Lulu's Loves (17 page)

My dad liked Keelin. Sharing coffee and breakfast, listening to him talk about life, not just his life: LIFE. I felt gratitude.

We were on the road by 8:30 and at the mall when it opened. We shopped all morning, had lunch, and then shopped some more. I found several things that I liked and Keelin threw in a few that he liked for me.

“Happy Birthday! I think that this will your be best birthday so far!” he told me when he dropped me at home.

Robbie

On Friday, I celebrated my thirtieth birthday with a crowd of friends at Branson’s. The friends that Rachael and I shared were there and the friends I’d made through Keelin were all gathered to celebrate. To my surprise, my dad even stopped in for a while.

Keelin’s idea was to celebrate the demise of my twenties. There was a cake with a tombstone, stating that my twenties were dead. I didn’t feel thirty. Thirty seemed old. I felt like things were just beginning for me. I saw leaving my twenties behind in the same way I left my teens behind,  open minded and ready for a new path.

I was having fun. Keelin made me learn to have more fun, and it made a huge difference in Lulu Welk.

It seemed that everyone was buying me drinks. Keelin was my designated driver for the evening. He was a big help keeping tabs on me, so I didn’t get sloshed. I was getting close, so I slowed down, alternating my drinks with water, but I was still a little tipsy.

Another group came into Branson’s. It seemed to be a bachelor party, all men. One man’s eyes locked on me as soon as the group came through the door. Every time I looked up, he was watching me. I hadn’t had a man look at me like that in a long time. If I laughed, he looked. If someone in the group celebrating with me did anything, he looked. I excused myself to go to the rest room. When I came out, he stepped in front of me.

“Hello,” he said. His voice was soft and sweet; his eyes, brown and inviting.

“Hi.”

He smiled and his face seemed to illuminate. “Is it your birthday or something? You seem to be the center of attention in the group you’re with.”

“It
is
my birthday.”

Before I knew it, he had me in his arms, dipping me back for a kiss. It caught me off guard. But oh, that kiss. His lips were warm and soft. I hadn’t been kissed like that in far too long. All of a sudden, I heard someone yell my name.

“Lulu!”

“Happy birthday, Lulu,” my handsome stranger said as he let me go.

“Wow,” I said, trying to catch my breath.

Keelin was at my side. “Birthday girl! Your guests are ready for cake!”

“Bye, Lulu,” he waved a tiny wave. “I hope I see you again.”

Me, too…

Later, he made sure he saw me. Karaoke started and those who were celebrating with me started to get in on the action. I was sitting on a barstool laughing while Rachael took her turn, butchering
I Say a Little Prayer for You
.  My handsome stranger walked over to visit.

“Oh my gosh,” I roared with delight. “She can’t carry a tune in a bucket!”

“Can I buy you a drink for your birthday?” he asked with a wink. I saw Keelin out of the corner of my eye.

“No, thank you. I think I’ve had enough.”

“May I sit here with you, then?” he asked, already pulling the stool out to join me.

“Sure.”

“Robbie Muir,” he said.

“Louisa Welk. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Better for me to meet you.” His smile was dazzling. I felt myself go weak. “Are you going to take a turn at karaoke?”

“Me? Oh no! Especially after this,” I laughed pointing to Rachael. “I only sing in the shower.”

“I’d like to hear that.”

“Oh! Stop!” I giggled.

“I’m going to go take a turn. I’m going to sing a song for you. You’re a pretty woman, Lulu. Are you here with someone?”

I pointed to Keelin.

“I see.”

I laughed at his reaction. “He’s my designated driver.”

“How about I drive you home?” he teased.

“No. Keelin has it under control tonight.”

“Do you come here often?” he asked, leaning on the bar to get closer to me.

“Worst pick-up line ever,” I laughed. This good-looking man made me feel flirty.

“I’ve never been here before,” he said, flashing me that smile again. “Seems like coming here tonight was a good idea.”

Keelin walked over. “Ready, my dear? Your carriage awaits.”

“Are you going to turn into a pumpkin or something?” he asked me.

“Bye, Robbie,” I said, slipping from the stool.

“Wait. Can you wait ‘til I go sing her a birthday song?” Robbie directed the question to Keelin.

Keelin looked at me and winked. “Sure, we’ll stay for you to sing.”

Robbie made his way to the front of the room. I watched him scroll thru the selections and grab the mic.

“I’d like to dedicate this one to the birthday girl.”

Hey pretty girl, won’t you look my way?
Love’s in the air tonight
You can bet you make this old boy’s day
Hey pretty girl, won’t you look my way?

Hey pretty girl, can I have this dance?
And the next one after that
Gonna make your mind there’s a real good chance
Hey pretty girl, can I have this dance?

“Lulu, I think someone wants to get to know you,” Keelin said.

“Keelin, I think I might let him.”

We left as he sang the last line of the song.

