You Don't Know Me (Open)

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

When the time came, I found I didn't want him to leave. But offering my bed to him would sound too forward.

We had shared a bed once before and I dearly wanted to share one with him again but...I would have to let time take care of the 'when' of that.

Reluctantly moving so he could get up, I scooted off the bed and walked him to the door.

As we stood there together, I looked up at him, this face that I so loved and suddenly I froze at the nearness.

"Well," I said rather breathlessly,"I guess...I'll see you tomorrow when...when I come into work..."

 

[allonblack]

Preston

"Are you sure you're ok? You seem like something is on your mind." I asked her trying not to press her too much.

Her eyes answered me. "I'll see you tomorrow, here's my card." I said handing her the business card.

"Goodnight" I leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek. I turned to leave but she was standing on my foot.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

I took his card and turned to leave, accidently stepping on his foot. Blushing at my own clumsiness, I stumbled back and caught myself against the door.

"Yes, yes, I'm okay...sorry," I said and attempted a laugh,"Seems like you have bad luck with body parts when I'm near you."

Going behind the door, I closed it and leaned against it, closing my eyes and holding a hand up to my cheek where he had kissed me.

"Oh Preston," I whispered,"If I could only tell you the truth. If I only knew you wouldn't hate me for trying to disappear from your life."

 

[allonblack]

Preston

I left the room and made my way to my car. I sat in the parking lot for awhile waiting for the light to shut off in her room.
Minutes crept by and her room was still illuminated. I watched her shadowy figure move about the room, presumably unpacking. Yet I didn't recall seeing any bags, maybe she had left them in the car. What was I doing? Spying on a stranger in the middle of the night. With my money I should be in the Carribbean getting massages from bikini clad women, not sitting in a hotel parking lot.

Finally I started my car and left. I could've sworn I could feel myself being watch but when I looked in the side mirror I didn't see anyone looking at me. I went back to my office and opened the center desk drawer. I pulled out the ring and rubbed in back and forth between my fingers. I propped my feet up on the desk and dozed off thinking of Misty.

I awoke the next morning to a knock on the door. Startled I sprung forward, knocking the clutter off of my desk, the ring made a "ting" sound as it rolled like a wheel across the floor stopping when it hit Misty's shoe. She opened the door a little wider. "Come in Come in" I said "I was just uh...going over some figures in my head, I tend to work better when my eyes are shut."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

I had spent a restless night tossing and turning and, in the morning, I looked like I hadn't had sleep. Trying to cover it up with make up, I carefully dressed in nice slacks and a white, short sleeved blouse before heading out to Preston's shop. I didn't need the address on the card, I knew the place well.

Knocking on the door produced no results and so I opened it, apparently startling him. I heard a crash as stuff spilt from the desk and a small ting as something hit the floor and rolled.

Stooping, I picked up the all to familiar ring and held it in my hand, staring at it. He had replaced some of the stones, apparently trying to make it different, maybe so it wouldn't remind him of me so much. But I knew it. I had worn it until that fateful day.

Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I smiled at him and handed it back.

"It's beautiful," I said, hoping my voice was sounding more normal to him than it was to me,"You must be a very good jewler to make something as lovely as that."

 

[allonblack]

She picked the ring up off of the floor and complemented me on its beauty. "Thanks," I said offering my hand so she would hand it back. She placed it in my hand and tucked it in the center drawer where it belonged. "but I didn't make it myself," I continued. "It's custom made, I just made the band but the gems are from places my fianc-, pardon me ex-fiancee travelled when we're dating." It felt so weird to say ex-fiancee but who was I kidding, fourteen months? Some people wouldn't even wait fourteen days before they moved on.

"Anyways" I said putting my arm behind her to slowly push her out of the room, as subtle as possible. "Let me show you the grand tour of Preston Gemstones Inc." I said pulling the door shut behind us and locking it.

