to her his name and takes a turn to a part of town I’m not familiar with. She repeats it to herself in a sultry provocative tone making him chuckle again. Tamara is quick to tease.

“Ooh LaLa.Lili has a secret life I know nothing about.” She slaps a hand theatrically to her chest, “I’m shocked! Spill! I need details! Is he good in bed? I bet he’s better than-”

I scramble to place a finger over the speaker to cut off the name she was about to say, “Oh, look at that, you’re breaking up. Talk soon.”

“Wait!” She rushes to say, knowing I’m about to hang up, “I need more!” She barely pauses to take a breath, “tell me. Does Zander give a good snog-”?

“Goodbye Tamara!” I hang up before she can say anything else. I allow my mobile to fall to my lap and immediately put my hands to my face.Oh Christ, what he must think of me! That’s it. I’m getting a new assistant. This one is too much. Applications welcome. Any takers?I’d never actually do that- Tamara knows way too much of my shit- she’s stuck with me. I hear him chuckling, so I peek his way.

“What is it?”

“Your face is as red as a strawberry.” He chuckles again then sympathy lights his tone, “Don’t worry, we all have that one friend who tends to be all up in your business.” I take a deep breath and allow my body to sink into the seat. We smile at one another, thenWash it All AwaybyFive Finger Death Punch hums through the low speakers. I ask Zander to turn it up to drown out my thoughts.

Tamara is going to get an ear full later.

As the song ends, we pull into a spot by a multi-level building with a green awning over the entrance. There is dog sitting on a stack of books as the business’s logo. I know exactly where we are. We are in the Irish district, which happens to be near the recreation center. Cute little shamrocks and rainbow decorations as well as tiny Polish flags fill the interior of the windows. I love the pride this area has for their heritage, it’s one of the things that drew me to want to live here.

The smell of grilled vegetables and roasted coffee hits my nose as soon as we cross the threshold, making my stomach grumble loudly. The small space is quaint and eclectic. A few sets of table and chairs for seating, one with the daily newspaper open to the sports section, and an elderly bald gentleman in a green checkered shirt sat reading with his glasses halfway down his nose. Clearly, it’s been a while since I’ve stopped in, so much has changed. There is a feature wall of community news and events, the biggest flyer advertising, “Everyone is Polish on Dyngus Day!” in the annual Dyngus Day parade. That reminds me, I still need to get to the Broadway Market for my butter lamb, perogies, and horseradish.

We decided to order a sandwich with our drinks due to neither of us having eaten this morning. As we peruse the menu, I make out everything listed has a name of a writer, or a poet, or a title of a novel; it reminds me of a small café my Gran and I venture to after a long day in the city. Kat, a naturistic woman with long red hair, soulful blue eyes, and an introverted, and spiritual personality, beams brightly when we reach the counter.

“Hey Lili! Long time no see!” Her tiny frame then races around the counter, and she wraps me in a hug. She pulls back and sets her hands on her hips, “you know, Gloria and I were just talking about you yesterday. Are you here for a while? Or just a quick trip? And why didn’t you let me know you were coming?! I could’ve had a stack of books ready for you!”

I give her a quick rundown of what has me here, and why I happen to be with Zander. She was excited to see me back, and already planning a wine and painting night. I need this woman’s energy. I have no idea how she does it all.

I order the “Secret Garden” panini. The book takes me back to the nights where Gran would snuggle me in and read it to me. It has cheese, a lot of veggies, and pesto, then I pair it with an Earl Grey tea. It’s delightful.

“Your usual “Odyssey” and black coffee, Zander?” Kat asks and he nods.

“You know me so well.” He grins and she playfully smacks him in the arm with her notepad. “Thanks, Kat. We are going to look at the books for a little bit.”

“Not a problem. I’ll come find you when your food is ready.” She turns my way and whispers, “the romance section is freshly stocked. Have fun.” She winks, knowing what I like best. She knows I’m not going to walk out of here empty handed. I might need a trolly.

Zander held his hand out, silently asking for me to take it, which I do without hesitation. From the beginning, he’s asked for permission of my hand, never taking it. It has eased the anxiety that would otherwise plague me right now. My past makes it difficult to accept the touch of others in certain situations. Working in a pub setting has helped me cope with it, and, oddly enough, as confined as it is behind a bar, its distracting and comforting in its own way.

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