It was Sunday late afternoon. Sharon really wanted to go home. She'd been at work now for seven hours. Thankfully, she'd been able to go to the early Mass before having to come into work. That, at least, had kept her from being irritated. Now, she was just tired, but tired was better than irritated AND tired. It didn't help that she and Rusty had been missing each other the last week. His classes and work schedule had picked up, and they'd barely seen each other. She knew he was alive, at least, because he'd made dinner and saved leftovers for her. She'd done the same for him, and the next day, she'd noticed the leftovers she'd left for him had been eaten, so hopefully, their schedules would align soon. He was supposed to be off tomorrow, and Sharon hoped they could eat a decent meal together.
Her mood was a little off too, considering it was now the middle of October, and she hadn't heard a word from Andy. That was bothering her too, and whenever she did finally see him, she had decided they needed to do something about communication. Their lack of communication wasn't working, and there had to be a better way. She and Rusty had been in Ohio now over 10 months, and there had been no sign or mention of Stroh. That, too, wasn't helping her mood. Yes, Sunday afternoon, and she needed her work day to end. She still had another hour before the store closed, and after that, she'd probably have another hour of paperwork to do before she could head home. Oh, she needed a day off soon. Her schedule was set to align that she would be off Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of the following week. Sharon had decided that she would pamper herself some over her long weekend. She was due for a haircut, and with that, she had booked a massage and her nails. Yes, Friday was going to be a good day.
Sharon decided that since they weren't too busy, she was going to get started on some of her closing business right now. She had two other associates on the floor, and each one was helping a customer, but the rest of the department was empty. She pulled out a binder and started to write down a few notes, when her associate, Henry, interrupted her.
"Sorry to bother you, Sandra," he said, "but I was hoping you could assist a customer in picking out the right colors. He's not too keen on my help."
Sharon looked up from the books and met Henry's eyes. She could tell he was pleading with her to help. "Yes, of course," she nodded. "Would you go back and check the hourly numbers for the day? I had just gotten started on that," she explained as she handed him the pencil to record the numbers. There was a computer program for this too, but Sharon was required to hand check everything each day.
"No problem," Henry said as he let out a long breath. "Thank you. He's over there," he gestured.
Sharon made her way toward the dressing room area near the designer suits. She broke into a huge grin when she recognized the problematic customer as he casually leaned up against the rack of suits. "Purple or red?" he flashed a grin as he held up two tie selections, and Sharon moved a little faster toward him.
"Andy," she said sweetly as she smiled at him. Andy put down the ties and opened his arms to her. She didn't throw herself into his arms; she did recognize she was at work, but she embraced him swiftly.
"Oh, I missed you so much," Andy said quietly into her ear as he ran his hand over her hair. Sharon gripped him tightly and when she pulled back, she smiled at him, before the two met for a lingering kiss. "I hope that was okay and won't get you in trouble here," he smiled.
"It's perfectly fine," Sharon smiled at him, both still standing close to each other. Sharon now had her arms on his shoulders and was looking up at him. "Oh, you look so handsome," she sighed. "You and that leather jacket," she shook her head.
"I wasn't sure how cold it would be here yet. It's definitely chilly," he nodded.
"It is," she nodded in agreement. The weather really turned last week. Before then, we were enjoying some lovely weather. Almost a week ago, it was like a switch was flipped; the weather has been cold and dreary. The forecast for the rest of October isn't much better. It seems that even fall is on its way out. Rusty was ranting about the snow already. He'd heard at school they've gotten snow here on Halloween."
"I can't wait to catch up with you," Andy smiled. Sharon put her hand near his mouth and wiped off the lipstick. She then took his hand in hers and nodded toward the register area.
"I can't either. I'm so glad you are here. I was beginning to wonder," she said as they started walking hand in hand.
He nodded, "I know. We've got to do something about communicating. It has been brutal not being able to call you, to tell you when I was coming. I'm sorry about August. I hope you got that message."
"I did," she turned and smiled. "Thank you for letting me know, and I completely agree about a better communication method. Now," she stopped just a few feet from where her associates were working, "may I introduce you to my sales associates?"
