15. Joel - The Skater
Chapter fifteen
Joel - The Skater
W hen Edie told me she had found Christopher a couple of weeks later, I didn’t know if I wanted to hear the story. Yes, he had saved her and the girls, he had loved them, but the tragedy that followed them was something out of a horror movie. The actual hell they had all gone through regarding their love was more than I could have ever endured. When she told me how she fell into his arms again after all these years, I shook my head especially when she broke into tears and told me she learned Chris had gotten married. I know Edie would never have done that if she had known but the sneaky little devil crept into his house, slid into his bed, took what she wanted but left with another heartache. I wasn’t prepared for that ending but at least maybe now she can move on without having the memories of Christopher playing over like a movie on a loop.
She went through the motions of her life knowing she needed to move on. There were times when grief would strike like a raging bull but she had to fight through it; her life would never include Christopher. She rarely shared the sorrow she was going through. She had to be strong and suck it up. She was working for a design firm and loved getting back into the business. As she’d dress each morning in her designer clothes, she couldn’t help but remember the years spent with alligators, snakes, fish, and mosquitoes that ate her alive each night in swarms so thick she couldn’t breathe without a kerchief over her face. She no longer smelled like fish and the callouses on her hands were nearly gone; it was lovely. She almost felt like a woman again.
Weekends belonged to the girls and they wanted to learn to roller skate. A short distance from their home was a classic skating rink. Before the days of DJs, the skaters danced to organ music. The owner of the business was a handsome charismatic dreamboat and when he glided across the floor, displaying some of the most beautiful dance moves she’d ever seen, it seemed as though he was floating like a cloud. His moves were fluid like a waterfall and as elegant as a coronation of a king. She was mesmerized by him. She was twenty-nine and he was probably in his mid-forties with a full head of thick curly hair, graying slightly at the temples. He was strong and fit, about six feet tall, and gorgeous in every way. His voice was silky and mellow and when he gave her an update about the girls’ lessons, there was a certain flirtatious twinkle in his eye. She was intrigued.
As fate would have it, he was looking for an organist for the one to five o’clock slot on Sundays. They did some bartering. He would continue to teach the girls to skate for free and she would play two of the four hours for free. He was so supportive and complimentary of her playing she felt like she got the better end of the deal. It was such an upbeat fun atmosphere and the girls loved it and both were becoming excellent skaters. She didn’t realize what a good deal she had negotiated until he invited her to his home for dinner one cold January night. She wondered what he had on his mind although, by this time, she was pretty certain it was what most men had on their minds.
When she dropped her girls off at my house that night before going to her dinner engagement, I asked, “Edie, is he a prospect, this Joel guy?” I noticed a little red blush crawling up her neck so I knew I’d hit a sensitive subject.
“Naw,” she said, “just a friend and my boss. I think he wants to go over some of the schedule with me and talk about some new music.” I knew she was lying. I could sense a slight quiver in her voice.
“Sure, Edie. Take careful notes because I’d really like to see what the new schedule and protocol look like,” as I winked at her and nodded my head. The blushing continued to her cheeks and I’m sure she knew what she was getting herself into.
Following his directions, she drove down a long tree-lined lane three miles from town. She imagined it was stunning when the trees were leafed out in their full spring color creating a canopy. She drove nearly a mile before coming to a circle drive in front of a massive home with huge stone columns and beveled glass double doors that were probably eight feet wide. The architecture was classic but elegant and well-maintained. Judging from the chimneys rising above the roof, there were at least three fireplaces. She was working for some wealthy clients but this home was the most impressive she’d seen in a long time. Slowly walking up the wide curved stairs to the doors, Joel greeted her with a welcoming smile wearing a white chef’s apron. A quick hug was followed by his apology.
“Sorry if I got anything on your outfit from my apron, Edie. I wasn’t thinking. I also should have offered to pick you up instead of having you drive out here. I don’t know where my manners have gone. Maybe it’s because I haven’t invited a woman here in several years and I’m a bit flustered, especially having a lovely woman like you accepting my invitation.”
She felt heat rush to her cheeks as he guided her inside the incredible two-story foyer. Curved matching staircases flanked each side with marble steps and gold and Lucite handrails. A crystal chandelier as big as her first car lighted the space with soft brilliance. She was rarely speechless but impressed and he was larger-than-life intimidating though not meaning to be. He continued to guide her toward the kitchen where the aroma of fine food was calling.
