Wounds to Bind Chapter 39 – 'I need you tonight, cause I'm not sleeping' – INXS, Need You Tonight
Friday, January 13 – 3POV
Elena no longer had the blackmail materials she needed to keep Christian in line…but he was not about to walk away unscathed. She was pissed about the Seattle Nooz picture of Christian and Anastasia at lunch where he kissed her! Elena downloaded what she needed from Sabine's website. She could build what she needed at the pool house; she refused to call it home. Tomorrow after she printed what she needed…Grey House, Grey Annex and especially Anastasia Steele would be introduced to Sabine Falco and Falcon Financials. Christian would assume Sabine was being indiscreet and would threaten her. If a shouting, wrestling, punching match between Christian and Sabine's bodybuilder husband, Aedan, ensued…so much the better. God, when was the last time she was in an office supply store? Elena added this insult to her reasons for getting even with Christian and aggravating Anastasia Steele in the process.
XXX
"She's not stupid Elliot; Ana will know we're up to something," Kate argued.
"Just keep trying to fix her up on dates. We've got a list of fifty losers, which means she'll reconcile with Christian in a few weeks just to get us to leave her alone." Elliot explained.
"What happens when they fight with one another at our wedding?" Kate protested.
"Care to make a wager?" Elliot grinned lasciviously.
"If they aren't reconciled by March first, meaning a majority of their nights are spent either together at her condo or at his penthouse – I get a Memorial Day weekend in Napa for my birthday – horseback rides, winery tours, spa treatments, gourmet dinners and dancing." Kate listed her demands.
"If they are reconciled and spending most nights with one another by March first, I get Memorial Day weekend on a boat in the Pacific with Kate sans clothes for the entire weekend." Elliot countered. "A lingerie vacay!"
XXX – CPOV
"Leg and feet massage, followed by Twister, followed by questions. John tells me your brother's impending marriage concerns you. You worry about people in your personal bubble?" Sela broaches the subject which John avoids.
"I don't like attending big events, I skip out of them as quickly as I can. If I have to stay for dancing, I only dance with Mom or Grandma. This wedding may prove the exception. I can't have my security staff guarding the dance floor to ensure I'm not mobbed."
"That's a bit self-aggrandizing, isn't it? Mobbed?" Sela scoffs.
"Mobbed," John affirms. "Don't ask; one of the reasons he has a security team."
"How many people are invited?" Sela wants details.
"Kate and Elliot decided on three hundred guests. I think her mom would like five hundred." I scowl.
"Your role for the wedding?" Sela continued questioning me.
"Best man," I grimace. " Please don't misunderstand; I'm glad my brother asked me. I'm grateful for time to practice receiving lines, toasts and dancing with people other than my mother and grandmother. I have a reason to deal with being touched inadvertently."
"Baptism by fire," Sela agreed. "Okay, I need time to research additional touching exercises. Up on the table with you. Lie flat on your back. Flex your toes for me, followed by rotating your feet at the ankles five times clockwise and counter-clockwise. Flex your feet toward you five times, and away from you five times."
After the massage, we played Twister in the hall, followed by ten minutes of questions. "I don't want to retraumatize you," Sela warned. "But there are questions to be answered. They may not be easy. Additionally, I believe we should discuss this until there is nothing left to say. I don't believe ten minutes will scratch the surface of this topic."
I looked at her warily. "As in…."
John cleared his throat. "We need to discuss Elena Lincoln. We need to discuss BDSM. We need to discuss Anastasia. I will ask a question, followed by Sela asking a question."
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and nodded. "Let's lance that septic boil."
"Open your eyes," John ordered. "Question one…"
XXX
"D/s is not just a contract; on a basic level D/s is a relationship. For you – sex wasn't friends with benefits, but a john and a call girl at a designated date, time, place and fee." Sela held up her hand. "Don't argue with me. We've discussed this. You said you are familiar with all the players in the sex worker industry. Your prostitute biological mother and her abusive pimp, your Domme and you as submissive, becoming a Dominant, Elena procuring submissives for you as the john. You becoming the abusive pimp when you punished your submissives because of unresolved anger with your mother and her abusive pimp."
"You've come a long way from where you were a year ago when you ended things with Susanna," John explained. "You understand your mother's pimp abused you because you existed. You understand part of your neglect was from her drugs and part from her sex worker lifestyle. You understand how part of you became the pimp…punishing your submissives in abstensia for your mother. You understand your need to exert safety, protection and monogamy rules over your submissives was because you could not protect yourself or your mother from her abusive pimp." John watched my face as I acknowledged each of his points.
