Blinded

Tabbi had named her store Sugary Sweets. She had wanted it to be simple and to the point. Her specialty was in chocolate but she made a variety of cookies, tarts and miniature cakes. The store had grown in popularity over the last two years. More and more she was being asked to cater to various events. Skylar had been telling her for years she needed to hire on more help. I understood it was hard to find people she trusted. Perhaps it was time for me to introduce Tabbi to Sam. With Sam’s background I was certain they would take Sugary Sweets to the next level.

“Good morning,” I announced as I helped myself through the back door.

Tabbi whirled around, cream filled piping bag in hand. This weekend’s cake was her take on a cream pie with strawberries decorating the top. She had finished a good dozen of them and they neatly lined the back counter. I had forgotten the smell of the kitchen and sighed as if I had reached heaven. The sweet heat didn’t bother me in the least and I could almost taste the chocolate in the air. I looked her over, she seemed to be in good health. Her black hair was extremely curly, tight curls that all girls with straight hair would die for. Obviously she hated them. She kept her hair short, but long enough to pin into a tail so it wasn’t loose while she baked. Her brown eyes darted at me between narrowed slits. I shrugged.

“Kale, you weren’t supposed to show up till noon.”

“Oh hush,” I said as I hung my purse and coat on a hook by the door. I also grabbed a black and red tight form t-shirt to cover the tank top I was wearing. Tabbi had lace like aprons folded on a shelf and I snatched up one of them. There was no fuss over what you wore from the hips down. Tabbi personally enjoyed her black jeans. I had opted for a stretchy dress pant, I found them comfortable to work in and barely wore anything else lately.

“Kale, it’s going to be a long day if you start now.”

“I don’t mind helping. Besides without anyone to help you it will take you twice as long and you’ll be exhausted before the rush ends.”

“What am I to do with you?” she relented and returned to her piping.

Without another word I began carting the goodies into the front of the house and placing them into the display.

“I really appreciate this,” Tabbi said as she unlocked the doors. It wasn’t bound to be busy until eleven.

“Then I will come the same time tomorrow.” Tabbi moved to open her mouth and I raised my hand. “Stop thanking me. Just find someone else who is as great a pastry baker as you and hire them.”

“I really wish the hubby hadn’t stolen you for his line of work.”

“I am not a baker anyway.”

“Well I could do that... you could take care of all the other small things.”

I shook my head and turned to the back counter. Slower moments meant cleaning or getting ready for the rush. The small cake boxes needed to be pre-built. I could tackle that while Tabbi continued her kitchen work. I would mention Sam to her later.

Running the front of the shop was like riding a bicycle. Time flew by and I hadn’t made too many blunders. The newer register was the only change in the routine I had created long ago. My feet, on the other hand, killed. Despite all the walks I had with Lucas I still had tender feet at the end of the shift. I had gone soft with all the office work and sitting I did now. I was cleaning the last of the fingerprints on the glass display when Tabbi came from the kitchen.

“The last hour is always quiet. You could head home now if you want.”

“Let me finish this first.”

I hung around anyway. I had nothing better to do at home and it had been the first time in a while that I had someone, other than my pet and mother, for company. The dishwasher, a young and enthusiastic high school student, had come to help in the clean-up process a few hours after lunch. Tabbi had praised the young man so highly his cheeks had brightened a shade between pink and red, and he hadn’t left the corner at the back of the house where the racks and sinks were located since. Just before closing up the bell rang, warning us of the presence of a new customer. I was counting the first of the two tills for the night and didn’t look up as Tabbi greeted the customer. Only she could remain so chipper and enthusiastic after such a long day.

“Good evening, may I help you find something for your sweet tooth?”

I ignored the little jingle to her voice. The greeting was something I had helped her coin when she first opened.

“Perhaps.”

The voice sounded familiar. It was hard to remember where I had heard it with just two syllables. I looked up. I was shocked to see the man standing there was no other than the doctor. His eyes were locked with mine. In fact I was certain he had been staring at me before I had even looked up. I stood there gawking for far too long and smiled meekly. Then hated myself because I didn’t think myself meek and there was no reason to be.

“Good evening Ms. Burnett. It is a pleasure to see you again.”

“Thanks... I mean good evening.” I was taken aback to see that he was completely ignoring Tabbi as he closed the distance between us. While he was facing me from the other side of the counter Tabbi gave me a look. Rather she gave me her own version of the look. The one that said ‘who is this really cute guy you didn’t tell me about?’ I tried not to show I was looking over the doctor’s shoulder and chose to pay her no attention. I was definitely going to receive a call. I tried not to think of that and smiled charmingly again. Having been ignored by two people Tabbi abandoned me. She rambled on about work needing to be done in the back and gathered up the rack on her way.

“A social worker by day and a chocolatier by night, you are full of surprises aren’t you?”

