Sassafras, Part 18


Joan


While I was in the restroom I went over the gold mine of information I learned from the waitress. Rick was single. Check. He’s nice. Check. He plays pool. Check. He’s from some place called Bowling Green. Check. He likes sandwiches. Check. We make a cute couple. Double check. All systems go, I thought as I walked out the door. I was trying to find our booth when I saw him talking to the waitress. He was so good looking, even from across the room, even from the back. When he saw me I waved and I started walking toward him, but somehow a table got in the way.

We stumbled into each other, then he put his arm around me and we walked back to the booth. I picked up my cigarette and started to take a drink of my beer, but Rick told the waitress to take it away and bring me a cup of coffee. That was okay with me. I like coffee more than beer anyway. Not the fancy flavored or whipped kind, just plain, hot, black coffee. Besides, I’d already had too much beer.

I could tell I was going to have a hard time remembering everything in the morning, so I decided to get my planner out of my purse and make some notes. Just in case this wasn’t a dream. Rick was different than any of the other men I met, but I couldn’t put my finger on how. Maybe if I saw it in black and white I would be able to figure it out. He had a relaxed, confident attitude, not the tense, almost aggressive air of other men. Definitely not a piranha. It felt good just to look at him. I couldn't believe how wonderful it had felt when he kissed me. That had been the only time since I got to Sassafras that I had been able to relax, to think of anything except Jenny, and how pathetic my life was. When he kissed me all I could think of was him.

I had just finished my list when the waitress came back with the coffee. Rick told her we didn’t need any cream or sugar. How did he know that? I decided he must be psychic, so I added that to my list. The coffee was delicious. Just the smell was enough to satisfy, but when I tasted it I was impressed. Bar coffee usually sucks, but this was wonderful. I leaned back against Rick and just enjoyed the moment. I didn’t want that night to ever end, but when I had almost finished my cup my phone rang. It was Billy, wondering where I was and when I was coming home. Time to go.

Rick helped me put my shoes on and then helped me get up out of the booth. He was so nice, and he smelled so good, and his neck was just inches from my face. I leaned in and kissed his neck a couple of times and thought that was the best night of my entire life.

He paid the waitress and then we stopped to get our jackets off the pegs in the wall. While he helped me on with my coat I noticed a jacket still hanging on the wall.

"This is Jenny's jacket," I said and picked it up and turned it around in my hands. "I bought it for her for Christmas two years ago. Why would Jenny leave her jacket here?"

"Are you sure it's hers?" he asked.

I reached in a pocket and pulled out a key chain with a picture in a little silver frame. "This is Billy," I said, "and this is Jenny's jacket."

"Maybe it wasn't that cold when she left, and she just forgot it."

"I guess maybe," I said doubtfully, frowning and staring at the jacket in my hands.

“Let me drive you home," he said when we got out in the parking lot. It was so cold I could see our breath, and I could feel myself sobering up by the second. I was glad I drank that cup of coffee. "I won't take no for an answer. You’re in no shape to drive."

"Oh, that’s okay. I walked here," I said but he really wouldn’t take no for an answer. He wrapped both arms around me and pulled me to him. He kissed me again, and I felt myself stretching up against him. I hadn't expected my day to end up like this.

I was silent for a minute. "I don't usually go around kissing strange men."

"Well, you've been bad, and need to be spanked," he said.

I laughed again, my breath puffing out in big clouds. "Don't tease me, Colonel Hogan."

We walked to his car and he opened the door for me. I don’t know what kind of car it was, small and dark blue. There wasn’t a corner or angle anywhere, it was just curve after curve. “Wow,” I said. “Cars have sure changed since I moved to New York. This is beautiful.” I ran my hand along the side of the trunk, up the window to the roof, then slid inside. It was nice looking inside, too, little bucket seats with a console between them, and the steering wheel looked like it came out of an airplane. I pulled my planner back out of my purse and wrote ‘Cool Car’ at the bottom of the list. When Rick got inside and started the engine the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, and the radio started playing an old ZZ Top song.

The drive back to Jenny's house seemed to fly by. His car was a stick shift, and it was fascinating watching him drive. There were hills and stop signs and corners, so he was constantly shifting and moving his feet, like he was dancing. He was such a good driver it felt like we were floating the whole way. He knew exactly where to go, which surprised me until he said he gave Jenny a ride home when her car broke down at Don’s one day. When we finally got to Jenny's house Billy was looking out the door waiting for me. Rick and I stood in the driveway for a couple of minutes talking.

"I have to see you again," he said. "Please don't say no."

"I don't know," I answered. "I'm not sure we should. I barely know you.” I looked down at my shoes, trying to sort out the feelings running through me. I wanted to touch him, to feel his arms around me, but I knew it couldn’t last. In a few days I would be back in New York, and I would probably never see him again. I looked up at him, and realized if I was going to regret anything, I would rather regret saying yes than saying no. “I don't even know your last name."

"Richard Lynn Gilbert, at your service," he said with a bow. "Now, will you go out with me tomorrow?"

"No," I answered, "but you can come over for dinner if you'd like.”

“I’d love to,” he said.

I remembered what Maria said. “Do you like toast?"

“Toast?” he asked and raised his eyebrows. "I love toast," he answered and leaned over, pressing me against Jenny's car and kissing me again. Maria was right, I thought. I slid my arms inside his jacket and held on to him, smelling his cologne. I heard the front door slam shut and remembered Billy standing there watching us. When I walked inside Billy made sure I noticed he was ignoring me.