Before I am Famous

literature is something we infer after the story is told

Kaylena

Posted on | August 15, 2008 | 1 Comment

wedding
photo used by permission click here for details.

Lifting up the corner of the page, he peeled the plastic and took out the photo. He stared at under the dim as he poured himself another scotch. He ran his forefinger down the wedding photo. The door opened, a woman’s voice called.

“Renee is that?” he asked. The lights came on illuminating the Kaylena “Kays what are you doing here?” he asked surprised.

“I came to see how you were doing,” she said, plopping on the sofa beside him.

Kaylena and Renee could pass twins except for the ten year difference. Each sister had chestnut hair streaked with blonde and mahogany highlights. Kaylena smiled.

“Why aren’t you with your sister?”

“Half sister and should I be?” she retorted.

“Isn’t that what sisters do?”

“I don’t know, do they?”

Because of their age difference, Renee and Kaylena weren’t close. Their mother had Renee at 16. By the time Kaylena was born, Renee had her own separate life away from the adorable baby.

Kaylena snatched the picture from his fingers, “kind of a weird picture. Where’s your heads?”

He snatched it back, “it is supposed to show our love because we are holding hands.” He crumpled the picture and tossed it against the wall, “love is so over-rated.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Kays replied. She turned the page to a picture of herself and Jim dancing at the reception. “Remember that Jimbo? You were the first boy I danced with.”

He smiled, “except for your dad/”

“He doesn’t count. You were the first man to dance with me that I’m not related to.”

“I am,” he took another drink, “I was.”

“Not really anyway.”

Jim gazed at the photo of him and Kaylena. Even at ten he saw the beauty she would grow into. Renee stunned men and she knew it. One smile, one bat of her long eye lashes and the people flocked to her as if she were a celebrity. All it took for Jim was her smile and after months of her smiles he gathered enough nerve to ask her out.

They seemed to fit lock and key. After the honeymoon, Jim learned who Renee really was. But he loved her and forgave her for everything she did and did everything he could to please her because that’s he thought marriage was about- unconditional love.

Looking at the radiant Kaylena, he asked, “how did a dorky kid turn into a woman like you?”

“I’m the same except I’m taller and I have boobs,” Kays answered. “Hey you remember that song that was playing?”

“Uh huh, Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper.”

She got up from the sofa and looked at the cd’s. After finding what she sought, Kays put the cd in and cranked the volume.

“Turn it down, Kays. The neighbors will complain,” he said and took another drink.

She placed her hand on top of his glass, “dance with me for old time’s sake.”

“You promise not to step on my toes?” he asked standing.

Her soft hand intertwined with his rough hand, “it’s different now. I’m not a kid.”

She led him to the middle of the living room. Their dance started platonic with space between them. Their hands wrapped together and he placed his other hand on her lower back. Cyndi sang and she moved closer into his embrace, laying her head on his shoulder. The song ended and she pulled away slightly and their eyes danced.

Renee who? Jim thought as he bent down and accepted the unsaid invitation to meet her natural lips. His heart flipped-flopped and pushed her away, “I’m so sorry, Kays. I didn’t mean to- maybe the booze or missing Renee.”

She held onto his hand, “don’t say you’re sorry because I’m not. I came over here to tell you that Renee may be beautiful and the supposed love of your life but I love you. Maybe I didn’t love you when I was ten but I loved you long enough. Maybe you could try loving me.”

“I do love you, just-” he started.

Kays flopped back on the sofa, “I don’t want excuses. Tell me one reason why we can’t start from the beginning and see where it goes.”

“You’re in early 20’s and I’m in my 30’s. You have to finish college, party, experience life. Anyway Renee and I were your age when got married and look where are now- in the middle of a divorce,” Jim explained.

“Jim, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not Renee.”

He sat beside her and put his arm around her, “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Jim, kiss me again and if you feel nothing then we’ll go on as friends.”

“I don’t know Kays.”

Taking the initiative, she pulled his lips to hers. His hands moved to her back and held her close. Kays ran her fingers through his hair. His lips moved to her neck and ears. Their panted hot breaths raced over their bodies. He stopped.

“Tell me you didn’t feel anything,” she said.

“I can’t say that.”

“Jim, I’m not asking for marriage just dinner or a movie then taking it from there. But I wouldn’t say no to marriage. I just can’t imagine saying goodbye to you,” she said.

“Then don’t because you could be the one I’ve been searching for.”

Thanks A Thousand Words for the inspiration!

Category: simply stories

Comments

One Response to “Kaylena”

  1. Blog Carnivals | Mixed Metaphor.net
    September 20th, 2008 @ 2:02 pm

    [...] Jennifer M. Scott – Kaylena [...]

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