Hope, Heartbreak & High Heels (HHH)

by Sheryl

  Furthermore this wasn’t the first time that I’d turned a guy down. Or that the girls had lectured me and told me to open up my mind. So then why was it bothering me so much this time around?

  So then why couldn’t I let Daniel Hartman go?

  29 – ANYA

  I was nervous. I was always nervous before a first date. And a second. And the third.

  Even though we had hung out twice and been texting since we met, Andrew had asked me out on our first official date on Monday. I had received a bouquet of lilies with a note.

  Dear Anya,

  Two weeks,

  Two meetings,

  And more than two dozen texts.

  Will you finally go out with me on our first real date?

  Yours in Waiting,

  Andrew B.

  Since then, the week had gone by in a haze – it had seemed too long, yet now that today was here I was too nervous.

  “Are you ready yet?” Aimee was banging down the bathroom door.

  “I feel sick,” I shouted back.

  “Come out and let me see,” she replied.

  I unlocked the door and went outside. She looked me over.

  “Are you sure this is what you want to wear?” she questioned.

  “Why? You think I should change?” I was worried.

  “You look great babe, it’s just you don’t look like yourself…you look like Tish,” she said gently. I looked at myself in the mirror. Aimee was right. I mean I was dressed in all of Latisha’s things.

  I had borrowed a navy blue shift dress. With it I was wearing a strand of Tish’s pearls around my neck and a white headband in my now straightened hair. I definitely didn’t look like myself.

  “What should I do?” I panicked.

  “Here, let me help.” Aimee undid the pearls around my neck and gave me one of my long sparkly necklaces instead. She took off the headband and using a small clip, she clipped back a small centre section of my hair creating a small bump. She handed me one of my silver sparkly bangles and big chunky ring. Finally, Aimee swapped in my clear, see through slingbacks for Latisha’s white pumps that I had previously picked out. More me but still subtle.

  “But what if he thinks I’m too…sparkly,” I asked.

  “Well then you can tell him that’s who you really are,” Aimee smiled. “Dressing appropriately for an occasion is one thing but trying to make someone believe you’re something that you’re not is another. There’s no need for you to try to dress up as someone you’re not – unless you’re going to say that you’re thinking of giving up sparkles for good?”

  “But what if he doesn’t like the sparkly me,” I protested.

  “Then he’s just not the one,” Aimee said firmly.

  I smiled and gave her a hug.

  “Thanks.”

  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _

  “A bottle of Chardonnay will do,” Andrew said as he finished reading through the wine list.

  “Sure. I’ll be back with the wine,” the waiter said as he left the table.

  Andrew turned his attention back to me and took my hand.

  “Hi again,” he said softly.

  “Hi,” I smiled.

  “Have I told you how lovely you look?” His husky voice gave me goose bumps.

  I laughed. “Only about three times already. But I guess I can hear it once more.”

  “I’ll say it a dozen more times if I get to hear you laugh like that.” I smiled. So far the evening had been amazing.

  Andrew had picked me up from the loft in his car and had taken me to a rooftop bar in Midtown for a drink first. We’d talked about the weekend, work and our families. Andrew had been a real gentleman; opening doors and pulling out chairs. I guess those were the country club manners talking. After a couple of drinks we’d shifted to a small French restaurant located in the West Village.

  I couldn’t help but admire the man sitting across the table from me. Square jaw, strong facial features and piercing blue eyes. His blonde hair was gelled and combed to the side. Dressed in a pair of grey slacks, light pink shirt and a navy blue velvet blazer, Andrew looked charming.

  “Do you like French cuisine?” he asked.

  “Yeah, though I’ve never been here. Which is why I asked you to order whatever you thought was best.”

  “I really hope you like the food. I love this place because it’s nice and small. Do you eat out often?”

  “A couple of times a week. The girls and I often whip up something during the weeknights. Weekends everyone usually has their own plans and dates.”

  “So I guess everyone’s in a relationship right?” Andrew asked.

  “Well Latisha and Vivek will be married soon. Aimee’s been dating Ezra for a while. But Eva’s single. She doesn’t date much.” I recounted.

  “I see. What about you?” he ventured. Hmm…Smooth transition into my past.

  “What about me?” I looked at him.

  “Do you date often?” he asked gingerly.

  “I mean I go out on dates…” I answered vaguely. Where was he going with this?

  “Have you been in a lot of relationships?” he clarified.

  “Depends on what you count as a relationship. I’ll be honest, I’ve dated quite a few guys; some for a few weeks, some for a few months. But they haven’t all been what you’d call real relationships, and I’ve never really been serious with anyone… just on the lookout for the right guy I guess,” I explained.

  “Fair enough.” He seemed content with my answer.

  The waiter poured some wine into both our glasses. It was delicious.

  “What about you?” I flipped the question back to him.

  “I’ve dated. I’ve also been in a couple of long term relationships. But they all ended for some reason or the other,” he recalled.

  “Let me guess, you were the dumper?” I teased.

  He put a hand over his heart. “I resent that! Do you think this face could ever break someone’s heart?” He put on his best possible puppy face. “No, it was just a matter of differences in thinking and personality. I guess I’ve just never met the right girl…”

  “So what makes me different?” I blurted out.

