I 

It was another long Friday at work and I was anxiously counting the seconds until five o’clock would finally roll around.  Unfortunately, it was only 11:30 a.m.  I had a long, long way to go.  Not that I had any plans for the evening.  That was not at all the case.  Nope.  At this juncture, the carefree life of single woman was at it’s most depressing, unless you consider a weekly rendezvous with Blockbuster and a case of beer cause for celebration.  The day seemed to drag by, so I decided to leave early for lunch.  I was just getting ready to bolt for the door when a friend of mine from another department came by my office. 

“Hey Mac?  You got any plans this evening?”  Melanie was one of the better friends I had at the office.  We met at an office party and became friends right away.  Why just friends you ask, because her fiancée at the time, currently her husband, was a deterrent.  However, she was still cool with me.   

“Not sure yet Mel.  Why?  What do you have in mind?”  My brain was ticking rapidly with excuses to get out of it, whatever it was, however my attitude remained casual and relaxed. 

“Well the gang and I were thinking about doing some karaoke.  Wanna join us?” 

“Depends.  Who’s ‘the gang’ ?”   True enough, Mel was cool.  But some of the other friends or associates she hung out with, NO WAY.  A little to full of themselves if you ask me.  But hey, who’s asking. 

“Well, there’s me, of course, Stephanie, Lisa, and Caitlin.”   For a few seconds the only noise I heard coming out of Melanie’s mouth was that muffled sound that the Peanuts gang heard from their teachers.  You know ‘Whaaa wha, whawhawha.’  But the last name in that list, Caitlin.  Now that caught my attention.  She is a complete and absolute goddess and, surprisingly enough,  the sweetest person I’ve ever met.  Not a pretentious or arrogant bone in her beautiful body and, having made the mistake of looking into those beautiful dark chocolate eyes, I’m hooked.  I guess I have to be honest and admit she’s everything I could ever want in a woman.  I’ve had a crush on her since the first day we met a year ago,  but I’ve never had the courage to find out what her preference is and I’ve been to scared to find out, but I still have hope. 

“Well, let me think about it and I’ll let you know.  Sound good?” 

“Actually no.  I think we’d like an answer now.”  Talk about ‘Speak of the devil.’ 

“Hi Caitlin.  I see Melanie brought a backup to twist my arm a little.”  I said as I smiled at her softly.  Slapping her upside the head with all 400 of my pearly whites seemed a little overboard at the time. 

“No, I just happened to be walking by and overheard the conversation.  So I thought I’d help you make a decision.” She said demurely.  The look she gave me let me know she’d been eavesdropping. 

“Mmmmhmmm.  Well I was thinking of saying no.”  Caitlin’s brows knitted and her head tilted a little to the left at my remark.  So I knitted my brows together in turn and tilted my head a little to her right. 

“I take it that ‘no’ is not an acceptable answer.”  I said with mock gruffness.   

“Mmmmmmmmm,  no.  We’ll be here to pick you up at the door right after work.”  She said decisively. 

“Who determined that?”  I ranted childishly. 

“I did.  Besides Mackenzie, it wouldn’t be any fun without you.”  She was the only one in the office who called me Mackenzie and the only person I allowed. I was a little prejudiced.  It sounded good when she said it.   

“I see that Melanie’s been talking about me again.  Don’t believe everything you hear.  Well at least not the bad stuff.”  I let a coy grin spread across my face with that.  Caitlin returned it in kind.  I quickly turned to Melanie for a little help. 

“Melanie, help me out here.  I mean I really need a chance to think about it.  Plus you know I can’t sing or dance.”  I tried not to beg but I was getting a little warm, if you know what I mean, at the thought of going out anywhere with Caitlin. 

“Nope I can’t help you there, Mac.  I’ve already told them that you can sing and, if I remember correctly, your not that bad a dancer.  Besides you have no idea how demanding Caitlin can  be.  See, she won’t take “No” for an answer.” Melanie cemented that argument by sitting in my chair with her arms folded and her legs crossed.  Oh MAN did she have great legs. 

“Yes, I can see that.” I sighed deeply feigning defeat.  “ Ok, you twisted my arm.”  I said as I winked at Caitlin.  “I’ll be ready.  Now, is it ok if I go to lunch?” 

“Certainly.  Just remember you gave your word so no calling out sick or having some family emergency that would keep you from coming back.”  I raised both hands in surrender. 

“Alright, Ok. I’ll call you and let you know when I’m back Mom.”  I said with a laugh.  

“Ok then it’s settled will be down at five after five.  See you then and enjoy your lunch.” Caitlin stated matter-of-factly. 