"Believe me when I tell you…a relationship with Ana has communication and trust issues. You have to be dateable, Christian. If she wanted to be friends with benefits, she wouldn't have waited until she was twenty-one to lose her virginity. You have to be good for Ana…which is different from being good to her." Sela warned.
"How is good for her different from good to her?" I truly don't comprehend the difference.
"Good for her means emotional commitment – making her smile when you enter a room. Good to her means maintaining your emotional distance while ensuring she has the basics: food, shelter, clothing, doctor and dental appointments as necessary, etc." John delineated the difference.
"Sex with you has to be emotional in addition to being physical. Discover if you are compatible. Be friends first. Establish common interests. You have to be a couple first." Sela advised.
"…then if your kink is compatible…you just won the lottery. You can't be Dominant first with Ana. You have to be friend first, boyfriend next, lover when she is comfortable with you, Dominant if and when she is ready." John counseled.
"And I trust if I fuck up, you'll be the first to tell me." I refrain from rolling my eyes.
"If Ana doesn't out your bullshit first…" John laughed.
January 16 – APOV
During my Skype with Kate, she tells me about their weekend trip to Aspen. We talked about my new job. We talked about the SEC investigation. I asked her to cut down on the pictures and comments of me on her Facebook. I explained I didn't want Blandino, Hudson, Morgan or Hyde following my activities through her. She claims my pictures caused ten requests for introductions and blind dates. I tell her to let those unknown men down gently. Between my new job and new condo, I'm too busy to date.
We talked about Kate's current articles for Seattle Times. She's concentrating on her February articles: basics of matchmaking, rules for dating and interviews with financial advisors. She wants to write about great dates – and asks about the best date I had with Christian. I tell her it was the night he flew me to Seattle, meeting Grace and the drive back to Portland. However, I refuse to let her use any information I gave her for the paper. She wants to write additional articles about Valentine celebrations with friends not lovers, jazz music and gearing up for Lent 2012.
I laugh and ask what Kate is giving up for Lent – other than half her closet space and fifty percent of her clothes. She laughs before admitting the worst. She has to move everything she owns out of her parents' home and storage before March thirtieth. Mia's organizer is earning her fees teaching Kate and Elliot to decide what is essential to keep and what they can donate to Grace's charity before the end of March. Kate's writing an article on long-term organization. She says everyone starts off gung-ho in January…and then by February, they've had enough of cleaning, sorting and organizing. She's thinking of blogging her decluttering efforts. I tell her to treat decluttering like one of those things on a to-do list before you get married.
I distract Kate by asking how the condo is coming along. The riser by the brick wall with windows is used for entertaining. The mini blinds have been replaced by balloon shades. Contemporary furniture replaced the furniture from our bachelorette pad in Vancouver. The chocolate throw rug has been replaced with a grey, black and white geometric squares area rug. The pale grey pit group is fun for movie nights. Kate's home office armoire is gone, replaced by a contemporary armoire which holds games, books, etc. A matching armoire holds electronics, music, DVDs, etc.
The master bedroom closet is rebuilt. The painting is completed with new drapes, new bed and bath linens in complementary colors. The furniture is rearranged, with an extra five drawer dresser added for Elliot. Kate couldn't reload the closet until they hired a housecleaner. She doesn't think much of the way Elliot's men clean up their messes. She's sorting through the racks and reloading her bedroom and home office closets. She laughs and claims she purchased several dozen space saver hangers. While she uses them for hanging five blouses, sweaters, pants or skirts – she also uses them to create a day's ensemble of separates. With ten of the space savers holding one day's separates each, she ready quicker when she's in a time crunch.
Elliot measured and delineated sections in the living room coat closet with a permanent marker. One half for guest coats and one-quarter for Kate coats and one-quarter for Elliot coats. Her portion of the closet holds a couple casual jackets and a dressy coat for the current season plus three garment space bags holding off season outerwear. She has a small shoe rack to hold rain and snow boots. She has one cubby has on the closet shelf which holds spare umbrellas, and small space bags of seasonal headwear and handwear.
Since Kate is sharing the master ensuite with Elliot, Kate donated a couple dozen excess beauty appliances to Grace's charity. She kept her blow dryer, styling iron and flat iron. She pared down to hot curlers, an electronic toothbrush, one water pick, an iron, a sewing machine and a clothes steamer.
