"Jenna & Luke 2 .0" - Chapter 3

Two weeks after their Sunday afternoon in Venice Beach Luke kept his promise and brought Jenna to his favorite Indian restaurant. He’d booked a table for Friday evening at seven and he offered to pick her up. Jenna was looking forward to spending time with Luke. They’d both been busy lately and apart from meeting at the coffee shop for lunch a few times over the past couple of weeks they hadn’t spent any time together.

Although she wished she’d been able to spend more time with Luke Jenna was also happy with how business was going.  Sarah’s contacts in the entertainment industry had secured them a couple of rather big projects with short deadlines, which had resulted in long days at the office.  Jenna felt like they were finally getting somewhere.

Luke had been tied up at work as well; his company was doing some sort of audit and he’d been working longer hours than usual too.  Weeknight dates had not been an option lately and the previous weekend Jenna had flown to Chicago to celebrate her father’s 60^th birthday, so they hadn’t seen each other over the weekend either.

Jenna checked her appearance in the full-length mirror in her hallway one last time; she’d opted for her little black dress, which was always a safe choice. A pair of glittery stilettoes and colorful shawl added a fun twist to the classic dress. Her long blonde hair was pulled into a loose bun. Jenna was satisfied with her appearance.  She grabbed her clutch bag and headed outside to wait for Luke.  A smile spread across her face when she stepped out of her front door; his van was already there and she quickly locked her door and moments later she slid into the front passenger seat. Luke beamed at her and his expression made the effort she'd made to look good worth it.

“Wow,” was all he managed to say before Jenna pressed a kiss to his lips.

“I take it you like the dress?” she said with a grin as she sat back in her seat and secured her seat belt.

“You look amazing.”

“You don’t look too shabby yourself,” Jenna said with a smile. Luke was dressed in a pair of black dress slacks and a navy dress shirt. His hair was more styled than usual and he was clean-shaven with no trace of a five o'clock shadow. “Did you have a good day?”

“Yeah. We’re finally finished with the audits, so things will be less hectic next week. How are your projects getting along?”

“We sent the first one to print this afternoon and if the client gives us the thumbs up the second one will be sent to print early next week. It’s been fun to work with these projects, but the second one has been a bit of a nightmare. Extremely demanding client. I just hope they’re happy with the results and refer more clients to us. That will make it all worth it.”

“I’m sure they are. The little I’ve seen of your work looks great,” Luke said. “That said; I’d love to see more of it.”

“I think that can be arranged,” Jenna replied with a smile.

…

Luke pulled into one of the handicap parking spaces outside Taj Mahal restaurant. Jenna stepped out of the van and waited for him to get out. It took him a few minutes to get the lift set up, roll onto the platform, lower it and then raise the lift again and lock up the van. Jenna smiled as he tucked his car keys into the pouch under the left armrest of his wheelchair where she knew he also kept his wallet and cell phone.

“Ready?” she asked.

“I am,” he said. He offered her his left hand and they made their way to the entrance. Jenna held the door open and Luke rolled past her into the restaurant. The hostess greeted him warmly; a slight Indian accent was evident when she spoke.

“Luke! Welcome back, we’ve missed you. Who’s the pretty lady?”

“Hi Sarita, this is Jenna.” He wanted to introduce Jenna as his girlfriend, but he felt it was a bit presumptuous. After all they had only been on two ‘proper’ dates, not counting their lunch dates at the coffee shop.

“Hi Jenna,” she smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Sarita.”

“We’ve got a table ready for you,” Sarita said with a smile as she grabbed two menus from a shelf behind the hostess stand and gestured for them to follow her.

…

Jenna had been a little underwhelmed with the exterior of Taj Mahal, but as soon as they made it through the door she was blown away. The walls were painted in warm earth tones and it looked exactly like she’d imagined an Indian restaurant would look like. Sarita, the hostess, was a stunningly beautiful Indian woman dressed in a purple sari.

As Jenna followed Luke and Sarita through the restaurant she noticed how people stared at them, just like they had at Venice Beach. Luke didn’t draw as much attention at the coffee shop, but Jenna knew it was because he was a regular there and most of the customers were used to him, as were the staff. 

Jenna was relieved when Sarita showed them a round table that was tucked away in a niche that gave them some privacy. A chair was already removed to give room for Luke’s wheelchair and he steered his chair into place with practiced ease.  Sarita placed their menus on the table in front of them and asked them what they wanted to drink.

“I’ll have a water for now and I suggest you have a Kingfisher,” Luke said to Jenna.

“A Kingfisher?”

