About-face (closed for BeachBum25)

[BeachBum25]

"Nope, never rang the bell. I am not important enough or celebrity enough for them to have me up there to ring it. I am just a grunt, trying to make a living... off of other people's money."

He thought about what she had just rambled on about. What letter was she talking about? He never got any letter from her. He didn't even remember a hiking trip, but there was a lot he didn't remember from before the accident.

"Yankees, don't really care about the Yankees. I am a Red Sox fan. My father was born in Boston, and raised me to be a Red Sox fan. Made for some tough times growing up." He wondered if she would remember that about Matt.

 

[JustEl]

"Really? Boston? I'm from just outside Boston," Alexis said with a smile, "You know, I guess the last time I was there, was for Katy Pembrook's wedding. She's a friend from high school. You, know I haven't seen her since she got married. I'm such a bad friend!" she giggled.

Alexis thought about his reply about the Yankees. Matt still on her mind, brought back their joke, him a Red Socks fan and her not really caring about baseball, she would always bring up the Yankees with that line to change a subject. "Stop it, Alexis!!!" she told herself, "FOCUS!!!!!"

Alexis laughed as she crunched on a piece of ice from her now empty water glass, "So what's your story, a good looking guy like yourself should have had tons of women trying to get their hooks into you?"


Lowering one bare footed leg towards the ground, swinging it casually waiting on Keith's reason..............................

 

[BeachBum25]

Katy Pembrook? Alexis had been back in town for Katy Pembrook's wedding? She hadn't found out about what happened to his parents? What happened to him? No wonder he wanted out of that town as soon as possible.

"Me, there isn't much of a story. High school sweetheart.. things didn't work out. we went our separate ways in college. I decided that after college I was going to work my ass off to be a success. Once I was successful in business I realized that there was more to life than being successful in business and making money. So, here I am."

Keith looked across the table at Alexis. He sat back in his chair as he tried to read her expression. He ws wondering if he was giving her enough information to think about Matt, but not too much information to make her too inquisitive.

 

[JustEl]

"Oh, those high school sweethearts, you just never forget them, do you?" Alexis said as she took her change from the black receipt holder.

Searching for her flip flop hidden under her chair with her pink polished toes, Matt kept popping into her mind. Philip, one of Matt's best friends had came to the wedding, Alexis had spent a lot of time catching up with him and had found out the terrible accident. He had told her how badly he was scarred and that he didn't remember him, how his parents had died, and how he just vanished. Alexis had told him how she regretted not being there for Matt and by the time she had found out once she got back in the States, she couldn't find him either.

Alexis biggest toe grazed across the rough pebbled cement, braking her daydream of Matt, "Ouch!!!", her voice sharp as she bent down to find the flip flop her toes seemed to miss, "You ready to head back?" she said, her head still bent down between her legs, trying to grab the flip flop.

Alexis still showing Keith shops along the street as they rode back, suddenly veering, once the buildings faded, onto a path leading into the woods, "Watch for killer squirrels!!!!" she yelled warning back to Keith, laughingly.

A few bumpy jiggles and winding curves later, Alexis stopped and propped her bike next to a large tree. In front of her was the river, it's cool waters rushing by as she took a seat on the grass , her legs crossed Indian style and hands locked around her calves.

"This is one of my favorite places," she said as she turned to look up at Keith still standing behind her.".......................................

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith thought about the high school sweethearts comment. He wondered if she truly believed that or if she was just saying that to agree with him and to make conversation.

He got on his bike and followed Alexis as they headed for home. He was surprised when Alexis veered off onto the dirt road. He wondered what she was doing; where she was going.

He looked around where they stopped. He continued to look around as Alexis sat on the ground in front of him. The river flowed peacefully past them. "This place is pretty nice..... great actually."

 

[JustEl]

"I come here often, not many people stop here, they like the little park up the path better. I'd rather be here in the quiet to unwind." Alexis said as she stood, "I'm glad you came along with me today, it's been nice to have someone to talk with. In my field, most are nonverbal. And the adults all want just to ask questions."

Throwing in an acorn at a time into the river, Alexis hoped Keith felt the same way. She was drawn to him, just something about him.

"You know, if you ever want someone to run with you, all you need to do is just ask, well I'd bike, I'm not a runner." she smiled as she turned back to Keith...........................................

