Generation 02, Chapter 12: Blame it on the Hormones

The next morning, I try to sleep in until at least 8:00 but at 7:15 I'm wide awake and actually excited to start another cooking lesson with Rina.  I decide to spend my Saturday morning perusing the Gainsboro website.  There's a rumor that when you're fired, they delete everything you were ever associate with and make it seem like you never existed.  Which obviously can't be true.  It's not like they'd delete-

Oh. My. God.

They didn't.

Anger and annoyance and frustration build up inside of me.  I look through articles about deals that I know I was part of and my name isn't there. Someone has literally taken all the time to go through everything and has deleted my name.  The rumors are true.

I quickly close the browser window and head over to Champ's house.  Hopefully I can just forget about it.  I shouldn't care.  It shouldn't bother me.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Rina greets me at the door.

"Calla!  Hello!  Come in, come in.  We're going to make pie today."

"Splendid," I saw unexcitedly.  My mind is preoccupied with the events of this morning, despite my optimism of thinking I'd be able to forget.  I was a good lawyer.

"Something wrong, sweetie?  You look startled."

"No, I'm fine," I lie.

Rina teaches me how to mix the ingredients for the pie crust and filling.  Now we are forming the crust to fit the pie plate.

"What's the point?  I mean, what am I doing?  All I'm doing is making a pie that's just going to get eaten.  There's no point to it."

"Most food is like that, as well as life itself," Rina points out gently.

"You're right, it is," I saw, trying to figure out why the hell I'm trying to argue with Rina.  What's wrong with me today?  I'm like a rebellious teenager.

"That's enough, now we wait."

"Wait?  For what?" I demand.

"For the pie to bake," Rina responds calmly as she pours in the filling.

"Oh."

We walk outside so Rina can feed the chickens.

"I'm sorry, I can't do this.  Any of this."

"What do you mean, Calla?"

"It's a waste of time.  All of this is.  I should be doing something productive.  Something more constructive and important."

"Calla, please don't leave.  I know you've been through a... trauma.  And I know it has affected you but please, you're being rash.  Just stay.  Wait for the pie," Rina says patiently.

"You don't understand.  My life is... I don't know what I'm doing.  My life is a dead end right now.  I need to find answers.  I need to find out who I really am because honestly, I have no idea right now.  And sitting here is doing absolutely nothing for me."

"Calla, stop," Rina commands.  "Sometimes life is filled with unknowns and sometimes you're not meant to know them.  Now let's go peel some vegetables for lunch.

I sigh.  Despite my irritable and irrational mood I follow her instruction.  She's right.  Somehow her steady and firm voice has calmed me down.  I wipe away tears that were forming on my cheeks.  As we walk back into the house, I think about how much she reminds me of my mother.  I make a mental note to call mom later.  She always seemed to know what to do whenever I was afraid or angry.

"Close your eyes, Calla," Rina says to me as she returns from the kitchen.  It has been an hour since my "episode" and I've calmed down considerably.

I hear the soft clink of a tin hit the table.  I open my eyes and see a warm pumpkin pie in front of me an the lovely scent fills my nostrils.  I started to cry again, the tears flowing quietly down my cheeks.

I hear a male voice.  "Mmm, smells good."  Champ has come out of no where.  My growling stomach tells me it's lunch time and he must be on his break.

"I'll leave you two along," Rina says respectively, heading outside.

"I can't believe I was able to accomplish this.  It's been a hard day," I say while I stand up and wipe my face.

"Yeah, mom told me.  All that mixing.  And waiting?"

"I'm not the most patient person.  I have to have things as quick as possible," I explain.

"As quick as possible," Champ repeats.  I take a step forward and look into his eyes.  They're bright and shining and looking warmly into my own confused blue ones.

My breath is racing and my body is practically curving in towards his.  I grab him and pull his mouth toward mine.  He's a bit shocked at first but quickly recovers.

We kiss deeply and passionately.  I am absolutely oblivious to nothing but Champagne.  Myrtle could be there taking pictures and shouting and I wouldn't even noticed.

"What, that was-" Champ starts to say.  "Well, I, er, have to get back to the bar.  It's low on staff at the moment."

"Don't worry, I don't take long," I say seductively.  I want him.  I want him now.

"I really don't have long.  Only six minutes."

