Simply Friends (7)
“Are you leaving?” he asked, reaching for the remote. His voice was tired, yet somehow she thought it held a hint of regret. “No. Not till that breaks. I don’t want to drive in that.” “Kim,” Ted said, catching her gaze. “Just stay the night. It won’t bother me.” “You’re sure?” Staying Sunday and Monday had been a matter of urgency. She really could go tonight when the weather broke. “Just stay, Kim,” he said wearily, picking up her reluctance. His manner and voice closed the case. They both looked toward the office as the phone rang. Ted put his hands on his head, rubbing at his temples. Kim looked at the time. It was 8:00 pm. The answering machine clicked on. “Ted it’s Janice.” Ted got up and disappeared into the office, closing the door behind him. “How’s Beth?” he asked, picking up the phone. “Beth’s okay, Ted. How are you doing?” “Sick,” he said simply. “Just incredibly sick. It’s god awful.” “Well, curl up and get well. Don’t worry about anything.” “Kim mailed the doctor’s note. You should get it tomorrow.” “Alright,” Janice acknowledged, “We talked to judge Owens. He wanted me to tell you that he accepts that you’re out for legitimate reasons.” “Okay.” “To answer your question,” she now said, “Beth’s doing okay. I finished questioning her. She was better on Monday, more composed. Her cross examination was quick. They asked about the relationship between her and her husband and if she knew anything, trying to get her to admit that she had helped her husband plan anything. She held up.” “Good.” Ted was fading. His head hurt. “Just go to my desk and pick up any of my notes,” he said. “Is there anything else?” “I just wanted to know if you wanted to stress anything in the closing argument, something I should mention. I think we’ve been over it all before.” “I trust you, Jan,” he said, because it was true, and because he could feel the weariness settling over him like a fog. “Okay, Ted,” she said, noticing that he was drifting. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow. According to the weather reports we’re in for a long night. Batten down the hatches and get some sleep.” Ted hung up the phone and walked over to the window. He pulled aside one of the slats in the blinds and looked out. The glass was cool to his touch. He coughed deeply and leaned weakly against the window, his hot and throbbing head relishing the coolness of it. He watched the clouds hanging thickly, not seeming to move, watching rain slash in sideways sheets against the windows in the gusting wind. If the rain kept up like this they probably wouldn’t have court tomorrow. He wouldn’t care. The case was in good hands and Janice was worth her weight in gold. He was glad she was on the case. If she won this case she would deserve to be U.S. attorney. Right now he didn’t want to contemplate that. It was kind of a funny thing. It was his case, she had stepped up to finish it, they had both worked very hard on it, they had a masterful lawyer there in Ben Meadows, and tonight he didn’t care about any of it. He thought he’d sit in the office for a while, sit up in the recliner that stood opposite his bookcases. He didn’t think he was able to read, but at least if he sat up for a while it might ease the cough and he might be able to enjoy the rain. He knew that he would enjoy it more now that Kim was here and not out in it. He really did need to tell her how grateful he was for her presence. Maybe he would just sit here and think about his feelings for Kim Hemming. He didn’t know how he had managed for the last ten years after the divorce, and even the last twenty. Maybe he did know. He knew it was Kim who held his hand when it needed holding through all those hard moments and the good ones, too. Maybe he should take her along on the journey so they could walk together. But something stopped him. Leslie. Leslie had been in love with him, too. He always thought it was strange that Leslie had left him. She had known that he was devoted to his work, that he loved it and that sometimes it took all of his time. And yet she had decided not to finish the marriage. Kim knew what he was, but she didn’t raise his children or share his house, or make demands on his time. Maybe it was because she had her own work to do. Kim wasn’t’ like Leslie at all. Suddenly he knew that he loved Kim Hemming. The discovery pierced through the weariness, the lethargy, and made him smile. Yes, he loved her. He really did. 6 A sudden gust of wind whipped a sheet of rain against the cool glass, and Ted blinked, startled from his reverie. A loud crash shook the house, rattling some ships bells he had hanging