Chapter two The Day After

When he arrived on campus he made a beeline for his office hoping to avoid Trista's interrogation. Her office was across the hall from his and as soon as she spotted him she followed him inside.

"Well if it isn't Ted- Mack- daddy- Kord!"

"Trista, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to put you in a bind."

"You got lucky huh? And on my wedding night? It's good to know that someone was getting some action besides me.""

"Lucky? What are you talking about?"

"Come on Ted, it's me Trista we've always kept it real with each other. It doesn't take a master detective to figure out what happened. You didn't work in the lab all weekend and you called into work on Monday? Well actually she called in for you. There's no need to be shy about it, I'm your best friend, I'm happy for you. Tell me, what is she like? I want details! Where did you meet her? When do I get to meet her? Did you meet her at my wedding? "

"Gosh, you're full of questions. I did meet someone Saturday night but it's not what you think."

Trista was genuinely happy for her friend but she couldn't resist teasing him.

"This woman must have seriously rocked your world! She told me you were sleeping and I'm thinking, Ted? Sleeping? Girlfriend must have worn you out!"

"Trista, I spent the weekend taking of her."

"So that's what they're calling it now."

"I'm serious, she was sick and I took care of her."

"You took care of her? Really? Are you sure? It's obvious that she took care of you."

"I met an amazing woman but believe me she's way out of my league. She was ill, so I took care of her and that's the end of it."

"No woman is out of your league! How many times do I have to tell you that? Ted, when you see something you want you should go after it."

"What exactly did Jake tell you?"

"He told me that you came to the party his boys threw for him at Gold Diggers and you left shortly after midnight. That's all. Is there something I should know?"

"While I was there, Jake was a perfect gentleman."

"So you did meet someone at my wedding~! When your girlfriend answered your phone and told me you were asleep I figured you must have scored and you couldn't come in to work because you were knee deep in flesh."

"Knee deep in flesh?"

"What can I say? Jake is starting to rub off on me. So what gives Ted did you meet someone special or not?"

"Yes she's special but it's not what you think. She's a Meta human with a potentially fatal disease I had to monitor her for 24 hours so I took care of her at my place. Earlier today, when I went back home after my 11:00 class she was gone and that's the end of it."

"Are you planning to see her again?"

"I wish I could but I don't have her number."

"You let her get away without getting her number? Ted you've been out of the dating game for too long."

"Its kind of hard to ask a woman for her phone number when she's puking her guts out."

"Ewww!! Never mind."

"It wasn't all bad we talked quite a bit and holding her; sleeping with her… well it felt amazing. I've never slept better than I did these past couple of nights."

"It shows! You look pretty good Ted; I almost didn't recognize you without the dark circles. You need to do some legwork and find her. Remember when I met Jake? I didn't think anything would come of it but you are the one who kept pushing me to hang in there, heck if it wasn't for the inside tips you gave me I never would have landed a man like Jake. Now I don't care what you have to do or who you need to blow if there's a spark with this woman even the tiniest flicker you need to find her and see where this thing takes you."

"It was easy for you Trista; Jake was the one doing all of the pursuing. You're smart and beautiful I knew that no man in his right mind would pass on getting to know you but look at me. I'm a hardcore nerd; this woman is like a supermodel I just can't see her going for a guy like me. The only reason she gave me the time of day is because she's sick and I remind her of someone from her past."

"You can use that to your advantage remember all is fair in love and war. Let's take a scientific approach to this."

"A scientific approach?"

"I'm speaking your language Ted try to keep up. What do you know about her?"

"She's a super hot Meta human with an incurable illness."

"That's a start. Where does she work?"

Ted instantly thought about various ways he could avoid answering that question. He didn't want his friend to know that Beatriz is a stripper at Gold Diggers.

"I'm not a stalker Trista."

"Of course you're not but sometimes you have to take drastic measures."

Lucky for him her cell phone rang. While Trista was talking he quietly left his office and began his long walk to the main lecture hall. In the evening while he was packing his briefcase he thought about Beatriz and the advice Trista had given him. When he pushed the rerun button in his mind he reviewed his brief time with her. It never occurred to him that she would disappear from his life as swiftly as she had entered it. He had mistakenly assumed that she enjoyed his company and they would continue to see each other. He couldn't pinpoint what he had done wrong and as pathetic as it seemed he wished that he could ask her why she didn't want to see him again.

Ted wasn't in a hurry to get home he slowly walked up the steps leading to his home but he dreaded facing the loneliness of his empty apartment. He had been lonely for a long time but had grown accustomed to it. Being with Beatriz had reminded him of how much better life can be when you have someone to share it with.

A few nights later, at 2 am he found himself suffering from yet another bout of insomnia only this time, his mind wasn't full of research and data all he could think about was Beatriz. Acting on Trista's advice he summoned a cab and headed for Gold Diggers. It wasn't as crowded as it had been on the Saturday night that he was there. While paying the cover charged he asked the doorman about Beatriz.

"Is Rio on tonight?"

"I'm afraid you're out of luck she was on earlier; Coco is our featured dancer for the next set."

He didn't' know what to do next. Part of him wanted to turn around and head back home but he knew what was waiting for him there so he decided to take a risk, ask around and find out where she lived. He handed out hefty tips and talked with many dancers but none of them were willing to reveal any personal information about Beatriz he had given up and was headed for the exit when he was approached by one of the cocktail waitresses.

"Hey white boy, I'm Lucinda, I think I might be able to help you out."

"Are you a friend of Rio's?"

"Yep, I was in the back getting ready for my shift and I heard that there was some nerdy white guy looking for Beatriz I figured that it had to be the amnesia guy that she told me about."

"Do you know where I can find her?"

