Wounds to Bind Chapter 7 – 'Why is it that a woman can see from a distance what a man cannot see close?' – Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native
Sunday, June 12 – CPOV
Striker provided a rundown of the Steeles' day. He provided a video of Anastasia's grocery shopping trip. 'Who the hell is she feeding? Her grocery tally was over $500.' I try not to be jealous when a pimply-faced youth helps carry Anastasia's groceries to her car. She is not overtly friendly, but she is nice to him. She stopped at a take and bake pizza parlor and bought a dozen prepared pizzas and a dozen prepared calzones. 'Again…who the hell is she feeding?'
"Enough with the food summary," I hear my stomach growl. When Anastasia cooked our first morning, I admit I didn't appreciate her efforts as much as I should have. I've liked pancakes and bacon since I was small. I am used to my submissives or Mrs. Jones cooking for me. Secondly, I was on a mission. I intended to continue Anastasia's sex education when we finished breakfast. "What else happened?"
"Miss Steele's roommate called while she was checking out. She assured him she's making lasagna to celebrate his homecoming on Thursday night. Mr. Steele is working on the condo this week and plans to return to Montesano Friday afternoon. She told Mr. Kavanagh she's batch cooking and feeding her dad's freezer and theirs."
I curse; I fight the urge to throw the phone at the wall. If I destroy this burner phone, I don't get updates on Anastasia. Fucking Ethan Kavanagh will be alone with my Anastasia until Katherine gets home from Barbados. I hope Kate Kavanagh appreciates all the work Anastasia and Ray have done to the condo while she's entertaining my brother in Barbados!
I call Flynn. I want to know specifically why I can't put a CCTV unit in Anastasia's condo and discover what Ethan Kavanagh is doing. Besides, just watching Anastasia sleep will calm me and perhaps let me sleep also.
"You want to do what?" Flynn seeks clarification.
"I want to put a CCTV unit in her condo for her security," I repeated.
"Do you realize stalking is a felony, and an unauthorized CCTV installation is invasion of privacy?" Flynn thundered. "Do you realize discussing this obligates me to notify the authorities if you continue this behavior?"
"I need to know she is safe!" I protested. I don't tell him I hired covert operatives to follow Anastasia. They have a rotating crew so she has no clue she's being observed and followed. They report directly to me – not Welsh or Taylor.
"What makes you think she's not safe?" Flynn countered.
"Katherine's brother, Ethan, returns home on Thursday. I know he wants in Anastasia's…" I began.
"Stop! Stop. Right. There. Do not finish that statement! I don't want the status of Anastasia's panties in my head. TDMI, Grey!" Flynn snapped. "Does Anastasia have her own bedroom at the condo?"
"Yes," I'm subdued by his anger.
"Ray Steele purchased five sturdy interior doors. Is it safe to assume one is slated for her bedroom and one for the main bathroom?" Flynn's logic is infuriating.
"I think two bathrooms and three bedrooms, yes," I snapped.
"Since you illegally acquired his credit card report… what else did he buy?" Flynn demanded.
"A deadbolt system for the new security conscious condo front door. The door can withstand 4000 pounds of applied force, and has a lockout system which can't be key bumped or picked. He replaced both the door and the lock." I pause. "The interior doors and locks are reinforced also."
"Has Anastasia ever shown interest in her roommate's brother?" Flynn challenged my thought process.
"Well, she hugged him on graduation day…" I protested.
"Along with the rest of her friend's family," Flynn interjected. "Graduation day Anastasia agreed to try to be your submissive, so I KNOW she wasn't thinking about him. You said she had never been interested in any men before you. She's known Ethan Kavanagh and José Rodriguez for over four years. If there hasn't been anything between them before, I sincerely doubt there will be now. You were her first."
"Yes, well – now Anastasia has left me. Plus, Ethan Kavanagh is studying psychology – so how hard would it be for him to brainwash her into moving on without me?" I feel more alone than when Ella died and I was alone with her for four days.
"First of all, I believe Miss Steele has a strong character and is not prone to brainwashing. If she truly loves you, which I believe she does, she's not moving on yet. She's not a Dominant perfecting her mind-fuck techniques. She would not tell you she loved you after you hit her with a belt if she wasn't in love with you. You still have time to fix some of what's broken and then work on communicating with her. I think you could resolve this to both your satisfaction if you would just talk." Flynn cautioned. "Let's review, task one was…"
"Get a good night's sleep and think about what led to the situation," I parrot his list of instructions back to him.