"Sure," he smiled. "Your guy, Henry, he was instrumental in my surprise."
"I gather," she grinned. "Did you scare him or something?"
"No," Andy shook his head as if he was surprised at the question. "He approached me as I was browsing. I wasn't sure you would be working today. In fact, I figured you probably weren't working, but I had to drive through here on my way to the house, so I stopped in to check. I asked him if you were working, and I told him I was your boyfriend just in from California trying to surprise you. Lucky for me, I didn't look like a strange stalker, and you were working, so it almost appeared as if I already knew that."
"You," she patted his chest, "are very good at surprises. Come on," she encouraged him, and she turned to lead him to the counter. Andy walked next to her now, respecting that she was at work, so he didn't reach for her hand. "Henry, Justin, this is Andy," she nodded to him. "He's just flown in from California to surprise me."
"Nice to meet you both," Andy nodded. "Henry, thank you for helping pull off my surprise."
"Not a problem, Andy," Henry extended his hand and shook Andy's. "Nice to meet you as well. You've got a good one," he nodded to Sharon. "We are lucky to have her as a boss."
"Thank you," Andy grinned. "I tend to agree." He looked to Justin, "Nice to meet you as well, Justin," Andy said as he extended his hand. "I'm sure you both make the job a lot easier here for Sandra. I know she likes working with you both." Andy looked from Henry to Justin and then to Sharon. She had a good department; he could tell. He wasn't at all jealous, not that he ever had reason to be, but Sharon's associates were much younger. He could tell they would be good in the men's department as both were wearing suits perfectly tailored. Justin had on a brown suit with a navy shirt and paisley tie, something Andy could see Rusty wearing, while Henry had on a black suit with a cream-colored shirt and tie, something Andy wore often himself. He knew if he was shopping for a suit, he'd want help from any of them in the department. Sharon certainly looked classy too, as she had on a beautiful skirt suit as well with a gray silk shirt under it.
"How long are you visiting?" Justin asked him. Sharon glanced around the department and noticed it was empty. She looked at her watch, and was happy to see that it was almost closing time.
"Two weeks," he grinned as he looked to Sharon. "I'm really happy to get some time off. My vacation plans changed over the summer, and to make up for it, I've got a nice block of time."
Sharon's smile grew wider as Andy spoke, and she retrained herself from leaning up and throwing her arms around him. She was thrilled to hear Andy would be in town for two weeks.
"Sandra, I know I'm happy to adjust my schedule if you need some time off," Justin offered.
"Thank you, Justin," she nodded. "I will do some adjusting to things. I'm already off Friday-Monday, but that isn't even including any vacation time. I had already alerted the higher ups that I would want some vacation time in October, and I will sit down tonight and figure out what works best."
"I'm flexible too," Henry nodded. "It's pretty obvious you've been working plenty of overtime lately. The holiday set is coming up, and Justin and I had already talked about taking on that setup. You did the last one."
"We will figure it out," Sharon smiled. "Now, let's start to close up here. It's almost time to head home." As Sharon was saying that, the department store made a similar announcement on its intercom. Justin and Henry met her gaze and nodded to her. They both spread out in the department to check on thigs and tidy up as the store was closing. She looked to Andy, "Rusty wasn't planning on making it home for dinner tonight. Would you like to get something to eat?"
"That would be great. I'm starving. I've been on a plane most of the day. Where would you like me to go while you close up here?" he asked.
"My office is fine," she told him. "I'll show you to it, and as soon as we are closed up here on the floor, you and I can head home. I have paperwork to sign, but that can be done at home. You are more important." Sharon gestured toward her office, and Andy followed closely behind her. She used her keys to unlock the doorway to the personnel hallway, and she grinned when Andy put his hand on her back.
"Two weeks," he said quietly as she looked back at him. "I'm here for two weeks. My flight leaves November 1, so I'm even here for Halloween."