Kate's vanity cupboard has four stackable baskets to hold manicure and nail products, bath-face-body products, hair products and feminine hygiene products. There is space on her side of the vanity to hold an eight by ten cosmetic case. Elliot cleaned out the bathroom linen closet and readjusted the shelves to hold bed and bath linens plus bath needs. He refuses to share his side of the vanity with toilet paper or bars of soap.
Kate fumes about having to share a bathroom with a man. I remind her issues like this happen when you live with a man and plan to marry him. I tell her not to be rude, or make him shower and dress in the guest bathroom. Why else would she have such a large, two-person, multi-point shower? Why else would she have a two-person Jacuzzi tub?
Kate asks if I will go on a double date with her and Elliot on Friday – movie and clubbing. Elliot has a new project manager completing the Spokani Eden project by the end of the fiscal year. I turn her down. I lie and explain I need to go to Montesano. Dad emptied the projects shed for the pre-Christmas sale. We want to attend estate sales and auctions in the next few months, in addition to finding fixable projects at thrift stores and estate sales. Dad is reason one to go to Montesano. Reason two is I have an appointment with his lawyer.
Kate asks if I went to Montesano for the long weekend. I tell her about my yoga retreat at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. I tell her about the great vegan cuisine over the weekend. I had a luxurious room Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. I spoiled myself with room service, spa services and individualized yoga instruction. I don't admit I paid for Prescott to share the weekend with me. We shared classes, meals, our room and had lots of woman-to-woman talks to get to know one another. Kate was shocked when I admitted I purchased two yoga outfits, a portable yoga practice mat sized for petite women, and a beginning yoga DVD. She's more shocked when I said I plan to attend beginning yoga classes at the Women's Health Center.
Kate is easily diverted from the dating topic. "Which reminds me…I have a huge favor to ask. Will you attend Zumba classes with Mia and me on Saturdays? We can Zumba in the morning, have lunch, and go to a salon or shop in the afternoons? I want the best possible body for the wedding and honeymoon."
"Is shopping really necessary?" I hesitate.
"We have to shop for dresses, shoes, etc." Kate announced.
"I thought you asked Mia to be your wedding coordinator?" My calendar is filling up with Mary appointments and yoga classes. I don't know how much time Cassandra's classes will take. I almost wish for weekends tied up in Christian's red room of pain so I don't have to shop. But I love Kate…and I can vent to Mary.
"Mia is doing all the legwork, but I have to make the final decisions. Mom and Grace agreed on the budget. We're getting married at St. James Cathedral with the reception at the Northern Lights Dome Room at the Arctic Club. That's this Saturday's shopping. I have to sign paperwork and pay deposits. Mia is gathering layouts of the venues so we can plan."
I tell her I'm not sorry to miss this weekend's shopping trip. At least our conversation ends in laughter. I know I should call Mom…but a gently worded email will have to do. I don't want to discuss Christian again.
January 17
Before Cassie came, I vent to Mary about Mom's emails. Daily I'm subjected to her thoughts and musings about Kate and Elliot's wedding…and my new job…and my new condo. She advises me not to settle on wedding clothes until she has time to come to Seattle and shop with me.
Mom has seen the Seattle Nooz article about the lunch and the viral video where Christian kissed my cheek. I get a lecture about my hair and dressing better. Any self-doubts I had were reinforced after reading her emails. I show Mary my journal with each issue and the date it became an issue in my life. I vented in my journal, but before Mary can offer any sage advice, Cassandra Collins arrives. Mary sent me to the corner table with Cassandra to talk while she cleaned up our dinner.
"Before we begin," I reached for the nondisclosure agreement. "Please read and sign before we discuss my situation."
Cassie read the NDA. "Is this absolutely necessary?" I can tell she wants to roll her eyes and argue with me.
Mary laughed. "Trust me, Cassie, you will want to sign." Mary asked Prescott to join us.
"Fine," Cassandra capitulated, her voice huffy. "However, I've worked with several dozen beauty pageant candidates." Cassie appraises me before she signs. "None of them had any problems with my ability to be discreet."
"Ana Steele 1.0 would have walked out of here after the dismissive look you just gave me. However, Ana Steele 2.0 knows she needs your help. In order to acquire your help, I need a nondisclosure agreement." I firmly state my needs.
Mary signed as a witness, made copies for Cassie and herself, and gave me the original.
"So, Ana Steele 2.0, why do you need my help?" Cassie inquired.