"How is that working for you?" Flynn's question isn't facetious or funny today.
"The nightmares are back. I'm sleeping about four hours a night. Don't offer me sleeping pills because I won't take them." I feel like quarreling with him today.
"Do you realize your sleep pattern of four or five hours a night versus your submissive's sleep requirement of eight hours is quite the non-sequitur." Flynn pointed out.
"They needed more sleep than I did," I argued.
"I'm not convinced you cared about their sleep requirements, considering you woke them in the middle of the night for scenes in the playroom. If you get some sleep, you'll make more informed decisions." Flynn explained. "Do you sleep better if you physically exhaust yourself?"
"Usually," I admit.
"Make a rotating schedule with your security. Run, kick box, swim, golf, etc. until you are so tired you can barely stand straight in the shower. Then get your ass to bed." Flynn paused. "I'm emailing you a list of ten foods to promote sleep. Give Mrs. Jones the list. After you work out and shower at night, make a smoothie of tart cherry juice, yogurt and banana. It will help you sleep."
I grumble. I'd love to put my ass in bed – with Anastasia.
Monday, June 13 – APOV
I created a clothing schedule over the weekend. Slacks on M-W-F and dresses/skirts on Tuesday and Thursday. Editorial staff meets Tuesday's meetings. All editors are present. Usually. Amber is the only support staff to attend. I attend because Jack orders me to attend. Editors meet with Marketing on Thursday mornings. I'd rather have Jack stare at my legs during editorial meetings than stare at my breasts or ass. I'll be sufficiently covered for an editorial meeting if I wear fit and flare dresses with a jacket or sweater. Oversized or tunic tops or sweaters to conceal my assets on Wednesday.
Dad made breakfast while I dressed. Several of my purchases arrived on Saturday, including the hair accessories. I have new Friday outfits, new dresses and sweaters, and new underwear. Navy slacks, teal cashmere twin set, navy pumps and purse, small silver hoop earrings mean I'm dressed for the day. I brush my hair into a left pony tail, fastening it with a navy-blue hair tie/ribbon.
'Do women really change purses every day?' I should have asked Kate about the purses when we Skyped last time. But I am waiting for Kate to ask about Christian. Mostly she relates how much fun she and Elliot are having in Barbados. Knowing she succumbs easily to diversion; I have a list. I will tell Kate about Pacific Place Mall and the boutique stores if I become desperate to distract her inquisitiveness. I will show her the new chocolate velvet throw pillows and claim the animal print ones exploded in the washer or dryer. I dumped the animal print pillows in a trash bag, which I abandoned at the Salvation Army drop box.
My e-pass came in the mail on Saturday. Dad is against my taking the bus to work. I need to feel comfortable riding the bus to work. He ensures my pepper spray capsule is full and functional. He reminds me…a blast to the eyes…a blast to the crotch. Sit near the driver, in the long bench seat at the front of the bus, or the back bench seat where no one sits behind me. He hovers at the bus stop watching where I sit on the bus. The front and back bench seats are occupied. I take the first-row seat available on the driver's side of the bus.
I am pleasantly surprised when Claire gets on the bus three stops later. I stash the manuscript I'm reading in my tote and signal for her to sit with me. Claire returned to Seattle early this morning from a big family party in Tacoma. She describes the event, high school graduation for three cousins attended by over 100 relatives, and includes the decorating details. She has a headshaking pictures of the food: three tables of six-foot sub sandwiches (two to a table), two tables of salads and sides, and a table of six cupcake tiers. She explained they had six different flavors of gourmet cupcakes. She brought hazelnut cupcakes with cheesecake frosting to share with coworkers at break today.
"I'm surprised to see you on the bus." Claire admitted. "You're not driving this week?"
"I drove my roommate's car last week because I had moving tasks to complete at lunch and after work. Dad is in town and we went car shopping Saturday. The dealer delivers my new car to SIP at lunchtime. I would love to give you, Emily and Amber a ride home tonight if you'd let me. I need to feel comfortable driving in Seattle." I offered.
