Page 72 of A Heart of Little Faith
“When are the kids arriving?” he asked Lily.
She crossed her fingers. “Any minute now, I hope.”
Gideon came over to her and rubbed the small of her back. “Relax.”
“I know. I always get stressed before these things.” His touch and his solid presence soothed her.
“Well don’t. You’ve got us to help you and it’s going to be fine.”
The party guests arrived. While Lily took the presents, Claire ran around the gym with her friends. The deafening shouts drowned out any of Lily’s attempts to organize them.
“Claire, calm down,” Lily said, but her daughter ignored her.
At Lily’s distress, Gideon stepped in and whistled. The sound pierced the cavernous space and froze everyone in mid-stride. “Hey everyone, let’s play charades.”
Claire ran over, followed by her friends, and soon Gideon had all of them organized and taking turns. Lily’s mouth gaped at his ease with them. After charades, Gideon and Tony divided the kids into teams and led the kids in a game of basketball. Afterward, he brought them over to the tables and Lily and Samantha helped them make crafts and served the cake. When the kids finished, Gideon directed them in relay races and helped them crack the piñata. By the time the activities ended and the parents arrived, the kids were exhausted, but happy. No one wanted to leave and everyone vied with Claire to sit on Gideon’s lap and go for a spin.
“Sorry, that’s only for the birthday girl,” he said and hugged her. Her sticky sweat clung to him, and he kissed the top of her damp head.
One by one, the kids departed, goody bags clutched to them and their thank you’s echoing off the walls.
“Did you have fun, sweetheart?” Lily asked after the last kid was gone and everyone dismantled the party.
“It was great, Mom.”
Lily walked over to Gideon. “Thank you so much for your help. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
He pulled her onto his lap. “I was happy to do it for you, and for Claire.” They kissed until Tony and Samantha cleared their throats and they pulled away. Her cheeks burned, and Gideon’s were just as red.
“Come on you two. Aren’t you going to help us?” Tony asked.
“Coming, coming,” Gideon said, and finished cleaning up.
Chapter 25
Gideon sat in front of the bathroom mirror and wiped away the last of the shaving cream from his jaw. The face reflected at him was one he hadn’t seen in a long time, but like an old friend, it reappeared suddenly and seemed like it was here to stay. The creases near his eyes were from smiling, not pain or worry. His hair was trimmed because he cared more about his appearance. His mouth relaxed in a smile instead of a frown. He had good friends; an annoying, but loving sister; and thanks to Lily, a wonderful relationship, with a kid as a bonus. He didn’t think things could get any better. Life was good, and he’d put most of his inner demons to bed.
Finished shaving, he dressed and left to pick up Lily. Samantha had given them tickets to a play. He ran his fingers around their edges as he thought about the great reviews he’d read. His pulse quickened at the much-needed solitude he and Lily would get to spend together. He ran his hands down the lapels of his jacket, the wool soft beneath his fingers. He was more conscious of clothing texture, now he had someone who might sit on his lap and feel it as well. He whistled for a cab then continued to whistle a tune he’d heard on the radio.
They arrived at the packed theater with fifteen minutes until the curtain rose. A mélange of perfume and aftershave scents overwhelmed them as they entered the opulent lobby and they both blinked and wrinkled their noses. Conversations mingled and rose to a dull roar, interspersed with the tinkle of wine glasses. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting everyone in a yellow glow.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to run to the ladies’ room now,” Lily said as she leaned close to be heard. “I’d rather avoid the long lines or having to use the men’s room later. I’ll be right back.”
He let the buzz around him transport him to the past as the other theatergoers mingled and he waited for Lily to return. He remembered previous trips to the theater with his ex-girlfriend. For her, the whole point of the theater was to see and be seen. She’d obsessed over her appearance, as well as his, and spent hours deciding on their wardrobes. She’d bought him new clothes if she believed his weren’t right. A momentary lull in the background noise pulled him out of the past and into the present. He shook his head as he ran his hands over his legs. She’d never have gone out with him in public like this. Thinking about it made him appreciate Lily more.And the funny thing is, I probably wouldn’t have met her if I hadn’t had the accident. And I’d have never known what I was missing.
Before long, Lily, accompanied by another woman, headed toward him.
“Gideon, I want to introduce you to an old friend of mine, Peggy. Peggy, this is Gideon. She and I used to work together, what was it, six years ago?” She rested her palm on his shoulder and he shook the other woman’s hand.
“More like seven, I think,” said Peggy. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” he said. The two women finished their conversation and he and Lily found their seats.
He reflected on her earlier words. “Were you serious about using the men’s room?” he asked.
“What? Oh yeah. The lines to the women’s room are ridiculous!”
“Have you done it before?” He was intrigued by her lack of concern for what others thought. Once again, it amazed him how different Elaine and Lily were and his body heated.