"Of course I do but telling you is against the rules."

Ted dug into his pockets and emptied his wallet offering Lucinda it's contents in exchange for information.

"Put your money away, Beatriz is my friend; you don't have to pay to get information from me, not after she told me how you took care of her when she was sick."

"She told you about that?"

"You seem like a nice guy but if you do anything to hurt her I'll torture you for several hours before I cut your heart out and hang it on a tree."

"Thanks for the warning."

"She lives at the Biltmore Arms in Brooklyn apartment 3G, remember you didn't hear that from me."

"Hear what? Is someone talking?"

"I like you amnesia guy! You catch on quick!"

After thanking Lucinda for the information Ted left Gold diggers in a hurry and hailed a cab. While he was on his way his sanity returned and he began to question his decision to show up on her doorstep. It was too late for doubt, the driver pulled up and signaled Ted to pay his fare, he got out and for a while he stood in front of her building trying to summon the courage to go up to her apartment. Before he could talk himself into it she emerged from a cab with an armful of groceries and headed for the door.

"Need any help with that?"

Beatriz turned around and was stunned to see Ted standing in front of her with his arms stretched out. She put her groceries down and rushed into his arms he was genuinely surprised that she was happy to see him.

"Ted! When I didn't hear from you I thought you wrote me off as some nut and forgot that we ever met."

"Forgot? How was I supposed to call you when you slipped out without giving me your number?"

She was puzzled by this and tilted her head in disbelief.

"I left my number and a note on your nightstand."

"I didn't get a note."

After he spoke the realization of what had happened instantly lifted his spirits. Knowing that she didn't leave him, that she wanted to see him again caused him to reach out and hug her tightly lifting her into the air he spun her around laughing and smiling. He set her on the ground and impulsively kissed her lips at first she was too stunned to respond and after hesitating she went along with it and kissed him back. She ended it by resting her hand on his cheek.

"How did you find me?"

"I went to Gold Diggers and asked about you. At first I didn't get anywhere but your friend, I can't think of her name-"

"Lucinda?"

"Yes, she gave me your address after promising to kill me slowly if I ever broke your heart."

Beatriz chuckled.

"Lucinda is a woman of her word."

"I got that impression." He said as he picked up her bags. Aren't you going to ask me up?"

"You need a formal invitation? Come on, I'll make breakfast."

He smiled and followed her into the building. When they entered the building Ted was alarmed by the conditions. The walls were in desperate need of paint and the carpet had seen better days. Upon entering her apartment however he was pleasantly surprised. She lived in a small studio but it was bright, cheery and clean. He assumed that the red futon near the window doubled as her bed. Her kitchen consisted of a small refrigerator next to a tiny stove with very little counter space and a small sink. He sat her bags on the counter and attempted to help her put them away.

"I know you mean well but I can manage this on my own why don't you have a seat and I'll make us a pot of coffee."

He turned on her television but found he watching her instead. He was impressed by her ability to navigate the limited space. She made coffee in an old fashion coffee pot using a hot plate. After adding cream and sugar she offered Ted a cup and sat down next to him on the futon and kicked off her shoes.

"You look like you've been up all night." She commented.

"I didn't get much sleep."

"Insomnia?"

"Yeah, I haven't had a good night's sleep since you left."

"You need to relax, give your mind a rest."

"That's easier said than done. I was worried about you Beatriz."

"I can't believe you didn't get my note."

"I can't believe you left a note, honestly Beatriz a note? When you spend a couple of nights with someone I think that rates a face-to-face goodbye not a note!"

"You're angry?"

"Well yeah I guess I am! We didn't meet under the best circumstances but I enjoyed being with you and I thought you felt the same way."

"I did, I mean I do, I do feel the same way. I'm sorry about the note I thought that I had imposed on you enough and when you got home you would probably like having your place to yourself."

"Well you were wrong."

She left him alone on the futon and went back to the kitchen to finish preparing breakfast. He followed her determined to continue the conversation.

"Ted, you still like your eggs over easy, don't you?"

"Yes. Is this your way of trying to change the subject?"

"Of course it is, how am I doing?"

"Not so good, your transition was too rough you need to learn to be more subtle."

"Subtlety was never my strong suit."

"I didn't say anything before but you look really beautiful, did you go out on a date or something?"

"Now look who's sucking at being subtle, thanks for the compliment, but no Ted I didn't go out on a date I have a friend, she sings at the Blue Note in Harlem and she couldn't make the gig tonight so after my last set at Gold Diggers I filled in for her."

"You sing?"

"When I'm paid to. I was pretty good back in Rio I had my own show before the secret service recruited me and since you Googled me I'm sure you know what happened next."

"I didn't see anything about your singing career; you're full of surprises."

"Hey, I don't have any bacon but this baloney is great with eggs."

"You're a fantastic cook and I'm easy to please so I'll take your word on that."

Beatriz and Ted enjoyed their breakfast in silence, she noticed that the sun was about to come up and left him in the kitchen to take care of the dishes while she took a shower. When she emerged feeling clean but exhausted she went to the closet to retrieve some bedding. He rose from the futon and helped her transform it into a bed she added sheets pillows and a blanket before crawling in.

Ted was thinking about his next move. He was tiered and he silently wished that she would invite him into her bed, the memory of how good she felt in his arms caused him to throw caution to the wind.

"Is there room in there for two?"

She didn't answer him with words, she moved over and pulled back the covers he didn't wait for a verbal invitation, he kicked off his shoes and made his way to her futon.

"Don't you think you would be more comfortable without the jeans?" She asked.

He removed his jeans and the shirt he had been wearing and slid in next to her he wrapped his arms around her and quickly drifted off to sleep.