Chapter 8
Parker
The only stop we made before hitting the road was my brownstone in Park Slope.
I didn’t feel comfortable taking my eyes off Evelyn even for a moment.
She hovered near the front window, silently watching the street from behind the curtain while I rushed around the house, throwing things into a backpack.
Truthfully, I didn't really need much. I hadn’t been home in years, but I knew there was still clothing and the basic necessities there for me.
My mother kept my room updated with the hopes that I’d show up for the holidays each year.
Even though I always told her I couldn’t make it, she still held out hope.
It broke my heart, but I couldn’t do it until now.
Anxiety coursed through me, making my heart race.
I loved my family, but I couldn’t stand the pressure of conforming to what they wanted me to be.
I just hoped that I’d be able to keep my composure while I was there.
I didn’t want to rehash old arguments with my father, or give my mother false hope that things would change and she would get her happy family back.
I just needed to be a man of my word. Shake hands with the rich and famous, smile for the photos, and pretend all was well in the Woods family if it meant I would honor my promise to Evelyn.
With my backpack and a cooler full of small snacks and beverages, we made our way outside to my car.
Once we hit Virginia, we stopped at a superstore to stretch our legs.
Evelyn’s eyes stayed glued to the rear view mirror, her eyes flitting to every car that passed by or followed behind us a little too long.
I knew she was worried about us being followed because I was just as concerned, doing the same.
This stop was necessary, though. I wanted to pick up a few more items, and I figured Evelyn would need a few things for the night as well.
She had been quiet most of the ride, and I honestly feared she would be for the entirety of the trip.
We had been driving for seven hours already, and we hadn’t said more than ten words to each other.
I knew she was lost in her thoughts and worried about the current state of her life.
My siblings would happily share their things with her once we got to Oakland Ridge, but I had a feeling Evelyn would be more comfortable if she had a change of clothes for tonight, instead of the smoke-filled long-sleeved top and pants she had left the hospital in.
Back in Brooklyn, I tried to convince her to change into something of mine, but she refused.
I think she was trying to hold on to the last piece of her home that she had.
I followed her through the aisles as she decided on what items to buy. Every couple of minutes, I would ask her a question, just to get her out of her head.
I was probably annoying the hell out of her. But it was in my nature to try to make someone feel better.
“Would you rather eat hot dogs for every meal of the day, for the rest of your life, or have every song you listen to be the voice of the minions instead of the artist?”
This time, she cracked a smile, and a moment later, she let out a giggle. I was shocked, but I quickly schooled my face as I waited for her answer.
“I would regrettably have to eat the hot dogs. I couldn’t imagine listening to Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross, or even The Queen Beyonce, in the voice of minions. My ears are too precious.”
I couldn’t help but laugh along with her.
She paused by the shorts section and turned to me.
“I’m sorry for being so quiet. I get what you’re trying to do.
I’m feeling overwhelmed,” she said, stepping around a woman browsing a dress rack.
“You’re doing me a huge favor, and I’m sorry if it seems as if I’m not more appreciative.
I just feel like my world has been turned upside down for a second time. ”
“I don’t expect you to entertain me on this trip, Ev. I just would like to get to know you better. If I can get you out of your mind for a moment, give you a little peace, I would like to do that. No one should have to go through what you’re going through.”
Evelyn nodded, and I caught the small smile that graced her face before she turned away. She turned towards another rack and held out a pair of shorts. “I’ll probably need a pair of these. The weather app tells me that Georgia is set to get a heat wave this week.”
My thoughts are anything but professional. While she looks for her size, I imagine the way those shorts would hug her hips and expose her long legs. I wouldn’t mind being behind her as she walked away either.
There was no ignoring it. Evelyn is gorgeous, with long, curly black hair, hazel-colored eyes, and curves that could rival those of a Roman statue. She turned heads when she walked by. Pair all of that with her smile, and I had no doubt that she stopped hearts.
I cleared my throat in an attempt to rejoin the conversation with the hopes she didn’t notice me staring. Again. “Yup, sounds like home. Don’t worry too much about getting everything, though. I’m sure my sisters will have some things that you can borrow.”
A shadow fell across her expression, and the corners of her mouth turned down in a frown.
“Oh, Parker, that’s too much. I’ll get a few items now and figure out the rest later. I can’t have you paying my way, doing all this for me, and then taking from your family too.”
I shook my head in disbelief. This woman had lost everything but the clothing on her body.
Eric had offered her a flannel shirt before we left, and she had been reluctant to take it.
