Authors: Nikki Duvall
“You
had sex!”
“No,
I didn’t.” Halee turned her body to hide the smile forming on her lips and
continued stacking wrapped packages of silverware for the evening rush. Benedetto’s
Bar and Grill was dimly lit even though the clock on the wall said half past
four. Somehow the dark wood interior and the Kelly green walls always made it
seem that way. From the kitchen, the intoxicating smell of Uncle Gus’ homemade Irish
stew wafted out to the dining room, reminding Halee just how much she’d had to
drink the night before. It would take a couple more days to get her appetite
back.
Rita
Benedetto jumped in front of her wearing a white apron, running shoes, and a
full grin. She stood three inches shorter than Halee. Her dark hair was cut
into a short bob. She wore too much makeup and enough perfume to announce
herself long before she entered a room. “You had sex. You’ve got whisker burn
on your neck. And that smile is the smile of a wicked woman.”
“Nope.”
“You
and that professor what’s his name got it on!”
Halee
grimaced. “Hardly.”
“Better
than softly.” Rita laughed at her own joke. “Halee got laid,” she sing-songed.
“I
don’t want to talk about my sex life, Rita. The adoption agency is coming to my
house tomorrow morning and I need you to coach me. I’ve already talked to Uncle
Gus and he’s given me his blessing. Now I need you to tell me all your
parenting secrets.”
“Don’t
do it. That’s all you need to know.”
“Seriously.”
“If
you and J.D. decided to make a child together-a possibility I fantasize about
all the time, I’ll have you know- if you turned up pregnant with J.D.’s child
by the grace of God, I would offer up all the advice in the world. If you
insist on adopting a child on your own, I can’t help you. It’s just not
natural. A child should be raised by two parents- their own parents.”
Halee
tied on a clean apron and heaved a hefty sigh. Even though it was still early,
she felt like she was sleep walking. Too much tequila and too much J.D. could
do that to a girl. Except she hadn’t had enough of J.D. Something told her she
never would.
“How
many sets do we need?”
“Two
hundred,” replied Rita, shoving a stack of napkins her way. “And don’t ignore
me.”
“You’re
a single parent. You’re doing a great job.”
“So
I know about these things. It’s unnatural. And way too hard. I wouldn’t wish
single parenting on anyone.”
“But
you love your kids.”
“Of
course I do.”
“And
you have Uncle Gus and all your cousins to help when things get tough.”
“Not
always a help.”
“And
you wouldn’t give up Vince and Teresa for anything.”
“No
way.”
“Then
your argument is illogical.”
“Thank
you, counselor. Maybe you should go to law school.”
“Not
me,” said Halee with a snort. “As soon as this thesis is done and they hand me
my diploma, you won’t catch me in a classroom for a long time to come. I
thought I’d never finish.”
“Speaking
of lawyers,” said Rita, “I ran this idea of yours past my ex. He says you’re
better off waiting to adopt a baby until you land a professional job. Either
that, or get married. Single parents can adopt older kids or kids with
disabilities, but babies are tough unless you can show you have the means to
hire a live-in nanny.”
“You
told Frank about my plans?”
“Yes.
What’s your salary like at the foundation?”
“A
volunteer could do better,” Halee replied. “Why do you think I’m still
moonlighting here?” She shook her head. “I can’t believe you told Frank about
my plans.”
“I
still think you should hold out for Mr. Right. What are you now, twenty two?”
“Twenty
four.”
“Oh,
that’s different. That’s an emergency. Tick, tick, tick. That biological clock
is about to go off.”
“There
is no Mr. Right, Rita. Frank should have convinced you of that.”
“We’re
still living in a conservative world, Halee. The courts expect you to be
heterosexual, light skinned, and wealthy. And they think two parents are better
than one.”
“That
leaves about a million babies without a home!” Halee blew out a breath and
summoned a calmer voice. “I’m sorry if I sound emotional,” she said. “I just
feel like I’m always defending myself for doing the right thing. It’s
frustrating.”
Rita
placed one hand on her arm. “Not attacking, Hon. Just trying to get inside that
head of yours.”