Claire explains she lives about twenty blocks from me, while Emily and Amber live within four blocks of one another and take a different route to work. Claire and I are at the door to SIP by 8:15 and I hit the ground running. I'm seated, sorting Jack's mail when he arrives.
"So, where did you go on Friday night?" Jack began this morning's interrogation. "You missed drinks at Fifty's."
"Good morning to you too, Jack. I told you I couldn't go. Dad is in town, working on the condo before my roommates return from Barbados." I'll pretend we didn't see him following us on Friday night if he wants to play this game of 20 Questions.
"Don't waste office time contemplating home tasks." Jack took the pile of sorted mail from me. "There are author letters to print and mail. There are manuscripts to analyze. I'll email you the list of materials to prep for the editorial meeting tomorrow." He hovers by my desk until he realizes I'm leaving to fetch coffee.
I made two fresh pots when I arrived this morning and there is a scant cup of coffee to take back to him. I wait until there is an inch layer of coffee in the bottom of one of the pots to finish filling his mug. Yeah…coffee making will officially become my office pet peeve. I'm seriously considering buying a K-cup machine so I can make coffee quickly for him.
XXX – CPOV
"Car delivered and parked at the lot nearest SIP at 12:30. " Striker reported. "We were able to hack the security cameras at the parking lot. Miss Steele put the registration and insurance paperwork in a portfolio in the glove box. Mr. Steele moved a basket of emergency items from his truck to the trunk of her car. He had an extra umbrella, Seattle map, first aid kit and flashlight for her glove box. The Steeles ordered and picked up a dozen brown bag lunches at the deli close to SIP. They walked back to SIP where they obviously had lunch. He left before 1:30."
"Personalized or regular plates?" I inquire.
"Regular, we attached a tracker on the inside of her back bumper. I emailed the frequency to you. I emailed detailed directions on how to access and download the tracker records. You can set the tracker to start recording when the car starts moving or you can use real-time tracking. The tracker has a maximum of 96 hours of recording time, if you don't have time to download daily." Striker shared the download directions. "If Miss Steele is planning to take the bus daily, we need to someone on her bus route to watch and follow."
"Miss Steele gave three friends a ride home after work today. We're emailing pictures, names and addresses with light background checks. Preliminary information does not reveal anything to concern us. Miss Steele parked in one of the designated parking spots for her condo and used the interior elevator to her floor." Striker reported. " Mr. Steele's truck is parked in one of the spots, Miss Kavanagh's car is parked in another, leaving one empty spot for Ethan Kavanagh when he returns. We believe the Steeles are home for the night."
XXX – APOV
This morning Dad painted Kate's bedroom and ensuite. Her accent wall is Amethyst Crème, a dark purple, and her other walls and ensuite are Violet Mist, a pale lavender color. This afternoon Dad installed the linen closet and cupboard units in her ensuite. I think he's sick of purple paint. He replaced the bedroom and bathroom interior doors. He removed the basic closet system this afternoon.
Tonight, Dad's working on Kate's master closet. He's glad she's keeping her closet walls white. The new organizational unit has one long wall with a single rod and two rows of 12x12 cubbies above it. The second long wall has double hanging rods with an empty shelf above the top rod. A shorter wall, across from the door, has two five-drawer dresser units for accessories with two floating shelves above the units. The remainder of the wall is floor to ceiling 12x14 cubbies to hold accessories or stacks of clothes. The short wall, containing the entry door to the closet, has floor to ceiling shoe racks.
I help Dad move Kate's furniture back to the perimeter of her room. Dad recommends an armoire to hold Elliot's clothes. He recommends a large chair to sit next to Elliot's armoire. He taped their dimensions on the floor. Kate will know how much space they will take. He moves boxes of Kate's clothes from Ethan's room to her walk-in closet.
I prepare two dozen baking potatoes to make stuffed baked potatoes for Kate and my freezer while washing her bed and bath linens. We like stuffed baked potatoes with a green salad for a quick dinner. I make the cheese, broccoli and ham filling for the potatoes. I load the crockpot with ingredients for six quarts of marinara sauce. I'll need it tomorrow night when I make casseroles to feed Dad's freezer. When the timer sounds, I set the potatoes to cool. I put one load in the dryer and begin another to wash. I make the stuffed potatoes and put them in single serve containers in our freezer. I clean the kitchen and load the dishwasher, setting the dishwasher to run at one o'clock when there are no other demands for hot water.
