22. Craig - The Designer
Chapter twenty-two
Craig - The Designer
J ust after the new year, Edie decided it was time to get back to work. I wasn’t thrilled because we’d spent so much time together since the Fall. My little house needed sprucing up so she helped me select paint colors, some fabrics to make valances for the living room with coordinating pillows and she ordered some framed art for my walls for Christmas. She was such a talented seamstress and I loved the new makeover. I knew I wouldn’t be seeing much of her since she accepted a position of head interior designer at the swankiest store in our area.
It was a thirty-five-minute relaxing drive with the highway following the river the whole way. There was never much traffic on the two-lane tree-lined road so she could frequently catch a glimpse of a pair of wolves walking on the ice or some deer along the shore. Winter can be brutal in Northern Illinois so seeing animals hunting for food was not unusual. In spring and summer, it was postcard picturesque with a bluff of trees and foliage heightening the sense of nature. In many areas canopies of leaves created arches of beauty.
Though it had been a year since she’d worked in the design business her credentials still held up. She had turned thirty-one and though she’d done so much, I don’t think she had decided what she was going to be when she grew up. When I asked her that question, she always responded by saying, “Old, that’s what I’ll be when I grow up.” I was sure that she could do just about anything she put her mind to but she wasn’t as confident as she pretended but she could fake it with the best of them. She knew she was a quick study and could catch up without much trouble. She was stepping into a position that Craig had filled for several years and was responsible for creating a design department that was the envy of all the other stores in the city.
The problem was there was a stir, a jealous uprising around town, about Craig not having a degree and not being an ASID. He was thirty-eight and had refused to go back to college for his degree and jump through all the hoops to join the American Society of Interior Designers. He didn’t need the accreditation to be an amazing designer. He had a natural talent, a sense of style and color that no one could rival. Edie didn’t blame him for holding onto his principles; no degree was needed to be incredible. The store, however, felt the need to have an ASID on board which was how Edie was named to the position. She hadn’t tapped into how many talents this good-looking guy had or how good he might be at deploying them. I secretly wondered if this job was her quest or if Craig would be in her sights. I would enjoy watching this scenario develop.
She had lots of respect for Craig and she wasn’t shy about letting him know what an incredible job he had done to enlighten people in this city about what good interior design was all about. She assured him she was no threat to his position and though she intended to pull her weight, she was a figurehead with a title more than anything and allowed him to take the lead. He was slow to warm up to her, but with all the ego-stroking she did, he’d have been bald if he’d been a cat. MEN! Gotta love ‘em but sometimes they’re so damn insecure and fragile.
She hadn’t thought of him as a physical being. He was more like a textbook; a blackboard to study; a recording to drone into her sleep. I asked Edie one day how she was getting along with Craig. “Oh, we’re just colleagues, nothing more. We work well together but he doesn’t even know I’m a woman,” she giggled. That is until one day when she reached across his knees to grab a sample, and he caught her hand. “Oh, sorry,” she said. “That was rude of me.” He didn’t release her hand but looked her straight in the eyes. She freaked…in a subtle way.
“Edie, would you give me the pleasure of having dinner with me tonight?”
She wasn’t expecting that. He hadn’t given her any indication that they were anything but team members. Perhaps it wasn’t a romantic thing. “That’s so nice of you, Craig but I can’t tonight. My youngest daughter has a band concert this evening and I can’t miss it. She’s first chair clarinet. Maybe another time?”
He gently released her hand. “Oh sure, no problem. I’ll look forward to it.” Without missing a beat he pulled up three more fabric samples that they needed to select for the model home they would be decorating for the Parade of Homes in the summer. It was the design event of the year and set a precedent for trends for the upcoming season.
Something changed that day; a switch turned on, for both of them, I think. Edie talked about him differently. He wasn’t just a designer to her, but he was Craig, the man. He was not effeminate as one might think but virile and, she even called him sexy. He was nearly six feet tall and was nicely proportioned. It was obvious he worked out. His tailored suits were filled with muscle and fit perfectly. His shirts were starched and he was always color-coordinated with a pocket hanky that matched every necktie he had.
