Cindy’s Night Out

By Elise

Kim Barrett and Cindy

Kim watched Cindy come in though the shop with a couple of bags of groceries. That was how she had spent yet another lunch break? He’d never seen her go anywhere or do anything. The list of places Cindy went to was very short. Work, apartment, grocery, on occasion to the park with Jake that was the list, and never alone. Jake was always with her day and night. Never a moment to herself. That would drive him mad.

Cindy walked over grabbing her apron from under the counter and it just fell out of his mouth. "You are one boring shelia."

Giving him a nudge and a laugh she shook her head. "Thanks boss, I’ll try to be more stimulating." Opening one of the boxes of new product Cindy held up the blouse. "Ooo I like this. I’m going to put one up in the window."

Kim hands her some hangers with a grin. "You like it because it’s blue. Seriously, you don’t go anywhere or do anything. You’ve mentioned some places you want to go see."

Taking the hangers with a look. "I’ll get to them one day."

As she walked away to price and hang the new merchandise Jake tugged on Kim’s arm. Looking down, still unable to believe he put up with a kid in the shop all day. "Yes?"

Jake smiled and Kim recognized that grin. It was The Grin. The one Jake used when he wanted his mother to do or buy something for him. "Ask your mother."

"I can’t."

Giving him a look Kim turned back to opening the rest of the boxes. "And why not? Did she already tell you no?"

"It would ruin the surprise." Jakes little hands reach into his pockets and pulls out a few bills and a hand full of change. "Do I have enough money for the music box that plays Elvis?"

Kim knelt down and looked at the money in the boy’s hands. . "Why do you want to by a music box?"

"It’s for Mom. Today is her birthday."

Glancing over his shoulder at Cindy then back at Jake. "Her birthday?"

Jake nods excited about his idea to surprise his mother. Looking into those big brown eyes and the boy’s hands again Kim sighed. Cindy wasn’t even going to celebrate her own birthday. More than likely she would go all out for Jake’s birthday. For his own his family had given him a party. And admittedly he liked the fuss.

Kim remembered saving his allowance as a boy for a scarf his mum had admired. She still had a thing for scarves. Now Jake was trying to do the same for his mother.

Looking back Cindy was busy hanging the blouses and setting the window display. It wasn’t often he had to ask her to do something. She saw what needed doing and did it. Cindy’s words from dinner the other night floated though his mind. No one would visit, no one but Jake was going to celebrate her birthday.

The other thing she had said after diner, the one that got to him. "Been called quite a few things but never a good man. With a sigh he closed Jakes hands over the money. "Can you keep a secret?"

The boy nodded and Kim pulled him off to the side to plot.

The day ended up being pretty busy with folks taking advantage of the sale. Cindy looked up to see Kim turning the open sign to closed. The only customer left in the store was a sweet older woman looking at the curtains. Kim locked up the door. "Why don’t you go on up, I’ll finish down here."

Giving him a nudge she grinned. "I think I will. Especially since you stuck me down here when it was a full shop by myself."

Kim shrugged. "I knew you could handle it."

Collecting Jake she made her way upstairs. Cindy was tired from the busy day and upset about the letter she’d received. Every month she had written fro years with out an answer back. Today of all days there was an answer in the post.

Jake was in a good mood at least. He was so cute this morning making pancakes and singing to her. Thoughts were interrupted by the light shining as she opened the apartment door. "I know I turned that light off."

Going in she was shocked to see the table decorated and two gifts. Jake giggled and Cindy looked down. "What have you been doing you sneaky thing? Who helped you do all this?"

Pulling her to the table with a big smile on his face Jake hugged her tight. "Mr. Barrett, helped me wrap your present. Happy birthday Mommy!"

Hugging him back she wasn’t quite sure what to say. Kim had surprised her yet again. Jake pushed over one of the packages as there was a knock on the door. Cindy smiled and opened the door knowing who it was. Kim stood with the woman who had been shopping at closing. The woman smiled at Cindy as Kim stepped inside. "You haven’t opened anything yet? It’s your birthday for only a few more hours let’s get to it woman. By the way this is my mother Grace."

