Chapter 51: Epilogue

I moved with great haste as I took the stairs two at a time. The elevator was broken today, which was rare, but I had the proverbial spring in my step and literally woke up on the right side of the bed this morning.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I ignored it. I knew who it was.



“Yeah, yeah.” I said aloud as I exited the stairwell and made to waive at our lobby porter, Greg, and pushed my way through the double doors of the building lobby.

I crossed the potholed and cracked expanse that was my building’s parking lot, but I was too late. She was already standing there, leaning against my car. Like a mouse that sensed its prey she turned her head.

“You’re late again, Theo. Or should I call you Boss?”

I grinned as I reached into my pants pocket for the key fob. ‘Boss’. Now, that was a term that I was still getting used to. It was true that I was promoted to the position ahead of her now, but somehow I felt she would always be my superior. The car chirped, my brand-new Audi Q7 55 Premium Plus, as I untethered myself from my messenger bag, a Ferragamo, and hastily threw it in the backseat.

Danielle was already in the passenger seat and had buckled herself in.

“I love new car smells, don’t you?” She said as she reached into her purse for her lipstick. She lowered the passenger sun visor and began evaluating herself in the mirror.

I chuckled and nodded, reaching across my expansive body, folded neatly into my upsized La Boutrine suit, for the seatbelt. The latch clicked and I threw the car into drive and waggled myself into the driver’s seat which was spacious and ergonomic in spite of its’ upsized driver.

“Why the rush this morning?” I’d asked her as I merged with traffic and hit the accelerator.

“Oh, you know. The usual. Donovan Bashir has just merged with another company, and we’ve been tasked with transferring over the new accounts. How does this color look, by the way?” She said as she closed the visor and turned her head to me. The brown eyes sparkled above the aquiline nose and Danielle’s face broke into a smile as she pursed her lips for me. The slash of lipstick looked splendid.

“I like it, that’s a nice color on you.”

“Well, now that I am officially back on the market, a girl has to try a little harder again.”

“You won’t have long to wait, I am sure.”

Danielle rolled her eyes, “Have you even met me? I’m looking for more than a pulse and penis these days, Theo. I am a refined lady. Turning over a new leaf.”

We both looked at each other and laughed hysterically.

My phone buzzed from somewhere deep in my pocket and was instantly connected to the car’s Bluetooth.

I was still getting used to the newness of my car, having traded in the old CR-V as I had literally outgrown it. “I’ve got it, Theo babes. Can’t wait to hear this.” Said Danielle as she reached over to the center console and accepted the call.

“Hey T, it’s me—merrow! Oliver, get down from there.”

I looked at Danielle, who smirked and tucked her chin. Her lips puckered and she looked like she was on the verge of stuffing her knuckles into her mouth. I scowled.

“Hey J—what’s up?” I said, keeping my eyes on the road. I wanted to stare down at the console, but the merging traffic became heavy.

“Nothing much other than the fact that this cat of ours is being a holy terror. Did you forget to feed him for like a week or something?—Merrow!”

Smiling, I said, “Hey Oliver, heya buddy. Whose daddy’s little man?”

The sounds of up-close purring filled the vehicle cabin and Danielle began to shake violently with silent giggles. She brought one nail to her lips and began to chew on it to distract her.

I took this moment to stare at the center console and see the name that appeared there. Julio. Even though it was only text and not a photo or anything, it still sent rivulets of joy through my heart to see it there. I sighed aloud.

“He’s just getting used to our new schedule and so his feeding window is off.” I said through the speakers.

“You’re telling me. If I’d let him, he’d likely chew my fingers off.”

“Who wouldn’t. Or the rest of you.” Said Danielle. I knew she wouldn’t be able to help herself.

A laugh, then, “hey Danielle.”

“Oh, is this Julio? I hadn’t guessed from all your guys’ mushy banter.”

“You’re more than welcome to babysit Oliver if you’d like, you know.” He said.

“Oh, hell no. No cat hair is getting all over these clothes, no thank you.”

“And here was me believing that you were allergic all this time.” Julio said.

“J—check the kitchen cabinet on the left. There should be a few cans stacked on top of each other. Give him one of those and one of those dry pouches. That should get Oliver to settle down.”

I changed lanes and revved the engine, passing a sleepy sedan while Danielle and I both waited. Through the speaker phone, I could hear the sounds of a phone being put down, the patter of feet, the scrape of a cabinet door being opened, and the rustle of cat food being prepared. All the while I heard the contented sounds of a purring feline.

“Sounds like we can call the president and tell him we’ve avoided DEFCON 4.” Said Danielle after a few moments of silence filled our cabin.

“Yep, that’s him settled. Okay, well that’s all I called for. That and to tell you that I love you and will see you this evening.” Said Julio.

“Awww, you two are adorkable.” Said Danielle. She clasped her hands and made a mock-kissy face in my direction.

Julio’s familiar laugh filled the cabin of the SUV and my heart did a little summersault and my cheeks flushed red.

“Love you to, hon. Bye.”

“Bye.” He said.

“—hey, wait!” said Danielle, suddenly.

“Yeah?” Said Julio.

“You wouldn’t happen to have a straight friend who is nearly as gorgeous as you who can dance, cook and make great conversation that might be interested in a hot just-past-forty-something with a killer bod and Tyrannosaurus-sized sexual appetite, now would you?”

The car was silent for a second, then, “I’ll make a few phone calls. Have a good day, you two.”

I shot Danielle a look, “Eew, pervert.”

She shrugged her shoulders, “Hey, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. And that man of yours is 110% de-lic-ious. You can’t knock a girl for putting it out there.”

I smiled. Couldn’t argue with her there.
“Hey, did you skip out on breakfast?” She said as she reached for her purse.

The smell of a freshly unwrapped sandwich filled my nostrils, and I looked over. My mouth watered as I saw the golden yellow egg, flecks of chive and sections of bacon peeking out from the folded over half-sandwich that was staring back at me. My cheeks flushed with want.

“I’ll take that as a ‘no’ then,” said Danielle as she made to hand me the half-sandwich and promptly tucked a napkin between me and my seatbelt.

I took a hearty bite. It was delicious.

She took out a sandwich of her own and we dined in silence as we ran down the few final miles that took us from our apartment complex to our office.

Mentally, I looked back at the last few weeks and could hardly believe that so much had changed.

Julio and I became steady, and he moved into my apartment. Between our salaries, we could have easily moved, but I did like where I was and so we decided to undergo a reno instead. I was pleasantly pleased that he was not allergic to cats and Oliver took to him like a second sibling. In fact, dare I say that the pair of them got along a little too well to the point where I was feeling a little jealous?

I still have colorful dreams and we still go to Le Beurre and dance the night away. We have couples’ dinners with Bryce and his companion and Danielle always begs to be our plus-one. She’s such a consummate conversationalist that we can never say no.

My sessions with Dr. Jackie have levelled off and we talk a little less often. I have made great leaps in progress and my mental head space has never been more stable, now that I have a new love in my life. Every day is a new adventure and my relationship with food has never been better.

I am happy. Oh, so very happy these days.

FIN



Author's Notes:

That's another story done and dusted.

Thank you all who have enjoyed the ride and for your encouraging comments and suggestions along the way.

We are all here to enjoy all things FA and hopefully this story helped you disappear into the the world of fantasy for a while.

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-Runningsoft-