Chapter 6

“Mom, I know I promised I wouldn’t push you, but this is tearing me up. I mean one minute I think your answer is going to be yes and the next minute my hopes are dashed.”

“I know, Chris, I know. It’s tearing me apart as well. It’s just that my heart says one thing and my head says another.”

It was a Saturday morning and Tawny had one of her rare days off so the two sat at the breakfast table enjoying some bacon and eggs.

“Look,” she said, “If this is holding you back from asking out someone...”

“No, Mom, there is no someone. I don’t want someone. I want you! I’m willing to wait but the uncertainty is killing me.”

“I know I have to decide, so I’ll make you this promise. I will give you a final answer tonight. Fair enough?”

“Yeah,” he answered smiling, but with a cloud of worry as well. “Then how about a date tonight?”

“Oh, Honey, I don’t know if...”

“Look, Mom, this may be the last date we ever have. Besides I’d like one final chance to convince you we belong together.”

“Well, when you put it like that...”

“Come on,” he said brightening to the possibility, “What say I take you out to dinner and a movie. That new movie is playing, the one you said you wanted to see. You know about the guy and girl who time travel to be with each other.”

Tawny could see the hope in his eyes, wanted desperately at this moment to please him. “Okay, Mr. Owens, it’s a date, but you have to make me a promise.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

“That no matter what I decide, you will abide by it and even if the answer is no, you won’t keep trying to change my mind.”

“I promise,” he replied. “Hey ... and wear that dress, okay?”

Tawny blushed. She had mixed feelings on their first date because while she was aware that she garnered the attention of several men ... and a woman or two, as well as the admiring eyes of her son, she had to admit she enjoyed knowing she was still attractive enough to turn heads. On the other hand it had been so long since she had been out in public, especially dressed in such a provocative outfit, that she had felt totally embarrassed as well.

“You don’t think it’s a bit much?” she asked, hoping he might settle for something a bit less revealing.

“Not at all,” he answered smiling. “A beautiful woman doesn’t need to hide her beauty. She should be sharing it. Besides it could be the last time I see you in it.”

Her smile was warm. He knew just what to say to make her feel so good about herself.

“All right, Mr. Owens, I’ll wear it just for you.”

They dined at a small Italian restaurant complete with checkered tablecloth and lighted candle on the table. Tawny couldn’t remember a dinner she had enjoyed more. She saw the love and hope in Chris’ eyes and knew her own eyes reflected those emotions. She was still torn about her decision, but for the time they spent together she was able to drop her guard completely and simply enjoy his company, the food and the feelings of love which permeated her entire being.

Then it was on to the movie. Chris selected seats on the back row which at first aroused feelings of unease, but they settled in, the movie began and she began to enjoy the story which was unfolding on the screen before them.

About half way through the movie she felt his hand reach over and take hers. Again, there was initial unease but she allowed it as long as things progressed no further. Yet despite the fact that Chris made no more moves toward intimacy, Tawny felt her temperature begin to rise and her heart race as she looked over to him and saw him mouth the words “I love you.”

Tears misted in the corners of her eyes and she felt her heart flutter the same way it had done when she and jIm had met those many years ago. She tried to concentrate on the movie but knew she could not. She loved this young man — as a son, yes, but gradually, she realized, she had fallen in love with him as well. She knew she was going to have to say no, yet she was heartbroken to think of doing so, not only because of her own heartache, but because of the disappointment she would have to see in his eyes, in his voice and most of all in his actions. No longer would she feel his presence as a man, a man who could love her, protect her, who wanted nothing more than to spend his life with her. She must do it she told herself, but how could she bring herself to hurt the very person she cared most about in the entire world?

The movie now seemed interminable, but at last the closing credits began to roll and they walked arm in arm from the theatre.

As they walked across the parking lot and approached the car she drew up with a start.

“Oh, Chris, my purse. I must have left it in the theatre.”

“No problem,” he said giving her his car keys then turning and beginning to jog back to the cinema, “Get in the car and lock the doors. I’ll be right back.”

She saw him disappear into the lobby and turned to do as he had suggested when she was brought up short by the two white men who had obviously approached from the darkened area of the lot. Both were unkempt and reeked of alcohol.

“Going somewhere, gorgeous?” one of them asked leering.

“Yeah,” said the other somewhat taller one with a two-day growth of beard, “with a body like that, you shouldn’t be in such a hurry.”

“My ... friend will be right back.” she stammered, now afraid as both men moved closer preventing her from opening the car door.

“Friend, eh?” said the first glancing at the second smiling, “looks to me like we got us a cougar who likes ‘em young.”

“Well, babe, we got a lot more to offer than junior there, so why don’t you just come on back to our car and we’ll show you a really good time!”

“No, I’m not interested.” she said, trying to sound self confident, but the words came out more pleading than forceful.

“Oh, you’re interested all right. Showing off those tits and that round little ass says a lot about what you want.”

“No, I...”

But one of the men grabbed her arm and was starting to pull her into the unlit recess of the lot when a voice came out of the darkness.

“Turn loose of her or you’ll regret it.”

All three turned to see Chris lay the purse aside, his fists clenching.

“Well, well, if it isn’t junior. Come back to save your little black piece of ass.”

“That too, but first iIm going to put you both in the hospital,” said Chris moving to within arms length of the two.

The two men looked at each other then smiled, unbelieving.

“Just what makes you think you can take on the both of us?” snorted the shorter one.

“Five years of training and a black belt in Karate,” said Chris lowering into a fighting position.

“Kid, you been watching too many movies,” said the larger one whipping out a knife. Tawny gasped.

Before the man could make any kind of move Chris grabbed his arm, disarmed him and brought a crop across his throat. The man gasped for air, his eyes bulging and fell to the ground.

“Your turn,” said Chris, his eyes meeting those of the other assailant.

But the shorter man had seen enough, turned tail and ran disappearing into the darkness.

Chris picked up the knife, threw it into the bushes and addressed the man who still could not get his breath.

“More?” asked Chris.

The man held up his hand in surrender and crawled away,

Chris gathered up the purse, held the door for Tawny, then climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“Five years of Karate and a black belt?” smiled Tawny. “You’ve never had a Karate lesson in your life.”

“Well, not exactly true,” answered Chris, returning the smile. “About six months ago the school brought in a Karate teacher. He was a black belt. He gave a talk about self defense and wouldn’t you know it, the one demonstration he showed us was how to disarm someone with a knife. I must say I’m glad I paid attention.”

“You could have gotten yourself killed.”

“And let them lay a hand on you? No way. I don’t know what you’ll decide later, but right now you are my woman and as such I will do anything to keep you safe.”

“My god, Chris, I never realized...”

“I love you Tawny Owens,” he said as they turned out onto the street and headed home, “Right now you belong to me. I like that feeling. I hope you’ll decide that you like it too. I want to spend my life with you. Nothing more.”

She sat back in her seat stunned at what she had just seen and heard.

The ride home was thoughtful and quiet.

“What’s your answer?” he asked.

They had arrived home, he had helped her out of her coat and stood expectantly.

“I’m going upstairs for a moment. I’ll ... I’ll give you my answer when I return.”

She knew he was watching her as she ascended the stairs, her mind whirling. Slipping into her bedroom she wondered not only what but how she should tell Chris her answer. What should she say, and how should she say it?

What he wanted seemed impossible. A woman her age making a life with a seventeen year-old? They couldn’t live here. Where would they go? How would they live? From what Trudy had told her and what she had seen that day in the bedroom she was sure Chris was all the man she would ever need or want, but was she enough for him? Would he grow tired of her, want more, wind up leaving her? It just seemed there were too many questions.