Toronto Collection Volume 3 (Toronto Series #10-13) Page 9

  No wedding ring.

  I smiled back. "Well, none really. My nephew's number nineteen."

  "Wash Rosecliff. Nice kid."

  I nodded. "I like him. Who's yours?"

  He chuckled and pointed. "The one chasing yours around."

  As Felix noticed and got the boys back to paying attention, my new friend said, "I'm Calvin, by the way. Nice to meet you."

  "You too. I'm Lydia."

  We shook hands and began chatting, first about the kids and the practice then about everything. He didn't seem to like Felix much, but to his credit backed off when I casually said, "He's my boss, actually." I slipped into the conversation that I was single, and he let me know that he was divorced but everyone was fine with it, and after that we moved easily into flirting.

  I did keep watching Wash, because I knew he'd grill me afterwards about what he'd done and I didn't want to disappoint him, but I gave far more of my attention to Calvin. He was funny and listened to what I said, and I liked the sparks between us.

  At the end of the practice, Felix let the kids race around for a few minutes to reward them for working hard then skated toward me. As he neared, Calvin said, "I've really enjoyed talking to you. Would you like to go out for dinner tomorrow night?"

  Not sorry Felix would see this and realize I was in demand, I said, "I've got my first yoga class tomorrow so that doesn't work, but I would like to. How about Wednesday?"

  Felix stopped before us. Ignoring him, Calvin said, "Wednesday it is. Let's trade numbers just in case, but otherwise how about I meet you at Shark Bait at 7:30?"

  Nice restaurant choice. Classy but not stuffy. This was looking good. I felt Felix looking at me but I didn't turn away from Calvin. "Perfect."

  After we'd recorded each other's phone numbers, Calvin smiled at me. "I'll see you Wednesday. Enjoy your sundae with Wash."

  I smiled back and he left after a curt nod to Felix.

  "Well, congrats. Half the mothers here have been after that guy."

  "Is that right?" I made my voice neutral, since I wasn't sure where he was going with this.

  He nodded. "Better watch yourself in the parking lot. You might not be popular."

  His joking tone made it okay for me to say, "I'll arm myself with Wash's stick. Or you could escort me out?"

  "I'd escort you anywhere, pretty lady." He gave my arm a light stroke that sent shivers through me. "But I guess Calvin has that honor. For now."

  He smiled and skated off, leaving me tingling and wondering whether seeing Calvin ask me out would spur Felix on to do the same thing.

  *****

  After the sundae, I took Wash home, collected my reluctant thanks and a litany of complaints about our parents and their condo-judging ways from Catherine, then drove back to my place. As I neared the last gas station before my house, I glanced at the car's gauge and realized I would need fuel soon. I'd been noticing the dwindling supply for a good two weeks now, but since I didn't drive very often I usually didn't bother filling up until I was nearly running on fumes. I wanted to stick to that routine and just take my tired self home, but here was a chance to be good to myself by getting gas now so I wouldn't have to later.

  I did, shivering in the cold, then made the rest of the trip home feeling proud of myself despite the chill in my bones. A simple way to make my future life a little easier, and I'd chosen to take it. I'd have to remember to post about it on my web site. My readers loved that sort of easy-to-implement tip.

  Paddington and I went for a short walk, and when he stopped to do a more thorough sniffing of a particular lamp post I shifted from foot to foot to keep warm and thought about whether I should be doing some volunteer work. Felix had the hockey team and Calvin apparently coached his son's baseball team in the summer, and that night both had asked me what kind of volunteering I did and both had seemed disappointed I did nothing.

  Starting to volunteer just to impress men seemed a little pathetic, but if it helped the community what did my motivation matter? Besides, they'd both said they really enjoyed what they did and found it rewarding, so maybe it would help me be good to myself.

  But what to do? I didn't know enough about any sport to coach, and I didn't think my thrift shopping abilities would be of much use to anyone but myself. What other skills did I have?

  Paddington tugged at the leash, having finished with his lamp post, and we moved on.

