Room w View Ch. 07

When I finished and answered all her questions, Annie asked me if we got to any personal stuff.

"Well as soon as we met she slapped me so hard I thought my head was coming off."

"Ouch!" said Annie.

"Yeah, but I am meeting her for dinner tonight."

Annie looked around to make sure no one was lurking at my door. She pulled me to her and hugged me so hard I couldn't breathe. "Go get her, Tiger." I wasn't quite sure who would be the tiger in our dinner meeting.

***

I asked around and found out the KC Club was a members only establishment. Favored by the movers and shakers of the business community, it was known for their steaks and for the number of alcoves that lent themselves to dinners out of sight of prying eyes.

Fortunately, I brought a couple designer suits I bought after my partnership began. I opted for a dark blue accompanied by a pale blue Egyptian cotton shirt and Hermes red silk tie. I even broke out a new bottle of Diana's latest cologne for men and added a couple judicious dabs. I opted for a cab and arrived at the KC Club a few minutes before eight.

The Club was located on the top floor of a twenty story building in downtown. A maître d' recognized my name and showed me to the bar. He said I could wait there for Ms. Williams. The perimeter of the south side was floor to ceiling glass offering a spectacular view of the downtown and the lights from The Paseo and other boulevards heading toward the affluent southern part of the community. I ordered a Glenmorangie neat and enjoyed the view.

I was debating ordering a second drink when a felt a touch on my arm. A scent of a subtle perfume wafted toward me. I turned to see Ferry settling on one of the tall stools.

"Nothing to say?" she asked.

Ferry's new short haircut framed her face and accented her delicate facial structure. Light blue eyeliner accented her deep blue eyes, as if they needed any help to be more alluring. She was wearing a pale yellow dress that was tight enough to let her tight body show and carrying a small black bag. I noticed her French manicure. Despite what many of the fashions mags claimed, this classic style fit perfectly with Ferry. Finally, I managed to get a word out.

"Drink?"

"So, you can talk." Turning back toward the bar, she said, "Paul, I'll have a dirty martini and please bring another Scotch."

There were so many things I wanted to discuss with Ferry. Of course, I wondered if there was any response from her firm about our proposition. I wanted to learn more about what she had mentioned about her introspective journey. Mostly, I wanted to know if there was any hope that we could ever resume our relationship.

"I love this view," Ferry said after a sip from her drink. I swiveled to look at what she was seeing. "Sometimes, I come here to remind myself that so many of those problems down there can be managed if we take a different look at them. Perspective, Kyle, perspective."

"Good to have perspective," I said.

"So, let's eat."

Ferry stood and I pulled out some money to pay for our drinks. The maître d' came over and escorted us to a small booth in a dark corner of the restaurant.

Ferry ordered another martini and I another Scotch. I was thankful I took a cab.

Our waiter reviewed the evening's specials and we placed our order. I noticed that all of the staff seemed to pay particular attention to Ferry. I mentioned this to her.

"That's because they've never seen me with a man," she said with a smile as she sipped from her frosty glass.

"You only come here with women?" I asked.

"No, I come here often. This is my father's favorite spot. I meant coming here with a man that could be considered a date. Usually I'm with my father, partners in the firm or clients. I've had more than a couple offers from the staff to fix me up with a son, nephew or cousin. After a string of polite refusals, I think the people here thought I was either lesbian or an ice princess. So, tonight is like a coming out party for me. I am declaring my heterosexuality."

"Glad to be of service. Only..."

Ferry fixed me with her stare. "Only what?"

"Only, I wish it were a date."

Ferry remained silent for a long time. She finished her drink and settled back into the deep leather of our booth.

"I have dated, you know," she said. "Just never brought anyone here."

"I would think that you would never have any lack of men wanting to take you out."

Ferry looked around the room and catching the eye of the maître d', beckoned him.

"Yes, Ms. Williams?"

"Luc, would you please send over Peter?"

He smiled and left. "Who's Peter?" I asked.

"The sommelier," she said with a smile. "I want something else to drink, but could not handle another martini. We're both having meat, so would a red be all right with you?"

"Sure."

"And, I'm going for something expensive. I figure you'll be picking up the tab, right?"

"My pleasure."

