Check Mate

Check Mate

I walk around on eggshells for the rest of the week, never knowing where or when Alex will pop up in my routine. I review my calendar while sitting at my desk Friday morning. Today will be hectic. My mom and dad have work and since Paul’s family is now all out of state, I have no other available babysitters. I rush Bailey to school and open the studio. Andrea and I are taking costume measurements today. This day is usually not so chaotic, but since it’s the studios first ever half day we’re in a rush. This is the first of many scheduling hurdles I’ll have to face since Alex walked into my life. Andrea and I are making our spreadsheets for each class. Listed are what measurements we need to take and the costume number to order. My phone rings interrupting my train of thought. 

“Hello, this is Camille.” 

“Hi Cami! It’s Ally.” 

I mouth out, “s**t” and stamp my foot. 

“Hi Ally, how can I help you?” I say with a forced smile to assist my fake pleasant tone. 

“Well, I was just here in class talking to Bailey and she mentioned that you were going to volunteer on this upcoming Tuesday. I just can’t tell you how thrilled I am.” Exasperated I rub my temple

“Oh Allie, I wish she hadn’t said that. I’m working on coming in. I have a business meeting that day that I’m hoping to reschedule. I have to talk to the third party to see their availability first.” 

“Oh well it would be such a shame to let this gorgeous little girl of yours down. You know what, I’ll just put your name down on the sign-up sheet and if you can’t make it just give me a call.” I want to growl at this woman. What is it with people not accepting it when I tell them no? 

“OK Allie, sounds good, I’ swamped here though. Thanks for the call.” 

“Any time sweetheart, bye bye.” I hang up frustrated. 

“Gosh she’s the worst!” 

“Who was it?” Andrea asks. “The PTA president, I told Bailey I’d try to make it on Tuesday, and that PTA b***h has already got me signed up.” 

“Isn’t the crew supposed to be here Tuesday?” 

“Yup, and I’m not thinking rescheduling with Alex is going to be an easy task.” 

“Hmmmm maybe you could convince him.” Andrea says while shimmying. 

“Yeah, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. One fire at a time. Let’s finish these before I have to go get my kiddo.” 

We get through all the toddlers, which is the hardest part of measurement day, before I leave to get Bailey. I’ve instructed Bailey to be ready to run, and boy is she ever. When I pull up to the school she’s in ready position like a track runner. When she sees me she bolts. She’s in the car huffing and puffing before I know it. 

“Did you see me? I was like lightning!” 

“Good job kid, buckle up we gotta go.” We rush back to the studio and Bailey heads to the viewing area to watch the older girls dance. I meet up with Andrea and she’s finished almost all the measurements. Thank God for this woman. 

“Do you need any help?” 

“You betcha’” 

“I’m not gonna be free, but Bailey’s here if you want to tote her highness around.” 

“Child labor, I love it! Send her my way.” I walk up to the viewing area and find Bailey talking to one of the moms. She's discussing how beautiful the ballerinas are, and when she grows up she’s going to dance just like them. Then explains how she'll also work on cars, because she’s well rounded. 

“Pardon me my well rounded daughter, but could you come here please and leave Mrs. Butler to watch her daughter.” 

“Yes mama, bye Mrs. Butler.” 

“Good to see you Bailey.” 

“Bailey I need you to go help Andrea take measurements for the costumes, she’ll show you what to do.” 

“OK mama. Oh I told Mrs. Fierra that you were going to come to class on Tuesday.” 

“I know Bailey.” 

“I’m so excited Mama!” I let out a big puff, well now I can’t let her down.

I go and wait in my office for Alex and Charlie. There’s a knock and it’s Andrea and Bailey leading the men to my office. 

“We’re all done and everyone’s heading out. I’m going to take Bailey to get yogurt if that’s OK?” 

“Thank you Andrea that’ll be great.” 

“Here’s Ms. Landry.” Bailey gestures with sweeping arms in my direction. 

“Thank you kindly miss.” Charlie says to Bailey and bows in front of her. Alex and Charlie sit down and the door is shut behind them, but not before Andrea peeks her head in and mimes a swoon. 

“OK gentlemen, what do you need from me today?” 

Charlie pipes in, “Just to hold the key, and answer questions we may have.” 

“Sounds easy enough. I did have one minor schedule request.” Alex perks up in his seat, like a dog awaiting a treat. 

“Is there any way that we could move Tuesdays meeting? I have a prior engagement that I overlooked.” 

“Well, that depends.” Alex chimes in. 

“What are you willing to trade in leu of your request?” 

“A different few hours of my time that day. I just want to reschedule. Even if we moved everything back two hours that would be fine.” 

“I’m a busy man and may need to be persuaded to make such an adjustment to my calendar.” 

“Really?” I ask, the word saturated in sarcasm. “Yes really.” 

“I don’t know what to offer you. Would you like free dance classes?” Charlie snickers. “You know what I want.” 

“I’m not sure what you’re suggesting is appropriate in the parameters of business Mr. Roen.” 

“Cut the act Camille, we’re far past appropriate at this point. You got this schmuck involved in our business by calling him the other night. There’s no need to pretend that I haven’t been pursuing you.” 

“I think I’ll just excuse myself.” Charlie is trying to get out of this awkward conversation, and I’m trying to use my wits to come up with my own escape route. 

“No, you stay right there Charlie. No one is leaving this room until this matter is handled. Ms. Landry, dinner, tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at seven?” 

I look to Charlie for assistance, but he just shrugs his shoulders. Come on man, use that lawyer brain to get me out of this? No use. I make a mental note to find my own lawyer friend. 

“Ms. Landry, I haven’t got all day. Is that yes or no?” Alex’s blue eyes are lit up with a devious spark. Check mate. “Yes.” 

I say with my eyes closed, as if that’s going to make the words not true. 

“Alright, let’s get to work.” Alex pops up out of his chair confident and proud. I saunter out behind my desk and open the door to my office. 

“After you gentlemen, just let the lady who was conned into a date get the door.” 

Charlie laughs, “My apologies, I was just in a bit of shock.” 

He grabs the door and I exit before Alex has a chance to lock me in his gaze. We spend the rest of the hour discussing where would be the easiest entrance to get their equipment in. They ask if the sun reflects off mirrors, and note which mirrors will need to be covered. I can’t help but feel prideful over my studio. It’s beautiful. If only they had seen it before I got my hands on it. Everyone told me that I was biting off more than I could chew. Now here we are, shooting a movie in my more than I can chew studio. My confidence is smothering my disappointment over losing to Alex, I’m sure that will change soon. I meet Bailey and Andrea outside while Alex, Charlie and I are locking up. 

“Thank you much for lending us your mother Madame.” Charlie says to Bailey 

“You are kindly welcomed my sir” Bailey curtsies. This kid is too much.

 “I’ll see you tomorrow at seven?” Alex eyes me,

 “As promised” I reply. 

We all part ways and on the way to the car Bailey asks, 

“Mama, what’s happening tomorrow at seven?” 

I see Alex smile at us while getting into his car and immediately zooming off. 

Reviews

[Jennie Baron]

He is not just persistent but quite arrogant. I see this going the way of a lot of romances involving a guy who behaves like a jerk, but the basic goodness in him is brought out by the love of a strong woman. We shall see how this plays out!

[SweetNutmeg]

I am SO glad she's got boundaries and enforces them. He's acting pretty creepy. I feel on her side. In fact, my mind is going to all those brochures you see at the doctor's office and in bathroom stalls, about signs you're in an abusive relationship, with the way he's behaving.

Tiny error:
quite neighborhood... QUIET