Chapter 3 #2
Maybe a little competition would shake Salvatore into a commitment or at least force a conversation about it. She had to admit she had to take some of the blame for not bringing it up. She secretly feared that if she did mention it, she may not like his answer.
She was about to call Frankie as she drove out of the parking lot but recalled another conversation the two friends had recently.
“You are always doing something when you call me,” Frankie had complained.
“What do you mean?” Rachael said defensively.
“You’re on your treadmill, taking a hike, paying for something in the grocery store. Can’t you just sit still and have a conversation with me? I feel as if I’m competing for your attention.”
“You? Are you kidding?” Rachael continued with her justifying tone.
“Seriously, Rach. A nice exchange without all the distractions in the background would be a nice change.”
“Sorry you feel that way.” Rachael was becoming indignant.
“Let’s not blow this out of proportion. I am simply asking that we—you and I—have a conversation without the checkout cashier at ShopRite asking for your customer number, or you blowing the horn at the guy stopped at the traffic light.”
“Fine. I’ll call you some other time.”
At least a month had passed before the two spoke again. Rachael couldn’t remember who reached out first, but they managed to patch things up between them.
Tonight, she was going to honor Frankie’s wishes and give her a buzz after she got home, fed the dog, and poured a glass of wine.
Twenty minutes later, she checked those items off her list and dialed Frankie’s number. After Frankie answered, Rachael began, “I am sitting in my living room with a glass of sauvignon blanc. No distractions.”
“Who is this?” Frankie teased.
“Ha ha. Listen, girlfriend, I have something to share that I think you’ll be happy to hear.”
“Splendid. Shoot.”
“I met a guy in the parking lot tonight.”
“Did you try to mug him?” Frankie continued to joke.
“Stop picking on me. I did two things based on your advice.”
Frankie bit her lip and let her friend continue. This was a first: Rachael taking advice. “Sorry. Continue, please.”
“So, I was packing my car after the dance class, and I was in a Rachael mood.”
Frankie cringed when Rachael referred to herself in the third person, something she often did. “Which one is that?” Frankie couldn’t help herself.
“When I get cranky. Anyway, I was tossing my equipment into the car while I was thinking about Salvatore going to Italy, and what you said about being nonchalant.”
“Okay. And?”
“The speakers got tangled, and I was trying to rearrange everything when a nice, slightly younger man approached and offered to help.”
“Chivalry is not dead,” Frankie mused.
“He recognized me from the center and the Halloween party.”
“Oh, I think I see where this is going. You were dressed like a French maid.”
“Yep, but it was my dancing that caught his eye.”
“He’s tactful but sounds like he was flirting with you.”
“Sorta. I mean he wasn’t over the top or anything, but he asked me if I would like to have coffee.”
“And?” Frankie dragged out the word.
“And I followed your advice. I was nonchalant.”
Frankie perked up. “How so?”
“I took his number and said I would check my schedule. Then I got in my car, gave a brief wave, and drove off.”
“You left? You didn’t go for coffee? You let him leave the parking lot without making a date?” Frankie was incredibly surprised.
“I said I would get back to him.”
“Brava!”
“I thought you might say that.”
“What about Salvatore?” Frankie knew the relationship was “undefined.”
“There is no ring on my finger,” Rachael said smugly.
“Good. Are you going to tell him?”
“Nope. In fact, I have a plan.”
“Uh-oh.” Frankie feared what Rachael might have up her sleeve.
“No! Listen. I am shifting into Frankie mode. I am going to call him and apologize for being unreasonable and tell him that I hope he enjoys himself.”
“And he won’t think you’re being sarcastic?”
“I think I can be convincing that I’m being sincere.”
“And are you?” Frankie was dubious.
“No, but he doesn’t need to know that.” Rachael paused. “I shall be charming in my new nonchalant persona.”
“Okay. What did you do with my friend Rachael?” Frankie laughed.
“Come on, Frankie, I’m serious. Obviously, my moves have only worked on the dance floor, so I’m going to change my routine.”
“Good girl!” Frankie was pleased that Rachael was having a man-piphony , a word she’d created when she was first dating Giovanni. Something had clicked, and she took two steps back, and Giovanni took two steps forward. Her mother had been right all these years.
“Look, I realize most of my dating debacles have been self-inflicted, so I’m turning the page on my approach.”
“Rach, I am happy to hear this. And I think you will enjoy playing cat and mouse.”
“I agree. I knew I had it in me, but I guess I never had the confidence to try it.”
“Not that I’m an expert, but I’ll be glad to be your coach should you feel you’re having a relationship relapse.”
“Thanks, pal.”
“Tell me a little more about your new friend.”
“He’s a nurse practitioner. My guess is he’s about three or four years younger. Nice looking. Clean-cut. Not necessarily a heartthrob, but he seemed to be kind and witty.”
“For me, that’s a much bigger turn-on than a hunk.”
“You got that right. Hunks can be oblivious. Self-involved.”
“That’s because they’ve gotten lots of attention their entire lives by simply looking good.”
“So true,” Rachael sighed. “Anyhoo, I figure I’ll wait a few days, send him a text, and let him know when I’m available. I don’t want to wait too long, though.”