A middle-aged man approached and greeted Ferry. She informed him of our dinner choices and asked for some recommendations. He opened a large wine menu and discussed some options with her. After a bit of a back and forth, Ferry settled on a California cabernet. Peter smiled and went on his way.

"Oh, you're not upset that I didn't consult you? Are you?"

"No, not at all. Although I might have opted for the 2005 over the 2007."

Ferry smiled and for the first time since we reconnected I felt it was a genuine gesture. "Yeah, I was being a controlling bitch."

"Not a problem," I said.

"You're not pissed?"

"Ferry, I am so happy that you agreed to see me that you would have to go a lot further to piss me off."

She nodded silently and then said, "Well, the night's young."

Peter arrived with the bottle and Ferry approved it. He opened it and suggested we let it breathe for a bit. In the meantime he called over a young woman with a tray that held two glasses of red wine.

"This is one of our standard wines. It's decent and you can enjoy it while yours breathes. It should be ready for your dinner. These are, of course, complimentary."

The lady served the wine and Ferry and I found ourselves alone. We toasted and tasted. The wine was surprisingly good for a house choice. Ferry set her glass down and leaned forward.

"So, how about business first?"

I nodded.

"Well, not to burst your bubble, but after your email we pretty much knew that Stone was going to make some sort of offer. My father and the other shareholders were waiting for me when I returned to the office. We discussed the general concept that you outlined and then talked about it. As you might imagine, there were many arguments against making any sort of change and for aligning with an east coast firm. We've seen other arrangements of this sort in KC before and they all ended up in flames. As lawyers, we are naturally cautious and even more so when it impacts our futures."

My heart pounded as I feared she was leading up to a flat no. I didn't think Agnes would take that very well. Going back to our office with my tail between my legs and having Martin piss all over me was not a pleasant thought. I was building counter-arguments to make to Ferry when she began to speak again.

"Along with being cautious, however, we are also aware that the legal landscape is changing rapidly. Regional firms such as ours may be a dying breed. The business world is national and international. We have tossed around affiliating with a larger firm that already has national and international clients. So, your inquiry might have arrived at a propitious time."

"You mean you'll consider it?" My trip into the valley of despair was now turning into a flight of fancy.

"I mean that we agree to meet with Agnes and whomever she brings with her. We will listen and ask lots of questions. This is not in any way to be construed as anything more than curiosity. It is not a sign that we are serious about considering any type of affiliation. Also, it does not mean that we would be vaguely interested in an arrangement as you outlined."

A foot in the door. That's how I saw it. Harder to close the door when we have a shoe firmly lodged in the jamb. I knew Agnes was an excellent negotiator and I would never bet against her. At least, I got us this far.

"Happy?" Ferry asked.

"Encouraged," I replied.

"Not happy to be sitting across from me?" she said, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly>

"That is a different subject," I replied.

Our salads arrived and we mostly picked at them in silence. Luc reappeared and placed a plate with small slices of French bread before Ferry. She took a small bite to clear her palate of the taste of the salad dressing and the wine she had just drunk. Luc poured a taste of the cabernet into a large-bowled glass.

Ferry swirled, smelled and sampled. She looked at Luc and smiled.

He poured the wine into my glass and then into Ferry's. It was quite excellent.

"Are you happy to be here?" she asked.

"More than you will ever know. I had reconciled myself to believe I would never have this opportunity again in my life."

"It's just a business meeting, Kyle."

"A business meeting with a woman who spent the good part of the afternoon getting ready."

Ferry eyed me.

"Definitely had a manicure and I think a facial," I said. "I'm not certain, but I also think you had your hair styled just a bit. It looks wonderful, by the way. I like how it brings out your eyes and cheeks. Also, I noticed that when you walked to our table and had to adjust your shoe that your soles were not scuffed. So, I'm thinking new shoes. Very nice they make your calves look incredible. Just enough heel to be wicked while avoiding being CFM's."

Ferry laughed at this last observation.

"I don't own any 'come fuck me's'," she said. "As for the rest of your suppositions, well, let's say a woman never tells."

Our steaks arrived and Luc stopped by to pour more wine. The meat was perfect and flavorful. In spite of the butterflies in my stomach, I savored each bite.