"June thirtieth I'm the Maid of Honor at the wedding of Katherine Kavanagh, daughter of Eamon Kavanagh, CEO of Kavanagh Media to Elliot Trevelyan Grey, son of Carrick and Grace Grey, brother to Christian Grey, CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings."
"Nothing personal, Ana, but do you have proof of this claim?" Cassie voices her doubts. "I just don't…"
"You don't envision me as an acquaintance of Katherine Kavanagh? The connection is more complicated." I reached for my phone and called Kate, putting the call on speaker at full volume for Cassie and Mary to hear. "Kate, I'll pass on the Zumba class." I ignored Kate's whining. Cassie's shocked expression gives my ego a boost. " I think Mia wanting to go with you is a great idea. However, I really need to take a dancing class for your wedding."
"Zumba's dancing," Kate argued.
"Zumba is not the style of dancing at your wedding," I laughed. "Kate…how many people are you and Elliot inviting to this wedding?"
"Three hundred…although I think Mom and Grace would like the wedding to be larger." Kate groaned audibly. "Keeping the guest list to three hundred is one of the reasons we selected the Northern Lights Dome Room."
"Kate, your cousins already hate me because Mia and I are your attendants. You know how uncoordinated I am. I don't need over one hundred women making snide comments about my inability to dance. Plus, I know Celeste wants to video the wedding and reception. I don't want to be the entertainment… falling on the floor and embarrassing myself. So…I will take dance lessons."
"Fine," Kate conceded. "But, lunch every Saturday followed by wedding shopping or salon/spa afternoon?"
"Absolutely," I promise. "Unless I can talk you into lunch on Sundays followed by salon or shopping followed by planning dinners on Sunday night. You need date nights with Elliot. Mia needs date nights with Ethan. I need time in Montesano with Dad."
"Where are you?" Kate asked. "You sound like you are in a fishbowl."
"I'm having the most marvelous bubble bath in my new behemoth of a bathtub." I lied. "This tub isn't as big as the one in Christian's master ensuite! I lit the candlescape and put towels in the new towel warmer. I also have a bottle of cold white wine to go with my hot bubble bath."
"Wow Steele, you are amazing." Kate laughed. "Saturday we'll discuss the save-the-date cards. Mia's coordinating mailing them. Can we invite Ray and Laura to the wedding, but pass on inviting Carla and Bob?"
"Absolutely!" I agreed. "Grace and Celeste will be all the mom-zillas we can handle. I don't want Mom thinking she can supervise my getting dressed, primped and powdered."
"As if," Kate snorted.
"Listen I called for a reason, and not to complain about Mom. Do you and Elliot want to come over for lasagna on Friday night, January twenty-seventh? I think I'm finally ready to do some entertaining at the condo." I offered.
"Well…" Kate hesitated. "Friday night is our date night that week. Saturday night I have a work thing. I really need you to come to dinner this Sunday night at Grey Manor. Grace invited both families since only Christian, Elliot, Mia and I could go to Aspen last weekend. We're talking wedding plans at dinner. Christian will be there… maybe you'll get another kiss goodbye."
"I'll come back early from Montesano so I can go. What time?" I check my schedule.
"Seven, do you want Elliot and me to pick you up?" Kate worries I won't show.
"Please…are we dressing for dinner?" I try to divert her again.
"Mom and Dad will be there," Kate groaned. "Elliot's wearing a jacket and jeans."
"I'll wear a dress, and I will use the correct fork," I promise.
"Great, I will confirm with Grace. Love you Steele!"
"Love you, too, Kavanagh!" We both ended the call. I sigh and look at Cassie. "Well…"
"Christian Grey kissed you?" She asked, incredulous.
I nodded. "I am a person of interest in Christian Grey's life. Do you need photo proof? Better yet, Cassandra Collins, this is Samantha Prescott, my close protection officer. She will drive me to classes, etc." They shook hands, but obviously they will not be friends. Prescott returned to holding up a wall in the hall.
"I've seen the photo proof, Cassie. The video of him kissing her cheek went viral." Mary revealed. "Can you help Ana to be her best for this wedding?"
Cassie opened a folder and laid out papers. "Please don't misunderstand…I didn't want to expend time on a social climber or a stalker. Do you play a musical instrument?"
"No, sorry. I don't speak a foreign language. I've never travelled outside the United States, and I'm not related to anyone famous. I'm uncoordinated, taciturn and a bookworm." I admit my shortcomings.
Cassie pondered the sheets of paper before her, finally narrowing the papers down to six. "If you agree to do this, I offer intense classes. You will attend one hour of lecture and practice on Monday and Thursday, two hours of dance lessons on Saturday morning, and dining and etiquette class for at least two hours on Sunday."