"Ok this floor is my office, your office, a copy machine, fax, and downstairs is the factory. Pretty much just a well-lit big room with safes all over it to store the jewels in. That's about all, do you have any questions?" I said as we hovered around her office door.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

I looked back over my shoulder once as he pushed me out the door. Looking around I could notice some sublte changes but it was mainly the same as when I left. That should have made me feel comfortable but it was kind of eerie.

"Ummm, yes," I said to his question,"Besides sharpening pencils, what exactly do you need me to do. Do you have a list of things you need done?"

 

[allonblack]

"Basically you're the gopher, I'll need you for the trade show but other than that it's basically errand running. I probably should've asked this before but what are your qualifications? I mean you're already hired but I'm just curious what your previous jobs were."

"Tomorrow I've got a pickup in Hooverville, it's about a 6 hour drive from here, you're welcome to tag along if you want. It's nothing major just some watch parts and a few pairs of earrings. The important stuff like diamonds comes in armored trucks. The other stuff the supplier expects you to pick up on your own. So if you want to go just let me know and I'll book another room at the hotel, I usually stay overnight since by the time I double check all the gems for imperfections it's about 10 p.m."

"Oh by the way how was your first night in Northport?" I said handing her a cup of coffee.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

I took the coffee gratefully.

"Thanks, I needed this," I said sipping at it and wondering what to say to answer his questions without fudging too much.

"Well,"I finally said, looking into the depths of my coffee as if it would give me the answers,"I havent had many jobs. I've mostly been traveling. But I can drive, file and do paperwork. Lots of paperwork when you travel."

I smiled up at him,"And I would love to go with you tomorrow."

 

[allonblack]

Preston

For the first time in years, the work day flew by. Missy sat on the corner of my desk eating her lunch talking up a storm, our conversations seemed so casual. We made little mention of the night before.

"So," I began finishing the last bite of my lunch "where have you travelled to?" I listened intently as she listed her past desitinations.

Soon the day was done. I thought about inviting her for dinner but I needed a good night's rest to sort out my thoughts. Besides I would be spending the weekend with her so I would have plenty of time to talk to her.

"Ok tomorrow I'll pick you up early at the hotel. I hate to sound like a cheapskate but would you want to just share one room, two beds of course, but that would be easier than getting two separate rooms. I've got the agenda in the jewel room." We walked downstairs so I could get the paper for her. In the bright lights her fair skin appeared to glow. Some scars seemed visible that I hadn't noticed before in the dim light of the hotel and bar rooms. I assumed she'd be self-conscious so I tried not to stare.
Yet her skin looked so fresh, so new, surely a woman of her age would show some lines on her face, from smiling and talking. I shook it again thinking she must've just avoided the sun so her skin didn't age quickly.

With that I walked her to her car and headed home, my head aching with the misery I had put myself through the day before trying to convince myself I knew this woman.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

Several times during the day I had almost blurted out who I was. I had had plenty of opportunities when we talked, when we worked, more than enough.

But I couldn't do it. I just kept thinking how much he would hate me if he found out. Sure, when he spoke it was as if he were still in love with me. No...still in love with Christy. But death makes people's shortcoming dim and you only see them in a good light.

As I headed back towards the motel, stopping for some fast food for dinner, I wondered what the weekend would bring. I had agreed to the rooming arrangements and hoped that that would go well.

I went into my room and sat down to eat remembering how I had felt his gaze on me all day. I tried to shake off the feeling that he was suspicious of something as I showered and lay down in bed but it kept nagging at me that I might have let something telling slip.

That was what was on my mind when I finally fell into a troubled sleep.

 

[allonblack]

Preston

I pulled into the motel driveway listening to a mix tape Christy had made for me. It wasn't the original, that was locked up safely in a safe at my office with other memoirs. The quality of the copy wasn't great so finally I just shut it off and gave up on it. I had hoped to have some music to listen to on the long drive to avoid an awkward conversations. So far things were great with Missy but if history repeats itself I would run out of conversation topics quickly, especially in my car where I didn't have a tv to help me.

