Temporary Lover

For that boy in Iraq. Come home safe.

--

“No way. Gag me. Put it back.”

“You don't like it?”

“It's awful!”

“Come on, I rock!”

“Not in that!” Kate plucked the offending hat from her brother's head and tossed it back onto the shelf.

“You just don't get my style.” He complained.

“What style, Rafe? You know nothing of... Shit!” She jumped backward and ducked behind a rack of clothing.

“What's up?” Rafe seemed undisturbed.

“Him!” Kate pointed and drug Rafe in the opposite direction.

“Him?”

“Dirks!”

“Dirks?” He was clearly confused.

“Dirks! Church Dirks. Annoying Dirks who follows me around and won't leave me alone. His mother...”

“Ooh!” Rafe nodded his understanding as they left Macy's and entered the mall. “That Dirks.”

“Yeah.”

They paused a moment before entering the busy center court. “Ah. The mad rush. The crush! The teaming masses worshiping the god of carnage.”

“Can't wait till Christmas is over.” Kate sighed.

“Rafe!”

She turned with her brother to face the newcomer.

“Tobey!” A young man in worn cargoes and an army green T-shirt clapped Rafe on the back while they man hugged.

“Heard you were back in the states.”

“Yeah. Got through all the psych crap.”

“Crazy, man?”

“Crazy.”

Just a few simple sentences but they seemed full of importance. “Hey! This is my sister!” Rafe remembered she was there. “Katie, this is Tobey!”

“Hello. Nice to meet you.” She held out her hand.

“Oh my God!” He took her hand laughing as he did so. “You're the boob girl.”

“What?” She pulled away.

“Sorry, dude.” The guy said to Rafe. “I know she's your sis, but a couple years ago I called your place and she answered the phone talking all about her boobs!”

“I thought it was someone else.” Kate muttered backing away as her face flushed.

The center of the mall wasn't exactly where she would choose to discuss one of her most embarrassing moments. In truth, it hadn't even been embarrassing at the time. She didn't know the guy, he was just a random acquaintance of her brothers, until now. Now he was a very present figure, his shirt snug over his shoulders and his eyes crinkling with laughter. She was working on a brilliant retort when a more urgent crisis stepped into her field of vision.

“It's Dirks again!” She was almost surprised at the growl in her own voice.

“Who?”

Rafe laughed. “Some guy who's been trailing her. Where is he?”

“Over by the soft pretzels. He didn't see me yet. Let's go!”

“Not interested, huh?” Tobey lifted an eyebrow.

“Not at all.” She rolled her eyes. “He's a decent guy... just not my type.” She tried to usher Rafe toward the exit.

“You know how to deal with that kind?” Tobey was standing in the way.

“Let's get out of here.” Kate hissed.

“Ya gotta be firm. Be final. Make sure he knows there is no chance.”

“Move!” Kate groaned. “He's headed this way!”

“I'll take care of it all.” Tobey winked stepping a little too close. “Just follow my lead. Can he see us?”

“Yes.” She bit out in frustration. “He's waving!”

A moment late Kate found herself held securely, gentle lips where covering hers in a strong kiss. She struggled to pull away but Tobey's mouth followed. His hands carressed her back and she felt her heart pick up speed and race along.

“Tobias?”

He released her and Kate stepped back, breathless, her face flaming. She glanced from Tobey to Rafe, back to Tobey and finally to Dirks.

“Dirks?” Tobey stepped forward.

“Mom said you weren't getting home 'til next week.”

“Tell Aunt Julia I'm home early.”

“Yeah.” Dirks took in the group. “You're with Kate?”

She recovered enough to speak. “You two know each other?”

“Yeah.” Dirks nodded. “He's my cousin.”

“Your cousin?” Kate sighed. She needed a chair. A bench. Anywhere to sit.

Tobey took over the situation again. “Dirks, meet my man Rafe. And it sounds like you already know my girl?”

Kate wriggled uncomfortably as Tobey's arm circled her waist.

“Rafe.” he nodded then ignored him. “Kate. Thought I saw you in Macy's a while ago, but you were gone before I caught up. Must have had you heart set on something the way you were moving, huh?”

Tobey spoke before she had a chance. “Coming to find me?” He smiled sweetly at her and sniffed her hair.

When Dirks said his goodbye Kate slid her arm around Tobey as well, slipping her hand inside his pants pocket she gave him a good hard pinch.

“God dammit!” He jumped. “What was that for?”

But Kate had him by the arm dragging him through the mall until they reached the outside doors. “What in the freaking hell do you think you're doing?”

“You didn't fucking tell me he was my cousin!”

“I didn't know he was your cousin! Why in the fuck did you kiss me?”