"Six minutes is plenty of time for me," I whisper, leaning into him.  He supports me with his arms but doesn't make any further movements.

"We take things slower around here...," he says awkwardly.  We part and my face gets really hot.

I finally come to my senses.  "Oh right, sorry.  Uh, see you later.  I guess.  Will you be around tomorrow?"

"I should be.  So, I might possibly see you.  Tomorrow."

I laugh for the first time today.  "I guess."

"It was nice... seeing you today."

"You too."

"Talk to you later, Calla."

"Bye."

Goodness that was embarrassing.  What is with me today?

Generation 02, Chapter 11: The Nerve of Some People

Friday comes sooner than I realize and fortunately this week has gone by pretty well.  I've only spent about §200 on a vase that I crack while dusting and a toilet seat I somehow managed to break.  Also, there was an incident this morning...

Fir had a bunch of lawyers over and they were going over some contracts of some sort.  I had to serve the men coffee and while doing so, I casually caught a glimpse at the documents. They weren't good.  I knew that if Fir agreed to them, he'd gain nothing.  Acting quickly, I accidentally-on-purpose spilled the coffee I was serving all over the table.

It was worth the scolding I received from Myrtle.

"I know you don't understand but a lot of money was being exchanged there, Calla.  You have such a simple life.  So carefree...," Myrtle carried on for a full twenty minutes.  I wanted to retort, "I'm a lawyer! I understand that stuff better than you or any of those 'lawyers' do!" but I managed to restrain myself.

Fortunately, she's in a much better mood now.  I'm waiting by the front door for Champ to arrive to take us on our date.

"So... you're going out with Champagne?" Myrtle asks me.

"Mmmmhmm," I say.

"Is that what you're wearing?  I have a lovely piece of jewelry that would look great with that."

To my utter horror, she pulls out this jade snake arm band thingy from a drawer in the dining room and puts it on me.

"Thank you, Mrs. Dhaval.  Er... you're too kind," I managed to say.  I have to find a way to get this thing off without her noticing.

Mr. Dhaval comes walking in, mindlessly asking, "What's 17.5% of 7000?"

Before I can think, I reply, "1225."

Oh shit.

"By golly, she's right.  How did you do that?" Mr. Dhaval asks in astonishment.

"Uh.. I've always been... good with numbers.  It's really no big deal," I attempt to dismiss the topic.

"No big deal?  Calla, do you realize you could strive for something higher?  You can become more than just a housekeeper if you keep your head at it and throw in some hard work."

"Um, right," I say.  If only they knew.

Fortunately, Champ walks in looking smartly dressed.  His usual disheveled hair is slicked down and parted.

"What's this about being a mathematical genius?" He asks quizzically.

"Never mind, let's go," I say hurriedly and quickly drop the snake arm band into the drawer it came from (luckily Myrtle doesn't see me) and pull Champ outside.

"So what was that about?" Champ asks again once we're outside.  The air is fresh and I can see the stars start to come out, a rare sight in the city.

"It was nothing.  I'm just good at solving large mathematical equations in my head.  It's not big deal."

"Ah, it must be very convenient though, no?"

"I suppose.  But I'd much rather be able to work magic in the kitchen like your mom.  You sound like you had a really happy childhood."

"It was pretty happy.  Dad was actually alive then and there was rarely any fighting.  How about your parents?"

"They were pretty happy too," I reply.  Changing the topic I ask where we're going.

"To a local bar," is Champ's reply.

"Cool, I haven't been to a bar for a really long time."  Actually never.  But I don't say that.

"So, are you going to tell me your story?" Champ asks.

"I'm sorry?  My story?"

"Your life.  Before you came here."

"Okay, well, it's kind of boring.  And it's... it's hard to talk about.  Not to mention very long and did I say it was boring?"

"We have all the time in the world," Champ replies, waving his arm in a long gesture.

"Well, okay.  I left from my relationship, hopped on a train, and ended up here, I guess."

"That's it?"

"Pretty much."

"Oh," he looks down.  I can tell he's contemplating on what to say next.

"Is that the bar?" I ask, looking down at a small little stone building, relieved to change the subject.

"Yep."

"Why are all the people standing out there?"

"The owner is late."

"That's okay, I don't mind waiting."

I stop walking but Champ continues to walk around to the back of the building and produces a pair of keys.  Either he's breaking in or....

"Oh my God, you own a bar?"