Ethan and his parents are coming home on Thursday. Kate and Elliot are staying in Barbados for another week, returning home the Friday after. I hope they are still in lust with one another when this vacation ends. I also hope their romance is not contingent on the state of affairs between Christian and me. I need to tell Kate face to face about taking a timeout from Christian. I'm banned from revealing details because of the NDA. I read two chapters of a manuscript and complete a synopsis while continuing to wash and dry Kate's linens. When the last load is done, I shower and prep for bed. I bid Dad goodnight and take another manuscript to bed with me.
XXX – CPOV
I read Striker's report on Anastasia's personal emails, purchases, finances etc. He listed Ray Steele's credit card usage over the past week. I know what he's purchased and where it was purchased. I ask Striker to investigate Northwest Net, where Ray Steele will receive his future Internet service, email and training. When I'm off the burner phone with Striker, I get an update from my Grey House security.
"Leila William's cell was used over the weekend near Escala, Esclava Post Alley and Miss Steele's condo. We've been checking the clinics. We don't know who removed her stitches, but we haven't seen her near any urban health centers or free clinics." Taylor reports.
"Track William's usage, emails, Internet, etc. Attempt to establish a base location for her. Send me the report as soon as you can. We need to make informed decisions." I tell him.
Tuesday, June 14 – APOV
I am exceptionally vexed when the editors recycle one-third of the material I prepped for the editorial packets. I keep my mouth shut and breathe. I ignore their laughter about new staff being overly prepared for the meeting. Amber and I take notes during the meeting. Or rather, my smart phone records the meeting because Jack orders me to keep the coffee carafes circulating. The main topic of today's meeting is national conferences and attendees. Half the editorial staff will attend the New York conference; the remaining editorial staff will attend the New Orleans conference the following week.
The editorial meeting ends at 11:45. Before Jack departs for a cigarette break, he gives me thirty minutes to clean the room. "After you clean the conference room, I need you to book flights and rooms for us at the New York publishing conference July 5-7. We'll fly non-stop, red-eye on July the Fourth. Our flight departs SEA-TAC at ten p.m. Pacific time. We land in New York by six a.m. Eastern time. We can sleep on the plane. We register at the hotel before eight. The first seminar starts at ten o'clock. I want our reservations made before you go to lunch today."
Amber pops back in the conference room, bringing a rolling two-sided bookcase. Her editor is off on a cigarette break with Jack. She helps me load the bookcase, which her dad made especially for her for meetings like this. Amber advises loading the rolling bookcase from her desk first thing on Tuesday mornings. The rail around the top will keep all the coffee service items from falling off. Manuscripts and printed materials fit on the shelves which also have a rail to hold everything from sliding off. She says I'll only make one trip with everything to set up the meeting.
I power down the electronics and start to wipe down the tables.
"What are you doing?" Amber taps her foot impatiently.
"Other duties as assigned… I have thirty minutes to clean the room." I show her the cleaning list for the room.
"Sweet Goddess of Light," she muttered. "Other duties as assigned are duties which fall under the editorial department. For example – picking up graphics if the graphics department is short-handed. Or answering phones if Claire is sick. Or filing manuscripts in archives if the mail room is short-handed. Cleaning the conference room is not your job; SIP has janitorial staff. Their schedule includes cleaning this room on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. Post the cleaning list on the door. BTW, not even my obsessive-compulsive mother could finish his bullshit cleaning list in thirty minutes! Grab your end of the rolling bookcase. We need to hit the kitchen before lunch hour starts."
We stop in the kitchen to clean the coffee things. Amber shows me where to find the 100-cup coffee urn I should use to make coffee on Tuesdays. She bought the urn as a Christmas gift for the office last year. She didn't have time to make numerous pots of coffee for meetings when the rest of the staff constantly raids the kitchen for coffee. She commiserates with me. I think I made ten pots of coffee to get five full carafes this morning.
