Love By Touch

Chapter Four

Chapter Four: Come Down with Love

Charlotte Durban drove home solemnly regretting ever picking up Kasia’s phone last night.  This time it was an accident though, she didn’t mean to look into Kasia’s personal life the text was just…open.  Ugh, why did she have to be so nosy, especially in matters concerning her daughter?  Surely other parents weren’t as worried all the time as she was.  Charlotte couldn’t help it though; she was restless and wanted grandchildren before she was too old to appreciate them, and forty-five was definitely too old.  Charlotte worried that Kasia was too work-oriented.  She wondered how she was ever to get grandchildren without giving Kasia a little push.  Apparently, this time she had pushed too much and had taken yet another step too far.

But in her defense, Blake sounded to be absolutely in love with Kasia.  Allowing that Blake was attractive, Charlotte completely approved, but Kasia was too stubborn to succumb to him or any man for that matter.  For once, Charlotte wished her daughter would take a risk; at the least use one of the gifts she buys her.  She bought it for a reason; no woman never gets those certain urges.  But as far as Charlotte knew, her daughter had never experimented with it at all.  It was strange, to downright unorthodox to her how Kasia could possibly resist for so long, especially in her career with so many muscles and tight butts.  Charlotte knew how she’d fair if she were in Kasia’s position, out within ten minutes of the first sign of a six pack.  Kasia doesn’t seem to be interested in the physical stuff though.  She even goes as far to cover her body.  That is a travesty Charlotte would never understand.  If you got it, flaunt it.  Even just once in a while.  Why can’t Kasia be a little more care-free?  Just a smidge.  Not to say she needs changing but…only a bit.

Charlotte parked her car in the garage, exited the vehicle, and made her way to the front door.  She inserted the key into the slot turned it and opened the door to her duplex.  The architecture was like the modern styles of any other gated communities but held a dominant Mexican look with the pueblo colored walls and red tile roof.  Whatever it looked like it was cheap and Charlotte called it home.  Charlotte sighed, she never liked being alone because then it caused her to think.  God knows how much she despised that after that fateful day.  But Charlotte was immovable; she wouldn’t allow herself to think of anything that brought her too much pain.  Even if some of the happiest moments of her life were laced within that dull pain.  Charlotte quickly made her way to the cabinet that held the liquor.  Feeling a thirst for some tequila.  She opened the doors to the cabinet and picked up the bottle and shook it. Empty.  She picked out the vodka.  Empty.  Had she drunk all the alcohol in this house?

“Oh, shoot,” she frowned dismayed.

Memories started to pour in, all of him; his laugh, his walk, his voice.  The tears prickled her eyes.

“Oh dear, I’m a wallowing bat at the age of thirty-nine,” she said aloud in a pitiful voice full of sorrow.

Why’d it have to be so hard?  I mean he abandoned her, she shouldn’t mope about so.  Yet she felt so alone all the time, partially the reason she was so intrusive with her daughter because she had no one else to talk to.  Charlotte pulled out some paperwork from her briefcase trying to get her mind off of it.

She pulled out a file or two and smack dab in the middle of both files were the words ‘Divorce File’.    She opened the files and started to read up her clients so apparently these couples were fighting over money and the custody of the children.  She had hoped to distract herself momentarily with her work, but it had only served to remind her of her misery.  Charlotte wiped her tears away, and focused on bringing her emotions into check.  As soon she had calmed herself thoroughly, the phone rang.

She sniffled and picked up the receiver.

“Hello,” she answered the phone dearly hoping that it was Kasia.  She couldn’t stand Kasia being mad at her much longer.  I mean true more often that not Kasia had a right to be mad but still Charlotte didn’t think she could be blamed for caring too much.  She just cared about her daughter and her well-fare much to the point where she believed she knew what was best for her, even if she didn’t.

“H-hello?  Is this Mrs. Durban?” a young man’s voice rang.

“Um yes.  Who’s speaking?”

“Well my name is Blake.  Blake Hadley.”

Charlotte smiled not expecting this delightful surprise.  “Oh you’re that boy from Kasia’s phone.  How are you?”

“Um I’m fine I just wanted to call you and ask you how Kasia is.  She hasn’t been returning my texts or calls lately,” Blake replied.

“Oh she’s fine a bit on the horny side but you know girls, raging hormones and what not.  She just got a job at Dinner and a Show as a dancer.”

“R-really?” his voice squeaked before he cleared his throat; he was obviously distracted by Charlotte’s first statement, “well, she was always a marvelous dancer that girl.  Listen Mrs. Durban there was another reason for my call though,” Blake hesitated.

“Oh really and what is that?” Charlotte grinned happily.

“Well I was wondering- well not so much wondering as asking if you would allow me to-to.”

“Just spit it out,” Charlotte had an idea of what the boy would ask but she didn’t dream to dare to hope that the announcement was what she imagined it to be.  After all, she has been wrong many a time before in the past.

“I wanted to know if I could have Kasia’s hand in marriage,” he said in return confidently.

Charlotte squealed, maybe her grandchildren weren’t as far away as she had originally thought.  “Oh Blake I’m—I mean she’ll be so happy.  When do you plan on asking her?  Not over the phone I do hope.”

“No I plan on flying in to Chicago before the week is out to propose officially.  I just wanted your permission first.  Kasia was always so close to you and I thought it only appropriate to get permission from her number one influence in advance.”

“Oh what a gentleman,” Charlotte cooed.  “I fully approve.  What’s the ring?  Diamonds, rubies?” Charlotte trailed off in an anxious string, imagining the stone shining on Kasia's petite finger.

“Garnet,” Blake answered Charlotte’s burning question.

Garnet?  Well he better make up in looks what he lacks in money.  Who buys a garnet engagement ring?

“I know garnet isn’t very extravagant, but it's my birth stone and I wanted her to be reminded of me each and every time she looked at it or wore it.”

Now that’s more like it?  Now that was truly romantic.

“Hey I know!  I’ll buy you a ticket out here for her first performance this Saturday at Dinner and a Show.  It’s perfect the flowers the, praise, and a proposal on top of it she won’t be able to resist.  Even I’m jealous,” Charlotte told Blake her master plan.

“That sounds like a great idea,” an enthused Blake responded quickly.

“Wonderful, I’ll call you later with all of the details. At this number right? Right. Buh-bye.”  Charlotte hung the phone up.  She couldn’t believe it Kasia getting married.  Her mind went over bridal shops and fine bakeries, florists and musicians, colors and food options.  She would have a fabulously glamorous wedding; a dream wedding.  Charlotte grinned amazingly happy and joyous for all that was in store for her beloved daughter.