Stranger at My Door

CH 36 Ana

CH 36 Ana

“Oh no!” I say horrified and arousing Christian from the couch where he fell asleep a few minutes ago – he is always so tired.

Dad and I are on the sofa watching T.V. when E! Tonight comes on. There in living color is a picture of me walking out of the grocery store my spaghetti striped top and matching skirt. Though, the horrible thing is that they have added a bubble with the contents of the bag. “I cannot believe this!” Dad hugs me and Christian’s unfocussed eyes are taking in the news.

“… and while Ms. Steele is being domestic back in Washington, Mr. Grey and his conquest…” They show a picture of Christian in an elevator looking down; only the top of his head is visible but it is clearly him. There is a young and pretty brunette with large breasts; I bet she is the French woman he told me about – she is prettier than I thought. She is looking up at him with seductive eyes and a shy smile; I do not hear the rest of what the broadcaster says.

“What the Fuck!” Christian screams reaching for his cell phone and waking Christy up in the process. She looks on the verge of crying.

Dad squeezes my hand and walks over to Christy. “You know, I think there are Oreos in the pantry.” Dad tells a bewildered Christy. “Cookies, dear, let’s get some cookies and milk.” Dad winks at me and smiles widely. Christy shakes her head at him while she sucks her thumb. “Alright, then, I’ll bring them to you. Stay right there!”

Christian is pacing back and forth while he talks on the phone – I cannot hear what he is saying but his face is cold and calculating, he looks taller and commanding. There is no doubt he is in full C.E.O. mode and perhaps with some dominant alter ego thrown in as well. He looks handsome, angry and hot as hell.

Dad comes back with milk and Oreos. “Here Christy, let me show you how to eat them.” Her face lights up like a Christmas tree. Dad grabs a cookie and slowly twists it until it splits leaving the cream filling exposed. Dad then scrapes the soft cream off with his teeth making humming noises as if it is the most delicious treat around. Then he dips the chocolate cookie in milk and eats it. To this day, it is the way I eat Oreos. Christy watches him in awe; her little hands and mouth mimicking what dad is doing.

When dad gives her an Oreo, she tries to split it but it doesn’t work; her face wrinkling in frustration. So dad laughs and helps her; she smiles brightly when her cookie separates. She tentatively licks the soft sugary cream.  However, instead of dunking it in milk, Christy jumps off the couch and runs to me offering a now crumbling cookie in her hands. I eat it and kiss her on the nose. She runs back to dad and extends her hand for more.

“Hello!” I answer my cell phone without even looking at the caller id.

“Darling! I saw you on the news!”

“Hi mom. There is no news.”

“Sweetie, you have competition! You need to step up your game or he is going to slip through your fingers!”

“Not everything on the television is real, mother.” Christian has stopped pacing and is looking at me with piercing eyes. I shrug my shoulders and shake my head. He sighs, starts dialing some phone number and walks away. “I have to go mother, thanks for calling.”

“Well dear I can give you some ideas. You know from experience.”

“I’ll keep that in mind mother. I really have to go now.” I finally get off the phone, turn it off, and look over to Christy who has a face smeared with chocolate.

Dad is smiling. “Thanks dad.” He looks at me with raised eyebrows. “Mom wanted to remind me that she has some experience with men and if I want she can give me pointers.” Dad closes his eyes, nods, and then he offers me my very own Oreo. I kneel next to them, twist the cookies, lick the filling, and dunk the cookies in milk. Like that, Christy, dad, and I eat Oreos for a few minutes.