“What?” I looked around and blushed. “No, no, that’s not it. I help out on occasion because Tabbi is a family friend. She’s the chocolatier. I simply handle the small things.”

“Might you help me pick something out then? I am looking for an item for a person who really likes sweet things.”

“Sure, is there anything I might need to avoid?”

“What do you mean?”

“Does this person dislike anything, or have allergies to be cautious of?”

“Not that I am aware of.”

“In that case we have a delicious take on a strawberry chocolate shortcake and it happens to be on special today. Or there’s this weekend highlight our strawberry cream pie.”

“Which of the two is your favorite?”

“Definitely the shortcake.” The doctor’s eyes lit up and I couldn’t help think his smile was beautiful. I turned hastily before he saw me staring and moved behind the display to point to the small three or four serving cake. The strawberries had been carved to take the form of miniature roses and there were three clustered together over the chocolate ganache.

“That looks pleasant. I will take it.”

I gave myself short precise orders to finish the task at hand. No stealing glances. No staring. No rambling. I boxed the cake and handed the doctor the slip with the bill. He handed me his credit card and I took a glance at the name. Ike. I had remembered his last name was Lowell from his name plate he wore at the hospital. I now had a first name to go by. He didn’t look like an Ike. I quickly rung through the bill and passed him back his card.

“When are you finished work?” the doctor asked.

I stood in a daze, maybe he was seriously flirting before after all. I didn’t get a chance to respond.

“She’s done now actually. I’m just locking up.” Tabbi had reappeared and was carrying a tray. She’d be putting the unsold items into the fridge overnight for the next day.

“What? No!” I protested, probably too loudly. I looked back to the doctor. “I can’t let her finish on her own. There’s still a lot to do.”

“Nonsense. I have help. Nathaniel has agree to stay later for me today. Go home; take a break before we start again tomorrow.”

“I will walk you home then,” the doctor offered. His eyes were gleaming in a cheerfulness that matched Tabbi.

I had no car. I couldn’t get out of walking by saying I was driving. This morning my car hadn’t started. A quick call to Basil and he said he’d have a friend look at it. The bad news, I wouldn’t have my car for the weekend. I dallied a moment as I gathered my things and tried to come up with a reason, that wasn’t stupid or corny, for why I didn’t need to be walked home. Maybe Lucas would come to pick me up. His presence could be intimidating and I was sure he wouldn’t like the doctor’s company. Returning to the front of the shop I wished good night to Tabbi and she followed us to the door in order to lock it behind us.

“Lead the way,” the doctor said as he came to stand next to me.

“You don’t have to go out of your way,” I said half-heartedly. I was beginning to wonder why I was uncomfortable with the idea of walking with him. Why shouldn’t I give whatever this might be a chance? I looked around the area and sighed. I wasn’t sure if I was disappointed now or not. I was confusing myself unnecessarily.

“Are you expecting someone?”

The doctor was observant. I wasn’t sure how much of a good thing that was. I smiled in what I hoped was assuring. “Sometimes Lucas meets me at work.” I assumed the look I was given meant the doctor thought I was lolo. I tried not to take it personally. I thought I was crazy at times. “It’s a long story.”

“Maybe it is too cold tonight.”

I was being teased. I had to be. Or the doctor was going along with this idea simply for arguments sake. I decided not press things. I turned to the direction of the apartment when a thought struck me. “Did you walk here?” Who didn’t own a car this day and age?

“I live fairly close by. I was out for a walk, window shopping, I think they called it back in my day. Mind you, with the slang of youngsters these days, I can’t imagine what you call it now,” he chuckled.

“You might be safe there. I am pretty sure it is still called window shopping.”

“Either way I am grateful I did walk today.”

“Why is that?”

“I’ve gained a beautiful companion for the remaining evening. It would be a hit to my honor if I let you refuse my offer. It’s too late and the streets are filled with oddities as of late.”

“Oddities?”

“Haven’t you heard? There’s been a kidnapping. A local teen girl taken right from her bedroom with all the doors and windows locked. As far as I know they haven’t found her and there are a couple other cases with similarities. Not all the same. The women have no link and there are no leads.”

“How local?”

“Other side of the park.”

“What is this world coming too?” I had read something about a kidnapping. I didn’t pay much attention. Later I would look into it; I was now grateful to have an acquaintance assist me home. With winter in full swing it was fairly dark out even though it was a few minutes passed eight. For a while things were silent between us. I couldn’t think of what to talk about. I didn’t know him passed his job.

“Do you have any pets?” He knew about Lucas. It seemed a good place to start.

“No. I do have three sons and at times you’d swear they were animals.”

“Mother compared my brother and I to animals at times. It must be a child’s job to act in such methods.”

“I’d hardly call you an animal. You are a far cry from my sons and I doubt you could pull the stunts they have.”