in the office and rattling some glassware in his kitchen. He stepped back from the window, suddenly alert. His heart raced for a moment and there was the flicker of a light and a long shadow stood in the doorway. Ted looked toward the door, making out Kim’s face. “Hey, what on earth!” was all she said. Together they went into the living room and looked out the window. Rain pelted it making it hard for either of them to see. Ted turned on the light; the power was still on. The TV news reporter jabbered in the background. He made his way to the front door, opening it. Kim met him there as a gust of wind slammed into them, pushing her into his arms. He hugged her tightly to keep them both from falling. He reached out, but couldn’t catch the door. Kim disentangled herself and walked outside, he came behind her. Together they caught the door and pulled against the wind, slamming it shut, rattling the glass pains. They leaned against the door, Kim’s hair wet, falling over his shoulder. He leaned out of weakness and surprise into her. Kim felt the unnatural feverish warmth of his body and shivered. The spark grew inside her, she held to him and then stepped aside. Ted took Kim’s hand and led her around to the side of the house, where they could see out the large plate glass window that faced the Matheson property. “There,” he said. “Oh my God. Oh Kim.” His voice shook with relief and agitation. “Thank God John and Vivien moved out three months ago.” Ted took Kim back into the living room and they sat down on the couch. Ted moved away from her. “Too late, honey,” she said. “If you’ve got it, I’ve got it. I breathed the same air you did when the wind knocked us into the house.” She laughed. “it’s okay. We’re friends.” For a crazy moment Ted wanted to pull Kim against him and put her head on his shoulder but that wouldn’t be good. She was probably already overdue to catch this nasty sickness of his. And then something in her eyes made him catch her gaze and hold it. Kim saw something, too. She saw the truth. The truth that he had pulled out of himself. She saw it in his liquid feverish eyes and she moved closer to him. “I’m taking advantage of a man who isn’t at his best,” she thought. “Oh well, she thought, as she let herself be pulled to him, it’s too late now And he does love me. I can see it. They stayed like that for a while, not talking, only gazing into each other’s eyes till she gently moved away from him. She reached out and took his hands in both of hers and looked into his liquid, kind blue eyes. “Well, I guess I’m stuck here now. I can’t get out of the driveway. Not with that giant tree in the way.” Ted got up and helped Kim to her feet. They walked to the window again and looked outside. They looked at the tree, blocking the street, the branches splayed out, reaching over the entrance to the driveway, the wind whipping the leaves furiously, scattering them across the driveway and piling them against the front porch. A sound like gunfire echoed through the house as a branch snapped off the tree and landed in Ted’s driveway, just to the side of Kim’s car. Ted started to cough, wracked by the spasms, he leaned against the window. Kim came to him and rubbed his back. He was hot. She stood there for a moment letting her hand rest lightly between his shoulder blades. After a few moments the coughing eased. He put his hands on his ribs and rubbed them. Kim caressed his forehead. “Go back to bed,” she said. “No. I’ll sit up. This happens at night.” He sat in the recliner in the office and Kim retrieved the blanket and the cough syrup. He swallowed a good amount of the medicine, closing his eyes. “I’ll be alright,” he assured his friend. “Just give me time. It’s easier to sit up and relax till it’s over. I’ll go to bed later.” “The tree,” she said quietly. “No one lives back there, Kim. We’ll call the city in the morning if they don’t’ already know about it.” Kim woke as usual at 5:00 AM. Normally she would be to work in an hour, but she wasn’t going anywhere today, and not because Ted needed her. She suspected that he was over the worst of the influenza, that his only obstacle now would be the fatigue and the persistent cough. He could take care of himself, all the chores were caught up, and there was food in the house. The simple truth was the tree blocked her car, the street was flooded, and she suspected the brakes on her car didn’t work now because they were wet. Ted’s house sat up on a raised foundation and the water had come up almost to the front steps. Last night the rain had persisted and the wind had howled fiercely. Iowa hadn’t seen a storm like this in twenty years