His shoes were polished like mirrors (she’s always had a thing for polished shoes) and the way his trousers fit didn’t leave much to her imagination though she’d never noticed until that day. His demeanor changed; he wasn’t all business but more human than Android. They joked and work became fun and she began looking forward to seeing him each day. Sometimes we overlook possibilities that can be beneficial in many different ways. Several weeks after his first invitation he asked her again about having dinner together.
“We talked about having dinner a few weeks ago. Are you open to that idea, Edie?” She didn’t see any harm in seeing him socially since they were so comfortable with each other now. Things had changed and she admitted his presence did make her quiver just a bit. As her best friend, I hoped maybe Craig was someone she might have a lasting relationship with. She wasn’t desperate but as women of a certain generation, we felt more complete with a partner. Certainly not necessary, especially in today’s world, but being loved and respected is a good thing.
“Sure, Craig. What did you have in mind?” she asked.
He cleared his throat nervously and said, “I have an aged standing rib roast at home that I would like to cook. Would you be opposed to coming to my villa say on Saturday evening?”
She wasn’t expecting that but she didn’t mind the idea. “You, the great interior designer, cook, too? Wow, a man of many talents. I’ll need to check the girls’ schedules. What other surprises do you have in store for me?”
“Are you leading me down a rabbit hole, Edie? Sounds a little curious to me.”
“Craig, you’re the one doing the inviting. I’ll just come along for the ride,” she said, not meaning it like it sounded but he picked up the ball.
“You’re on, Edie. Six o’clock on Saturday. Oh, you might want to bring your riding boots and an overnight bag in case we get that early Spring blizzard they’re talking about. Sometimes March can bring some tricky weather.”
Maybe he was being conscientious or maybe he had other ideas but that remained to be seen. Either way, she’d take an overnight bag to be on the safe side. During the week, work with Craig continued as usual wrapping up their final proposal for the five thousand square foot home they would be furnishing for the event of the summer. The Parade of Homes brought thousands of people to view the new innovative ideas in the building and design trade and they were confident theirs would be the highlight of the show.
With her overnight bag slung over her shoulder and a bottle of cabernet, she rang Craig’s doorbell at 5:55. He answered with a smile, a quick peck on the cheek, and took her bag and wine, inviting her in. The aroma of the food was fantastic. She could only imagine how good it might be. She hadn’t eaten all day in anticipation of a great meal. She had no expectations but the weather forecast was bleak so she may end up spending the night. He probably had a guest room and she wouldn’t take chances driving thirty miles home in the blizzard.
“I’m so excited you’re here, Edie. I wanted to see you outside of work and having you in my home is a real treat.” She smiled feeling all warm and fully welcomed. “Let’s start with a toast to our partnership and friendship.” He opened the bottle of cabernet and poured a generous amount swishing it around to allow it to breathe. She followed his lead as he moved his glass toward her. “To the best design partner I’ve ever worked with and I’m privileged to call you friend,” he said touching his glass to hers.
“Aww, that’s so sweet, Craig. I feel the same.” They sipped their wine. “So what do you have planned for this evening?” she asked. “You might be stuck with me tonight. The weather looks foreboding.” I asked Edie, though I had to coax her a bit if she had concern about how their relationship at work might change if this turned into an intimate evening. As you know by now, Edie threw that concern right out the window and kicked it to the curb.
He winked as he clicked his cheek. “Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes. I am Irish so I’m hoping for good luck.” He leaned in and kissed her lips gently. It was unexpected but not resisted. A slight zing traveled up her back just knowing he was interested in her for more than just a design partner. “Let me show you around, okay? Unless you’re not interested.”
