Chapter 5

When Cilla returned to the van she sat staring out the windshield for several long minutes before pulling away from the curb. What had happened? Her arm was still tingling from that slight touch. That’s just crazy. She talked herself down and carefully parked the van back behind the shop. She ran up to her apartment to change her shirt and it was then that she finally opened the envelope Jon had handed her. She pulled out seven crisp one hundred dollar bills. Shit, that’s way too much.

She looked at the receipt, the price of the cake wasn’t anywhere near that much. She scanned it for a phone number or some way to contact him, but there was only an address. She would have to go back over there and give him his money back. But she would do that later. Right now, it was too nice a day to stay indoors. She was going to go out and wander for a while, get lost in the crowds and see what kind of gems she could find in the little shops and boutiques along the way.

As the afternoon gave way to early evening Cilla trudged up the stairs to her apartment, her bags crackling and bouncing as she walked. She had taken Sid’s advice and bought a few things that were brand new, including two very stylish pairs of shoes. She got herself a bottle of water and sat down amongst her things. Sid was right, it did feel good to buy new things, she wouldn’t tell him that though. If she told him he was right, he would crow about it for months. While she did still love hunting through the thrift stores, the throw she found for a song attested to that, she couldn’t deny the fact that her new shoes and the new skirt she found were a thrill too.

Lying in bed that night she finally let herself replay the scene at Jon’s door that morning. What was that tingle all about? He had been very nice and very generous, but she couldn’t help but wonder about the electricity when they touched. She had loved Charles and they had been good together for a while, but when they touched there weren’t any tingles. What could it mean?

~

When she found Sid and Mark they were seated outside at the little café they frequented every Sunday. “My, my, don’t you look lovely my dear?” Cilla was wearing her new skirt. It was a long flowing gypsy-style skirt done in shades of red and black with a metallic thread running through it. She had topped it with a red lace edged tank top and she was also wearing one of her new pairs of shoes; flat metallic strappy sandals. Her hair flowed about her shoulders and down her back; she even put a bit of make up on.

Mark stood as Cilla approached and reached for her hand as he kissed her cheek. Sid stood too but Cilla just gave him a dirty look. “How are you Mark?” Mark pulled out her chair “I’m just fine Cil. Is that a new outfit you have on?” Cilla nodded, still not acknowledging Sid, “I just bought the skirt and shoes yesterday. I found this great little boutique about a block from the shop.” Mark nodded, he knew from Sid about her habits and was glad to see that she had spent a little money on herself. “You look wonderful sweetie.” She patted his hand, “thank you.”

After the waitress came and took their order Sid tried to talk to Cilla. “Cil, what’s wrong? Why won’t you talk to me?” She looked over at him, “I’m mad at you. You set me up yesterday.” Sid feigned innocence, “what are you talking about? All I did was leave you to deliver that cake.” Cil wasn’t buying it, “you left me to deliver that cake alone, to” she leaned in and lowered her voice, “Jon freaking Bon Jovi.” She moved back, “that’s what you did.”

His face reddened, he’d been caught, “so what if I did. Have you looked at the man lately, he’s fabulous.” Cilla rolled her eyes, “that’s not the point. You deliberately set me up. I’m not looking for a man Sid. I told you the other day, I don’t have the time or energy for a relationship right now.” Sid sighed, “okay Cil. I’m still not convinced that you don’t need a man, but I’ll let it go. For now.” He pouted and batted his eyes at her, “still love me?” Cilla just shook her head, she could never stay mad at him for long. She sighed, “I guess. But you’re paying for brunch.”

As the three of them sat sipping their iced tea Cilla noticed a man walking up the sidewalk in their direction. He was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. She sat up straight in her chair, leaning in to talk to Sid and Mark, “oh God don’t look, but here he comes.” “Who?” Sid made to turn and she stopped him, “HIM and I said don’t look.”

Jon was out taking a walk after having deposited the kids back with Dorothea. The apartment always felt so empty, so tomb-like that he just had to get out of there. He hadn’t paid any attention to where he was going, he was just wandering, trying to clear his mind, but thoughts of the kids and, the cake lady of all people, just keep niggling at him. As he walked he found himself replaying the time she had spent in his apartment over and over again. He could clearly see her and then the thing at the door. What was that?

As he slowed to wait for the light to change so he could cross the street, he looked up and saw the café. There were people sitting outside enjoying the sunny day and he thought maybe he’d stop for something to drink. That’s when he saw her. She was sitting with two men, laughing and sipping on a drink. He watched her pretty pink lips as they pulled the straw to her mouth and pucker when she sucked on it. He felt his body react to the innocent gesture and he decided he needed to get to know this woman.

Crossing the street he walked up to the café and stopped near her table, “Cilla?”