Cindy smiled and shook the woman’s offered hand. "It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Barrett."

"I’m pleased to meet you, Cindy. Please call me Grace." Moving to the table she sat and playfully tugged one of Jake’s curls. "And you must be Jake."

Kim turned Cindy to the table. "Alright, we’re all pleasant people. Now open your gifts, don’t have all night you know."

Picking up the small box and tearing the paper away Cindy grinned. Jake proclaimed, "I picked that one out. "

Inside the box Cindy found a heart shaped music box. Lifting the lid she smiled wide hearing Love Me Tender. She hugged her son. "Thank you sweetie, you know I love Elvis."

Kim set the next gift in her hands. Giving him a look Cindy shook her head. "You must have a hot date."

"Oh, something like that." He cleared his throat a bit.

Reaching into the bag she felt a bit embarrassed being center of attention. Then curiosity got the better of her when Cindy’s hand clutched cloth. Kim rather enjoyed the way her eyes lit up when she pulled the dress out of the bag.

Cindy held the dress up to herself with a smile. "Thank you so much. Now I’ll have to stop being boring and find someplace to wear it."

Kim took her hands and pulled her up from the chair and gave her a nudge to the bedroom. "Well if you hurry we can still make it to dinner. They won’t hold that table forever you know."

Flabbergasted she looked between Kim and his mother. Cindy’s gaze fell on Jake. Kim’s mother set him in her lap and smiled. "Go get ready, Jake and I will have a good time together. Won’t we?"

Jake looked at his mother and nodded. "Yup."

Cindy combed back Jake’s hair with her fingers. "Are you sure you don’t mind if I leave you for a while?"

The little head bobbed. "It’s like the book, Baby’s Day Out."

Grace smiled. "Only Cindy’s night out. Go have fun for a little while. I promise we’ll take good care of each other."

Cindy stood biting her lip, Kim had gone to a lot of trouble. His mother had come all the way from Coffs. With a soft nod she quickly changed and came back out. Jake smiled as he clapped his hands. "You look really pretty Mommy!

Kim stood for a moment stunned, used to seeing Cindy dressed in jeans or simple skirts. Maybe a little lip gloss added but standing there in that dress, her make up bringing out her dark eyes. His mother smiles and takes Jake by the hand. "You look lovely, my dear. Enjoy your night out."

Recovering Kim opened the door for her. "Enough mucking about let’s go before we miss our table."

Cindy gave Jake a kiss and followed her boss down the stairs still in a bit of shock. This isn’t a date, she thought. He’s just being nice because he found out it’s my birthday. Just like dinner the other night was just a friendly gesture on her part, this was his.

As he opened her car door Kim caught a whiff of her perfume. The soft citrus scent suits her. He quickly reminded himself, she’s your employee. Just dinner and a gift for her birthday, not a date or anything. Poor thing never goes anywhere I feel a bit sorry for her that’s all.

The drive to the restaurant was quiet. About a mile out from the store Cindy started wondering if Jake was okay. Kim glanced over at her bottom lip between her teeth. Unclipping his phone from his side he held it out to her. "Call, you’ll see that he’s just fine. Knowing Mum he’s having a blast."

"Does it sound terrible to say I’m not sure I want to hear that either. I don’t want him to miss me but…" Letting out a soft sigh.

Turning off the engine Kim turned sideways a bit in his seat and looked at the torn expression on her face. "You’ve never left him before?"

Shaking her head softly Cindy smoothed out the bottom of her dress. "Not since I brought him home from the hospital."

Kim suddenly wasn’t so sure all this was a good idea as he watched Cindy dial the apartment. She wore a soft smile as she spoke to Jake for a moment then back to Kim’s mother. Hanging up the phone she handed it back to him with a soft embarrassed grin. Taking the phone back he grinned back. "How is he?"

"He’s fine…. and having a blast. They’re playing a board game." Looking over at the man next to her and the restaurant a soft smile touched her lips. "You’ve gone to so much trouble and I’m not being very grateful."