the radio announcer had told her when Kim had finally gone to bed. Now she lay here in the big queen bed, large enough for his two daughters, and certainly comforting to her. She could smell the coffee starting to brew, the coffee she had gotten ready last night before finally going to bed. “You don’t have to ask me if you can do anything, Kim,” Ted said as the cough syrup lulled him into drowsiness, “make yourself at home.” In the back of his mind he had thought “I hope you’ll make this home. We’ll talk about that.” ON her way to bed at midnight she looked into the office. Snooty was curled up on Ted’s chest. Ted lay sleeping in the recliner comforted by the blanket and the cat, his head relaxed in a corner, his eyes closed. Then she quietly made her way back to the room, stopping to look once again at the tree that lay across the side of the house, trapping her there. Now it was quiet and she could hear water dripping off the eaves of the house. Earlier Ted had gotten up and gone to his room. She had heard him cough a few times but now there was no sound from that part of the house. A clock ticked in the guest room, a chime gently wafted to her from somewhere. She hadn’t noticed that Ted had a chiming clock. Fully awake, she got up and dressed. She felt oddly domesticated today, perhaps it was the cold weather, the comforting house, her friendship with Ted. There just seemed to be a sense of well being this morning. Snooty met her outside Ted’s room, meowing a greeting. “Hello Snooty. So you’re used to me now? Did you take care of Ted last night?” She looked into the room. All was quiet. The floor was clear of clothing, his nightstand organized so that he could easily find his medications. He lay covered up, peaceful, at ease, the fever having not returned since earlier that evening. He slept deeply and easily and she was glad. She sat in the kitchen with her coffee. She had spied the chiming clock. It was in the hallway outside the kitchen and just before the living room. It chimed gently now as she picked up her telephone. “Hey, Angie. We’re not opening today. The storm is bad. Are you guys okay?” Kim listened. “Yeah? Well Ted’s house was barely missed by a tree last night. I’m actually stuck here.” She laughed. “Not such a bad thing,” Angie said. “How’s he doing?” “Doc Miller told him to stay home, stay in bed and leave the arguing to someone else. He’ll be okay in a week or two. Nothing time and sleep won’t cure.” “And some cool hands?” Angie teased her. “Angie, I think you’re great, you never mince words do you.” “No,” her friend said wisely. “He’ll thank you later, Kim. He won’t forget your kindness.” Kim watched as shades of sunlight began to peek through the open window. The clouds were breaking up, but she could hear the wind still restless against the house. She looked up as a shadow fell across the entrance of the kitchen. “well,” Kim said cheerily, “look who’s here? Good morning.” Ted rubbed his eyes. “Hi.” He went to the cabinet and got a tea bag and then put some water in the microwave. He sat down wearily. “The city is coming tomorrow,” she said. “Seems your place wasn’t the only one to get decked by a tree.” “Oh,” he sniffled. “Is everything okay?” “yeah. The world is quieter now. The restaurant is closed for a few days.” “And the federal court?” Ted wanted to know. “Janice called,” she told him. “She left a message on your answering machine. I didn’t’ listen to it. I heard something about Monday. Could court be recessed till Monday? I wasn’t paying attention.” “Probably,” Ted said quietly. She looked at him. He seemed coherent if a little weary. “How’s your head?” she asked, concern in her voice. “It’s better,” he replied. “I’m just tired.” “Doc said you’d be tired. Just rest, honey. Snooty’s great company,” she smiled. “Everything’s in order.” “I see that,” he responded, sniffling. “Ted,” she said causing him to look up and focus his gaze on her. “You know I’m stuck here for a day or two.” “Oh?” He seemed surprised. He got up and Kim followed him to the alcove where he looked out the window and saw the two cars submerged in water, mud starting to crust on the exposed frames. “Nasty,” he said. “They’ll have to be repainted.” Then he turned to Kim. “I’m not good company,” he apologized. “But you’re welcome here. Just another one of our adventures together.” He went back into the kitchen and sat down. She sat across from him. “Kim,” he said after a moment. “Yes, Ted?” “I’m glad you’re here.” She caught his gaze. She reached out and took his hands, holding them gently. The bell on the microwave pinged. “Ted. NO strings attached. We’re friends. And you’re