 

[BeachBum25]

" I run every day. You are more than welcome to come with me anytime you want. You on the bike might push me to run faster. I have hit a plateau and that might be a good way of getting beyond it."

He could see why Alexis enjoyed this location. It was awesome. It was peaceful. It certainly ws a perfect place to come and reflect. He might have to use this place for his own, personal reflections.

"Do you mind if we head back Alexis? I have some work I have to do and a couple of phone calls to make."

 

[JustEl]

"Oh not at all, I need to try out my new soap, anywho." Alexis said with a wink of her eye.

Hopping on her bike, "Race you!!!!"

Knowing she had the upper hand, Alexis peddled fast threw the short trip in the woods. Making the pavement, she knew he would pass her quickly knowing the way back from that point. They played leader all the way to her house. Her legs burning and lung winded, Alexis pulled into her yard stopping just inside. Her bike threw on the ground, her body followed. Her hands on her stomach as she tried to catch her breath.

The evening sky was beautiful as she looked up, it's shades of orange, pink and purple popped as the sun set.
Keith standing over her, smiled as his held his hand out to her........................................

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith rced her home.... teasing her the whole way. Getting in front of her, and then letting her tke the lead again.... then repeating the whole process. He smiled at how hard she was working to try to beat him home. She was still the same competitive Alexis....... some things never change.

He watched her as she pulled into her yard and then the next thing he knew she was on the ground next to her bike. He got off his bike and ran over to her. He extended his hand to her.

"Are you ok Alexis?" He looked down at her and waited for her to take his hand. He helped her to her feet and looked her over and asked again "Are you ok? Did you get hurt?"

When he realized she was ok, he waited for a few minutes, the he said, "If you are ok, I am going to go home. I want to get my work done before it is too late. Thank you so much for a great evening." He extended his hand to her.

 

[JustEl]

Alexis shook Keith's hand once more and thanked him for a lovely day. After saying their goodbyes, Alexis pushed her bike to the back yard and leaned it in it's spot on the back porch. Unlocking the back door and entering, her flip flops came off in the kitchen as she grab a bottle of water from the fridge.

Up the stairs she went, thinking how much fun she had as she entered the bedroom. Wiggling out of her jeans and kicking them to the side she headed for her bathroom. Turning on the water to the tub, the rest of her clothes came off. As the tub filled she twisted her hair up and clipped it. Her hand tested the water, it perfect, she ran back down to turn on the CD player to some soft jazz. Returning, grabbing the soap she slid into her bath. It's warm water soothed her tight muscles as she slid deeper. Arms up the peppermint soap glided over them with ease. Then one leg at a time, tingled as the peppermint did it's trick. Once she was washed, she just relaxed, her head resting on the back of the tub, taking in the day with Keith............................................

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith said goodby to Alexis and pushed his bike into the back yard. He opened the door to the shed and pushed the bike inside. After locking th shed door he went inside. He filled a large cup with ice and then water. He drank a large portion of the water and then filled it again.

Keith climbed the steps and walked into his bedroom. He dodged the miscellaneous stuff that was laying around and went into the bathroom. He started the shower, and then undressed. He looked at himself in the mirror. Although it had been years since the surgery, he still wasn't used to the face that looked back at him. It was one of the reasons that he often avoided looking into the mirror, despite being told by others that he was attractive.

He stepped into the shower and allowed the water to cascade over his body. He reveled in the feel of the water on his body as he thought about what had just happened. Things were moving much faster than he had planned and it wasn't him that was moving things along. It was Alexis. He smiled.... if she only knew.

 

[JustEl]

The water began to chill as Alexis relaxed in the tub, the scent of peppermint covering her soft skin. Pulling the plug of the old claw footed tub, she just lay there the chain still wrapped around her toe, playing with it and wondering what really happened to Matt. Alexis had dated several nice guys over the years, but she seemed to always compare them to Matt. And in the end would push them away. It was as if her heart held on to hope that one day he would knock on her front door.

At that very moment, a loud buzz echoed up the stairs. Jumping out of the tub and grabbing an oversized slate blue plush towel, wrapping it around her as she ran downstairs, "Coming............. Just a sec.........." she yelled at the door as it buzzed once more.