“My recommendation is to wait four days. That way you will remain mysterious, and he’ll keep wondering when you will get in touch.”
“Perfect.”
“What’s his name?”
“Nicholas Morrison. Nurse Nick.”
“Well, my friend, I am enormously proud of you. Not just for being nonchalant, but for looking out for yourself. Going out for coffee with someone is totally innocent.” Then Frankie realized with whom she was speaking. “Well, if you can behave yourself.” She chuckled.
“Very funny. If you ever get out of publishing, you should consider stand-up.”
“Now who’s being funny?” Frankie cracked back.
“I’m going to give the new Rachael a spin when we get off the phone. I’m going to call Salvatore and be sweet as pie.”
Frankie laughed out loud.
“What’s so funny?”
“I had a vision of a pie with a knife baked in it. You know, like the ones they give prisoners to help them break out of jail.”
“Your imagination is running wild tonight, Francesca.”
“Yep. I’m in overdrive.” Frankie paused, then said, “Listen, no matter what happens, you will spend New Year’s Eve with me, Nina, and Amy. Regardless.”
“I don’t want to be the odd girl out.”
“But you’re not ‘out.’ We are a team. Don’t ever forget that.”
“Thanks, Frankie.” Rachael got a little choked up. “I know I can be demanding at times, but I love you guys and appreciate all of you. Even the guys.”
“You bet. Love you, too. Keep me posted. And if you want to call me later and let me know how your conversation with Salvatore went, I’ll be up until at least eleven. Ciao !”
“ Ciao !” Rachael replied.
She waited for a few minutes to gather her strength and muster up a sense of confidence and charm. She dialed Salvatore’s number.
“Hey, Rach. What’s going on?” He sounded in a pleasant mood. Lately he had to steady himself from Rachael’s petulance over the trip.
“Hi. Listen, I want to apologize for all my whining about your plans to go to Italy.” She could envision Salvatore giving his phone a double take.
“The holidays are difficult, trying to parse out time with Ryan. Greg never sticks to the schedule and is always making other plans, and I took it out on you. I’m really sorry.
” Rachael was impressed at how sincere she sounded.
Perhaps that was because she actually was sincere.
“Yeah, I can imagine it’s tough, and I’m sorry that you took my trip as a personal affront. I was inconsiderate not to discuss it with you before I made the plans.”
“You have every right to make plans, but I appreciate your apology.” Again, sweet Rachael emerged.
“Are we still on for tomorrow?” Salvatore asked.
Rachael paused. She didn’t want to start toying with his insecurities just yet, but she thought he was going to the game with his buddies. “Um, sure. Where are we going?”
“I have tickets for a Jets game.”
“Don’t you usually go with Bret and Danny?” Rachael was surprised at the invitation.
“Yes, but they have something with their kids.” He quickly realized she may think she was an afterthought. “But I had already told them I wanted to take you to the game.” He hoped it was a good save. “So you can see why I like to go, and why you’d probably hate it.” He laughed nervously.
“That’s sweet. Sounds like fun.” Actually, it didn’t. Salvatore was right in his thinking. Rachael wasn’t big on huge crowds of drunken fans, but she was going to buck up and go.
“Great. We can grab a bite. The dogs are suspect at the stadium.”
Rachael chuckled. “Reva’s Steak House?”
“Sounds good. I’ll pick you up at five.”
“Perfect. See you then.”
“Rach?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She got off the phone as fast as she could. She was proud of her demeanor but wasn’t sure how long it was going to last.
She immediately phoned Frankie. “Mission accomplished. I apologized, and he apologized for not talking to me about it before he made his plans.”
“See? Sweetness and light. A little dab will do ya.”
“And he’s taking me to the game tomorrow.”
“But you hate that stuff.” Frankie winced.
“Yes, but I think he’s trying to make it up to me, although a romantic dinner would be much better.”
“Take it as a good sign. You’ve softened him up. Then you can peel his ego like an onion.”
Rachael howled, “Frankie, you never cease to amaze me. You can be rather diabolical.”
Frankie lowered her voice an octave. “I am your mentor.”
“You sound more like Svengali.” Rachael snickered.
Frankie maintained her baritone level. “Even better.” Then she let out an evil laugh, one that you’d hear from a haunted house.
“Now you’re starting to sound creepy,” Rachael said, chuckling.
Frankie continued with her impersonation of Bela Lugosi, the first actor to play Count Dracula in the 1931 movie. She rolled her R s appropriately. “Yourr rrevenge has just begun.”
“Okay, weirdo. I think it’s time for you to go to bed,” Rachael said jokingly.
“Ah, but the night is still young.” Frankie let out the sinful laugh again. “Ha ha, ha ha ha.”
“Okay. I am getting off the phone now. Let me know when my friend Frankie gets back. Nighty-night.”
“See ya, toots!” Frankie signed off in her usual cheerful tone.
Rachael cranked up the music and did the cha-cha in front of her dog, Digger, slang for jail cell .
The previous year, she and Randy had spent a few hours at the Grey-Bar Hotel after a big misunderstanding on the winding roads of the Amalfi Coast. Digger’s head followed her every move; then he got up on his hind legs and slapped his paws on her shoulders.
Rachael laughed. “If I could post this on TikTok, you’d be a star!”
Digger woof ed in response.