“And don’t get to full.  We’re going to Miko’s for their buffet and Happy Hour after work.”  Melanie added. 

“Anything else I need to know ma’am?”  I asked Caitlin shyly. 

“Not now, but maybe I’ll have more info for you tonight.”  With that she winked and was out the door.  I barely had a chance to tell them bye. 

As they walked down the hall towards the elevator, I wondered what info Caitlin would have for me tonight.  They must have a bet going I thought.  Oh well, hope I get a share. With that I noticed the clock and stood to grab my jacket. The last thought I had before leaving was just how much trouble I’d gotten myself into. 

The rest of the day passed quickly and quietly with five o’clock approaching at what seemed to be the speed of light.  Very unusual, but I couldn’t pretend that I didn’t know why that phenomenon was happening.  I just had to talk myself down and remember that it was just another fun Friday nights with friends.  Friends.  

As promised the gang arrived promptly at five after five, just as I was shutting down my computer.  I greeted Stephanie and Lisa kindly and they did their best to be cordial.  I soon overlooked them and turned to the object of my unrequited affection.  How she does move me.  I have must have been staring because she suddenly smiled brightly.   

“Guess it’s time to go. Are we car pooling or flying solo?”  I asked Melanie. 

“I guess we’ll handle our own vehicles.”  She replied. 

“Ok. That sounds good to me.  But if anybody needs it.  We’ll call a cab and follow them home in their car.  All agreed?”  Everyone nodded their heads in agreement and we headed out. 

 

II 

We all arrived at Miko’s just in time for Happy Hour.  Nothing like hot wings and two dollar drinks to get a party started.  The club had three separate rooms.  The top 40 dance room, where we entered, the 70’s room and the karaoke room; which actually looked like a little pub.  We made a beeline for the buffet and found a table and ordered our drinks.  I had the fortune of being sandwiched between Melanie and Lisa, and the misfortune of being right across from Caitlin.   

Thank God, Melanie is a brilliant conversationalist.  Having to focus on what she was saying over the loud music kept my eyes from drifting and my mind from wandering, not that it takes much.  As the buffet wound down, one of my favorite songs started playing and so I decided to hit the dance floor.  The beat was fast and loud and the club set the lights to go in time to the music, so I let myself get lost in it.  It wasn’t until about 30 minutes later when I looked over at my table again that I noticed that everyone else had hit the dance floor also.  A casual look around to see where everyone was scattered drew me to a truly seductive sight.  

Caitlin was in the middle of the dance floor with a partner she’d found.  Her partner was doing his best to keep up with her, but even he had to stop every now and then and just watch.  Her eyes happened to be closed as she gave her body over to the music.  I almost lost my own rhythm, I was so focused on her.  Suddenly, I remembered where I was and who I was with.  I felt myself blush hotly and stepped off the dance floor for a drink.   

I made my way over to the bar. 

“Let me have a top shelf margarita on the rocks.”  I hollered at the bartender. 

“Can you make that two.”  The voice surprised me.  I turned around quickly and Caitlin was standing right behind me.  The nearness of the other patrons causing her to lean against me. It took everything I had not to jump away from her.  Her breast were soft yet firm and her nipples seemed to burn a hole in my back.  Our drinks arrived, I paid the tab and handed her drink to her. 

“You didn’t have to do that.” She said with gratitude. 

“Oh, I didn’t.  You owe me $8.50.”  I said teasingly and she slapped my forearm.  “ Hey! I was just joking.  Don’t worry about it.” 

“Thanks.” She said as she reached out to touch my arm lightly. I felt myself getting hot again.  So I started blabbering. 

“Hey you have nice moves out there.  Who knew you had it in you.”  I said lightheartedly. 

“Just stick around, I might have a few more surprises for you…”  My eyebrow quirked up at that but my smile never faded. “And thank you.  You’re not so bad yourself.” 

“Well maybe we can learn some moves from each other if you stick around.  I’m kind of in the mood to close the place down tonight.” 

“Sure that sounds like a plan but I haven’t forgotten about the karaoke part of the deal.” 

“Are you really going to make me go through with it.  I came out and played like you asked me.”  I said making my best puppy dog face. 

“Yes you did. But the night’s still young and you do owe me.”  She said with a hint of mischief in her tone. 

“And I guess you have ways of making people pay?”  I said with a smile as I followed her back to our table. 

“Absolutely.  Maybe later I’ll tell you all about it.” 

“No. A maybe won’t work for me.  You’ll definitely tell me all about it.  Later.”  At this stage, I’m not sure if it was the drinks or me.  It didn’t matter.  I was having fun either way.  She looked me over and then  turned her eyes down to look in her glass as if trying to decide how she wanted to answer. 