Alexis opened the door to find Keith standing there, laptop in hand. The bath water streaming down her legs, puddled at her feet as she smiled at Keith, "Yes??..... Oh, I'm sorry, I'm not interested, Sir. Thank you all the same." she said jokingly starting to close the door as if he were a salesman.


Pulling the door wide open, "I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself, come on in," she said with a wink and that big bright smile on her lips, holding the edge of the towel at her breast, "So, I'm guessing they didn't get your net turned on as promised?"

Alexis showed Keith where he could setup his laptop and excused herself to go get dressed.........................................

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith took his time in the shower.... enjoying it tremendously. When he was finished, he stepped from the shower and slowly toweled off. He walked to his dresser and grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and got dressed.

He walked downstairs and grabbed his laptop. While his laptop was starting up, he made several calls to associates to arrange for meetings. When he was finished with the calls, Keith logged onto his computer. Then he clicked on the icon to log onto his email..... "What the fuck?"

No connection. The cable company obviously had not had time to throw the switch to turn on his cable and internet. How was he going to get his work done? Maybe Alexis would let him steal her internet for a couple of minutes.

He walked next door and pushed the doorbell. He waited several minutes and was just getting ready to go back hoe when he heard the door open. He laughed at Alexis' little joke as he looked at her standing there in a towel, dripping on the floor. He gladly followed her to a desk and sat down and watched as Alexis went upstairs.

He logged onto the computer, checked eail, and checked his calendar for tomorrow. He checked the after-hours and overseas markets looking for good buys. He heard Alexis coming down the stairs and looked over his shoulder to watch her.

 

[JustEl]

Alexis entered the bathroom and dried herself off, well..... what parts that still were damp. Quickly she dressed in her favorite pair of comfy fuzzy Hello Kitty PJ bottoms and a pink tank. Leaving her long hair twisted and clipped, she put on a hint of mascara as she checked herself in the mirror.

Coming down the stairs, Alexis could see Keith pecking away on his laptop, "I see you didn't have any problems hooking up." she said as she sat sideways, one leg under her butt on the sofa.

"Sure didn't." Keith replied still pecking at the keys.


Alexis watched as Keith worked away, his back to her. She noticed his hair color was close to Matt's. Even the way he sat in a chair reminded her of him, along with several mannerisms from their day together. And his laugh at times sounded so much like Matt's. Her mind drifted to the last time she had seen Matt. It was Spring Break, they had rented a cabin for the week halfway between them, to meet in the middle so to speak. It was a perfect week, they were in love. Full of romance and promises of a life together. She remember how he smelled as they held each other by the fire. How his body felt next to hers as they slept. The sound of his words as he whispered in her ear. How his kisses melted her as his lips softly caressed against her skin. And when they made love, it was everything two people could give to each other.

Her mind fully immersed in memory heard a muffled voice bringing her back to the surface of now, "I'm sorry.... did you say something?" Alexis asked Keith............................

 

[BeachBum25]

After alexis went upstairs, Keith sat down and was able to access her wireless internet connection. She had not put a password on it so he was able to hack right in.

He heard her walk down the steps and grunted to her when she asked if he got on ok. He worked feverishly to get through the emails and set up his day tomorrow. He didn't want to take up too much of Alexis' time. Things had gone much faster than he expected today, so, he wanted to get out and slow things down.

"I am finished now. Thanks so much" he said to her. Alexis did not immediately respond. It was as if she was dreaming... spacing out. Then, when she snapped out of it, he said, "I appreciate you letting me hack into your wireless. I am going to head home and stop interrupting your quiet time before bed."

 

[JustEl]

Oh, it's no problem," Alexis said as she stood and walked to the door, "my book isn't going anywhere."

She held the door open and said her goodbyes to Keith, waiting till he was at the end of the path before turning off her porch light. Passing the sofa, she grabbed the book resting on the end table and walked to the kitchen. Pouring a glass of Merlot, book under her arm, Alexis turned off the lights as she made her way up to her bedroom. She pulled back the sky blue and sand colored bedding, fluffing her pillows, undressed out of her Hello Kitty PJ bottoms and crawled into bed.

Sipping on her glass of wine, flipping the pages, her mind kept returning to Matt. Her eyes read over the same line several times before she lay the book face down next to her body. She quietly swirled the warm glass of Merlot as she tried to piece that aged puzzle of what happened together again. After finishing the glass of wine, Alexis slid into the bed, pulling the covers around her, turning off the bedside lamp. She quickly fell to her sleep with Matt fresh on her mind...........................................................