She explains everyone donates ten dollars each payday for coffee and kitchen supplies. Claire collects money, orders supplies and maintains inventory. Amber shows me where to the supplies needed for the coffee club (as she calls the editorial meetings). Since I'm the only tea drinker in the group, she recommends getting my own carafe of to hold hot water from the kitchen water tower.
Amber explains her system for ordering lunches or making reservations for the editorial meetings. If she's absent for any reason, Emily knows the procedure and provides backup. Amber and Emily's WPS include lunch duty for editorial meetings. She thanks me for my kind offer to pick up lunches for everyone on days I go to the deli. However, I am not required to track everyone down and take their order. I'm not required to provide a lockbox of petty cash to make change for their lunch bills either.
I comment about adding the bookcase and 100-pot coffee maker to the procedures manual instructions for setting up the meeting. Amber suggests I ignore Elizabeth's convoluted bullshit procedures manual. She'll email me the link for a streamlined procedures manual on the server. She recommends saving the streamlined procedures manual on a flash drive, not the computer desktop. I will have instant access from the flash drive.
"Did Jack tell you to prep all the material for today's meeting?" Amber cleaned and put away dishes and cutlery.
"Yes," I poured the remaining coffee into the pots, filling them before cleaning and putting carafes away.
"Jackass." Amber will show me where to find the agenda and the procedures to prep for next week. "The agenda is uploaded to the server by Friday. The editors access and add their agenda items. Friday afternoon I arrange the agenda for the meeting next week. Support staff access the agenda Monday afternoon to prep their editors for the meeting. Support staff print materials for their bosses and themselves. Make two copies of materials for editorial meetings. One of the copies for Jack, and one for you. You take notes on yours. Other than running your ass off this morning making extraneous copies and coffee, did you get any other work done?"
"Jack wants our travel to New York arranged before I go to lunch." I grumbled after looking at my watch.
"Jackass," she commented again. "Let's head to your desk to offload this stuff. I'll send you the procedures for travel. Support staff doesn't book travel arrangements. There's an online form you complete to request tickets, rooms, registrations, cars, etc. You just find the airline, flight times and numbers. When you save the completed travel form, you can auto submit the form to Finance. They coordinate the travel arrangements because they have the corporate account numbers. The form includes the link to the conference agenda, hotel information, etc. They usually negotiate a discount for the registration and hotel since a dozen of us register."
"Jackass," I remarked to Amber's laugh.
"Remember…other duties as assigned…must be accompanied by complete directions. The editors had a good laugh at your expense this morning. Don't let Jackass undermine you like that again. If you have questions about anything…meet me in the bathroom, or ask me at break. Don't email your concerns to anyone in the building. Don't let any friends or family contact you at SIP via your email. Don't forward any email from SIP to a personal mailbox. I swear our email is monitored." Amber ranted. "Most of the female staff keep their personal phones turned off, and only use their phone outside and away from the building."
"Really?" I fretted. Kate is terrible about firing off emails without thinking. I'd better not give her my SIP email address. I'll tell her not to call me at work either.
"Hyde is a disgusting bastard, always in every woman's personal space. He watches you when you walk away. He will spend his Friday afternoon watching you bend and stretch while filing. Don't ever go anywhere alone with Hyde, no lunch, drinks, rides home, etc. Don't attend Friday night drinks at Fifty's if you are alone. If Jack calls in sick, and requests you bring work to his condo…DON'T. Assemble the work; Claire will messenger the work to his condo. Complaining to HR won't help. Elizabeth Morgan only sees what she wants. Right now, she sees a pretty girl working closely with the object of her affections. She'll make your work life a misery. Prominently display Morgan's procedures manual on a shelf in your workspace, but access the real thing off your flash drive. The streamlined procedures manual was created by staff who perform the work."
I offer to buy Amber's lunch for all her help today. She goes back to her desk and within a few minutes she brings me a flash drive. She shares a copy of the travel form for her editor and her. They are flying out on the nonstop red-eye at ten o'clock July the Fourth. I make a few changes, such as Jack's name and my name. I request the editors sit next to one another in business class and Amber and I next to one another in coach. I request to share a room at the conference hotel with Amber. Task complete. Finance has the request, Amber has a copy, and I have a copy for Jack if he asks. Only…his copy does not have the extraneous notes about my plane seat or room request.
