Disillusion Meets Delight (21 page)

“I played volleyball and basketball, but I stopped once I got older.  I’m not that great with athletics.”  Of course, this is an understatement.  I scored a basket for the wrong team if that gives you any idea.

“Oh, so were you a dork in school?”  He laughs while taking a bite of fries.

“No I was not a dork in school!  Just because I wasn’t the finest athlete doesn’t mean I was a dork.  Did you play sports Mr. All American?”  I reply indignantly.

“Okay, calm down.”  He responds laughing.  “I played football in high school then I got a scholarship to play in college.  I hurt my knee in my sophomore year though and had to quit.” 

“Oh, Jake, that sucks.  I’m sorry.” 

“It wasn’t like I was going to get drafted or anything.  Anyway, it just gave me more time to party!”

After numerous ‘woos’ and hollers I began to feel like my date was a spectator sport, me being the spectator.   I understood Mya’s constant frustration with Kyle on weekends, Monday nights, and any other night a game is on.  How can we compete with this?

“You know, Jake, I’m getting kind of tired.  I think I might call it a night.  Is that alright?”  It was true; I don’t normally go out during the week.  By ten I’m usually in bed with the TV on its timer. 

“Oh, I was going to call my buddy to see if he wanted to come down and meet up with us.  This guy I work with.  He really needs to lighten up sometimes.  Maybe another night though eh?”  To be truthful, I don’t know if I could handle another guy if he’s anything like Jake. 

“Well, maybe another time.  Do you want to check with me later on in the week about Friday?”  I am truly hoping that the beer and football atmosphere was the demise of our conversation and not the company.  Maybe things will be better if we are in a more formal dining area.

“Yeah, I’ll give you a call.  I’m glad you came out Natalie.  I like spending time with you.”  He had to say that, didn’t he?  When I was hearing Laura’s voice echo in my head, he had to say something so sweet and sincere.  He had to look at me with those big brown eyes and give me the tenderest hug that I’ve ever had.  Should I be concerned that he has yet to kiss me??

“I’m glad I came out too.”  And so, I got in my car and smiled the whole way home.  

Ian didn’t see Jake for a couple days because he had to go off site for a conference and some meetings.  He was curious to know what Natalie’s reaction was to the flowers.  In fact, it was driving him mad.  Had he lost his chance?  Was Jake the guy for her after all? 

As much as Ian liked Jake, he could not see him with Natalie.  They just didn’t seem compatible.  If they got together, he couldn’t see them lasting.  Maybe that’s when he could step in and take his chance.  Oh, yes that’s great and then he could get Jake’s seconds.  It was never a great idea for a guy to start dating his friend’s ex.  Either way he looked at it, the situation was complicated and grim. 

On his way home from work, Ian decided to stop and get a pizza for dinner.  Maggie and her best friend Becky Johnson were doing homework at the house and he didn’t feel like displaying a culinary disaster to company.  When Ian walked into Mama’s, he remembered the last time he was there.  It was when Natalie was introduced to him.  Mr. B was there and greeted him as though he had known him for years. 

“Ah Ian!  How’s the White House?”  Mr. B asks with a laugh. 

“My friends tell me it’s as crazy as ever!  How’s it going for you and Mrs. B?” 

“Never better, in fact it will be our 50
^th
Anniversary in just a few weeks.  You should come, Ian.  We’re having a party here at 9:00 after we close.”  It was odd for Ian to feel so close to a group of people that he barely knew.  The Bonofiglio’s just had something about them that was warm and welcoming. 

“Are you sure?  Won’t it be family?”  Ian asked apprehensively.

“Ian, haven’t you learned?  Our customers are our family.  We wouldn’t be where we are if it was not for you.”  Mr. B replied warmly.

“Our Natalie will be coming Ian.”  Mrs. B appears from the kitchen with her floured apron and mischievous smile. 

“What, well, that doesn’t matter to me… I mean, that’s nice…”  Ian blushed and stuttered.  How did they know??

“That’s alright Ian.  We are aware of things that others would not notice.  You should come.”  Mrs. B replies softly while patting his hand. 

“We saw the way you looked at her Ian.”  Mr. B adds.

“And the way she looked at you.”  Mrs. B smiles. 

“Well, I don’t know if anything is going to happen.  She has met someone else.  I think I need to thrown in the towel.”  Ian says feeling defeated.

“Oh, Ian, it’s never time to throw in the towel.  Some things take time.  Don’t give up.  You think I would be with Mrs. B if I’d given up?”  He says while filling up the parmesan containers. 

“She was with Antonio Angiotti but when I moved to the neighborhood, she was the first girl I laid eyes on and I’ve never seen another since.”  Mr. B hands Ian his pizza with his words of wisdom. 

“I will keep that in mind Mr. B.  I better get this home.  There are 2 teenage girls that are probably chewing on their knuckles right now.” 

Ian thought about what the Bonofiglios said as he drove home.  Maybe it wasn’t over after all.  They had obviously seen Ian’s feelings and were correct, so were they right about Natalie as well?  Things had changed since then though so it was hard to say.  All he knew was if he didn’t get in the house with the pizza soon, Maggie was going to burn out his cell phone.  She had called five times in the past hour, presumably to find out the status of dinner.

“Ian, where have you been?  We’re starvin marvin!”  Maggie runs up to Ian and grabs the pizza box, broken arm and all.

“Hi Becky nice to see you.  Maggie I had some things to take care of.  It’s not like you didn’t have food in the cupboards.”  Ian follows Maggie into the kitchen to help set up. 

“Why does Becky Johnson just giggle at me whenever she sees me now?”  Ian asks as he pours the soda. 