“Of course I’m interested. You’re an incredible designer and I want to see how you apply your style to your home.” she lightly laughed. “My home is like the plumber’s house who can’t find time to fix the leaks in her own house. That’s me. You’d never know a designer lives there.” Craig’s villa was even more beautiful than she imagined it would be. It was about two-thousand square feet with a perfect layout and there was so much detail built into everything. Lighted niches, structural columns, crown molding and chair rails, subtle soothing colors inviting relaxation, and amazingly comfortable furniture. When they got to his studio, he asked her to close her eyes.
“Promise you won’t laugh at my attempt at artistry, Edie. I want you to know what an effect you’ve had on me. I haven’t pulled out my watercolors in years until I met you so you can open your eyes now.” He held up a large painting.
She gasped. “Oh my gosh, Craig.” She was nearly speechless. “Did you really paint that? I can’t believe it. It’s me…only much prettier than me,” she said putting her hand to her heart. He smiled. “You are a man of many talents, aren’t you?” She was flattered that he had taken his time to paint her and from memory as well. She closed the gap between them and kissed him gently. He returned her kiss without hesitation and she ranked him among some of the best kissers. She may not always get things right or be the most perceptive but I think Edie knew this was going to lead to something.
“Whew,” he said, fanning himself. “Maybe we should eat before things get out of control.”
Dinner was even more fabulous than she expected and served so beautifully. His dinnerware, flatware, glassware, and accessories were perfectly coordinated. His dinnerware was pure white with a tiny gold rim, the flatware was gold and the water glasses and wine flutes were gold-rimmed. Pushing his presentation over the top were the beautifully ironed and folded authentic Irish linen napkins. Everything was perfect as you’d expect a designer’s home to be, unlike hers which was a convoluted mess of garage sales and Goodwill. He even served Yorkshire Pudding but this time she knew what it was, unlike her first experience with it at Joel’s mansion.
As you might expect the weather was the perfect element for making her decision to stay at Craig’s for the night. The visibility was zero, the snow was falling at a rate of four inches an hour, and the wind was howling, blowing drifting snow across the roadways making travel impossible. Oh darn. Whatever should she do?
The crackling fireplace was warm and inviting while sipping sweet brandy old-fashioneds topped off an incredible meal. She didn’t know much about Craig’s personal life and she was interested in his story. “Not to be nosey, but have you always been single?” He cringed a little as if he knew eventually he would have to face this conversation. She sensed his hesitancy. “If you’d rather not talk about it, I understand,” she said.
“No, it’s okay. You’ve been open with me so it’s only fair. I have to warn you, though, it’s not a pretty picture and, it’s still raw even after these many years.” He sighed and clinked his ice cubes around in his glass. Another vocal sigh escaped his lips so she wasn’t sure what she had gotten herself into. “Edie, I don’t know where to begin. I’ll try to keep it brief but I still get emotional. I was finishing my final semester of basic business management when I met Maria.
She was so beautiful with raven-black hair and eyes like onyx. She was completing her doctorate in clinical psychology. Not only beautiful but smart. She was from El Salvador here on a special Visa. We clicked immediately and I could think of nothing but her. We bonded like glue, never being without each other. We settled into a nice condo close to the university where she’d secured a teaching position. I tested the waters of a couple of different jobs but hadn’t found my niche.
When we found out she was pregnant we were both ecstatic. We planned our lives around our baby boy and laughed, cried, and talked about how our lives would change.” He rubbed his forehead and walked to the kitchen to refill his glass. “Want another drink?” he asked.
“No, I’m fine, thanks.” she hoped he would continue. She read the stress and pain on his face. He sat down next to her but didn’t make eye contact. He peered straight ahead into the glowing logs in the fireplace as if he were reciting a memory. He fidgeted before continuing.
“Our little Mario was perfect in every way. He had his mother’s black hair and olive skin but his hazel-green eyes were the exact color of mine. He was smart and sassy and we loved him like we’d never known love. I had a good job working with an architectural firm and Maria went back to teaching. Life was perfect, or so I thought. We had just celebrated Mario’s third birthday when I came home from work and the instant I opened the door, I sensed something was wrong.” He closed his eyes, rubbed the back of his neck, and clenched his fists. Edie couldn’t imagine what was coming.