Ferry asked a couple questions about Tiffany and Brittany and their wedding. I described the ceremony and reception. When I told her that they had relocated to California, she asked if I missed them.

"Definitely," I said, "But I did take over their apartment, so it's not like I don't think of them."

I told her that we had kept in touch. I ventured that Tiffany was pregnant and due in early fall. Again, I held back on my role as the sperm donor.

"Good for them," she said.

In place of dessert, we opted for cappuccinos with a side of brandy.

"Kyle, I've been debating with myself about tonight. The business part was easy. Now, I wonder if I should bring up anything personal."

"Ferry, I know I hurt you. There isn't a day—literally not one day—that I don't regret that. I know you probably don't believe me or maybe don't care what I feel, but if there was ever any way I could make up to you, I will do it. Even if we never have another 'none date', I want to prove to you that I never wanted to hurt you."

She toyed with her cup, looking down at the table. Slowly, she raised her head. With moist eyes, she asked if I could listen to her and not interrupt.

I reached out and brushed the back of her hand. She jerked but did not pull it completely away. "Yes."

Ferry signaled our waiter and asked for the check. "I don't want to go into everything here. Do you have some place we can talk?"

I explained about the suite that was once both residence and living quarters. I told her Annie and I shared it and I could call to see if she were around. Ferry nodded. I used my cell and got her voicemail. I told her that Ferry and I would be coming back and would appreciate any privacy she could afford us. I was confident Annie would go to a movie or something and let us be alone.

We cabbed to the hotel. Entering the suite I turned on the lights.

"Drink?"

"Brandy, if you have it."

The suite had come stocked with plenty of nips of every type of liquor. I poured two snifters and we sat in the living room. I began to raise my glass and froze. Over Ferry's shoulder I saw a naked Annie walking toward me. The music blaring in her ear buds enabled her to bounce along with the beat. She was drying her hair and didn't notice me and obviously had no clue Ferry was there.

Ferry saw me turn white and turned to see what I was looking at.

"What?" she said.

At that moment, Annie looked up and saw us. She shrieked and pulled the towel in front of her. It was a small towel and was not up to the task of covering her ample body. She jerked the ear buds out and stood with her mouth open.

"Annie, we have company."

"Thanks for the heads up," she said.

"I called and left a voice mail."

"I was in the sauna and then rinsed off in your shower. I never heard my phone."

"Annie, I think you remember Ferry Williams. Ferry, Annie O'Donnell is now my assistant."

Ferry looked at the naked woman. She turned and looked at me. I shrugged.

"Office casual?" Annie offered.

Ferry broke up.

I began to breathe again.

"Now, if you two will excuse me, I'm going into my room, lock the door and never face another human being in my life."

Annie walked past us, keeping the towel in front to offer minimal shielding for her breasts and crotch. Her abundant butt jiggled and bounced.

"So, I see some things haven't changed," Ferry said.

"Uh, well...oh, shit. Look Annie walked in on my by accident while I was jumping rope."

"In the nude, I assume."

"Yes, but it was an accident."

"A fortuitous one, I imagine," Ferry said.

"An accident, Ferry. That's all it was."

"Ok, but how does that translate into her walking around nude in your suite?"

"We talked about what had happened. Annie was concerned that I would be angry and fire her."

"Ah, I bet she learned that she actually made your day."

"Ferry, let me explain."

"Kyle, somehow when we're together I hear you saying that quite often. But, go on." She sipped her brandy and sat back in her chair. A faint smile crossed her lips.

"I said that I was not upset, only that I did not want to offend her. Annie told me she was a nudist or naturalist, whatever, and that being naked in the company of others didn't bother her. She also talked about her body image and how she felt about her weight. I tried to tell her that she was a pretty woman, but she didn't see it. Then, one evening I was in the sauna and Annie joined me. I told her she looked great. I don't think she believed me, but since then we've had a sort of clothing optional arrangement when it is just the two of us. It has not gone further than that. There is nothing sexual going on."

"Other than two adults walking around nude," said Ferry.

"Can you believe that it's not sexual?"

"Not really," she said and getting up to pour another brandy. "Especially taking into consideration what I know about you."

I began to steam. I again said it was nothing sexual and it was totally consensual and did not affect our professional relationship.