“Well he won't be hitting on you now!” Tobey looked smug.

“God damn you!” She spat the words into his face, shaking his hands from her arms. “Get your filthy fingers off of me and don't even think about touching me again!”

Rafe's chuckling made them both turn.”

“Shit, man.” Tobey held his hands up. “She's your sis... I...”

Rafe wiped a tear from his eye as he leaned against the wall for support. “It's you I'd worry about man. She can take care of herself.”

Kate took a step back glaring at them. “Fuck you both.”

--

“Morning Kate.”

“Hey.” She shifted to make room in the pew for Cecelia. “You look great!”

Cecelia winked and straightened her shirt. “We're going to Applebees for lunch.”

“We are?”

“Heck, yes! Got my eye on that waiter from last week.”

“Ohh.”

“You girls quiet down.” A gnarled hand tapped Kate's shoulder. “Shh!”

“Yes, Mrs. Hershey.” They grinned at each other.

Dirks slid along the pew from the far side. “Hey.”

Kate put a finger to her lips then faced the front and ignored him for the rest of the service. When it was over she slipped her feet back into her heals and brushed the wrinkles from her dress slacks.

“I heard your young man's home from Iraq.” Mrs. Hershey patted her shoulders.

“Oh.” Kate glanced around quickly. Cecelia's elbow dug into her back. She smiled brightly. “Sorry to run, but Celia needs me.”

“Smile and nod.” Cecelia hissed in her ear as she lead her back the aisle.

“Cecelia! Katerina!”

“Morning Mrs. De Luca.” At fifty Mrs. De Luca was fabulous, from the tips of her sleek boots to the top of her perfectly styled hair.

“You both look wonderful!” She hugged them and kissed each of their cheeks.

“Thank you.” Cecelia put her hand on her hip and struck a pose.

“Now Katerina, dear. About next Sunday.”

“Next Sunday?”
“It's alright if you can't make it by 2, but could you bring a salad?”

“A salad?”

“Great! Mrs. De Luca kissed her cheek again. “I'll see you then.”

When the older woman was gone Kate turned to Cecelia. “What's next Sunday?”

--

“You are so fucking kidding me.” Kate paced in front of the couch. “You are absolutely crazy.”

“Move it sis, you're blocking the TV.”

“My God Rafe!” She stormed. “Forget the fucking TV! This asshole is blackmailing me.”

Rafe took in the scene. Kate was furious and wound up. Tobey was casually sprawled across the opposite end of the couch. “You two got yourselves into this situation. You can get yourselves out.”

She stopped in her tracks. “I hate you. Both of you.” She pointed at Rafe. “You, it's just temporary. But you?” She shifted to Tobey. “It's eternal.”

“Likewise I'm sure.”

“You're so fucking arrogant.”

“It's not a big deal, really.” Tobey clasped his hands behind his head and lay back looking up at her. “You just gotta go to this party with me. We make nice, smile and act all happy. Then a week later... oh no! We break up because you're a stuck up bitch who is incapable of appreciating me for who I really am.”

“You're a sick bastard, that's what you are.”

“Do you have a better idea?”

“The truth? Ever think of that genius?”

“Sure.” He shrugged lazily. “You go ahead and tell your mom and my mom and Aunt Julie and that whole fucking gossiping church that we're not dating.”

Kate groaned. Her mother had been delighted. She knew so much about Tobey from Rafe...

“Wait a minute!” Tobey sat up and stared contemplatively at his hands. “I think we forgot someone important!” He paused a moment for dramatic affect. “Dirks! Yes, sweet Dirks! Crazy really, how you had to use me to make him jealous.”

“You asshole.” Kate looked like she was about to lunge at him.

“Careful sweetheart. Your insults are really starting to hurt.” Tobey smirked.

She raked her fingers through her hair. The polished woman she had been just a few hours before had disintegrated rapidly. Now she felt like a ragged kid. Did she have another choice?

“Look.” Tobey stood beside her while Rafe peered around them at the TV. “I know this isn't the best situation. It was just supposed to be a funny joke, help my friend's sister get rid of a jerk. But it backfired and we're both stuck. The only way out is to continue. They're throwing this welcome home party for me. Everyone's been asking if you're coming. My grandma wants to meet you. If you'll do this, we'll go to the party, charm them all and then in an appropriate amount of time we'll have a nice little break up. You can decide why. Do I cheat on you?”

Kate snorted. “Couldn't satisfy me. Puny ten second Tom.”

“Commercial break!” Rafe interrupted. “That won't work, sis.”

“Yeah. I'm hung.” Tobey thrust his hips.

Rafe shrugged at Kate. “Everyone knows you’re a prude.