Halee
straightened her spine and tossed a package of silverware onto the top of the
heap. “Some parents are overwhelmed with their own problems, Rita, or just
plain absent. There are lots of kids out there who need a better situation. I
may not be able to give them a father, but I could give them a mother, which is
more than they have now.”
“Maybe
there’s a reason J.D. showed up at your party,” Rita suggested. “Maybe the
forces of the universe want you to be together.”
“J.D.
is a temporary diversion from reality, nothing more.”
“OK.
How about Dr. what’s his name?”
“Enough
to bore you senseless.”
Rita
laughed. “Couldn’t say that about J.D., could you?”
Halee
blushed, remembering the way J.D. had swept her across the deck in his arms.
“You’re
too young to be having this argument with yourself, Halee. You haven’t given it
a chance. Why don’t you see if things heat up between you and J.D. again?”
“Stop
it, Rita.” Halee grabbed a bin full of silverware and headed for the kitchen
with Rita close on her heels. “No self-respecting woman gives a cheating man a
second chance.”
But
she had. And she knew, without a doubt, that she’d do it all over again.
“If
you ask me, there are two J.D.’s. You dated the playboy. The other is a family
man.”
“J.D.
tied down? No way. He would never want children.”
“Didn’t
you tell me he’s a rancher’s kid?”
“Yeah,
so?”
“So,
ranchers are traditional people. They value family. Besides, every man wants
children,” said Rita. “It’s a predatory thing. It lets them leave their mark on
the world. And for a man who loves a woman, it’s the ultimate possession.”
“You’ve
been hijacked by Hollywood. The day I get married it will be for love, not
possession.”
“No
J.D.?”
“Nope.”
“It’s
really over?”
“I’ve
already forgotten him.”
“Just
like that?”
“Yup.
Just like that.” She glanced at Rita. “Why are you smirking?”
“I
was just wondering if there’s a branch of AA devoted to women addicted to
Jonathan Dillon Shaw.”
Halee
sighed. “I’ve made up my mind,” she said, heading back toward the dining room. “It’s
Halee McCarthy on her own from now on. I’m going to adopt a baby and start a
life and family without a man. I already signed the paperwork. All I need to do
is pass the home inspection.”
“I’ve
seen your place. You’d better start praying.”
“Temporary
situation. First big paycheck and I’m moving back to this side of town. There’s
a two bedroom over by the park that would be perfect.”
“Did
the agency ask about a boyfriend?”
Halee
grabbed a container of salt from behind the bar and started to fill up salt
shakers.
“Well,
did they?”
“Yes.”
“And
what did you tell them?”
“I
said I was single and planned to remain so,” she said, handing a tray of half
empty shakers to Rita. “Give me a hand, would you?”
“Gee,”
said Rita with a sad smile, “I was looking forward to being a bridesmaid in
your lavish wedding.”
Halee
groaned.
“You’re
like a sister to me, Halee, you know that. We’ve been tied at the hip since
grade school. I want whatever you want. But I need to say this. I’ve watched
men come and go from your life. You always seemed to get over a breakup without
much trouble. J.D. was different. J.D.’s infidelity hit you like a tidal wave.
You had a hard time getting back up.”
“You
make it sound like I stayed in bed for six months. So, I grieved. That’s
normal. It’s even healthy.”
“I’m
just saying he found his way into your heart. He hurt you.”
Halee
swallowed hard. “Water under the bridge,” she said softly.
“So
if J.D. walks through that door tonight and proposes to you, you’ll say no?”
“Stop
it, Rita.”
“Just
a question…”
“He’s
already engaged.”
Rita
stopped dead in her tracks. “Where’d you hear that?”
“From
his manager.”
“Tony
King? That sleaze ball?” Rita snorted. “I wouldn’t believe a word he says. The
day J.D. Shaw asks a woman to marry him, it’ll make the Tribune headlines.”
Halee
picked up the last stack of napkins and began folding. “He’s moving to New
York.”
“New
York?”
Halee
nodded, avoiding Rita’s eyes. “Got the call from the majors. The Federals
centerfielder tore his ACL. They need J.D. to finish the season.”
“Damn!”
Rita dropped her salt shaker. “That’s like a dream come true.”
Halee
nodded. “So I won’t be running into him again.”
“What,
they’ve cancelled all flights between O’Hare and LaGuardia?”