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith went back home and placed his laptop back into his briefcase. He switched off the lights and made sure the door was locked before heading upstairs.

When he got to his room he grabbed the remote for the television and switched it on. Then he ursed the cable company. The internet wasn't connected, so, obviously, the cable wasn't either. That would be an interesting phone conversation in the morning.

He undressed, brushed his teeth and climbed into bed. It would do him good to get a good night's sleep. He turned off the light and began to run through the events of the day in his mind. He thought about how great alexis looked. He wondered if any of the clues he had dropped had brought Matt to the front of Alexis' consciousness. He enjoyed the time with her. It almost felt like they had never been apart. Then he drifted off to sleep.

In the morning, he woke up fresh and relaxed. he showered dressed and headed out the door. He had to catch the 6:00 am train to get into the office to prepare for his first meeting. The car ride to the sttion and the entire train ride into the city had Alexis on his mind. He smiled as he thought about how close he was to her now.... at least close in proximity to where they lived.

 

[JustEl]

Alexis' alarm rang loud as her hand pounded on it. The chill in the air made her want to stay where she was. Slowly she crunched the covers down with her feet. Taking a few minutes, she rose to meet her day. After her morning routine was taken care of, breakfast was next. She popped a couple pieces of raison bread in the toaster and fixed a glass of OJ. Alexis checked her bag making sure her papers where all there as the toast sprang up. Spreading on a bit of cream cheese out the door she went.

The short drive to the train made her catch up on the time she lost staying in bed longer than she should have. Parking the car, she ate the last bite of raison toast. She passed the morning acquaintances her morning hellos as chipper as always. As the train pulled into the station her eyes caught Keith a few feet to her left. Alexis nodded good morning as she stepped onto the train. Taking her seat with her daily train ride girls, they caught up on each others weekend.

Keith took a seat a handful of rows behind Alexis, smiling as he passed her and her friends. Kimberly, one of Alexis' friends made a comment about the new guy on the train as Keith took his seat, smiling as she told what a cute ass he had. Alexis laughed as her head turned to see where Keith had set. As the girls leaned forward and huddled, their bodies bounced and jiggled as the train rushed down the tracks. The mornings buzz changed from what they did over the weekend to I wonder who the guy is and all the what's, where's and why's followed. Alexis only putting in a little bit of her two cents in the conversation, giggled to herself as her friends ran over possible reasons he was on the train.

When the train reached New York, the girls rushed to exit. Saying their, "It's Monday, don’t work to hard!" goodbyes, Keith walked pass them.

Alexis smiled as she turned, "Don't work to hard, Keith!" she yelled.

Kimberly pushing Alexis on her shoulder, "Oh you Bitch!!!! You know him?"

Alexis smiled a wicked smile, turned and waved goodbye over her shoulder, "Bye, Ladies.... Gotta run." not answering Kim's question.....................................................

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith nodded at the ladies as he took his seat. During the ride into New York City he read the Wall Street Journal... when his mind allowed him too. Most of the time he just thought about Alexis, and how he wanted to go forward with his plan.

The one question that constantly crossed his mind was when he would actually reveal to Alexis that he was Matt. Better yet, would he reveal that information to her. Should he keep it from her and just be Keith?

As he got off the train he heard Alexis call out to him. He smiled in her direction, "Don't worry, I won't. Don't you work too hard either Alexis." He waved as he got off the train and headed up the stairway as he rushed off to catch the subway to Wall Street.

His meetings went quickly through the morning. He checked the market around noon and then made several phone calls to several associates to make suggestions as to what to do with their clients' portfolios.

At around 3:00 pm he decided to head out and talk to some associates in the office until the market closed. He engaged in several discussions, and made a couple of appointments to help several of them review the portfolios of a few clients.

After the market close he went back into his office, cleaned up some paperwork, and around 6:00 pm decided it was time to head home. He grabbed his briefcase and began the journey home.

 

[JustEl]

Alexis' day was the typical Monday. Schools full of new children she needed to visit. It seemed every week her bag grew in size as she added new students to her list. A soft rubber ball here, a container of modeling clay there, a bottle of bubbles somewhere in the mix of things. Her day rushed by and before she knew it, it was 4:30.