The flash drive has a copy of every form we use. Amber believes she will distribute proofread and polished minutes before the end of the day.
I gladly take Amber across the street for vegetarian wraps, mini veggie plates with dip and frosty cold lemonade. The only thing hot is my temper about Jackass. Amber lifts her 'no talking about work during lunch' edict. We discuss the editorial meeting, the upcoming conference, the procedures manual and my idiotic micro-management schedule. While I am not an editorial assistant yet, she doesn't want me to flounder. I am to ask about any task I don't understand.
XXX
Dad built all the pieces like the cubbies and the dressers before he finished Kate's closet organizer today. He changed out the hot water heater for the on-demand hot water system. While I cooked dinner, made two casseroles and baked six dozen of Dad's favorite pizza pinwheels, he installed the closet system in the living room coat closet, the main linen closet, the cleaning closet and the laundry center. After dinner I packaged everything in single serving freezer containers or freezer bags and loaded the dishwasher. I fill the crockpot insert with minestrone soup ingredients and set the insert in the refrigerator.
Kate and I discussed installing built-in cabinets under the windows on the brick wall, but we really like that open area. Dad recommends a bar armoire against one wall. We can put two long bistro tables with stools for entertaining by the windows. He recommends asking Kate if she wants him to install three cabinets in our storage area to hold ski, tennis or golf equipment and surfboard/scuba gear. He sends me pictures and I promise to email them to Kate tonight.
I left Dad with a cold beer, a Mariners game on TV and a good-night hug. I luxuriated in a long hot shower. I'm in love with the on demand hot water heater. Before I lose myself in memories of the hot shower when I returned from Georgia, I finish my shower. I brush and towel dry my hair, braiding it for bed. 'Damn…now I have Christian on my mind before I go to bed and I was doing so well only thinking of him once every hour today.' New pajamas, new bed linens…and a manuscript. I'm prepared for sleep.
XXX – CPOV
"Miss Steele went to lunch with a coworker. They discussed the editorial meeting. Her boss assigned her a bunch of busy work. They discussed an upcoming conference, the procedures manual and Miss Steele's schedule. She and another SIP employee discussed basic office practices during their bus ride home. Sending you a written report."
Striker paused, referencing his notes. "On Miss Steele's bus ride home – the Saturday brunette got on the bus the stop after Miss Steele's stop. She did not attempt to make contact, but she covertly observed Miss Steele and her coworker. Miss Steele didn't know she was observed by the brunette or Second Strike. When Miss Steele got off at her stop, the brunette and my man got off at the same stop. He window shopped while observing both. Miss Steele's father waited at the bus stop for her and they walked home. The brunette sat on the bus bench observing Miss Steele until she entered her building. The brunette left, disappearing into the park by Pike Place Market. Sending pictures. Please advise."
"TAYLOR!" I exploded when I saw confirmation Leila is following Ana. "Redouble efforts to find Leila Williams." I repeated Welch's conversation about tracking her phone usage to near Anastasia's condo. I don't tell him the Second Strike conversation. I don't want to explain I hired a PI to track Anastasia without Taylor's knowledge.
I downloaded the tracker on Anastasia's car, which has not moved since Monday night when she returned home. I may know how Anastasia gets to work, how long she works, etc. I may know her work events from lunch and bus conversations. However, I still want to bug her condo. I hired strangers for their silence and abilities to follow her because she knows my men. I appreciate their daily pictures of her. Today's light blue fit and flare dress is perfect for summer. She wore a summer weight white sweater to and from work. I wonder why she wore her hair down today? I will be careful not to discuss any of this with Flynn. I will keep her safe –for both our peace of mind.
Wednesday, June 15 – CPOV
Striker's report on Anastasia's day was standard, except Ray picked her up from work. Before I could ask, Striker explained. "Jack Hyde drank excessively at noon. Bragged he hired a pretty little intern to play chauffer for him. Hyde seemed pissed off when he left the building with Elizabeth Morgan. She seemed eager enough to give him a ride to her house. I will email you if he leaves. Steele took his daughter by a charity drop box where she left a full thirty-gallon trash bag. She's probably cleaning closets since he is installing closet organizers. I think you will enjoy the picture of Mr. Steele."