  What about the humane society or a pet rescue? I could maybe do something there, walking the dogs or playing with the kittens. More realistically I'd probably end up on cage cleaning duty, but even that wouldn't be too bad if I didn't breathe too much. Yes, I'd do that.

  Having made the decision, I turned around and took Paddington home, though he was still friskier than I liked him to be. I wanted to look up the humane society and give them a call, and besides I was freezing. I didn't have the nice thick fur coat he had.

  I hung up my coat and stuffed my boots into the over-filled hall closet, wishing yet again that the shoe rack I'd tried to hang on the door had worked out. It would have kept most of my footwear organized, but the stupid door was hollow and I hadn't figured out how to keep the thing attached. Seeing the mess of shoes on the floor, looking unorganized no matter how carefully I lined them up, annoyed me more than it probably should have and I shut the door hard so I wouldn't have to see it any more.

  After changing into my pajamas and managing to put away my clothes without bumping into and bringing down the closet rod, I looked up pet rescues in my area and called the nearest one, leaving a message that I'd like to walk dogs for them if they needed that since I had my own dog and was pretty good with them.

  I settled onto the couch to watch a little TV before bed, but I'd barely picked up the remote control when my phone rang.

  "Lydia, this is Martha from the animal shelter. I just got your message and I had to call right away because we'd be so happy to have you walk our dogs. They don't get out much and they really need it. Could you come tomorrow night?"

  Surprised she was working at nine at night, I said, "I'm afraid I can't. I have yoga. But I can come--"

  "Wednesday?"

  And miss my date with Calvin? "No, but Thursday would work."

  She sighed. "I guess that'll have to do. Can you be here at six-thirty?"

  I agreed that I could. She asked for my email address to send me the necessary forms to approve me as a volunteer, and once I'd promised to print them out and bring them completed on Thursday we ended the call.

  Paddington bounced around the living room playing with his favorite rubber bone and I watched him and hoped all the dogs I'd be walking would be at least as nice as he was.

  Hello, my lovely readers, and welcome to an unusual late-night post. I wanted to tell you that I've just signed myself up to volunteer at the pet shelter. While that maybe doesn't seem to fit under the category of 'spoiling' that we've assigned to Monday, I think it can, and here's why.

  I get to feel good about myself for helping, for giving a nice enjoyable walk to dogs who don't often get one. I walk my own Paddington, of course, but he's spoiled rotten already. These dogs spend most of their time in cages, I think, and so they'll really relish the walk. And I'll feel even better knowing I'm helping them have better lives.

  Do you volunteer? If not, maybe consider and giving it a try this week. Who knows, it might be exactly what you need to change your life!

  Chapter Fourteen

  When my alarm went off the next morning I swung my legs out of bed and laid my feet on the floor, then recoiled as my soles made contact with something unpleasantly wet and squishy.

  I peeked down, afraid Paddington had thrown up or done something even worse on my light gray bedroom carpet, and spotted the remains of what used to be my bright pink furry slippers. I'd worn those slippers constantly since Larissa gave them to me for Christmas, but I wouldn't any more because the fur was chewed into tiny pieces and the plush lining was scattered everywhere.

  Fighting t
he urge to crawl back under the covers and refuse to participate in what was already shaping up to be a bad day before I even got fully out of bed, I made a quick bathroom trip then came back to scrape up all the fragments and throw them away before Paddington could eat any more than he probably already had. He sat a few feet away watching me clean up, with a big doggy grin on his face, and though I loved him I could have strangled him. I hadn't worn any other slippers since Christmas because I'd never had a pair that felt so good. Now they were gone.

  In a foul mood, I showered and dressed then packed up my yoga clothes so I wouldn't have to come home before my class that night. Paddington got a quick walk, shorter than he probably wanted but longer than I wanted to spend since I'd already lost time to the stupid dog, then I headed out the door with my car keys in hand because the yoga studio wasn't easily accessible by subway and neither was the restaurant where I'd be meeting Larissa afterwards.