“I fear I am not as innocent as you presume.”

The doctor laughed and I couldn’t help join in the joyous sound. His deep voice reminded me of my father. His laugh was hearty too and I smiled in memory. Ike, the name suddenly appeared and I recalled he had yet to give me his first name. I had to bring it up before I slipped.

“I hope you don’t mind... I noticed your name on your card earlier. I wasn’t trying to pry.”

“Ah yes, well we are on even grounds. You can stop calling me in such a formal way now.”

“Ike is unique.”

“I have come to like it.”

The statement seemed a bit peculiar in how he said it. I was about to ask him if he was from the area when I felt my weight shift from under me. I closed my eyes in anticipation of meeting the cold ground. Warmth engulfed me and I looked around. Typically I would have fallen in an undignified position on the cold ice. Instead Ike had captured me in his arms.

“Thanks,” I mumbled and quickly recovered my balance. Ike didn’t let go. I looked over my shoulder to see him studying me. He then smiled and released me.

“Maybe I should’ve let you fall.” I stared at him in horror until he explained. “You might have needed to come visit me at the hospital.”

I chuckled. “I am sure it is only a matter of time before my thoughtlessness brings me back. I’ve had a string of bad luck since I was little actually.” I stopped for a moment when I cognized I was now the one flirting.

“Really...” he seemed genuinely interested. Perhaps continuing down the line of thought wasn’t a bad idea.

“I’ve been in and out since I was born with headaches, random illnesses and fevers; the occasional sprang from falls and, the year before last, I was hospitalized for a migraine so intense I couldn’t see. All minor stuff but my mother freaks out about small things.”

“That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Did they ever figure out what was causing these headaches?”

“Nah, and I’ve learned to live with them. The many doctors I’ve seen tell me triggers could be found with more time. We tried to discover some of them and failed. It was becoming a waste of time and I had other things I wanted to accomplish.”

Our conversation moved to his sons. His tone was serious at times and he excited easily when he was describing a time they overcame obstacles. His tales were vague, I thought he might be hiding something, or perhaps something was painful and he was avoiding it.

“You and your wife sound really proud of them?”

“I am sure she would be, however she passed many years ago.”

I paused and then spoke from experience. “I know that saying sorry will do little. I lost my father when I was young and that means I know your sons are brave to have to live life without their other parent there to help guide them.”

“They may be gone but, always remember, their memory will live on forever through the love ones left behind. In a way my wife, and your father, live on through each of our experiences. Moreover, they wouldn’t want us to stop living because they no longer can be with us in a physical form.”

I nodded and slowed, we had reached my apartment building. My mother had said similar words to me long ago and it caused a pause before I could speak. “This is me,” I said softly, as I pointed to my stop to change the subject.

“Have a wonderful evening Kale. Try to get some rest,” Ike replied.

I froze when he leaned in and pressed his lips to my cheek. I could only watch as he took a step back and walked away. In my shock I stood there before the cold reminded me of the warmth awaiting me inside. It was beyond me why I hadn’t noticed the cold as much while walking with Ike. I moved my purse from one hand to the other as I reached for my keys in my coat pocket. In the process I noted I was carrying an extra bag. At some point Ike must have handed me the bag with his cake. I raked my brain. He’d been carrying it the whole time as far as I could remember. I slipped into my apartment and looked around to spot Lucas lounging on the couch. I sighed in relief and moved to put the cake in the fridge. Tomorrow I was going to have to make a trip to the hospital. A piece of paper fell from the bag as I removed the cake box. Curious I opened the half folded note.

Happy Birthday Kale!

The simple words triggered a race of thoughts. Was he looking for a cake for me the whole time? Was our meeting a coincidence? How did he know my birthday? I easily answered the last question. He had looked in my medical records. I was certain it abused the system, using the information for personal gain. Then again it wasn’t likely to be the only time someone used the system to their advantage. My concern moved to the chance meeting. Or not so chance. Ike didn’t seem the stalker type. Yet that was the way it was with any stalker right? It wasn’t like he was going to have a sign plastered to him.

I moved to lean over the back of the couch and look down at Lucas. “You should come pick me up tomorrow after work,” I stately. Lucas responded with his typical grumbling sound and turned his head away from me. “What’s wrong? Are you pouting because I wasn’t home all day?” I moved around the couch to peer at Lucas. His eyes were closed. He puffed air through his nose and turned to face the back of the couch. “Come on, let’s go for our walk.” He didn’t budge. I tapped him on the head gently. He opened his eyes to glare at me as I leaned over him. “Come on, I said we’re going for a walk.”

Lucas closed his eyes and didn’t move. I didn’t bother pushing the subject and returned to the kitchen to begin turning off the lights for the night. I frowned at Lucas’s form when passing him on my way to the bedroom. It would be the first night he hadn’t slept in my bed since the night he had started.