“I’d
rather be happy, thanks.”
Rita
reached across the counter and squeezed Halee’s hand. “J.D. is like a thick
dark bar of chocolate. There’s no resisting him. Don’t rush into anything like
adoption.”
“My
life is already screwed up. Add J.D. and I’m over the edge.”
“Your
life is far from screwed up. You just have a little man trouble, that’s all.
Now help me get this silverware on the tables. It’s almost five o’clock.”
***
By
half past six, a hundred Cubs jerseys crowded the small restaurant, demanding hearty
food and plenty of alcohol to ease the pain of another near win. Uncle Gus had
retreated to the back office to pout with the first round of receipts, leaving
Rita and Halee to handle the restless crowd. After suffering through an early
morning management class on a J.D. hangover and the emotional verbal spar with
Rita this afternoon, Halee’s energy reserves were just about used up. All she
wanted was a cup of warm chocolate and a feather bed. She glanced up at the
clock in search of mercy, then turned wearily back to the bar as a familiar
face approached the last empty seat. Could the night get any worse?
“Barstools
all filled at the Palmer House?” she sneered.
“Hello
to you, too.”
She
tossed her empty drink tray on the bar and watched Tony King scan the room with
an air of contempt. “No gold diggers in tow?” she asked. “Guess the fake tan
and Rolex aren’t working, King.”
“Your
customer service skills need polished, Honey.” He wiped a vinyl bar stool with
a cocktail napkin and gingerly set his Guess jeans down. “I got hungry and I
was in the neighborhood. Got anything on the menu that isn’t deep fried?”
“I’ll
see if we can rustle up some escargot.”
“You
look cute in that uniform, Halee. No wonder John still has wet dreams about
you.”
“What
do you want, King?”
“I’ll
start with a vodka martini.”
Halee
stood her ground. “We don’t serve alcohol to go, King, and you were just
leaving.”
“Now,
now, Halee, you’ll have to learn to be nicer to me now that we’ll be rekindling
our relationship.”
“Don’t
hold your breath. On second thought,” she said with a smirk and toss of her
head, “please do.”
“I
understand you need someone to blame, Honey, but I’m not your man. I never told
John to sleep with that sleazy blonde.”
“Probably
not. You were just in the background cheering him on.”
“Nothing
to be embarrassed about, Doll,” he said, dropping his eyes to her chest. “Her
tits were bigger. John couldn’t help himself.” He grinned. “It’s a guy thing.”
“Actually,
it’s a little boy thing. I’ll get you another waitress,” she said through
gritted teeth.
“Hold
on, now. I forgot to give you something at the gala.” Tony leaned in and waved
a $10,000 check made out to North Shore Literacy.
Halee
eyed him warily. “Since when are you interested in literacy?”
“I’m
not. I’m interested in you.”
“Your
interest,” she spit, “is better spent elsewhere.”
“I
want you to spend time with John again.”
“I
don’t think so…”
“Unless you’re still with
that guy from the gala. What was his name? Pretentious Prick?”
“
Doctor
Cottrell. And it doesn’t surprise me that you would find him intimidating.
Brainless lumps of muscle usually do.”
“That’s
a little haughty coming from a waitress.”
“A
waitress with a master’s degree. What’s your degree in, King, unethical
behavior?”
“Success,
Baby. I’m the one wearing the Rolex.”
“And
you’re improving the world how?”
Tony
smiled. “So reform me. Go see John and cash this check.”
“I
don’t think he’d like that.”
“That’s
the point. John is a better player when he’s angry. You’ll be doing him a
favor.”
“While
ruining my own life.”
Tony
leaned in. “Everyone knows you and John left together last night, Halee. Your
picture getting into the Porsche was splashed across every tabloid this
morning. By the blush creeping up your neck right now, I’m going to wager you
didn’t play cards. You can cut the act.”
She
looked away. “That’s none of your business…”
“You
take up with John, it becomes my business. We’re linked at the hip.”
“You
mean at the wallet.”
“You
want to talk about money, let’s talk about money. How many young ladies are in
your program now, Halee?”
She
hesitated. “Three hundred or so.”
“And
how many can read since you’ve worked your magic?”