"It's a family business," he explains casually.

"You never mentioned that!  That's so cool!" I exclaim.

We walk in and I have a great time meeting up with Champ's friends who help him run the bar.  We sing karaoke, play pool, talk, and drink.

When I think the night can't possibly get any better, I noticed a sign on the wall.

"No Lawyers."

"Uh, what's that?" I ask Champ.

"I don't serve lawyers."

He what?!  Hmmm, I suppose now would a be a horribly awkward time to tell him I'm a lawyer.

I finally persuade Champ that it's okay if he leaves my side to go play pool with his friends.  It gives me a changes to investigate this interesting sign.  I sit down next to one of his best friends, Antares Aven, whom I've gotten to know most throughout the night, and politely ask him about the sign.

"He's kidding right?" I ask jokingly.

Antares shakes his head.  "No, I believe he's serious about it.  He ha-strongly dislikes lawyers.  They're the ones that he believe caused his father's heart attack.  At least, indirectly."

"What happened?" I ask incredulously.

"Well, his father started dealing with these lawyers for this land deal and it apparently caused him extreme stress so much so that he had a heart attack shortly before the deal could be done.  Then, on the day of Champ's father's funeral, one of the lawyers came into the bar and Champ punched him."

My eyes widen.  "That's dreadful!"

I'm completely shocked.  If I told him I was a lawyer, would he punch me?  No, he wouldn't do that.  But he could break up us.

"I'm back," Champ announces, his hand gently resting on my shoulder.  I cover up the fact that I'm panicking about this whole lawyer-hating business.

"Ready to go?" he asks me.

"Sure!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

We walk out into the night and I look up and gaze at the stars again.  I was never able to see them in the city very well and I cannot believe what I was missing out on.

"I love this place.  Everyone is so kind to each other.  No one in the city is like that.  It's horrible.  They'd rather rob you of your possessions than play a game of darts with you," I explain.  "This place reminds me a lot of the town where I grew up."

"Well, we did win the most heartwarming village award last year," Champ laughs.
We continue to walk quietly along the road to, presumably, the Dhaval's house.

Champ's hand gently brushes against mine.  I flinch and my heart jumps.  He waits a few seconds before grabbing it again, and this time he doesn't let go.  His firm grasp tells me that his hands are rough and calloused.  They've endured so much more than my own soft hands.

"C'mon, I want to show you something," Champ leads.  He pulls me over to a large hill and we climb up it.  We stand hand in hand at the very top and I gasp at the view of the beautiful town.  I turn to Champ who turns his head towards me.

We stand there in silence for a good ten minutes before turning back down and walking to the Dhaval's drive.

Champ let's go of my hand.  It's really dark outside but I can see him smiling at me as he slowly wraps his arms around my waist.

I hold onto him as well and we pull closer to each other.

He bends his head down and I gaze up at him.

We both start to lean in....

"Just kiss her already!" Myrtle's high-pitched voice screeches and causes both Champ and I to jump apart.

"Dont stop!  Just pretend like I'm not here, ya know?"

That woman!  I do not want to have my first kiss with Champ in front of her!

Champ and I both stand there with our arms at our sides.

"Should we give her what she wants or let her stand there in frustration?" Champ finally speaks.

"I thin she deserves a bit of frustration, I saw coyly.

"Me too."

"I had a really nice though.  Thank you, Champ."

"No problem.  I had a nice night too."

"So, uh, see you tomorrow.  At your mom's house, I mean."

"Okay, awesome.  See you at nine, Calla."

He touches my hand briefly and then we part.  I'm still furious with Myrtle for ruining my romantic evening. But at least I'll be able to see Champ tomorrow.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

NOTE

Okay, so I'm elated that I was able to get this post out.  It's been so long and I really apologize for that.  I took these pictures way back in March (as well as the pictures for the next two and a half posts.  O_O

I hope you enjoyed it!  Thank you for being so patient with me.

I'm back!

Okay, so I've finally gotten into the spirit of sims and I feel motivation!  WOO!

Sadly, I cannot update this legacy at the moment because I do not have any of my sims files here at college.  I have sims downloaded onto my school laptop but I do not want to over kill it by playing with actual sims, so so far I've just been making cats (and hopefully dogs) for my cat and dog Facebook pages.