I know I grimace. My full calendar makes me feel like I'll be at everyone's beck and call for the next six months.
"Deportment is a pass/fail course of life. Poise and deportment determine if you are accepted in certain social circles. You will practice these lessons until they are a natural action or reaction." Cassie explained. "Your first four-week course, Personal Posture, meets on Monday and Thursday in February from seven to eight o'clock at my business. Your current posture will be evaluated. You learn to stand, enter a room, sit and walk properly. You will learn body language, facial gestures, hand movements and carrying yourself with poise and grace. Watch a lot of Audrey Hepburn movies. You'll see how she moves gracefully while standing, walking and sitting. Emulate her." Cassie directed.
"Proper sitting is attainable by training and practice. Do not fall into a chair, you are not a rag doll. Do not throw yourself into a chair, you are not a petulant child. Do not sit cautiously as someone might suspect you have tender nether regions. Don't give people reason to gossip. You will learn to enter and exit a car, and other forms of transportation including private jets, limos, etc. On odd days of the month, you will practice walking for one hour while wearing heels and balancing a book on your head. On even days of the month, you will practice sitting properly and rising properly for one hour." Cassie continued.
"The second four-week course, Personal Style, meets on Monday and Thursdays in March. You will learn the art of selecting appropriate work attire, casual wear, elegant travel, classic social wear, black tie, white tie, and red-carpet attire. Wardrobe analysis includes lessons about clothing styles appropriate for your body shape, what styles/colors to avoid, creating your individual style and selecting your best accessories. You will learn grooming, make up, scent selection and jewelry choices. You will learn the best hairstyles for your facial shape and appropriate hairstyles for events. Constantly wearing ponytails signals the world you don't take enough time with your attire."
Yes Mother. I feel her reprimand.
"The third four-week course, Eloquent Elocution, is scheduled for April. Your voice will be analyzed. You will learn clarity, diction, intonation, projection, conversation and preventing profanities. You will learn the art of introductions and conversation etiquette, and how to make, maintain and interpret eye contact. You will learn to master your inner critic, overcome fear of failure or embarrassment, and overcome nervous tics like fidgeting." Cassie's eyes narrowed as she observed me.
Once I stopped fidgeting, Cassie continued. "Overcoming nerves or shyness will make you appear more self-confident, more self-assured. You will learn to create presentations, pitches and discussions for business, sell creative ideas, write and present reports, and effective business communication. You will learn the appropriate use of cell phones and social media for business."
"The final set of Monday and Thursday courses in May will be Social Spotlight. The courses will be geared to the society wedding where you are to be the Maid of Honor. You will learn about receiving line etiquette and the art of small talk. You will learn appropriate grooming for wedding events. You will learn to purchase appropriate gifts. You will learn to write and deliver an appropriate Maid of Honor speech. You will learn the art of being a perfect house guest and purchase appropriate hostess gifts. You will learn to recover from a bad conversation or situation, and reflect on what you've learned from social encounters. Additionally, there will be a crash course in how to deal with drunks, inappropriate comments, crude sexual propositions, and anyone who decides to touch inappropriately."
"Saturdays you will take two hours of dance lessons for social events. Class once a week for four months will make you adept on the dance floor. Try to practice dancing on Wednesday evenings. As the Maid of Honor, there will be several spotlight dances which require you to present your best foot forward. You will learn the proper shoes and clothes to wear for dance practice. Dance lessons increase your awareness of how you move your body. Dancing develops a strong core, which improves your posture. You will learn to move gracefully even when you are not dancing." Cassie segued into the next topic. "You will begin with basic dances like the foxtrot, waltz, two-step and quickstep before moving on to more complex ones like the cha-cha, merengue, rhumba or mambo which incorporate a Latin rhythm."
"Sundays I conduct a dining course. The first four-week course is casual dining, the second is business dining, the third is society dining and the fourth is entertaining. Each course examines etiquette, food, libations, and appropriate conversation. You taste different cuisines, learn to handle chopsticks or appropriate cutlery, and how to handle appropriate glassware. You will learn flower arranging, table settings and meal planning. You will learn special occasion preparation from small intimate dinners to large social events. You will learn how to create a proper seating chart. You will learn how to not burp or pass gas. You will learn to create and serve a signature cocktail, create a perfect martini and how to select, taste and pour wine. You will learn appropriate ways to prevent guests from over-imbibing. You will learn to cook and present a signature meal. You will learn to write a proper invitation and a proper RSVP." Cassie delivers all of these pronouncements like a college professor discussing the class syllabus.