However, Eric wouldn’t take no for an answer, so she swapped out her top for his.
I took his lead and basically had to drag her into the women’s clothing section of store so she could pick up a few more things.
I decided to drop the subject. I wouldn’t be able to convince her that it was no skin off their back to help her.
The twins had more than enough clothing, and they were happy to share.
Once I’d let them know I was on my way with a friend and she’d need a couple of things, they had asked one of the housekeepers to bring over some clothes and toiletries fto the pool house.
I raised my hands in surrender, giving the illusion that I had given up. But not before suggesting she get another pair of shorts just to be safe. It was for her benefit, but I wouldn’t lie and say I wouldn’t benefit from seeing her in them.
We shopped around some more before heading back to the car to make the rest of the 8-hour-long journey to Oakland Ridge.
Evelyn still hadn’t been chatty, but I did learn some things about her on our little detour.
She preferred salty snacks over sweet, and while she didn’t indulge in soda, she loved a Blackberry seltzer to scratch that itch of a fizzy drink.
Before we left, I made her take on the responsibility of being the car DJ.
The sky was a mix of purple and orange hues as the sun began to set. The humidity has lessened, and there was more than a hint of a breeze. I decided to open the window, enjoying the fresh air as we cruised down the freeway.
“Thank you, by the way, for grabbing my phone.” She says as she connects her phone to Bluetooth.
“If you hadn’t been sleeping with it, I might not have seen it, given the way the smoke had darkened the room.”
We lived in an era where people didn’t memorize phone numbers or carry wallets because it was all on their phones.
It had become increasingly common for firefighters and EMTs to grab whatever device we could when on a call.
Preservation of life came first, but if we had the opportunity, we would take it.
Luckily, her phone had been on the bed beside her, so it was easy for me to access.
Missing You by Case played through the speakers. I gave Evelyn a questioning look.
“If you were expecting some Lil Baby song to play, then I should disconnect my phone right now.” A hint of sass in her tone.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “No, I definitely wasn’t expecting that. I guess I just misjudged you. Isn’t this song a little before your time?” I teased her.
Now she looked offended, and somehow that made me laugh harder.
“I told you I liked Luther Vandross, and you thought I was going to put on some Jojo Siwa or something,” she said incredulously, followed by the sound of her kissing her teeth.
“Oh, I would’ve had to turn this car around if that were the case,” I said with a wink.
That managed to get a laugh out of her. “I may not be an old head like you, but I know good music.”
She had jokes. “Whoa, whoa, when did twenty-eight become old? I am in my prime.”
Glancing at her, I noticed the blush staining her cheeks before she shrugged and said, “Whatever, old man.”
The more we drove, the more I realized we had similar taste in music. I smiled to myself every time a song I recognized came through the speakers. She may not have been talkative, but each song felt like it told me a little about her.
21 Questions by 50 Cent had just finished playing. Evelyn had a song from every decade and genre on this playlist. There were moments when we nodded our heads along and times when we both took turns reciting the lyrics bar for bar.
The beat faded out and transitioned into Candi Stanton’s Young Hearts Run Free.
“This song brings back some memories for me. I remember my mother playing this song a lot as she got ready for events with my dad.” I mused as I listened to Candi belt out about how she just couldn’t break away.
“My mother loved this song, too,” she said so softly I almost didn’t hear her over the music. I reached for the dial to turn the music down, but her hand reached out to stop me.
“This song was always in rotation. I could expect to hear Candi Stanton and Lena Horne’s Stormy Weather any given Sunday while she directed me to whichever room needed to be cleaned next.
My mother loved music and made me love it too,” she said, louder than before.
“It was only when I got older that I realized what she was saying. Such sad lyrics tied to a disco beat.”
I reached across the console tentatively to give her hand a squeeze, hoping to bring some comfort, but she slipped her hand from underneath mine at the last moment.
Her sad eyes briefly met mine, accompanied by a sad smile, before she turned away from me, looking out the window as she quietly sang along to the song until it's finished.
The ride was no longer tense. Although Evelyn didn’t seem completely comfortable either, she was trying.
Underneath all the sadness, there was a beautiful spirit.
I almost wish we had met under different circumstances.
I didn’t let that line of thinking get too far.
Even though I've taken emergency leave from work, I can't let my thoughts wander into dangerous territory.
My attraction can't distract me from the real reason we're here.
I was already crossing the line of what was considered professional, so I would have to get over this crush.
No matter how much I enjoyed seeing her smile.