“Joel, your home is striking. I didn’t know there were any homes like this in the area. Thanks for inviting me. This is a treat.”
He seemed embarrassed by her compliment. “Wait till you taste the food before you thank me. I haven’t cooked a meal like this in a long while.” He gestured toward the huge wine cooler. “We’re having beef Wellington for dinner. Does red wine suit you?”
“Of course, red is great.” She had no idea what beef Wellington was but she didn’t want to seem like a hayseed. He opened the climate-controlled wine cooler and searched for the perfect bottle. “I’m not much of a wine connoisseur so don’t waste your good stuff on me,” she lightly chuckled.
Touching her cheek gently he said, “Nothing is too good for you, my dear.”
Wow! This was getting out of hand already and she hadn’t even had a drink. He wasn’t pushing but her body was reacting to him to her surprise. She thought they might be going down that road but she had no idea she’d be the one driving the car. He uncorked the wine and offered to let her sample it first. She declined. She didn’t know a good wine from a great one. She decided she needed to do some research on wine. And older men. She knew she was about to be educated about wine, cooking, and perhaps things that were just a blip on her radar.
The wine calmed her as good wine is intended and their conversation during the most incredible meal she’d ever tasted was over the top. Everything was perfection. “I can’t imagine you cooked this meal. How did you learn to cook like this, Joel?”
“You really like it?” She nodded in absolute awe of his talent…and this was only the food. “I’ve always liked to cook but I wondered about the pate. Classic pate is made from liver but I decided to make mushroom pate since liver is not to everyone’s liking. I hadn’t made Yorkshire pudding in years. Did you like it?”
If it hadn’t been for the three glasses of wine she’d had, she wouldn’t have admitted she didn’t know what Yorkshire pudding was. He laughed. “It’s the little crusty wonky-shaped pastries. I’m glad you’re not too familiar with what I served because your critique won’t be too severe.”
Her tongue was loose. “Just spending time with you is a pleasure and being treated to such a fine meal is icing on the cake.”
“You’re too kind and since you mentioned cake, how about we save dessert for later? Would you like to see the rest of the house? Maybe you can give me some design tips.”
“I think you’ve got the design in the bag but yes, I’d love to see the house.” He showed her through each room of elegant luxury. This man had serious money but she didn’t want to seem nosy so she didn’t question him about his profession but she was smart enough to know he hadn’t made this kind of cash owning a skating rink. There were artifacts from all over the world that piqued her interest but not as much as this man. He was smart, handsome, a great chef, articulate, and a gentleman.
“Would you like to see the second level?” he asked.
She anticipated what might happen and a team of horses couldn’t hold her back. He had primed the pump and she was ready for the next course. “Yes, I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t see it all.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He slipped his arm around her waist as they climbed the marble staircase to his ensuite. A roaring fire burned in the fireplace and of course, there was a fluffy white sheepskin rug with comfortable floor pillows perfect for…whatever came next. “How about a Bailey’s or a white Russian?”
She was definitely a small-town girl although she’d lived in New York and Chicago. She was clueless so she played it safe. “I’ll have what you’re having, please.” He had a fully equipped bar in the suite which was convenient and over the top in her humble opinion. They sipped their drinks as he gently rubbed his fingers across her hand. The fire in her was hotter than the one in the fireplace. If she described what came next it wouldn’t be PG 13.
Let’s just say, he was a man in complete control. He was in no rush; his focus was entirely on her. He was a man of experience and showed her lovemaking in a way she’d never known before. She had sexual experiences but none like this. He made her feel like she was the only woman that mattered in his world. He respected her as a lady and each time they met which was frequently, the time together was just as special as the first time.
She learned many things from her time spent with Joel. Never judge a book by its cover, good things take time, don’t be afraid to take a chance even if you know it won’t last forever, bask in the good things that befall you and walk away from the hurtful things. Eventually, the pain becomes manageable, and distractions like these comfortable times help the process along the way; if she hadn’t played his organ, she may never have learned those valuable lessons.
Their affair continued for about six months until he told her he had been offered a CEO position in California. He would be in contact and invite her for a visit once he got settled. He sold the skating rink to the manager Charlie. They had both enjoyed lovely times together and memories that would last throughout life. It was such a soothing relationship; no pressure, no demands, just two people loving the time they spent together…And just like that, Joel was gone.