I knocked on her door. No answer. Ok, maybe she's in the shower. I knocked again. Still nothing. I turned and looked for her car in the parking lot. Yep, it was there. I knocked again. Finally I heard the door unlock and Missy stood there before in her nightgown.

"Jeez, you look like you had a rough night" I said to her. She nodded and yawned and headed into the bathroom to get dressed.

I walked her to the car and held the door open for her. We got in and started our journey.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

I had overslept. When he knocked on the door I had woken with a start and stared at my alarm clock and groaned, dimly remembering hitting the snooze button more than once.

It didn't take me long to freshen up though and jeans and a Tshirt were thrown on, hair brushed and light makeup and we were on our way.

Getting in the car, we headed out, chatting easily about nothing which is how I wanted to keep it. Low key and no personal quetions and I might not end up putting my foot in my mouth.

 

[allonblack]

Preston

I decided to ease the tension with small talk since music wasn't going to be an option. We had talked for about 2 hours non-stop. "So far, so good" I thought to myself.

"Oh Missy, I should warn you these jewelers are probably some of the most boring people you'll ever meet, they have mostly three jokes they like to tell. I'll tell you now so you can practice your fake laughter because these are god-awful. Ok the first one is: A cop saw a young blonde woman down on her knees under
a streetlight. "Can I help you?" he asked. Replied the woman, "I dropped my diamond ring and I'm
looking for it." Asked the cop "did you drop it right here?" "No," responded the blonde, "I dropped it about a block
away, but the light's better here."

Missy looked at me half-rolling her eyes. I chuckled and said "Oh they get worse." I continued, "A businessman boarded a plane to find, sitting next to him, an elegant woman wearing the largest, most stunning diamond ring he had ever seen. He asked her about it. "This is the Bexfield Diamond," she said. "It is beautiful, but there is a terrible curse that goes with it." "What's the curse?" the man asked. "Mr. Bexfield."

"Oh and also the older men will joke that diamonds and women are the same because it impossible to find a flawless one of either." I said.

An awkward silence fell over the car. I knew we were only
halfway there. "Are you hungry?" I asked noticing it was about lunchtime. Before she could respond the car shook violently, swerving from side to side. I stayed calm knowing it was just a tire blowing out. I guided it into a gas station parking lot. The building was old and paint had flaked off of everywhere. It looked condemned.

"Well, Misty, we've got a little problem. I took the spare out to make room for the jewelry boxes. So let's just hope my cell phone isn't out of range so I can call for a tow. I didn't see a house for miles so if the phone doesn't work, I hope you've got your walking shoes on." I said glancing down at her shoes.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

As the car swerved almost violently, I grabbed the handle of the door and I knew my face had gone ashen white. I closed my eyes and prayed that Preston would be able to keep the car from...I didn't even want to think about it.

With a shudder of relief, I felt the car pull over and Preston get out. He seemed too preoccupied with the blow out to recognize the fear that had drained the color from my face and I used the time to gather my thoughts and return my breathing to normal.

Getting out of the car, a bit shakily, I moved to his side to examine the tire with him. When he asked about my shoes, I looked down to the tennis shoes I had worn for comfort and nodded.

"If we have to I think I can make it," I said giving him a smile but hoping his phone was working. The day was turning out to be hot and muggy and an extended walk in that sort of weather was not appealing.

 

[allonblack]

Preston

I pressed the "talk" button and held the phone to my ear. There was a pause then three medolic notes "doo doo doo" followed by a woman's voice "We're sorry, your call cannont be completed, you are out of roaming range, please try again later."

I looked at Missy, "Well, looks like we're walking, this place looks deserted." I said pressing my head against a dirty window, shading my head with my hand hoping to get a better look inside. "Part of me wants to snoop around and see if there's a spare or some tools around, but I guess it's the small town in me that knows better than to touch things that don't belong to you." I said with humbleness.