“Indian beer. It’s really good. You should try it. I’ll have one with my food.”

“Okay, a Kingfisher for me then,” Jenna said to Sarita, who nodded and walked away. Jenna turned her attention to Luke. “So, Mr. Indian-foodie…what’s good?”

“Well, since this is your first time eating Indian food I suggest you have Chicken Tika. It’s a classic and it’s really good. You can either order it as a casserole, where the meat is cooked and served in the sauce, or you can get it as a Tandoori dish. If you go for the Tandoori version the meat is served with vegetables, usually onions and peppers, on a steaming hot cast iron platter. The rice and sauce is served separately.”

“What’s your favorite?”

“Tandoori, ‘cause the meat is better quality, it’s marinated and they grill it in a Tandoor oven.”

A waiter, Raj, appeared with their drinks and he took their orders. Jenna ordered the Tandoori Chicken Tika.

“How spicy would you like it?” the waiter asked.

“Uhh…Luke, help me out here,” she looked at him with a quizzical look on her face.

“How spicy do you normally tolerate your food to be?” Luke asked.

“How about we give you a madras sauce, that’s quite strong, and a less spicy sauce, so you can try both?” Raj offered.

“You can do that? That would be awesome!”

“No problem, miss. What can I get you, Luke?”

“The same, madras. And we’ll have raita and two garlic naan breads. And another round of drinks with the food, but a Kingfisher for me too this time.”

“Do you want us to plate your food like usual?” Raj asked Luke.

“That would be great. Thanks, Raj.”

…

When Raj left Luke turned his attention back to Jenna. “I hope you’re enjoying your first visit at an Indian restaurant,” he said.

“I do. I have to say I was a bit thrown by the exterior, it doesn’t do the inside justice at all.”

“I know. Unfortunately the guy that owns the building doesn’t allow them to do much with the front. They’re pretty restrictive about signage.”

“I see. It’s a pity, ‘cause the inside is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like the interior. I hope you like the food too.”

“I’m sure I will, judging from what my nose is telling me.”

“If I was able to I’d cross my fingers,” Luke chuckled. Then he used both hands to raise his glass of water high enough for the straw inserted in it to reach his lips. After a couple of sips he put it back down. Jenna had a sip of her Kingfisher.

“This is good beer,” she commented as she put her glass down.

“It’s one of my favorite beers, but I take some meds that don’t mix well with alcohol and I’m driving, so I’ve got to be careful. “

“I don’t drink much either. I enjoy a good glass of wine or a beer from time to time.”

Luke decided to take the opportunity to get to know Jenna a little better. They hadn’t really discussed their pasts much.  “You’re from the Midwest, right? You do have the accent and if I remember correctly you mentioned moving here from Chicago.”

“Yeah, I grew up in Evanston; it’s a suburban town north of Chicago. It’s right on the coast of Lake Michigan. My family consisted of Mom, Dad, an older brother and a younger sister, a dog and a picket fence. Pretty cliché.”

“Sounds like you come from a stable family.”

“Yeah. Mom and Dad have been married for almost 40 years and they’re still madly in love with each other. I know they’ve had their rough patches, but they’ve worked through it. According to Dad Garrity men prefer working through the rough patches over breaking in a new wife.”

Luke laughed, and then he got serious. “I like that way of thinking.”

“Yeah, me too. Too many of my friends’ parents got divorced. I felt lucky that mine stayed together.”

“Does your family still live in Evanston?”

“My older brother, James, does. He bought our childhood home about 10 years ago. He’s a doctor at Northwestern University Hospital, oncologist. His wife, Andrea, is a florist with her own store. They’ve been married for almost 15 years. Their oldest, Hannah, is 13 and their youngest, Matthew, is 9.”

“And your parents?”

“Moved to a condo in central Chicago. Dad’s a lawyer and he wanted to live closer to his office. He’s a senior partner at one of the big firms in Chicago. Mom’s a teacher, teaches third grade.”

“And your sister?”

“Joanna is three years younger than me. She lives in Houston, just got engaged to her girlfriend, Shannon. They run a popular gay bar together, much to Dad’s dismay. I guess you could say she’s the black sheep of the family. I’m kind of glad she relieved me from that part.”

“You were the black sheep of the family?”

“Yeah…I was a bit of a rebel in high school, artsy, did things my own way… Dad was really peeved when I chose to study art at UCLA. He wanted me to do something more ‘serious’. He wasn’t even pleased when I graduated with honors, Magma Cum Laude. Joanna coming out of the closet took the pressure off me.”

“So, being gay isn’t okay to your Dad?”