As Alexis landed in her train seat, her feet hit the other at the same time. Placing her heavy bag on the seat next to her she drank a long over due cappuccino. For what seemed only a long exhale, the train came to it's stop. Grabbing her bag off to her car she headed. A quick stop at the market for lettuce and she'd be home.

Her body tired as she opened her back door, Alexis just left her bags by the door, and headed upstairs to change. The soft yoga pants felt good against her skin as she pulled down her white tank. A bit of a chill in the air still she grabbed a flannel shirt and headed to the kitchen.

After putting her things away, she stood in front of the sink, watching the fall leaves dance across her yard. What a lovely time to relax in the swing she thought as she headed to her front door, grabbing the rest of her coffee. The old tree to the left of her porch more or less divided Keith's and her yard. It's faded paint begged to be renewed, but it would have to wait till another weekend. Alexis taking in the quiet, curled her feet up on the swing and sipped on the coffee handled in both hands as her body unwound...........................

 

[BeachBum25]

The train ride home was a blur. Before he knew it he was in his car driving from the train station to the house. He pulled into the driveway and he saw Alexis sitting in her swing. He parked the car, grabbed his briefcase, and got out of the car. He waved to Alexis as he closed the car door.

"Hey neighbor. How was your day?" Keith called out to Alexis as he stood at the edge of her yard. "That trip into New York is a pretty easy one. I was surprised." He looked at her sitting there with her legs curled under her and wondered how it would feel to be curled up with her.

He thought about asking her over for dinner, but then thought better of it considering the condition of his house. There were boxes everywhere. Junk was all over the place. He didn't want to have her over with his place in that condition. He wanted to be with her, but couldn't bring her into such a mess.

 

[JustEl]

"Oh, just another Monday of child's play..... and isn't it, just a hop, skip and a jump and your home, away from it all." Alexis said brushing her wind swept hair out of her face, "That train ride is priceless ending here after a long day. So, yours a good Monday as well?"

As Alexis watched and listened to Keith tell his day's events, she remember the soup wasn't on for a slow warm up.

"Oh crap!!!!!! I'm sorry but I have to run, I forgot to put the soup on." Alexis said placing her foot on the ground to stop the gentle sway of the swing, "Would you care to join me for dinner, it's not much tonight, just homemade tomato soup and a green salad, but you're more than welcome."....................................

 

[BeachBum25]

He watched as alexis jumped up and headed for the house. "I don't want to intrude. You don't have to be my personal welcoming and babysitting committee. I am a big boy."

What the hell was he doing? He had an opportunity to go into her house and he said no. How stupid can you be? You just let an opportunity to spend tie with her escape. He turned and headed for the front door. He would not get much sleep tonight. He would spend the night kicking himself in the ass. He screwed tha one up.

 

[JustEl]

"Oh, don't be silly....... I have one of my largest pots full of soup, no sense in you cooking too. Now head over in, Oh about in thirty minutes, give or take one." Alexis yelled as Keith walked to his front door.

"I'm not taking no for an answer, if you don't show up, I'll beat your door down!!!!" she laughed as she stopped at her porch, "Besides it will be nice to have someone over for dinner, for a change."


As Alexis took the pot out of the fridge, she tried to remember the last time a man had been at her house for dinner. Turing on the stove to low simmer, she couldn't for the life of her remember.

Laughing as she got the lettuce ready to be washed, she looked out the darkened window, seeing she reflection, "Damn Girl!!!! That's sad!!!!"...................................................

 

[BeachBum25]

Wow, you had to be bailed out by the girl. That is sad. All of the planning you have put into this and she had to bail you out. He was still pissed at himself but he was happy to have a second chance.

He went upstairs and took off his suit and changed into a pair of jeans and a clean dress shirt. He went back downstairs and looked in the refrigerated. He remembered putting a bottle of white wine in the fridge when he moved in, and for the life of him he couldn't remember what kind of wine it was. What kind of wine goes with tomato soup and salad, anyway. He looked in the bottom of the refrigerator and found a bottle of chardonnay.

He grabbed it and headed over to Alexis' house. He bounded up onto her porch, the front one, and knocked lightly on the door. He stood there feeling like a teenager on a first date. He had been waiting for a night like this for a long time.