I will, however, try to play as much Sims as I can when I go home for Thanksgiving break and of course for Winter break as well.  :D  My plan is to take a bunch of pictures and then while I'm actually at college (and cannot play with my legacy family), I can write and post the posts at that time because I'll have taken up the pictures beforehand.

Also, I'd just like the point out that I actually have pictures that I took back in APRIL (!) for about 3 or 4 posts that I just never got around to posting.  SO for a while, you'll just see old pictures.  >.<  Sorry about that.  :P

Anywho, it's good to be back!  I'm so excited for break!

Update

As you may know from Facebook and Tumblr, I have recently lost interest in anything related to sims (my fb pages, tumblr, this blog, etc) during this past year.  I've made excuses and promises about coming back but now I realize that none of them have been true.  I still haven't found interest in sims and I think it is because of the changes that are occurring in my life at the moment.

So I am officially announcing a hiatus and I have no clue when I will return.  I'm sorry about this and I feel even worse because I have pictures for three more posts that I will not be posting any time soon.  

Anyway, my fb, my blogger blogs, my tumblr, and my fb pages will be left up just in case I return and so that people can continue to read my stories and download my cats.  This blog and my 100 BC as well as everything and everyone else have been an amazing part of my life.  I hope that I find interest in sims again and can return.  But if I don't, remember that I will always be checking up on here (and on my other accounts) for comments.  I hope you guys aren't too mad at me and I hope you continue to enjoy everything I've done.  Bye for now!  

~Catlover800/Calista/Molly

Generation 02, Chapter 10: Surprises

The next day, while cleaning and cooking, I manage to find out (from Myrtle) that Champ is single.  Of course, the only way I was able to get that information without sounding suspicious was to ask about most of the people in the town.  I pretty much received the whole town's history and gossip as Myrtle trailed behind me while I worked.  But the end result was worth it.

Oh my gosh, he's single. 

"So Calla, we didn't see you at all this weekend.  Out of town?"

"Yeah, I was at Champ's house."

"Champagne?  The gardener?"

I instantly freeze.  Shit, I can't just say I went over there to have cooking lessons.

"Uh, yeah, just to visit.  I sort of went around to his house and some of the people in the neighborhood.  So I could get to know people.  You know."

"Oh, I see," Myrtle smiles and gives me a wink.  Oh great, now she thinks Champ and I are together.  

Before I cook dinner, I go to my room and pick out a casual-yet-sort-of-sexy outfit.  I'm going to ask him out.  This is the first time I've made a move on a guy (most of the time I just wait for him to ask me).  I walk outside and find Champ by the garden.  It looks like he's fertilizing the tomato plants.

"Hi."

"Hi," he says, without looking up.

"So, um, I was going to make some spaghetti.  Could I perhaps have some basil?"

"Sure," he says.  He gets up and we walk over to the other side of the garden.

"Oh, and perhaps some thyme too."

"Of course."

"So, I was talking to Myrtle and she seems to think we're an... item.  If you know what I mean."

"Ah."

That's all he has to say?  Ah?

"Could I have some parsley too?"

"Sure."

"Do you think it's ridiculous?  Because I sure do."

"It's a bit crazy.  Especially because you just ended your relationship.  You wouldn't want to jump into a new one so soon," Champ explains as he walks me to the garden gate.

Damn, this conversation is going the wrong way.

"Actually, I'm pretty much over my relationship."

"Over it?  That was fast."

"Yeah, I'm like a ball.  I... I bounce right back."

"Really?  Well, my mom said that... oh never mind."

"What?  What did she say?"

"She thinks that you might have been badly treated because you're so skittish and twitchy."

I flinch at his words.  "Skittish?  I don't think I'm skittish.  I think it's just my nature.  But I am ready to start a new relationship you know."

"You probably shouldn't rush into it."

Is he rejecting me?  I got dressed up all fancy to get rejected?

"Yeah, I suppose not.  Well, thanks for the herbs," I manage to say.  I glance down at the crippled herbs in my hand.

"See you soon," he says at last.  And then he returned to his tomatoes.

I am extremely embarrassed.  I think I'll just resort to waiting for the guy to ask me, because it seems to work a lot better.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

That night I am retrieving the spaghetti from the oven when I hear Myrtle and Fir arguing as they walk downstairs.

"Dinner's ready," I say cheerfully.

"I think we're going to go out to eat tonight.  You're dismissed for the night."