“Oh, she has a crush on you.”  Maggie whispers. 

“Wonderful, just another reason for Sacha Johnson to dislike me.  She already thinks I’m an alcoholic and unfit caregiver.”  Ian replies.

“Oh don’t stress Ian.  Last week it was our science teacher.  Becky is just going through an older man thing right now.  I think it’s because her father is never home.”  Maggie analyzes. 

“Is that what Dr. Phil told you?  Jesus Maggie, sometimes you worry me.  However you might be right.”  Ian knew that he would need to start aggressively putting more college savings away for Maggie.  There was money from their parents’ death, but at this rate, she was going to be headed for Ivy League. 

“So anyway Ian, I’m dying to know.  When are you and Natalie going out again?”  Maggie asks out of the blue.

“I have no idea because I haven’t talked to her.  Why do you keep asking me about her Maggie?”  This was the second night in a row that Maggie had taken an extreme interest in his love life. 

“She still hasn’t called you?!”  Maggie exclaims in shock and utter horror. 

“Alright Maggie what is going on?  Why are you so worried about Natalie calling me lately?”  Ian asks suspiciously.

“Well it’s not like we didn’t buy $50 worth of flowers for her!  She should at least call and thank you!  I don’t get it.  Jenna said she got them.”  Maggie begins to mumble to herself.

“You what?!  You sent her flowers?  With my name on it?  What did you say Maggie?  I didn’t tell you to send flowers.  Where’s the phone?  I’m calling Jenna.”  Ian scrambles to look for the phone in complete panic. 

“I’m sorry Ian but I wanted to help.  I didn’t want you to just let it go.  I have never seen a girl affect you like this.  Marla was so horrible and granted, I’ve never met Natalie, but I know you Ian.  I know you like her…a lot.  You need to have someone good in your life for once.” 

“Well, it doesn’t really matter does it?  She hasn’t called so I guess that’s our answer isn’t it.  It was a nice try though.”  What is with everyone knowing what was best for him and furthermore, being able to read his mind?  Was he that obvious? 

It was Thursday and I had yet to hear from Jake.  I didn’t really think that much about it at work because to be quite honest, I’m not able to think of anything besides how horrible my job is.  We had another person quit without giving any notice.  That was a trend lately.  Although I understand everyone’s bitterness towards Magda and the wretched consulting firm, I wished they would take more pity on me.  I have never worked there and been so short staffed.  Plus, it seems the more short staffed we become, the more work and projects are piled on my desk.  My aspirations for making it a better place to work are dwindling by the minute. 

So, after a typical day of work I was pleased that all three of us would be able to meet after work for dinner.  Lately, it has been difficult for Mya, Jenna and I to all get together.  Jenna has been so preoccupied with Rob and Mya is always doing something for school. 

When I got to the restaurant, Jenna was already there, talking on the phone.  She seemed irritated and concluded the conversation upon my arrival. 

“Hey how’s it going?”  Jenna asks, trying to sound excited. 

“It’s fine.  Who were you talking to?  You seemed upset.”  Obviously she is not going to voluntary divulge her feelings so I had to go for the gusto. 

“Upset?  Oh no.  I wasn’t upset.  Rob wanted to bring me another present but I keep telling him it isn’t important to me.  My love don’t cost a thing.” 

“Okay J-Lo what type of presents is he buying you exactly?” 

“Well, he bought me this Louis Vuitton purse and then when he came back from Las Vegas he brought home the Manolo pumps I was drooling over on the website.”  As Jenna is explaining this to me, I sense her sinking further into her seat. 

“And then…” she stops as Mya comes to sit down. 

“Hey sorry I’m late.  What’s going on? Mya asks suspiciously. 

“It’s nothing.  How are you?  I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages Mya!”  Jenna turns to Mya.

“Um no, I believe there was ‘and then’ somewhere in there. 
And then
what Jenna?”  I interrupt. 

“Okay!  Rob said he would buy my boobs.”  Jenna blurts out as the waiter comes to take our drink order. 

“3 apple martinis please.”  Mya tells the waiter.

“Jenna I thought you were going to buy those yourself.  God, why does it matter anyway?  Natalie has big boobs and she hates hers!”  Mya was not one for cosmetic surgery. 

“You guys, I don’t want to talk about it.  I didn’t say that I would let him buy them.  He just offered.  He is just a really generous man.  He likes to spend money on me.”  Jenna sips her apple martini in complete denial. 

“I say you should always be skeptical of a man that feels the need to buy lavish gifts on non anniversaries or birthdays.”  Mya looks at me and I know exactly what she is thinking. 

“I have to go to the restroom but we will discuss your love life when we get back Natalie.”  Jenna threatens and I’m sure it will be about my flowers on Monday.

“Natalie, when are you going to tell her?  This is getting out of hand.  The man is basically treating her like a high priced hooker!”

“Don’t you think she should come to that conclusion, Mya?  Why is it my business?” 

“Natalie Everett, you know why it’s your business.  It is wrong of you to keep this from her.  It’s wrong of me too.  Do you know how livid she will be if she finds out that you know and have told other people and not her?” 

We didn’t have time to continue the conversation because Jenna came back and just as promised, switched the conversation to me.

“Alright Natalie, you got a bunch of beautiful flowers from Ian and you haven’t called him back yet.  I don’t care about this Jake guy. Ian is perfect for you and you know it.  That’s why you aren’t calling him back isn’t it.”  I was not prepared for her words. 

“Jenna it isn’t that easy.  Besides, I can’t call him back now.  It would be awkward.  Can’t I just pretend that I didn’t get them?  It could happen.  Once, my cousin got a bunch of flowers with someone else’s card in it.  Maybe they went somewhere else by accident.”