“This is difficult, Edie. Forgive me.” She reached out and patted his arm in a sympathetic gesture. “As I looked around, our favorite family photos were missing from their frames, small sentimental items we had collected on some of our travels were gone, much of Maria’s clothes were missing and most of Mario’s were gone too along with his favorite stuffed animal. I crumbled to the floor in a heap. Why? What in the hell happened? Then I noticed a note on the kitchen counter.”
This couldn’t be good. She hoped he would continue and he did, but tears were welling in his eyes. “The note was vague, Edie. I’ve never been able to make sense of it. She just said she had to leave and she would always love me. I went crazy. I didn’t know where to look for her or how to reach her family in Central America. Six days later I was contacted with the most devastating news I could imagine.” He took a deep breath and a gulp of his brandy before continuing.
“Maria and Mario took a commercial flight to Mexico City and then boarded a small private plane to take them to San Salvador.” By this time, the tears running rivers down his face were unstoppable. He wiped his face with a napkin before continuing. “The small plane never made it.” He choked and sobbed. “It crashed in the rainforest and there were no survivors.” His chest heaved with the deepest sadness and regret she’d ever seen. He composed himself a bit and said, “That was seven years ago so I’ve buried myself in my work but I’ll never forget, of course.”
Edie stood and walked around the room. She needed a break so she went to the powder room to catch a glimpse of sanity. It’s clear we just don’t know the pain others have suffered until we take the time to ask and listen. She felt empathy for his pain but also sympathy since she had been through the loss of her husband seven years earlier. When she came out of the powder room Craig stood with his front door wide open and snowflakes as big as cornflakes were blowing inside. He was catching them on his tongue.
As she got closer, he grabbed her and dragged bare-footed Edie outside. He pushed her down falling on top of her, into the huge piles of snow giggling, laughing, and tickling. They were getting wet and cold but it was such a simple childlike event that she loved every minute of it. When they got inside, he dimmed the lights leaving only the glow of the fire, the soft music enhancing the mood, as he began relieving her of her wet clothes…and she let him. His talented lovemaking was as creative as his interior design skills. His kisses were soft, yet hungry and memorable. He was able to bring out the very best outcome as naturally as his many other talents. There was no tension, just comfort and pleasure. When they finally gave into sleep, it was restful and she felt at peace as he held her close to his body.
When she woke the brilliance of the sun reflecting on the blanket of new-fallen snow was breathtaking. Craig was not in bed and she could smell the inviting aroma of fresh brewing coffee. She used the bathroom, slipped on her robe and made her entrance. He held his arms open for her and breathed in her scent. He made one tantalizing gesture toward the bedroom and she agreed that was an excellent idea. Filling their sexual appetite, he went to the kitchen and made sweetened cheese blintzes topped with raspberry sauce. They were delicious but no comparison to the pre-breakfast activities.
That’s how their relationship started and she never regretted a moment of it. Work became play; they seemed to be able to anticipate the other’s ideas and their designs became seamless. When the Parade of Homes was finally on the calendar in June, they had only three days to decorate and accessorize that big home. That would mean some very late hours and a chance to ‘properly inspect’ every room as the urge hit. It’s important to give a home that “lived in” feeling and they left their love in each room including the indoor swimming pool.
They won every award available from the judges of the National Homebuilders Association and the ASID. They were honored with a spread in Architectural Digest for their interior design and also the architectural features that they designed for the overall building.
By July 1st, Edie decided she’d take the rest of the summer off to do some special things with her girls. Craig understood and wished her well. She didn’t know if their relationship would continue but it was a pleasure to enjoy him for the partner, lover, and friend he had become. Memories of Craig are fond and if you see a smirk on her face at the mention of his name, don’t ask. It was probably something a little naughty.