  When I started the car and saw the full gas gauge, I felt a surge of warm satisfaction flood me, taking away some of my aggravation. Yes, it had been annoying getting gas yesterday but now I was able to head right out and I wouldn't be late for work. Suffering that small annoyance earlier had made this morning a little brighter.

  Good thing, too, because the rest of my day didn't seem very bright. Percy wasn't at work, apparently suffering a cold, and I hadn't realized how quickly I'd become used to chatting with him on breaks until now when I couldn't. I did text and email him to say I hoped he felt better soon, but his short replies made it clear he wasn't feeling well enough to chat so I left him alone and spent the day working hard on putting together a bunch of posts.

  Being bent over my keyboard so much meant my neck and shoulders were even tighter than usual by the end of the day, and I went to the yoga class feeling more nervous than I'd expected. What if this Jen was one of those hyper-flexible people and she took one look at me and laughed me out of class?

  I turned out to be half right. I saw the end of her advanced class and she was indeed more flexible than I could ever dream of being, but she was sweet and friendly and clearly cared about everyone in her class.

  Including me, even though we were meeting for the first time.

  "Lydia!" She greeted me like we'd been friends forever. "I'm so glad you made it. You can change right through there, then come on back and meet everyone."

  Everyone turned out to be welcoming too, and I was already feeling relaxed even before the class started. How good would I feel after an hour of yoga?

  *****

  "Amazing," I said to Larissa. "The class was amazing and I feel great now. I was terrible at it, of course, since it's been so long since I did any exercise, but it felt good to be using my body that way. Especially after sitting for so long at my desk slaving over posts. I just hope I'll get to keep going."

  After the class, driving with a dreamy smile to meet Larissa for dinner, I'd realized my body hadn't felt that loose and free, and I hadn't felt so present in my body, since my last time in bed with Damien. Really good sex always made me feel warm and serene, calmed me all the way through and left me feeling at ease and relaxed.

  But I hadn't been with Damien for more than a year, and the three guys I'd slept with since him had been fun enough in bed but none of them had been able to produce that deep relaxation and pleasure in me.

  Maybe Felix would. His kiss certainly suggested he had potential. Or Calvin might. Maybe I'd find out tomorrow night.

  Larissa hadn't responded, and her eyes seemed sad and faraway, so I said her name softly.

  She jumped a little and blinked. "Sorry. I'm beat."

  She did look exhausted too, now that she mentioned it. "Is your face making it hard to sleep?" I leaned in a little for a better look at the scabs that still marred her pretty face. "It looks like it's healing up okay, though. Yes?"

  She nodded. "Sorry. What were you saying?"

  Since it hadn't been important, I said, "Just about yoga, no biggie."

  "Tell me."

  The intensity in her voice surprised me but I figured she was feeling bad for not having been listening so I said, "Well, I want to go again next Tuesday night, and maybe another class before then if I can find time. But there's still this stupid contest we're doing. 'Be good to yourself'. I'm still trying to figure out what it means. And if I can't get my site working perfectly so my readers stay interested I won't be able to go to yoga later this week and I want to."

  Larissa frowned. "But your site looks great."

  I blinked, surprised and pleased. "You read it? I didn't know that. Thank you! And it is going well but it has to be spectacular to keep me ahead of Sasha and Patricia in the competition. If Felix doesn't love it, I don't get the promotion." Knowing she knew all about Felix and his flirtatious ways, I gave her a small smile and she returned it as I added, "Although who knows with him? He seems to like playing games with me, so I might get the promotion because he hopes he'll get something from me in return. A naked something."

  Larissa swallowed the contents of her nearly full martini glass in a few big gulps. "Yeah. They're all like that, aren't they? Fake to the core."

  I sighed and rubbed my finger along the stem of my wine glass. "Maybe this Calvin guy isn't, but we'll have to see, I guess. I know I said this before but I'm really getting tired of the game-playing."

  "So lame and pointless," she said, softly but with a fierceness behind her words that made me look up in surprise.

