fifty-shades-of-grey

“Oh yes, of course. Come in, I’ll fetch the keys.”Surely this is above and beyond the call of duty. I wonder again at Taylor’s job description.I hand him the keys, and we walk in an uncomfortable silence for me - toward thelight blue Beetle. I open the door and remove the flashlight from the glove box. That’s it.I have nothing else that’s personal in the Wanda. Goodby,, Wanda. Thank you. I caress herroof as I close the passenger door.“How long have you worked for Mr. Grey?” I ask.“Four years, Miss Steele.”Suddenly, I have an overwhelming urge to bombard him with questions. What thisman must know about Christian, all his secrets. But then he’s probably signed an NDA.I look nervously at him. He has the same taciturn expression as Ray, and I warm to him.“He’s a good man, Miss Steele,” he says, and he smiles slightly. With that, he gives mea little nod, climbs into my car, and drives away.Apartment, Beetle, Claytons – it’s all change now. I shake my head as I wander backinside. And the biggest change of all is Christian Grey. Taylor thinks he’s a good man.Can I believe him?José joins us with a Chinese take-out at eight. We’re done. We’re packed and readyto go. He brings several bottles of beer, and Kate and I sit on the couch while he’s crossleggedon the floor between us. We watch crap TV, drink beer, and as the evening wearson, we fondly and loudly reminisce as the beer takes effect. It’s been a good four years.The atmosphere between José and I has returned to normal, the attempted kiss forgotten.Well, it’s been swept under the rug that my inner goddess is lying on, eating grapesand tapping her fingers, waiting not so patiently for Sunday. There’s a knock on the door,and my heart leaps into my throat. Is it?Kate answers the door and is nearly knocked off her feet by Elliot. He seizes her in aHollywood-style clinch that moves quickly into a European art house embrace. Honestly…get a room. José and I stare at each other. I’m appalled at their lack of modesty.“Shall we walk down to the bar?” I ask José, who nods frantically. We are too uncomfortablewith the unrestrained sexing unfolding in front of us. Kate looks up at me, flushedand bright-eyed.“José and I are going for a quick drink.” I roll my eyes at her. Ha! I can still roll myeyes in my own time.“Okay,” she grins.“Hi Elliot, bye Elliot.”He winks a big blue eye at me, and José and I are out of the door, giggling like teenagers.As we stroll down to the bar, I put my arm through José’s. God, he’s so uncomplicated- I hadn’t really appreciated that before.“You’ll still come to the opening of my show, won’t you?”“Of course, José, when is it?”“June 9.”“What day is that?” I suddenly panic.“It’s a Thursday.”