“I think it’s more that she graduated from Georgetown Law Summa Cum Laude and instead of accepting a job offer from Dad’s law firm she announced that she’s gay and that she was moving to Houston with her girlfriend, the love of her life, and that they were opening a bar together. I doubt he’d have any problems with her sexuality if she’d gone to work for him.”

 “I see how that might cause some friction, but the most important thing is that she’s happy, right? Are you close with your sister?”

“Yeah, we’re pretty close, she’s three years younger than me. Don’t see much of each other these days, but we keep in touch via Facebook and emails. James and I are more distant. He’s seven years older than me and has always been a bit of a nerd. Very serious and always did what Dad wanted him to do.”

“A Daddy’s boy?” Luke queried, trying to put the Garrity family dynamics together.

“Yeah, you could put it that way. What about you? Are you close with your family?”

“Yeah, we’re pretty tight. I caused a bit of a stir when I announced that I was moving out here; Mom wanted me to live with her and Dad, or at least get a house somewhere close to them, but I refused. I needed to get away, to prove to myself that I was still capable of living pretty much independently. Mom was smothering me and it drove me crazy.”

“Isn’t that a mothers prerogative though? And I don’t mean to offend you; but doesn’t your circumstances give her extra reason to worry?”

“I know,” Luke sighed. “I can deal with it for a few days at a time when they come here to visit.”

“They visit you often?”

“A few times a year. It’s easier for them to fly out here. I try to avoid air travel, for a quad in a power chair it’s a nightmare.”

Further conversation was interrupted because their food arrived. Luke grinned when Jenna’s eyes grew wide at the sight of her food. When Raj had placed everything on the table Luke explained the side dishes to her and they dug in hungrily.

“You like it?” he asked after a few minutes of eating in silence.

“Like it? Try love it!” she beamed. “I can’t believe I’ve never tired Indian food before.”

Luke smiled and turned his attention back to his food. Success! he thought, giving himself a mental pat on the back.

….

“It’s a bit early to call it a night,” Jenna said as they headed out of the restaurant. It was only 8:30 in the evening. “How about we go see a movie or go to a bar or something?”

“Movie at my place?” Luke suggested. “Wheelchair accessible seats in movie theatres generally suck and as far as I know there are no good bars around here. Unless you’re into dive bars filled with drunk people that is.”

“I’m definitely not a fan of dive bars, a movie at your place sounds like a great plan,” Jenna agreed as she climbed into his van.

It took Luke a few minutes to get settled in and Jenna waited patiently. When he was about to start the car she spoke.

“Umm…do you have a TV in your bedroom?”

“Yeah, why?” Luke was obviously puzzled by her question.

“Well, this is probably silly, but it would be nice to cuddle and that’s kind of hard with you in the wheelchair and me in a recliner or on the couch. And you told me you can’t sit unaided, so I guess sitting on your couch together isn’t an option, right?”

“Right…” Luke seemed confused and insecure.

“Well, I was just thinking we could get propped up on pillows and watch TV in bed. You can do that, right?”

Luke swallowed and Jenna noticed is eyes got moist. “You just keep blowing me away, you know that?”

“So that’s a yes?”

“Definitely. I can actually raise the head of my bed, so we won’t need heaps of pillows. .”

“That sounds like a plan,” Jenna said. “Do you think we could swing by my place so I can get my car? I’m not comfortable with taking the bus late at night.”

“You can spend the night if you want to,” Luke offered. Then he hastily added. “In a guest room of course, I don’t expect you to sleep in the same bed as me so soon. We can swing by your place so you can grab sleepwear, a change of clothes and whatever else you need.”

Jenna hesitated a little before she spoke again. “If you’re sure it’s not too much trouble, I’d like that.”

“I wouldn’t have offered if it was,” Luke said. He was both happy that she’d accepted the offer to spend the night and a bit disappointed she hadn’t insisted on sleeping in his bed. Get a grip, Hillbrook! You agreed to take things slow and this is only your third date, not counting lunch dates at the coffee shop. If you push her into something she’s not comfortable with you’ll end up pushing her away.

They spend the rest of the drive over to Jenna’s house in a comfortable silence.

“I’ll be right back. Thanks, Luke.” Jenna planted a quick kiss on his cheek and reached for the door handle after he’d pulled into a parking space outside her building.

”Thank you,” Luke replied, emphasizing you. Jenna smiled and jumped out of the car.

…

Luke called Kevin while Jenna hurried into her apartment. He was relieved when he answered after the second ring.

“Hey, man. You ok?”

“I’m way better than okay. Are you at home?”