"Ohh, I'm so happy," Sharon put her hand on her office door and turned to Andy. "I can't believe you're here again. You can tell me all the details about your trip, home, the kids, the team, everything," she said quietly, "over dinner. Now," she opened the door, "sit and relax. I've got a variety of teas there if you would like something to drink. You can make hot water in the break room just down the hall."
"Are you sure it's okay I'm back here?" Andy asked.
Sharon nodded and walked to her desk. She rummaged around in the drawer, and then she pulled out a badge. "Here, a guest badge," she smiled. "I'll be back here shortly. Let me finish closing up."
A half hour later, Sharon and Andy walked hand in hand to her car. She pulled on his arm, drawing him even closer to her, while they held their other hands. Andy had Sharon's briefcase in his free hand. "Oh, please catch me up on everything. I have so many questions," she said excitedly.
"I want to know how you are doing?" Andy asked. "You look well, and let me just say, that I've missed your suits and heels almost as much as I've missed you," he winked at Sharon when she looked to him. She blushed as they reached her car.
"Where is your car?" she asked.
"I parked in the lot around the corner. Should we drive both cars to the restaurant?" he asked.
"Probably the best idea," Sharon nodded. "There's a great local Italian place nearby. Would that be okay with you? I'd offer the popular steakhouse, but that doesn't scream Andy to me," she smiled as she ran her now free hand over his shirt. Andy had worn casual clothing for travel. He had on khaki slacks, which were still casual enough for Andy, and he had on a long-sleeve two button dark green shirt. He'd paired that with his leather jacket, and Sharon was very glad he'd brought that.
"Sounds perfect," he nodded.
"I'll drive you to your car," she nodded to the passenger door. "I almost can't stand it, Andy. I want to know everything."
Andy nodded as he walked Sharon to the driver door and held it for her while she got in. She smiled and nodded to him in appreciation, and then he went back to the passenger side and got into the car. "Okay, here's just a drop in the bucket," he chuckled. "Provenza and Patrice are living together."
Sharon had started the car and was about to pull out when Andy told her that. She stopped and turned to him, her mouth now open. "No! Really?" she chuckled. "Oh, that has to be a story. I am not sure if I'm shocked or not that he's living with her. She seemed like a very nice woman the couple times I talked to her before all of this mess occurred."
Andy nodded, "Oh, she's by far the best woman Provenza has ever dated. Team is taking bets on his marrying her. We're not betting on the if, but the when," he flashed a grin at Sharon. "I think the guy would have already asked, but Patrice told him something about wanting to be sure."
Sharon covered her mouth in a giggle, "I guess she wants to be sure if she's what, his fifth marriage? That is a bit troubling, even as well as we all know Provenza."
Andy nodded, "It is, but I think it's a done deal. Provenza might just buy her a ring for Christmas. Guy is so cheap, he'd say that is her present."
Sharon started laughing even harder and then tried to fan herself to calm down. "Okay, that was a great tidbit of information. Let me get you to your car, and we can continue this discussion at dinner."
It only took another 10 minutes to get Andy's car and for the two to drive to the restaurant. Once they were seated, Andy took Sharon's hands in his. He'd purposely sat adjacent to her at the square table rather than across from her so the two could be closer. He kissed her hand while he looked at her. Sharon squeezed his hands.
"I wasn't just being kind when I said you look great, Sharon. You really look good," he nodded to her. She grinned and squeezed his hand again.
"You too. You look better than the last time you were here. You don't look as distraught," she told him.
"I'm not," he nodded in agreement. "I wasn't kidding when I told you I had run myself into the ground looking for you. Since I've been back in LA, I've been able to relax more. It kills me I can't talk to you and see you each day, but I'm exercising more like I promised. I'm not so irritable at work, and I'm doing things more with the team and the kids."
"I'm so glad to hear that," she sighed. "How are the kids? Have you spoken to them recently?" she asked with a hesitant shrug.
"Of course," he ran his thumb over her hands. They had shifted their mound of hands, but before they could talk more, their waitress interrupted. The two ordered water and coffee and turned their attention back to each other.