What?  I didn't just spend two hours making a meal just so no one would eat it.  I hide my disappointment as they walk out of the front door.

Champ come into the kitchen a few minutes later.

"Hi, need any help?"

I shrug and refuse to meet his eye.  "They went out to eat.  I guess I'll pack away the food for tomorrow night."

"You worked so hard to cook this dinner.  How about you and I eat it.  We can have our own little celebration of your very first successfully cooked meal on the job."

His optimistic tone cheers me up and we both fill up our plates and head into the dining room.

"This is very good, by the way," Champ compliments.

"Thank you."

We eat a little more.  Champ sets his fork down and we both start to speak at the same time.

"You first," he says.

"I was thinking about our conversation earlier and you're right, I shouldn't rush things.  In fact, I'm not even interested in starting a relationship."  Phew, I got that off my chest.  "You?"

"I was just going to... to ask you out.  But if you're not ready-"

"Oh Champ, I'd love to go out with you.  Just forget everything I just said," I laugh.

"Friday night?"

"Works for me," I smile as we clink classes.  Boy, if only my sister could see me now.  She'd freak to see that I landed such a cute guy.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

NOTE

I apologize (as always) for the delay.  I still haven't found an interest in Sims yet but I'm still trying to interest myself in it.  Anywho, I had this post practically ready (I just had to post the pictures) since March... yeah.  So the pictures aren't recent.  Neither are the pictures for the next four posts.  It will be a while before you see actual recent photos that I didn't take three to four months ago.  Thanks for reading!

Delay... Sorry!

Again, I apologize for the lack of posts lately.  I have a ton of pictures ready as well as the writing for the next posts... I just haven't found time (or motivation) to edit, upload, and post them.

I'm a bit pre-occupied with real life stuff and on top of that, I'm in this weird phase where I don't feel like playing sims or doing anything that has to do with sims.

So again, I apologize.  I will hopefully be more into it after school is over in three weeks.  Thanks for sticking with me though!

Generation 02, Chapter 09: A Day Off

I wake up at 6:30 and I am surprised to realize that I'm not sleep deprived nor am I sore or stressed.  It's Saturday and the start of my first weekend off.  

And it's amazing.

I decide to dedicate thirty minutes to showering, thirty for getting dressed, an hour to eat breakfast and read the newspaper, and an hour for taking a nice morning walk. 

I stand under the shower and let the water pour over me.  It's an amazing feeling that I cannot get enough of it.  I hop out of the shower and pick out a nice cheery outfit to wear.  For once, it is not black.  Or grey.  Or brown.  In fact, of the clothes that I own at the Dhaval's, I don't have a single item in black.

I walk to the kitchen and take my time reading the newspaper and nibbling on a warm piece of toast.  Then I glance at the clock.  

7:02.  

Holy shit.  I only spent 30 minutes getting ready?  What am I supposed to do with all of my time?

After breakfast, I walk outside around to Champ's immaculately kept garden.  It's small but it's still gorgeous with trees and the flowers and the smells of herbs and vegetables and fruits.  

Suddenly my phone beeps.

Hi Calla, it's Champ.  My mom can start cooking lessons today.

I text back: That would be awesome.  Thanks!

What time?  Is 10 too early?

Shall we make it 9?

Champ says his mom's house isn't too difficult to find, but he's going to drive me over anyway.  At quarter to nine, he arrives at the Dhaval's house.  We exchange greetings and then get rolling.

As we drive across town, I can't help but notice the beautiful scenery.  It's so much different from the city.  I ooh and awe at the trees and the blue sky and the small, colorful houses.  It's all so beautiful.

"So, did you grow up here?"

"Yeah, my parents and my brother Azure."

"I'd love to live here."

"You do live here," Champ points out.  I pause and realize that he's right.  In a way, I do live here.

"Is that your house?" I ask, pointing to the beautiful pale blue house in front of us.

"Yup, we're here."

"Mom, this is Calla.  Calla, this is my mom, Aquamarina."

"You can just call me Rina," Champ's mom says, smiling.  She's thin but has the most beautiful pale blue eyes and hair.  Definitely not the cozy woman I was picturing, but her eyes are kind and her voice is soft.

Champ leaves us to "get more acquainted with each other."

"So, you want to learn how to cook?"

I nod, taking out my phone.

"What's that?" Rina asks.