welcome.” He got up and made the tea then returned to his place. sitting here with the tree blocking her car and her friend in such distress, Kim still felt easy. She was beginning to enjoy being with him, even if it was at time like this when life wasn’t always at its best. Somehow, more and more, Kim Hemming, the independent restaurant owner, one who had always sought her own counsel, was getting comfortable with someone else’s company. Maybe in a week she’d be back to being independent and Ted would be back to his busy ways, but for now, this was comfortable. And she still wanted to lay her cards out on the table about her feelings. Somehow, she thought that Ted Hamilton could handle her admission of love for him. They had been friends for twenty years. They would get through this week and the next, and the next. More silence passed between them. “Are you hungry, Ted? It’s 11:00. You slept all morning.” “Maybe a little bit hungry.” He got up and came to her, putting his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it lightly. “Maybe you could make some eggs.” Ted got to his feet. “I’ll go see what Janice had to say.” Kim rummaged around in the kitchen for a skillet and utensils and got to work making eggs. She also looked for some berries she had picked up at the store. Berries weren’t too demanding on ones time or digestion and were light enough. Sometimes you just wanted something simple. Snooty came into the kitchen, looked at her at the stove an decided she was friendly. He stood there stiff legged and with his ears pricked up, eyes soft. Kim smiled. “Oh alright Snooty. If your master says you can have some.” “He likes to beg,” came Ted’s congested, quiet voice. “You can give him some. He’ll never forgive me if I don’t let you feed him.” “What did Janice say?” Kim asked, placing a minuscule amount of egg on a small plate Ted had handed her and putting it on the floor. “You were right. Some of the jurors are having trouble with their houses, trees knocked down and some flooding. Court’s out till Monday. Jan’s giving the closing argument on Monday.” Kim brought two plates to the table. Ted eyed his cautiously, then held Kim’s eyes. “Kim,” he said quietly. “Sit down here for a minute. I want to tell you something before I go back to bed.” “Alright, Ted. What’s on your mind.” She was listening. She sat across from him. He put a forkful of eggs into his mouth to give himself time to think. “Kim, we’ve been friends a long time. I know you’re busy. I’m busy. I’m an attorney, that’s just how it is sometimes. I can’t help that, really. Leslie my x wife decided I spent too much time working. Our marriage would have been better but I didn’t want to give up my work. I mean.” He paused. He rubbed his head. “I need to finish this quickly.” Kim focused her attention on him. He was flushed and fading but she knew he would finish his speech. She was all ears. Kim I love you. I can’t wait to see you each week. We’re good for each other. I want you to know that. I’m not asking for any over night changes. I guess I’m putting myself out on a limb. You could tell me not to come back anymore after twenty years. I know you’re busy. I don’t know what else to say. Maybe I’m sick and I’m not myself but it’s been in my head a long time. I don’t quite know how to say it. I don’t have any fancy words or arguments or anything. I just love you.” Ted’s admission was childlike and it made Kim feel sad to see him struggle with the words. “I don’t know what I expect. I want to be with you. I am going to stop talking now before I start not making sense. Kim watched him sip slowly from his cup. He put it down and looked at her again. In a ritual that had become familiar to them over the years, she pushed aside the plates and cups and reached for his hands. He extended them to her. Their fingers entwined and their eyes met and explored the unspoken words both of them held. Finally, after a moment, Kim broke the companionable, revealing silence. “I knew that last night when you were holding me. I knew before that. I am glad you love me, Ted. Because to tell the truth, I love you, too. And don’t stop coming around to see me. Not after twenty years. Don’t even think of it.” Ted smiled now. It was the easiest smile he had smiled since waking up Sunday morning in such distress. He finished his breakfast and pushed back his plate. His blue eyes twinkled. Kim had done it again. The world was in order. Ted slept most of the day and through the night. He did not notice when the tree removal officer came to get the tree out of his yard, the tree he had once tried to prune unsuccessfully. He slept under