Chapter 10: Becoming Close
April 2007
Changes in the weather were to Brian's liking. He claimed the constant rain gave him ideas for future projects that would increase his revenue. He envisioned the attic over the café and hardware store as a livable loft. But first, readying Mr. Bennett's house for occupancy became his priority.
He still visited Henrietta and devoted as much time as possible to keeping up with the kids' activities. He was aware that Phillip and Tommy talked regularly on the phone, and he wasn't surprised when he heard Amanda talking to Marian.
"Do you ever get the idea that you're missing something that life has to offer?" he asked Henrietta. They were in her small office, going over the work he was planning to have done to the front of the building.
"When I start feeling that way, I know it's time to change the batteries in my vibrator," she said.
"You remind me of Peggy. She teased me constantly."
"Does the banker lady tease you?"
"I haven't seen her since we got back from Florida. Mrs. Nixon and John make the daily deposits, so I don't have a reason for stopping by the bank. I don't want her to think she owes me anything for the desk."
"In other words, you're avoiding her, and want me to give you some ideas as to how you can see her?"
"Why do you always have to bring her into the conversation? Thanks for the advice; I'll buy some new batteries," Brian said, not trying to hide his annoyance with her as he got up to leave.
Henrietta caught up with him at the door, making their bodies collide. She didn't back off, and he didn't either. "Brian, you don't need batteries. You have a telephone. Use it," she said, kissing him lightly on the lips.
He put his arm around her and pulled her close. "Thanks, Henry."
He didn't intend to follow her advice, but he was touched by her concern. Brian went to the small house and worked the rest of the day, filling a dumpster with rubbish, and filling his truck with items that could be sold as antiques.
He waited until the kids and Mary were in bed before dialing her number.
"I hope it isn't too late?" he asked.
"Brian," she said, recognizing his voice. "It's not too late."
"You once said that you would like to see my plans for the alterations I'm making to the antique Victorian."
"I remember saying that."
"Well, I don't have any plans. I have no ideas, either."
Her gentle laugh was easy on the ears. "Would you like to meet sometime?"
"I'd like to see...talk to you about the renovations," he said, thinking that she could stop by the house when he was there.
"I have lunch at your café sometimes."
"It isn't my café any longer, but...do you think that would be a good idea?"
"Brian, we're just meeting to talk about your plans for the house. Anyway, most people know we went on vacation together."
That was true. They were meeting to discuss renovations to the house. "Would tomorrow be convenient for you?"
"I'll see you there at twelve-fifteen. I hope we'll be able to get a table. That place is so popular now."
"I know the owner," he quipped, as they said goodbye.
Brian found himself looking forward to the luncheon meeting. Henrietta's eyebrows went up when she saw him enter the café. He almost never came in at lunchtime.
"I don't have a table for one," she said.
"Marian's meeting me."
"In that case, I'll give you the last table for four. Congratulations for taking your head out of your ass," she whispered, as she led him to the table.
Brian was reluctant to accept the table, but he knew that Henrietta would be hurt if he turned it down. A party of four, two men with their wives or girlfriends arrived shortly after he was seated. He tried not to pay any attention to them, but he could almost feel their eyes upon him.
He stood when Marian arrived, and helped her with her chair.
They laughed about things that had happened when they were on vacation, and what other diners must be saying about seeing them having lunch together.
He told her that he had the house cleaned, but they didn't discuss the renovations.
"It may be better if I stop by when you're there," she said, repeating what he had been thinking all along.
"I'll be there all afternoon," he said, and she agreed to stop by the house at three-fifteen.
With that out of the way, they went back to talking about their children's activities, what a nice spring it was turning out to be, and what the town council had decided at their last meeting.
Marian's visits to the house became frequent, not every day, but she stopped by often to find Brian knocking out a wall, installing flooring, or patching a ceiling. After ruining the jacket of a business suit, she brought jeans and a sweatshirt to change into. She never stayed long. Her visits were restricted to giving encouragement or handing him a tool when it was out of his reach.
There were also late night phone calls to remind the other of something they'd forgotten to mention.
"When are you going to take her on an actual date?" Henrietta asked.
"Soon," he said, without thinking, "or over the weekend if she doesn't stop by the house."
Marian didn't come by the house, but she called him that night. "Brian, I love the desk, but the chair I have doesn't match. Do you know where I can find one?"
He didn't know, but he offered to check with other antique dealers in the area. It took him most of the next day to find a chair that sounded like it matched the desk. They made arrangements to go look at the chair the following Sunday.
"I'll sit in the backseat with the rug rats," Amanda offered.