“Ok then.  Definitely later.  I’ll tell you all about it.”  As she spoke the word ’all’ my eyes were glued to her tongue watching it roll inside her mouth.  Why the hell did I do that?  She was making me hot and I couldn’t be certain whether or not she knew what she was doing.  Fortunately, or unfortunately, we were interrupted.  The rest of the gang returned to the table and we all placed an order for more drinks. 

“Hey the karaoke bar’s getting crowded.  We’d better hurry if you’re going to get on before closing.”  Melanie was slurring a little bit, so it seemed that mellowing out a bit in the karaoke room would do her pretty good. 

We walked into the room and found a table.  Then Melanie and Caitlin took either one of my hands and walked me to the  DJ booth so I could find a song and sign up.

“No getting out of this one I see.”  Melanie shook her head and grabbed two song books.  Once they made sure that I was picking out songs in earnest, they returned to the table.  I decided since my co-workers were well on their way to being knocked out by time I got up to sing, I’d  pick a ballad and go for broke.  Hey, if not now then when right? 

I went back to the table and found a spot between Melanie and Caitlin.  Lisa and Stephanie were in their own conversations and were looking a little bored.  The first three acts we saw were hilarious.  The first,  was a group of women hacking the hell out of “I Don‘t Wanna Close My Eyes” by Aerosmith.  The next was Guy who looked like Cowboy Curtis from the Pee Wee Herman show singing some god-awful country song.  The other got booed off the stage before the chorus kicked in.  I felt bad for him, but a 6’6” mountain man singing anything by Madonna, is really unforgivable.  We had a great time laughing and drinking until midnight.   

At that time, Lisa and Stephanie came up with some lame excuse to leave and went home.  We asked if they needed a ride home but they seemed to have it, plus Melanie was no good as a designated driver tonight.  In fact, it seemed as if either Caitlin or I would be taking her home as it was.   

“I think that I’m going to try to find some coffee for Melanie.  She’d be pissed if she missed me humiliate myself.”  I said to Caitlin.  She laughed and then turned and spoke in my ear.   

“I don’t think you’ll humiliate yourself but Mel does need the caffeine.  Make sure you hurry back.”  Her breath washed over my ear.  I didn’t think I would be any good for the song that I chose and my anxiety was compounded by the fact that I didn’t know which way her wind blew.  However, a deal is a deal and the only thing I could do was uphold my end. 

The moment I sat down with the coffee, I heard the DJ call my name over the loud speaker.  “Can you make sure she drinks all of this for me Caitlin?”   

“Sure thing.  Whatever you ask, I can do.”  The she winked.  I smiled nervously, and then left to do my ‘act’. 

I was nervous as a whore in church.  Hell, even she would have been less apprehensive; at least the parishioners would try fain some sort of sympathy.  A drunk crowd could be brutal.  In order to combat the nausea, I tried to focus on something and forget about the crowd and calm myself down.  I had a little time to scan the room while the intro played and then there they were.  Two of the most beautiful brown eyes, I have ever or ever will see in my lifetime.  One look into Caitlin’s baby brown’s and I decided in that moment to go for broke. 

I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older
This mountain I must climb
Feels like the world upon my shoulders
Through the clouds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder  

In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now
I've traveled so far to change this lonely life 

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me  

I'm gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
I've got nowhere left to hide

Looks like love has finally found me
In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now
I've traveled so far to change this lonely life. 

For a few moments after the song died down I didn’t hear or see anything.  Of course I had my eyes closed.  Then I heard Melanie whooping and giving the dog howl as the crowd applauded raucously and I breathed a sigh of relief. Although I couldn’t be sure if it was my singing or the alcohol, the question I’d had all evening was answered when I finally opened my eyes and saw Caitlin.  Her chocolate brown eyes were locked onto mine and it was instant tunnel vision.  I didn’t notice anything or anyone else.   

Tears were welled up in the corner of her eyes and a soft smile played at the corner of her lips.  She was Beautiful.  I knew that no matter what, I would never forget that moment.  I took a risk,  now all I could do was wait. 

 It seemed that time stood still while I made my way to our table.  However, the mood was broken by Melanie passing out and me  nearly falling to the floor with her on top of me trying to keep her from crashing to the ground.  Luckily the crowd was already into the next act and it wouldn’t be too much of a scene to get Melanie out of the door and into the car. 

“I guess we’ll have to go for more than chicken wings at the next outing?” 

“I guess so.” Caitlin whispered quietly.  I carried Melanie to my car and put her in the back seat.  It would be easier to clean if she needed to hurl.   