In the pictures Anastasia wore navy blue trousers with an oversized periwinkle belted tunic. She wears low heels and her standard ponytail. The picture of Ray produces a chuckle. He wears a navy t-shirt with white lettering: 'Don't touch my tools or my daughter.' I ask Taylor the status of the background checks on SIP employees. He drops a four-inch stack of research reports on my desk. Mostly, the background checks are on lower-level staff. Taylor says research on upper-level staff is taking time. Well, if I can't sleep tonight, I have reading material.
XXX – APOV
Busy day for Dad and me. Dad worked on Ethan's closet and bedroom door. He emptied the cupboards and drawers so he could install organizational kitchen units. I arranged for Dad to pick me up from work so I have an excuse not to drive Jack home. We shopped for Kate approved patio furniture and small propane grill. Kate said yes to the bar armoire, bistro tables and storage closets in the storage unit. We purchased the items but Dad will not build the closets until tomorrow.
I marinate a London Broil while Dad assembles the grill and furniture. I toss a salad while Dad grills the meat and heats garlic bread for us. While we eat dinner, Dad and I talk about the Fourth of July. "I have the easy part," I teased Dad. "I'll cook enough food to feed a dozen people. You and José Senior have the hard part. You handle the men when the fireworks start."
"The VFW ordered combat arms earmuffs. We're making them available to vets during the parade and afterwards for the fireworks. I promised to pick them up from the manufacturer in Seattle to save shipping and handling fees." He cleared his throat. "I'm under orders from Carla to encourage you to spend the July Fourth weekend with Christian and not me."
"I have to leave Montesano by four to be in Seattle by six, and at SEA-TAC at eight. We're on the plane to New York at ten. I'll email Mom over the weekend to let her know there will be no fireworks between Christian and me. Is Mom afraid you will introduce me to some eligible ex-military man who wants a wife who cooks and cleans fish?" I laughed. "Or is she afraid you will encourage me to give José a chance?"
"Annie, you know I'm friends with José Senior. We will always be grateful you and José were friends who helped us reconnect. But José is not the man I want for you." Dad hesitated.
"Why?" I'm surprised.
"I know José was arrested for marijuana possession. I know the arrest doesn't seem to be a big deal in today's world – but José Senior worries about the impact on José's career choices. Companies José may want to work for may not want him because of his arrest record." Dad warned.
"Who do you want for me," I asked.
"The heart wants what the heart wants, Annie. If you wanted José or Ethan, or any of my younger friends or clients in Montesano, a relationship would have happened before now. If you wanted Kate, I would have done my best to welcome her as a daughter. If you want Christian, you work out your issues with him. If you need time to decide what you want, you should not endure interference from your family, friends, coworkers, nosy neighbors, etc." Dad went to clean the grill.
When I finish in the kitchen, Dad is in the main bathroom, taking a shower. I research various topics online, wasting time until Kate is ready to Skype with me. Her parents and Ethan have transportation from the airport to home, so I don't worry. I explain Dad changed the front door and the lock. I will leave condo paperwork and a key with the concierge for Ethan in case he gets here before I get home from work. I will leave keys to the condo in our mailbox for her. She asks if I've seen Christian and I tell her I'm busy helping Dad. I email pictures of her painted room and ensuite, and her revamped closet. I tell her about Pacific Place Mall and she's sidetracked talking about adventures in shopping. The rest of our Skype focuses on her and Elliot having a good time in Barbados. She emails me a dozen pictures and explains where they were and what they were doing.
Thursday, June 16 – CPOV
Striker provided a concise report of Anastasia's day. Public transportation, work, lunch with coworkers at local deli, public transportation, home for the night. Her schedule is becoming set more every day. The pictures of her in a dress remind me how much I love her legs. I wonder if she's wearing thigh high stockings. Ray transported replaced household stuff to Grey Construction's industrial recycling business this morning and then picked up a shipment for the Montesano VFW. Ethan Kavanagh landed at SEA-TAC at four. He was at the condo when Anastasia returned home from work. I feel better because Ray is at the condo. Striker sends me a news bite.