"Well, I thought I might jot a few things done.  You know, while you teach me."

"Oh.  Dear, cooking is about the experiences, not the notes.  You have to get hands on," she tells me as she slips the device out of my hand.

"Now what can you make?"

"Uh, let's see.  I can make toast.  And coffee.  And tea.  And anything in the microwave really.  Yeah, not much," I sigh.

"You must have had to tell the Dhavals what you could cook.  What did you tell them?"

"Well, I told them I could make stuffed turkey, omelettes, bakes angel food cake, and truffle torte," I admit.

"Hmmm, yes, I think I can teach you things like that.  It might be difficult since you're new to cooking but if you're willing to learn we can do it."

"Oh, of course.  I'm a very quick learner."

"Well, let's get started then."

She hands me a spoon from a pan that was sitting on the stove.

"Now Calla, taste it. What do you think is in the gravy?"

"Uh, gravy?"

"No, you need to think deeper.  Close your eyes.  Inhale the scent.  Taste it with all of your senses.  Really think about what you're tasting."

I obey and take another spoonful.  "Hmmm, meat and some sort of herb....," I guess.

"Very good!  Now try this."

We cook all day.  I learn how to cut an onion and how to peel and wash potatoes properly.  I learn how to create the gravy Rina had me try and I learn how to boil noodles correctly so that they're soft and moist.

On Sunday she teaches me how to make roasted vegetables and roast chicken.  As I pull it out of the over, the smell overwhelms my senses.  A week ago I wouldn't have known how to turn the over on.  Let alone cook something in it.  

That Sunday night, Rina, Champ, and I sit in the dining room and eat the chicken meal I cooked.  I feel a large sense of accomplishment that I rarely felt as a lawyer.  I sit and eat and hear stories about Myrtle and Fir and how they tried to adopt a dog but ended up giving it to a neighbor boy a few days later.  They also tell me about Rina's husband, Champ's dad, Jay Beryle.  He died of a heart attack a few years ago, but the memories of him are as well told as if he were here.

"So, next week I can teach you how to make lasagna and chili," Rina informs me excitedly.

"I can't take up all of your weekends!" I exclaim.

"Oh Calla, I enjoy this.  And you're not ready to graduate just yet.  What else do the Dhavals need you to do?  Laundry?  Ironing?"

"I guess both."

"I'm assuming you had to do it this past week.  How did you manage your way out of that one?"

"I hired a girl from the town to do it for me."

"Oh, you can let a sixteen year old do your laundry.  I'll teach you ironing right now," Rina states.  she gets up and plugs in the iron and sets it onto the ironing board that was leaning against the wall.

"No, what you would you have to iron?"

"Probably Mr. Dhaval's shirts."

"Male shirts... Champ, take off your shirt," she commands to her son, who is doing something to the fireplace.

"Mom!"  Champ laughs uncomfortable.

"Oh, don't 'mom' me.  We're all adults here.  Surely you're okay with taking your shirt off.  No one is embarrassed, are we?"

"Of course not," I say looking down at my shoes.

Rina is pointing out all of the parts of the iron to me.  I nod and glance briefly towards Champ.

"I'm waiting, Champ dear," Rina says impatiently.

Slowly, Champ slowly reaches for the bottom of his shirt and I see a flash of tanned skin (well, as tan as pink skin can get).  He throws his shirt to his mother as I quickly look down.

I can be mature about this.  He's just taking off his shirt, for Pete's sake.  It's not like he's stripping.

Just one peek...

Holy sweet mother of God.

"Calla!  You're scorching the shirt!"  Rina exclaims.

I quickly release the iron and the color rises to my cheeks.  I compose myself and finish the shirt.  Holding it up, I'm impressed.  Rina congratulates me and we hand it back to her son.

"Thanks, it looks wonderful," Champ compliments.

"You'll be able to iron a shirt behind your back in no time," Rina comments. "Well, I think our lesson is done for the night.  Would you like to bring Calla home, Champ?"

"Of course."

"Thank you so much, Rina.  I really appreciate this," I say to Rina before we leave.

"It's my pleasure.  I'll see you next weekend."

"Of course!"

I smile and turn towards the door.  I try not to make eye contact with Champ as we walk out of his car.  One look at his body and I, Calla Cohen, am in full crush mode.

I honestly though I was deeper than that.