My head is swimming. I don't know what to do first.
Cassie handed me a folder with the syllabi and goals for each course. I glanced at the flyers for each class. Included with the syllabi and goals is a list of movies and You Tube videos which portray what Cassie plans to teach. I love Kate and I'm glad she's in love with Elliot…but I'm not looking forward to this social torture. Where the hell is that red room of pain when I need it?
Cassie completed a registration form for me which outlined which classes I would take and when, including class fees which were due Friday morning before I began class. "After your individual assessment tonight, I will teach you how to walk in high heels. You brought appropriate shoes and book with you?"
"Mary warned me in advance." I affirm.
"We will move to the hall, and begin. Balancing anything on your head requires a poised posture and a steady, graceful gate. You walk differently in flats, boots, sneakers and heels. You will practice wearing heels. Eventually muscle memory will take over, allowing you to walk naturally without constant concentration on the task."
Cassie observes the low heels I change into. "Wear these shoes, or mid-heel pumps when you walk. Become accustomed to walking in the same style of shoes before you attempt higher heels. Just as shoes make a difference in how you walk, so do your clothes. You need to wear a dress during walking practice. Eventually you will practice in a long skirt and a duplicate pair of wedding shoes. Which reminds me…you need heels and a long skirt for your dance lessons."
We step into the hall. "Keep your arms straight to your sides, hands slightly cupped or curved. Do not swing your arms while walking…unless you are taking a power walk for exercise…which requires different clothes and trainers. Never look down while walking. Keep your chin perpendicular to the floor or ground. Watch ten to twelve feet ahead of you to know the terrain so you don't inadvertently trip over an obstacle. Maintain your personal bubble around people so you don't bump into the person you are walking alongside. In the posture class, I will teach you how to hold your arms and hands while you're standing still and conversing with someone."
Mary observes from her doorway. Prescott observes from an alcove. Cassie has a stopwatch in her hand to see how long I am able to walk properly without stumbling or dropping the book. I practice walking for twenty minutes. Before I go, there is a lesson in how to sit properly and stand properly. I practice sitting and rising from a chair for ten minutes. Cassie ensures I have the sheet on how to practice walking and how to practice sitting and standing.
"There will be lessons on how to sit in various vehicles. There will be lessons on how to sit at a desk at work, or while using a computer. You will learn how to sit and rise from different styles of chair. You will learn the correct seating position when you drive. Eat properly, drink properly, exercise. I cannot wait until February to begin your training." Cassie bids me goodnight…and gives me tips on handshakes before she departs. I am mentally exhausted, and Mary understands. She reminds me of my evening and morning schedules, and urges me to email her or journal my issues for the next week.
I'm so going to bust Katherine Agnes Kavanagh's balls for this!
January 19
I'm interrupted in my reading by pounding on the door. "Elliot?" I'm surprised to see him. "What are you doing driving in this ice? Take the day off…I am." I sent Prescott home at the first opportunity. We agreed to check in with one another when the ice melts and travel is safe.
"I promised Christian I would check up on you," Elliot shifts from foot to foot…like he expects me to flay him.
"I have flashlights, candles, battery-operated radio, and battery-operated lantern. I have a week of emergency supplies in the condo. The condo has an emergency generator so I have electricity, heat and water. Dad left fourteen days of emergency supplies in my storage area downstairs with a propane heater, lantern and cook stove with portable propane tanks." I explained. "I have books and a deck of cards to keep me entertained. I can clean the condo if I get bored. I have sweats and warm socks. I have a fully charged phone…which you could have called." When I am truly bored…I have yoga and videos to watch…standing, sitting and walking practice…manuscripts to read…and schedules to refine.
"Well…I'm supposed to invite you to Grey Manor where there are fireplaces and generators." Elliot explained.
"No thanks," I refuse. "I'm good. I'm not leaving here…where I'm snug, safe and warm…to travel on icy roads to your parents' home. I have Dad orders to stay put until the roads are clear. Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine."
"Well, I think Kate and I are staying at the condo. My favorite thing to do in situations like this is conserve body warmth." Elliot winked.
"Out…" I ordered, and then grinned and shook my head. Elliot is so…playful. "Thank you for worrying about me, but I'm fine and don't need rescuing." I hug him goodbye. I don't want to think about spending the weekend in bed with Christian.
