The, "next time," came sooner than I anticipated.
Ten days later, Elle called at work again, my receptionist now recognizing the school phone number by sight, she and Elle greeting each other by first name. She was calling to inform me that she was taking a personal day, a doctors appointment the excuse, because she had, "..., something important to tell you (me)."
Since she didn't have any concern or panic in her voice and my next story was still, "..., at least two weeks away," other than having the same need to enjoy another, "matinee," at the motel..., I had no idea why she'd be calling?
We met at the same, out of the way, strip mall, with her wearing jeans and a long coat sweater instead of the usual floor to ceiling shapeless dress, offering a nice smile and a passionate kiss as she got into my car.
"Hi," bouncing in her seat like one of her students, "this is sooo nice..., another day with you and maybe we can..., I'm still tingling from the last time, so maybe we can go to that same motel because I really like the mirrored ceiling and..., do you think we can visit Kat again?"
"Elle," before I started the car, "you had something important...?"
"Oh..., okay. You can drive while I tell you."
Saturday afternoon she'd taken her daughter to the mall clothes shopping. It had started out great, Kim in an unusually good mood, talking about boys and their sudden and unexpected interest in her. "How do you feel about that honey?" Elle questioned. Kim was evasive, on one hand flattered by the attention, but on the other, finding their behavior somewhat embarrassing.
Elle realized that, at least physically, her daughter was growing up and was now nearly as tall as her mother. While she still carried some of her, "baby fat," her body was slowly adjusting to the hormonal changes that were taking place, her face and especially her eyes were as beautiful as they'd ever been. Time for a little, "parental advice," no matter how well received.
"Well, like it or not, boys will soon become the most important aspect of your life..., if you let them." her mother advised, "You'll just have to learn how to prioritize your time, making sure you balance your school work with your social life."
That only produced a sullen, "Most of the time..., they act like jerks."
Later, after shopping in the big department stores, Elle discovered that Kim was no longer interested in the styles of clothing that she and Todd liked her to wear, now wanting to choose her own style. Aeropostale, Old Navy, The Gap.., none of them interested her either. Elle soon found herself in a wing of the mall, where Kim wanted to shop in a small boutique called, "Tension"
Kim loved everything, although her mother said, "No," to about 90% of it. The 10% she did agree to were tee shirts and short shorts, the shirts age appropriate and the shorts not that short.
The problem began when Elle saw something she thought I'd like!
With Kim in the adjoining dressing room, she decided to try it on. She was admiring herself in the mirror, the dress, "almost," a mini with a modestly scooped front, when Kim called out, "Mom..., see what you think of this." Without thinking, Elle stepped out and found Kim looking into the three way mirror, her, "Oh, that's cute," assessment of the pink tank top and white shorts, cut off with..., "What in God's name are you wearing! My father would never let you wear that! What's wrong with you?"
Whoa! She'd told me that Kim was a clone of her father, but..., this was way over the top!
"What did you do?" I asked.
"I was kind of stunned, so I..., kind of just looked at her and..., then I said, "I thought it was cute. Something I could wear out with the girls."
"So, she puts her hands on her hips, and said, "Well you must be going to some trashy places ..., with the girls, because that dress makes you look like a whore."
"She talks to you like that? Christ..., then what?"
"I stood there..., looking at her and then I thought about how you reacted to seeing me in the red dress and then the little lingerie thing that Kat suggested and I thought..., and then I said to her, "Watch your mouth young lady. What I wear isn't your concern and what you think your father might say isn't your concern either. I like this dress and I'm going to buy it."
My face must have lit up, because..., "Yeah, I didn't believe I'd said that either. But it felt so fucking good!"
"Did you buy it?"
"Yes, and I bought her the shirts and shorts. She even said, "Thank you."
Shaking my head, "So she never...?"
"Nope, never said another word about it."
We talked about where she thought things would go from there and I told her about my mother saying how much tougher it was to raise girls than boys.
"She's so right," Elle agreed, "TJ gives me no trouble at all."
Once again, Kat seemed to be surprised to see us, but prepared none the less. After sharing air kisses, she took a bag out from behind the checkout counter, "A new thing I put aside," as we gave her questioning looks.
Taking the bag into a dressing room, in only took Elle a minuet to call out for assistance, Kat excusing herself from our conversation about the babydoll she and Elle had surprised me with. I figured it must have been for accessories, because Kat was out in a few seconds, gathering an item to complete the look.
She was back talking to me when the UPS driver came into the store, a couple of boxes to deliver and then have her to sign for. He and I acknowledged one another with nods as Elle called out that she was ready. "Hold on a minute," Kat called out, as she finished the paperwork. "Thanks," they both said in unison, two smiles added, and then Kat asked the guy, "Could you stay a second?" He nodded and she hustled to the dressing room.
The UPS guy stood at the check out, which was my left, with me standing in front of dressing room door.
Kat opened the door and Elle stepped out. Kat's keen eye had once again chosen the perfect look for her..., if I could find someplace to take her where we wouldn't get arrested!
"You like?" Elle's standard question, as she did a slow pirouette, my tongue hanging out, my eyes the size of saucers.
"Holy shit!" was all I could get out.