Kim gets out and walks around to her door opening it for her. When she stood next to him he grinned. "It’s fine. I had no idea the two of you had never been apart. You’ve worked hard at the store, and deserve a night out. I promise we’ll go right back home after a nice dinner."

Looking at the restaurant and the food on the servers trays walking by the window. He was right, it was her birthday and she had done nothing but work. With a grin she took his offered arm. "Alright, let’s have a nice dinner."

They were seated out on the deck by the water with the full moon reflecting. Cindy sat for a moment and just gazed out at the beautiful sight. She hadn’t really seen much of the beautiful country she now called home. Only the view on the highway from Sydney to the Glen. "This is beautiful."

Kim took a moment to look out and see the view though her eyes. "It is a nice view." The waiter interrupted the quiet moment asking for their dink order. Before Cindy could do something silly like order a diet pop Kim smiled at her and ordered them two Cooper’s Dark.

A bit shocked she leaned over the table just a touch. "I don’t drink beer."

Shaking his head at her and picking up his menu to hide the grin. "You’re in Australia now, love. You’d better start."

Making a scoffing noise she grabbed his menu then sat back to look at it. "Just as I thought you’re grinning. I had no idea you were such a brat, Kim Barrett." She laughed softly and glanced down at the menu. Her smile faded a bit with the prices. Does Russell Crowe serve it on a silver platter?

Seeing the thoughts on her running though her mind he reached over and tapped the back of her menu. "I’ll order for us. It’s my tab after all." The waiter brings back their beers pulling out his note pad. Kim glanced back at the menu. "Indian korma prawns with Jasmine rice and the Barramundi with the mixed vegetables and salad."

Cindy looked at the prices of the items he ordered. She couldn’t help it, it was habit but the prices were staggering. Okay they might not be staggering to someone like Kim with a bit of dosh as they called it around here.

After that shock she took a sip of her beer. That was a whole other surprise. "I can’t be tasting chocolate in beer. And it’s not really bitter."

With a smile Kim picked up his glass and raised it to her slightly. "Yes you can be tasting a bit of coca, because it does have a hit of it. I like the bitter beers, but then I was raised on the stuff. You’re getting the full taste of Oz tonight."

There was no keeping the smile from her face seeing him like this. Relaxed and so pleased with himself. It wasn’t his usual arrogance, but just a pride in who he was. Cindy began to relax and enjoy the view and even the company.

Kim looked out at the moonlit water and couldn’t keep from feeling a bit selfish. Here he had spent his life taking everything he could get his hands on to reach his goals. Remembering the shoe factory and how he had stolen the books thinking he would impress Mr. Wallace.

Made a lot of mistakes he did to start. Now though, he was on the right track. Part of that was due to Cindy walking into the shop that day. What did he know about this woman that he spent so much time with nearly every day? She liked blue, was interested in learning gardening, was a good mum. Cindy didn’t have a selfish bone in her body. His complete opposite…maybe.

The waiter brought their food and her eyes were wide. Kim wondered if she had always eaten like she had at dinner that night. They ate with idle conversation, some about the store. Soon dinner was finished and Cindy was shocked to find that she had eaten almost every bite.

With a smile and a giggle possibly from the third beer. "I can’t believe I ate all that, no wonder I feel like a whale. Of course it’s been a very long time since I’ve had three of those" Points to her glass. "I’m a light weight you know."

Seeing the slight gleam in her eye Kim laughed. The first time she had ever heard him laugh. "You have a nice laugh."

Shaking his head and paying the bill he stood and offered his hand to steady her. "I think you’re tipsy. What do you think about a walk on the beach to clear your head. If I take you home like this my mother will not be happy."

Cindy started to say no then thought about how much she wanted to see the beaches here. And there was Kim, that smile and the new discovery of this relaxed side. Besides with the full moon the ocean would be lovely. With a soft smile she took his offered hand and stood up and smiled softly. "Alright."

TBC…