We sat not looking or speaking with each other. I figured any hope I had of reconciling with Ferry was as dead as any possible relationship with her law firm. I was wondering how much brandy I could drink to erase my memory of this evening.

"Kyle, as strange as it may sound, I think this incident is a perfect lead in to what I wanted to talk about with you. But, I desperately need some coffee. If I have another sip of alcohol, I'll be in a coma. Could you fix me some and show me the way to a bathroom?"

I pointed out the powder room by the door to our suite and began to make coffee. By the time Ferry reappeared, I had set out two mugs on the table between our chairs. She sat and took a sip.

"Kyle, these last months have been quite an experience for me. When I left you and the firm, I came back home. I was hurt, confused, angry and depressed. I hung around my mother's house, slept most of the day and generally let myself deteriorate. After a couple weeks, I couldn't stand myself and decided to try to take control of my life. I talked with my mother and told her I wanted to get back to work. She suggested I speak with my father. I hadn't had much of a relationship with him since he and mom divorced. But, I called him.

"He was happy to hear from me. We met and he offered me a position. So, I began to work. That helped restore part of my self-esteem. I'm a good lawyer, Kyle, and it felt good to be involved in client work. Now, I had to face two personal demons. One, I needed to reconcile my feelings about my father and, two, I needed to understand my feelings about sex. Come to find out these two issues were closely related."

Ferry drank her coffee. I wanted to ask her so many questions, but knew this was her story and she needed to tell it in her own way at her own pace.

"I was Daddy's little girl," she began. "It's just me and my sister. I'm six years older, so for a long time I had my parents' complete attention. I loved my father and he loved me. We would do a lot of things together. Trips to the zoo, to the Lake of the Ozarks, vacations in Chicago and Denver, we had fun together. Of course, my mother was part of all this, but my father and I formed a strong bond. When my sister was born, things changed, but not in a bad way. I remained my father's favorite. He loved my sister, but he and I had something special."

Ferry kicked off her shoes and was flexing her toes. "You were right about these being new shoes. My feet are killing me."

"Foot massage?"

"Really?"

"Why not?" I said.

"Ok, but let me get rid of these panty hose. And, would you have something I could slip into? I wore this dress because it shows off my figure."

Smiling I said, "Well, then I say damn good choice."

"Yeah, I wanted you to know what you were missing," Ferry said. "But, it's tight and uncomfortable. I want to tell you this whole story. So, can you help?"

"Not to repeat history," I said, "But I could find a shirt you could wear. Also, I think you could pull a pair of sweats on. They will be big, but you aren't going jogging in them."

Ferry nodded and I led her to my bedroom. I pulled out a laundered blue oxford shirt and found a clean pair of sweats. "How about I freshen your coffee while you get changed?"

"Thanks," she said and touched my arm.

Ferry emerged wearing just my long shirt. She smiled shyly, said the pants were way too big and sat on the couch. I moved to the couch so I would be able to have her foot in my lap.

"Brings back memories," I said.

"Maybe we should have Annie come out and watch?"

"I'm sorry about that. I never meant to embarrass you that night in my apartment." I recalled how nervous I was about undressing her after she passed out. Diana advised me on the best approach. When Ferry later discovered that someone had watched me undress her, she reacted and that essentially was the end for us.

As she extended her foot to rest on my lap, I wondered if she were extending an offer of peace between us. I prayed for that to be the case.

"Kyle, I've worked through a lot since I returned here. The truth is I am still angry that you took my clothes off while someone watched. Now, I don't want to discuss that now. While you work your magic on my feet, let me tell you why I'm even talking to you again."

Being the wise man that I am, I shut my mouth. If only more men could learn this tactic, we'd have a lot less rancor between men and women. My ego drove me to convince Ferry of the rightness of my actions. Thank god, my brain enabled me to just listen to her.

Working my thumbs deep into the arch of her foot brought a contented sigh. Ferry smiled, sipped her coffee and told me what she had discovered.

"Kyle, I've had months to think about my life. Plus, I've been seeing a psychologist twice a week. I'm finally at a point where I can talk about why I reacted the way I did. I want you to understand what made me react the way I did. Funny, I didn't know why I was so upset until I've had this time and help to figure it out."