the cool hands of the medicine Doc Miller had given him, and let Kim keep things in order. The city in Iowa afflicted by the storm went about its business. Angie and Joe cleaned out their house. Kim left Ted sleeping to check on her own house. It had been spared. Others had not. While Ted regained his strength, the city came back to some sense of order. When Ted Hamilton returned to defending the U.S. government against those who would try to take advantage of its bureaucratic ways, the Jameson case had been resolved. Defense attorneys would appeal the guilty verdict. Ted Hamilton would be there to argue against remission of the verdict. But now, before the arguing and the writing began, the city needed to rebuild, people’s houses needed rebuilding, and there was money that needed to be raised to help with all of these projects. The recovery efforts allowed Ted to get to work on the idea that had begun in his congested head the day Kim had told him she was looking for a loan for the restaurant. “She’ll never take a check from me,” he explained to Janice Cross who had ably guided the Jameson case to a successful conclusion. “We’ll have our party at Kim’s Cafe. It will bring in some income for them. We can make it a fund raiser to help some of the employees rebuild their houses. Kim’s café can bring in money for the city and for her. And we can call it a thank you dinner for all of our help on the Jameson case. Ben tells me your arguments were piercing. They brought the jury to tears. I’ve yet to see the transcripts.” “Don’t believe him,” Janice said, pushing aside Ted’s mellow dramatic comment. “It doesn’t take much to bring a jury to tears these days. It was all you. It was your notes. My words.” “Don’t be silly, Jan. You are a good attorney in your own right. It’s why both our names are up before the senate nominating committee for U.S. attorney.” “That’s going to take a while,” Janice said. “Indeed. Hopefully not too long this time Not after the last one.” They both knew how long it had taken to get an appointment the last time a U.S. attorney had been chosen for the southern district of Iowa. “A little competition,” she said, smiling. “I wish you the best.” Ted put out his hand. Janice took it and held it. “Jan, when the chips were down you were there for this case and I was home sleeping. We’ll see if the senate looks at this case and determines who the next U.S. attorney should be.” “A question of politics,” she said. “Somehow one always hopes they’ll make a decision based on who’s actually qualified for the job.” “Well, in that case,” Janice smiled, “it will be a cat fight because we’re both right in there.” “Touché,” said the lead prosecutor on the Jameson case. “I’ve been bested.” “Not yet. Now about the check business. Don’t you think it would be a bit dishonest to do this without her knowing? I mean isn’t your friendship based on honesty?” “On a good day, yes,” Ted said. “But I want to help. She wants to take out money to invest it. I want to give her the money. If we generate enough money then she won’t have to take it out. It’ll have to be over her operating costs.” “Alright,” Janice said, “I’ll put everything in order. You get the date cleared with Kim and I’ll do the rest.” Three months passed and now last night at Kim’s Café, wine flowed and vegetable platters and canapés disappeared. “I see dollar signs in your eyes,” assistant U.S. attorney Ted Hamilton said, coming up to a table where Kim sat talking to Angie and sliding in beside her. “Hey,” replied the restaurant owner. “How much of all of this has to do with you?” “Me?” he smiled a little, it was more like a blush. “What did I do?” “Come on counselor,” Kim teased mischievously, “after twenty years I know this has something to do with you.” “Are you rejecting my largess?” “Me? After sleeping in your guest room and cooking for you? Cooling your fevered brow and all that? Me? Reject largess?” Angie discretely slipped away. “Hey,” Kim said more seriously. “You had a case. Your team of four federal prosecutors strategized, worked, took depositions, gathered evidence, coaxed witnesses and slam dunked the opposition and so you can celebrate.” “Slam dunked the opposition, I don’t’ think I’ve ever heard it put like that before. Ok,” he smiled. “They’ll be back and I’ll be typing like a madman writing appeals briefs. But in the meantime.” “In the meantime you have a friend who owns a restaurant who knows how to put on a bash and so here you are.” “Sure and I have a friend who knows how to get people to a bash. So here we are. I still think I see dollar signs in your eyes.”
Copyright © 2008 Shelley J Alongi |