“Yeah, I’m just chilling, watching TV. Why?”

“Jenna is coming home with me. We’re going to watch a moveoe and because Jenna wants to cuddle she suggested we do it in bed. Can you help me get into bed in about half an hour or so? I know it’s not according to the schedule.”

“Not a problem. Just let me know when you’re ready. Another successful date?”

“This woman is seriously amazing!”

“Glad to hear it, Luke. See you both soon, I can’t wait to meet her.” Kevin ended the call without saying goodbye.

A few minutes later Jenna came back to the car. She had changed out of her dress and into a pair of black skinny jeans and a grey tunic topped black leather jacket. She’d swapped the stilettos for a pair of black ballerina flats. The clutch she’d brought to the restaurant was replaced by a small Louis Vuitton duffle bag

“I called Kevin. He’s at home and can help me get into bed,” Luke informed her.

“Awesome.”

“This is one of the times it’s great that he lives in the same house as me. Makes it easier to be impulsive.”

“I have to admit it’s still kind of weird to me that you need someone to help you get in and out of bed, but I’ve done some research on spinal cord injuries and I understand more now.”

“So, it doesn’t freak you out?”

“I won’t deny it’s going to take some getting used to, but I have a feeling you’re worth it.”

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” Luke said as he started the car and pulled out of the parking space.

…

When they arrived at Luke’s house Kevin was waiting in the living room. Luke introduced Jenna to him and he and then he showed Jenna the guest room with an en suite bathroom.

“If you want to unpack or freshen up or something while Kevin gets me settled in bed, feel free to do so. Luke hoped Jenna would take the hint and give him a few minutes of privacy. He wasn’t ready for her to see him transfer.

“Thanks, Luke. This is a nice room,” Jenna complimented him. The room was spacious and the large bed with a gray comforter and white sheets made it look a like a hotel room. “Looks like a hotel.”

“That was the look I was going for,” Luke said with a self-satisfied smile. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

…

Jenna watched as Luke followed Kevin down the hall to his bedroom and when the door closed behind them she went into the guest room and put her duffle bag on the bed. She quickly unpacked it and spread the contents on the bed. She hung her clothes in the closet; she’d brought a pair of black tights and a colorful tunic a friend of hers had bought her in Namibia the previous summer. She grabbed her toiletry bag and headed into the bathroom to relieve herself and freshen up a little. She had a feeling Luke wanted to get settled into bed without her watching.

A few minutes later she was done and just as she walked out of the bathroom there was a knock on the guestroom door. She opened and as she’d expected Kevin was standing on the other side.  “He’s all set and waiting for you. Enjoy the movie.”

“Thanks Kevin,” Jenna said. Before she could say anything else he walked away.

Jenna was a little nervous as she walked down the hall to Luke’s bedroom, the door was ajar and she knocked lightly on the doorjamb. She hadn’t known exactly what to expect, but she had thought his bedroom might have more of a hospital feel to it. Instead it looked pretty much like a normal bedroom. The walls were painted in a warm beige tone, the furnishings were modern and made of dark wood and apart from the wheelchair parked in the corner next to the bed there was nothing that screamed that the resident was disabled. Jenna immediately fell in love with his brown and blue sheets. Luke was laying on top of the covers on the right side of the bed, still fully dressed and he smiled tentatively as she stepped into the room.

…

Luke felt like a nervous schoolboy when Jenna stepped into his bedroom. Even if they were just watching a movie, fully dressed it was the first time he’d brought a woman into his bedroom since the accident..

“Jump in,” Luke said and patted the bed next to him. Jenna obliged and as soon as she was in bed she scooted over and snuggled into his side. “Comfortable?” he asked when she rested her head on his chest and draped an arm across his waist. He wondered what she thought when she felt his soft belly with no muscles.

“Definitely. You?”

“I’m not complaining,” he grinned. “Shall I hit play?”

“Yeah, please do. I’ve been wanting to see “Eat, Pray, Live” for a while, I hope it’s not too much of a chick-flick.”

“I’ve heard good things about it and I actually liked the book.”

“Really? Okay, that makes me less worried.”

“Honestly; I’m happy to watch even the worst chick flick if it means having you next to me,” Luke replied as he pushed play. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and laid his head against the pillow.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Jenna said with a teasing grin on her face.  Soon they were both immersed in the movie.  When the end titles appeared on the screen it was close to midnight and Luke didn’t manage to stifle a yawn.  Jenna was tired too.  After a passionate good night kiss she headed to the guest room. Part of her wanted to stay in Luke’s bed, but she knew it wasn’t time for that yet. 

To be continued…