  Before I could say anything she said, "Sorry. But it is, right? It just... God, Lydia, I'm so tired."

  I'd been listening, of course, but her sudden pain startled me into more attention. "You're not sleeping?"

  She gave a grunt of laughter. "I am. Probably too much. Look, never mind. I'm fine."

  I wasn't convinced. "What's the tarot situation? Anything significant there?"

  I'd met Larissa when she was doing tarot readings for friends at a party a few years back, and since then she'd read the cards for me lots of times and I knew she did it for herself frequently too. She made her own decisions in life but used her cards to guide her. So I was even more concerned when she shook her head and said, "They're useless. Nothing seems to make sense."

  She radiated anger and misery at once, and I didn't know how to help. "Talk to me."

  She swallowed hard then shook her head. "I'm fine. Really. Just an idiot. I'm making a big deal out of nothing. I'll figure it out."

  For some reason, this didn't make me feel any less worried. "What's the nothing you're making a big deal of?"

  She leaned back in her chair, and for a second I thought she'd tell me. Then she shook her head again. "It's okay. Never mind. Look, why don't we go thrift shopping? Right now? It'll be fun."

  I stared at her. "Who are you, and what have you done with my friend who thinks thrifting is one tiny step above dumpster diving?"

  With the faintest hint of a smile, she said, "Can't a girl change her mind? Teach me to find treasure in the trash."

  *****

  I took Larissa to the consignment shop where I'd bought my purse since it was classier than most of the other places I shopped. She looked doubtful at first but when she found a silver necklace with a cute pendant in the shape of a frog and couldn't stop staring at it I figured I'd made a new convert to the thrifting way of life.

  "Why a frog?" She'd never particularly been into frogs, as far as I knew.

  She shook her head, still staring at the necklace. "I don't know. I just love it."

  I patted her on the shoulder. "Good enough. It's all about finding something that clicks with you. I'm off to find slippers. You staying here?"

  "Yeah." She turned away from the frog, apparently with an effort. "You don't like the slippers I got you?"

  I rolled my eyes. "I love them. Unfortunately, so did my damn dog. He shredded them this morning."

  "I can get you new ones if you want."

  "It's not your fault Paddington trashed them. You don't have to do that."


  "I don't mind," she said quickly, sounding happier than she had all night. "If they'd make you feel good."

  I knew Larissa wasn't exactly rolling in money, and letting her buy me another pair of what I felt sure had been expensive slippers didn't seem fair. "No, it's okay. Thanks though. I'll find something here."

  "Okay," she said softly, turning her attention back to her necklace. "Good luck."

  "Thanks. You too."

  I left her and was soon absorbed in the bin of slippers. For one exciting moment I thought I'd be able to get the same slippers Larissa had given me, but unfortunately the ones I'd found were a good three sizes too small for me. Paddington could fit his feet into them but I wouldn't be able to. I kept looking, disappointed that those hadn't turned out, and soon had four pairs on the floor beside the bin.

  Black velvet, only a little worn across the toes. Brown felt ones that my grandmother might have liked, embroidered with a vaguely floral pattern. A cute pair of leopard-print ones, which unfortunately had awful foot odor emanating from them. It might wash out but there was no way to know until I took them home and tried. And finally, teal green ones that were nearly the same color as my scarf but half a size too big for me.

  The owner came over and smiled at me. "Having trouble deciding?"

  I nodded. "They're all kind of okay but not quite perfect."

  "Not like that purse, eh?"

  The purse which still frustrated me on a daily basis. "Yeah," I said, not wanting to admit it wasn't right, and gave the purse a pat. "I guess I want this but in slipper form."

  She chuckled. "Well, I can give you all four of those pairs for only twelve dollars, if that helps."

  Saving a buck each? Not bad. "It does, actually. Thanks."

  "Anything for my best customer."

  She smiled again and left me, and though I'd heard her call at least three other people her best customer that night alone I still felt warm and fuzzy.