“Caitlin, you don’t have to follow.  I’m going to take Melanie to my place and just call her husband and let him know what happened.  He’ll be upset, but it would be better than seeing her like this.” 

“That’s really sweet of you Mackenzie. I’m just sorry this night has to end.”  Caitlin said as she looked into my eyes. 

“Yeah me too.  I had a great time and even the karaoke wasn’t so bad.  Thanks for getting me to come out here.  I needed it.”  We stared at each other in awkward silence then I walked Caitlin to her car and gave her my number.  “Listen Caitlin, please call me and let me know that you made it home.  I’d hate for anything to happen to you.” 

“Ok Mackenzie, I’ll call you and let you know.  How long will it take you to get home?” 

“About 30 minutes.  But since I have extra cargo, give me another 20 to get her settled and call her husband.” 

“He’s not going to have a problem with his wife in your bed?”  She asked innocently enough.  I laughed at that. 

“First of all he won’t know that.  Secondly, she’ll be in that bed alone.  I’ll be on the couch and she’ll be in those same clothes when she wakes up.  Do you feel better knowing that?” 

“I’d feel better if things had worked out differently.  But I’m glad to know that you take care of your friends so well.”  I was surprised by that statement.   

“Caitlin, there is not anything that I wouldn’t do for my friends, or anyone else I cared about.” We stared intently at each other for what seemed like an eternity after that.  Then I remembered Melanie in my car. Damn I hope she’s holding her liquor. 

“I’m sorry Caitlin.  I think I’d better get going. Will you remember to call me?  Please?”  

“I won’t forget to call you Mackenzie.  Don’t worry.  I’ll wait though until I can get a chance to talk to you. To at least make sure you made it home as well; and to see if Melanie’s alright.”   

“Ok Caitlin.  I’ll talk to you later.  Be careful tonight.  I won’t be able to sleep until I know you’re safe.”  Caitlin turned to open her car door.  I was about to walk away, when she turned suddenly and gave me a hug.   

“Thanks for tonight.”  She whispered in my ear in a shaky voice and got into her car.  I was stunned because with all of the commotion  I didn’t understand what she was thanking me for and why she was so emotional.  I walked back to my car with my hands in my pocket and opened the door.  Thank God, Melanie was still moving.  Actually, she was humming.   

“I wanna know what love is.” It would have sounded pretty ok, if it hadn‘t punctuated with giggles.   

“Come on Mel, let’s get you home.”  I pulled my car into the lot 30 minutes later and just like I thought I took 15 minutes to pull Melanie out and get situated in the house.  I took off her shoes and laid her sleeping form in the bed and pulled the covers over her.  

 

III 

I called Daniel, her husband, and told him what was going on.  He was agitated but he was happy she was safe. 

I was just about to get into the shower when the phone rang. 

“Hello?” 

“Hi.  I made it home.”  I smiled as soon as I recognized the voice. 

“I’m glad Caitlin.  And very glad you called me.”  I said sincerely. 

“Good.  I wanted to make sure you made it as well.  The arrangement you had seemed pretty one-sided.”  She stated softly and I laughed quietly. 

“I guess it was.  I’m just not used to having someone waiting for me to get home.”  As I said the words I realized just how true they were and fell silent. 

“Mackenzie?  Are you still there?”  Caitlin asked with trepidation. 

“Yes.  I’m here.  I’m sorry I faded on you.” 

“It’s ok. It’s late anyway.  Maybe we can talk more later?” 

“I’d really like that Caitlin.  Thank you again for calling and I meant it when I said I had a good time.” 

“So did I.  I’ll talk to you later.  Goodnight. Sleep well.” 

“You too.  Bye.” 

I heard the phone click on the other end followed by the dial tone.  The night had not ended as I wanted or even expected.  It was much better.  Instead of another one night stand, I think I may have found the person I might really want to know love with. 

 

The End?

 

Disclaimer:  This is my story.  Which after more than a year it seems, feels good to say.  There will be a second part to this story.  I will not leave you guys hanging like I’ve done with The Ball.  By the way, for all of you who are waiting, I promise I’m working on it.  I MEAN IT….REALLY!….lol but seriously, I am working on it. 

I have to thank everyone out there who sent me the words of encouragement.  I’ve  really appreciated it.  It has meant and means a great deal to me. 

I wanted to let it be know that “I Want to Know What Love Is” was reproduced without Foreigner or Atlantic’s consent, however, I want to publicly announce that it really is one of the greatest love songs ever written and I hope that they will forgive me as I’m not trying to claim the song as mine. 

With all of that said.  Thanks for your feedback, suggestion and just general love. 

the_dark_huntress69@yahoo.com