The following Friday, I told Keelin I’d meet him at Branson’s. I was sitting at the bar, sipping a glass of wine when I saw my handsome stranger walk in. I looked down. I didn’t want him to think I was watching for him. He walked up behind me and whispered in my ear.

“Hey, pretty girl, won’t you look my way?” He sang the words from his karaoke song.

“Hi.” I turned to look at him, and he pulled the stool next to mine closer.

“I was hoping you’d be here,” he said. His smile was sexy, alluring. 

“I know.”

“Confident?” he asked with a smirk.

“Yeah. I knew you’d come looking for me.” I giggled, at myself. “I’m glad you did.”

He looked around. “Where’s the rest of your group?”

“Not here yet,” I replied.

“Finish your drink. I’m taking you out to eat.”

“Demanding much?” I teased.

He cleared his throat. “Louisa, I’d love for you to join me for dinner.”

“Much better,” I laughed, pushing my drink aside. “Let me send Keelin a text to let him know I won’t be here. I’ll follow you. I don’t want to leave my car here.”

“Let’s drop your car off somewhere,” he suggested. “Your place.”

“I live with my dad. If I take the car home, I have to explain. You’re not going to get me drunk, so I’ll follow you.”

I followed him, pulling into the parking lot at the Chart House. When I stepped out of my car, he was right there to meet me.

“You don’t have to impress me. You’re not getting laid.”

He started to laugh. “So, should we just go to McDonald’s? Come on,” he said, and reached for my hand.

We had a nice meal and shared great conversation. He seemed like a nice guy.

“Can I see you again?” he asked later in the evening.

“I’d like that. I think.”

He laughed, and when he did, his eyes sparkled with mischief. “You said you live with your dad; we could go to my place.”

“Not tonight.”

“So maybe next time?” he teased.

“We’ll see how it goes. I haven’t been out in a while. This was very nice,” I observed.

“I hope it was nice enough for a ‘next time,’ Louisa.”

“Lulu,” you can call me, Lulu.”

“You gonna give me your number?”

I took my phone from my purse. “What’s yours?” I typed it in as he called it out. When I had the number, I hit send. “Save that,” I said.

Robbie called the next morning. “Hey, pretty girl.”

His greeting made me smile.

“Want to see a movie this evening?”

“I need something funny, I’ve had a hectic morning preparing for next week.”

“What do you do?” he asked.

“I teach English Literature at the University of Jacksonville, just started my fifth year.”

“English Literature,” he repeated.

“Is my passion.”

“I have a different passion,” he suggested.

“Well, of course you do!” I replied.

“Do I pick you up, or are you meeting me?” he asked.

“Oh no, I’ve had enough assholes in my life. You will come to pick me up. You will meet my dad, or I won’t go.”

“Address please,” he chuckled.

He arrived promptly at six for a seven o’clock movie.

“Robbie Muir, this is my dad, Dale Welk.”

“Mr. Welk, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You as well.” My dad just stood there for a moment. I could tell that his gaze was making Robbie uncomfortable. “This beautiful woman is my heart and soul. What are your intentions?”

I found this conversation amusing and started to laugh. “Dad, behave.”

“My intention is to take her to a movie and kiss her, and then see what happens next,” Robbie said, surprising me.

“Have fun,” my dad said.

“We will,” Robbie assured him. “Shall we go?”

I kissed my dad’s cheek and Robbie took my hand to leave.

“Wow, you really surprised me-what you said to my dad, I mean.”

“I didn’t want to lie to him. I think he knew before he asked,” Robbie said as we drove off. 

I smiled at his honesty. “He’s a great father. It’s just been him and me since my mom died when I was eight.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Really, there’s no need to be. She was sick. Back then, things were so different than now. She didn’t have the same access to treatment as there is today.” I paused, allowing the quiet to bring me peace. “I was so young. She was so young.”

“Lulu, you’ve had a full life already, and you’re only thirty.”

“With some ups and downs, but it’s been good. I kind of figure that God doesn’t hand us more than we can handle.”

“I think you are an incredible woman.”

“I don’t know about
that
,” I chuckled.

“I plan to find out.”

“Oh!”

The movie was a romantic comedy. About halfway through there was a steamy love scene and Robbie leaned close. He kissed behind my ear. “I want to take you to my bed when we leave here,” he whispered.

I felt promiscuous tonight. I felt like I was up for anything. It had been a while since I’d had sex. I was ready, and the movie helped. I turned to face him. He kissed me, and when he did, I put my hand in his crotch and kneaded.

“Damn!” he exclaimed, softly. “I wasn’t expecting that!”

“I just wanted to tell you yes.”

“I like the way you told me,” he chuckled.

We stayed for the rest of the movie. When it was over we headed for Robbie’s place.

“Here’s the thing,” I said as he drove. “You have to take me home. I won’t be disrespectful to my dad. If I have to call a taxi or something he’ll hunt you down.”