We began walking towards town. Periodically I would turn the phone on but still couldn't get a reception. I tried one more time. On the other end I heard a pause, teasing me as if there would be a dial tone next. I looked at Missy and crossed my fingers, holding them up so she could see. But then I was welcomed by those three mocking notes. Under my breath I spoke word for word what the woman on the phone would say before clicking it off and muttering "bitch." Missy noticed my lips moving on the phone and heard me insult the woman on the phone, she chuckled a little and started to open her mouth. I interrupted her, "Yeah, I know she can't hear me" I said pointing at the phone. I wound up and pretended to toss it into the woods making a karate yell sound as I finished my the followthrough of the fake throw.

I could see the heat was starting to bother Missy. "I still you owe that piggy back ride from a couple nights ago." I said to her. "Or if you want you can just sit on the guardrail and rest awhile, I'll get some help and pick you up on the way back. I know you're an adult an all but I don't really feel comfortable leaving you out here alone, but it's up to you." I said resting my right hand on my hip as I dug in my pocket with my left hand to find a handkerchief to wipe my brow with.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

I shook my head at his suggestion and, instead, tugged my Tshirt out of my pants and pulled it up under my breasts, tying it off there.

"Nope," I said, setting my chin,"I'm not going to have you think I'm some spoiled brat who doesn't know how to rough it. Where you go...I go...unless it happens to be through a door with a little man on it that says 'Restroom'."

Laughing, I swept my hand through the air indicating the road ahead of us.

"After you, Sir," I said with a grin.

 

[allonblack]

I laughed at her joke about following me everywhere. I nodded and turned back to walking.

We reached a house about an hour later. The house was big and ivy clad. The architecture had been experimented with, sort of a "cut and paste" of construction. The years had not been kind to this house.

I approached the doorstep. I swung open the screen door and grasped the brass lion head knocker. I knocked a few times and let the screen door squeak shut. I put my hands in my pockets and shrugged at Missy.

I looked behind me and noticed a sign that said "Ed and Eakfast". "Ed and Eakfast" I said reading the words aloud. "Oh! Bed and Breakfast!" Some of the letters must've worn off.

I heard footsteps approaching the door. A small old man opened the door with a hesitant "Yes?"

"Hello, Sir, our car got a flat tire a few miles back, may we please use your phone to call a tow truck?" The old man pushed towards me to hear me better. I repeated myself. He nodded and let us in.

Inside the house was like a mansion. The old man told us to wait in the lobby and brought a cordless phone to me. Missy pushed inside a little to explore. Whatever time had forgotten outside the owner had made up for inside. I heard Missy gasp at the gorgeous interior. I left to make the phone call. When I returned she was still admiring the house. I turned to her and said "I think we should cancel our hotel reservations and stop here on the way back, what do you think? The tow truck will pick up us here in about an hour, we won't miss anything, the jewelers will be at lunch now."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

"Missy"

I nodded distractedly to Preston while continuing into the interior of the B&B, noticing the richness of the furnishings, not what you would expect from the outside.

I heard him in the background as he picked up the phone and called for a tow truck, asking the owner the address and repeating it into the reciever.

I was just examining some family photos on a mantle when I heard footsteps come into the sitting room and turned to smile up at him.

"All done?" I asked.

 

[allonblack]

Preston

"Yes, the tow truck will be here shortly. We should ask how much the room will be if you would like to cancel the hotel room and stay here instead." I hovered around the check-in desk, taking a card to put in my wallet. Something about this place was beckoning me to stay so I might visit here again sometime. I opened my wallet to to put the card inside and a quarter fell out. My wallet flipped open as I bent over, exposing a nude photo of Christy. She had it done professionally by an erotic photographer for my last birthday. Some would probably say it was perverted to carry a nude photo. But for a small town I thought I had taste, I could appreciate the beauty of the body and not just see it for its sexuality. Nevertheless here I stood with my wallet open, the nude photo exposed, and Missy's eyes widening as she stared at the photo.

"I...I...can explain." I said grasping for Missy's shoulder as she turned to leave the room. "It was a birthday present from my fiancee!" I shouted hearing my own voice echo in the wide hallways.