******** Seattle Nooz *******
Eamon, Celeste and Ethan Kavanagh (Kavanagh Media) returned to Seattle late today. Rumor says daughter Kate is still vacationing in Barbados with Elliot Grey! We'll have fun reporting the antics of Elate! (El-liot + K-ate)
******** Seattle Nooz *******
Friday, June 17 – APOV
"Good morning, Ana!" Ethan hugged me. I handed him a Chai tea bag and poured a mug of hot water from the electric kettle. "Good morning, Ray," they shook hands. "Thanks for work on the condo, Kate's kept me updated. I'm sorry I was too tired to express my appreciation last night. We flew nonstop from Bridgetown to New York for almost five hours with a two-hour layover and then six hours, nonstop from New York to Seattle. Factoring in time zones, I feel like I was traveling for twenty hours. I wasn't the best company last night and Ana's lasagna knocked my ass out."
"My pleasure," Dad smiled. "Anything to make Annie's life easier and safer."
"Well, she might want to take your gun and shoot me," Ethan teased. "Ana, my parents would like to thank you by taking you to dinner on Saturday night. They attend this charity event every year. Since Kate and I are back in town, they bought tickets for all of us. Mom and Dad would like you to use Kate's ticket and attend with us."
"Ugh," I wrinkled my nose. "Promise I don't have to dance with anyone but you. Plus, you'll explain which spoon or fork to use."
"Deal," Ethan agreed. "Charity events like this are usually three to four courses at the most: starters, salad, entrée, dessert. Usually, they have wine pairings for each course. I know you're not a drinker. Don't worry about refusing the wine; servers will keep your water glass full. You can sip the before dinner champagne. Mom and Dad hired a limo for transportation Saturday night. You don't have to worry about being the designated driver."
"Thanks," I facetiously gushed.
"Mom will help you pick a dress Saturday morning and take you to get your hair and nails done. If you're worried – Kate knows the stock in Mom's store and can advise about what you should borrow." Ethan reasoned.
"Dad and I are up early, he's taking me to work and going home to Montesano," I explained. "If you need to crash for a few more hours, the place is all yours."
"Ray, can you wait to go home for a couple hours?" Ethan ventured. "I hoped to enlist your help moving the packed crates of Kate's winter clothes to my parents' home."
"Deal, if you help me take the four packed ice chests to the truck when I go home. Annie made a lasagna just for me; I didn't steal your leftovers." Dad teases Ethan.
"Speaking of which, here are the directions for reheating each of your dinners. I made extra portions of the pasta for the Chicken DaVinci and the Chicken Parmesan." I hand off printouts in sleeves which Dad can put on his refrigerator. "I also gave you a grocery list of the things I need for July Fourth. I have all the receipts for the week," I hand Dad a check for his expenses.
"Pick you up after work, Ana? We can get dinner and catch up?" Ethan offered. "I might demand an early night; I'm still suffering from jet lag."
"Can you come to Fifty's Sports Bar before six? Everyone from SIP goes there on Fridays. We can get a pizza. You would save me from having to drink with the boss." I texted him the address.
"Her boss is an asshole," Dad overshares for once. "I'd prefer you kept him as far away from her as possible after hours."
XXX
"I'm the boss," a belligerent Jack thrust his hand out at Ethan.
"I'm a roommate, Ethan Kavanagh," Ethan shook Jack's hand vigorously. If the man wanted a pissing contest, Ethan was in the mood to engage. "I'd rather not order dinner here; we'll be constantly interrupted by your coworkers." He indicated my overly interested coworkers at Fifty's.
"Nonsense!" Jack barked. "If Ana wanted to be alone with you, you'd be having dinner at your condo."
"Excellent idea," I give Ethan's hand a meaningful squeeze. "I stocked the cupboards and refrigerator, in addition to feeding the freezer this week. We can have a quiet dinner at home. I need an early night to be on time for your mom tomorrow morning."
"You shouldn't cook for us. We'll get takeout, watch a movie and hang out at the condo," Ethan pulled me toward the door of Fifty's Sports Bar. "You can tell me about your new job. I'll tell you about Barbados, moving in and registering for grad school this fall." He flashed a challenging look at Jack Hyde as he held the door open for me.
"Ana… I don't trust that asshole." Ethan muttered as we head to the car. Jack stood in the open door of Fifty's and frowned as we left the parking lot in Ethan's BMW convertible.