"Perhaps we should figure out what we want to eat?" she suggested as her eyes twinkled. "I am rather hungry."
"Of course," he nodded and handed Sharon her menu as he picked up his. He scanned it for less than a minute before he snapped it shut. Sharon eyed him. He shrugged, "I'm going for the basic spaghetti tonight. I really don't care what I eat. I like spaghetti, as do you, and I know we'll end up sharing our meals anyway."
She smiled warmly, "That is a very good choice. I had decided on the cannelloni," she told him, "but I can ask for half the order to be filled with cheese instead of the beef."
"Perfect," he winked. "We are a good pair.
"Indeed," she smiled, and the two pulled apart when the waitress returned. They were silent while she got their drinks situated, and the two went through the motions of ordering their meals. Finally, when they had finished that, Andy turned back to Sharon."
"The kids are doing great. They came to LA in July and stayed with me," he smiled.
Sharon's smile grew even wider, and she quickly wiped away a lone tear, "They came to LA and stayed with you?"
"Of course, Sharon," he smiled as he nodded to her. "They are family. We had a really good visit. In fact, I scheduled their visit over our anniversary date so I would have something to enjoy."
Sharon let out a half giggle, half cry, "I did the same thing! I mean, Rusty and I went on vacation then so I would have something to enjoy. I thought of you constantly and hoped you were doing something enjoyable that day."
Andy nodded, "I did. In fact, we got together with Nicole. Nate was out of town, but one evening while Nicole and Dean were at dinner, Emily, Ricky, and I kept the kids. I have a lot of pictures, but just envision Ricky building a fort in the back bedroom and then later covered in bubbles as the boys decided to give him a bubble beard while he supervised their bath. He wasn't in it or anything like that," Andy chuckled, "but they made sure to give him a full beard of bubbles."
Sharon covered her mouth as she chuckled. Andy winked at her again and waited for her to compose herself. "I don't know what to say."
"I know," he nodded. "I'm sure it's overwhelming to hear. The kids are doing well. They don't know I found you, which was hard because it took everything for me to not tell them. I gave Emily your rings and just explained they'd made their way to me through the program. Your kids are smart and didn't ask other questions. It was a good visit, and it was even better that your kids got to spend a lot of time with Nicole and with me. Sharon, it was torture not having you there, but we had a great time."
"I'm so glad," she smiled. "I can't wait to hear more about it. These two weeks are going to fly by."
"They are," he agreed. "I wrote in my journal all about it. You can read everything we did."
"You continued to write in the journal?" she smiled.
"Of course! We agreed to that. I couldn't my promise, not for the woman I love with all my heart."
The waitress arrived then, delivering bread and the salads. Andy's words hung in the air as the two stared at each other. They nodded their thanks to the waitress and then looked to their food.
"I'm hungry, but I'm not," she shook her head.
"I've waited so long to see you, Sharon," Andy sighed. "I can't tell you how hard it was to hear that I had to cancel my August trip. I'm sorry about that. Taylor was too; he had a conference come up that he had to attend, and basically, we would have been short staffed. Anyway, I'm here now, and we are going to make the most if it. To start, we aren't going to discuss Taylor," he groaned.
Sharon laughed and nodded, "Is Davis still in charge?"
"She is," Andy nodded. "Lucky for her, the department is running well. Taylor isn't feeling pressure to permanently fill your spot. I'm hoping they find Stroh soon so he's not put in that position. It's still just a leave of absence, but I'm not sure how long he can hold that."
Sharon sighed as she shook her head, "I can't believe we are almost into the holiday season. It's been hard enough without all of you here, and the holidays are going to be even worse."
"I know," Andy nodded. "Christmas isn't looking good; you know how that is. I did check into maybe just after the first of the year. I am guessing the holiday rush isn't good for your work either?"
"No," she sighed as she put down her fork. "Leave after the first of the year would be better, and I have to say, much needed. I'm exhausted already thinking of the holiday shoppers at the mall. You sound like you have more in mind than just a visit here to Ohio?" she questioned.
"I'm full of surprises," he winked.