  His eyes widened with surprise. A slow smile crept across his face and he took a large sip of his wine before he answered. “Well, first of all you come with great references. I trust both Ezra and Vivek’s opinions. Second of all, you seem different. As clichéd as it might sound, you’re very sweet. I find your impeccable Southern manners charming. And of course it doesn’t hurt that you’re gorgeous.”

  I smiled. It was a great beginning. I had a good feeling about this one…

  30 – LATISHA

  “Leaving already?”

  I turned around. Chris was standing behind me, leaning against his locker.

  “Already? I mean the shift’s over. It is almost midnight you know.” I went back to packing up my things.

  He walked up to me. His cologne reached me before he did. “Well if you’re not in too much of a rush, wanna do me a favour?”

  I closed my locker and looked at him suspiciously. “What kind of favour?”

  He took a step closer to me until we were almost touching. “Well… It requires you spending a little more time with me. Alone. Think you can handle it?”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Ummm…I guess.”

  He stepped back and smirked. “Good. I’m starving. Come eat with me.”

  “What?!”

  “I didn’t get a chance to eat. And I’m hungry. It’s no fun eating alone. So if you’re not in a rush to get home, come eat with me,” he explained.

  “Uh ok…but now? Where?” I spluttered.

  “Trust me?” And before I could protest he grabbed my hand and led me outside.

  “Where are we going?” I asked as h
e continued pulling me towards the exit.

  Chris paused for a second and looked at me. “How do you feel about falafel?”

  “Um. Good I guess?”

  “There’s a small joint nearby. They have amazing falafel and hummus. And hookah if you’re into that too. Best part is it’s usually open till late.”

  We had reached the exit and were outside. He paused

  “So what will it be? Last chance to back out,” Chris offered.

  I looked at him. I was tired but I felt bad for Chris, especially when he was so eager. “What the heck, lets go.” I was rewarded with a smile.

  The hookah lounge was two blocks away. It was only half full, I guess because it was a Wednesday night after all. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving. Chris ordered some food for the both of us.

  “Do you want to share a hookah?” he paused to ask me.

  “I’m not a big fan,” I admitted reluctantly, “But you can go ahead.”

  “Nah…no fun doing it alone,” he turned back towards the waiter. “That’ll be all, thanks.”

  “Drinks?” the waiter asked. Chris looked at me.

  “I’ll have a Sprite please,” I requested.

  Chris turned back to address the waiter again. “One Sprite and one beer please. Thanks.”

  “Nice place. I’ve never been here,” I said as I looked around. It was a small hookah lounge with coloured sofas and chairs along the walls and a bar at the back. The place was covered in lamps and mirrors and had a real Middle Eastern feel to it.

  “Yeah it’s pretty chill. On the weekends they usually put up the music and the place turns into a semi-club,” Chris agreed.

  A pretty brunette approached our table. Olive skin, glossy brown hair, green eyes and a great body – she definitely looked like she belonged here.

  “Hey Chris,” she greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. “Long time no see!”

  “Kiara! How you doing?” He greeted her enthusiastically with a tight hug.

  “Great. Missed you though!” she whined. I was uncomfortable with all this squeezing going on.

  Surprisingly Chris seemed to remember I was still sitting there. “Meet Latisha. She’s a fellow resident.”

  Kiara took my hand. She had long shiny fingernails and a tight grip. “Pleasure,” she cooed.

  I gave her a tight smile. “Pleasure’s all mine.”

  Kiara sat down at our table. “So Chris, how have you been. Too busy being a big doctor? No time to come out dancing with me anymore?” She had her hand on his leg and was inching closer and closer to him as she spoke.

  “Don’t be silly. Just been caught up. Besides I’m sure you have enough admirers without me,” Chris defended.

  “Well you haveee to do a shot with me. Especially since I have no idea when I’ll be graced with your presence next,” Kiara signalled to the waiter. “Jagerbombs please!” He nodded.

  I really had no idea what I was doing there. Maybe I should just make up an excuse and leave. Besides Chris was no longer alone.

  “Chris I’m actually pretty tired. Do you mind if I make a move?” I asked.

  Chris looked at me. I gulped. His hazel stare had a way of cutting through all my bullshit. “Awww come on. It’s not that late yet. We’ll leave soon.”

  I kept quiet. I didn’t want to come across as a whiny party pooper. Especially with Miss Flirty right here.

  “Here you go,” the waiter brought three shots to the table and handed each one of us a glass.

  “No thanks, I don’t really drink,” I refused.

  “One shot won’t hurt you,” Kiara claimed.

  “I really don’t want to. Here, you can have mine,” I protested.

  “You sure you can’t do one? I mean I’m not going to force you, but there’s no one else watching tonight,” Chris looked at me.

  “Alright. Well I guess it’s just us then,” Kiara raised her glass to Chris’s.

  Chris looked at me disappointed and shook his head. Then he turned his attention to Kiara and gave her a smile. I’ll be damned. There was no way I was going to look bad in front of Miss Shiny Hair here.

  “What the hell! Cheers guys!” I joined them and threw back the strong liquor. I was rewarded with one of his dazzling smiles.

  Our food arrived promptly and Kiara ordered a few more rounds of shots. Reluctantly I did one each time. After about three rounds I started feeling a little light-headed.

  “Is it just me or is the music actually louder right now?” I asked out loud. A couple of people were dancing.

  “No, they turned it up. Come on, let’s dance!” Kiara pulled at Chris’s arm.

  “Alright, alright, there’s no need to tear my arm off,” Chris laughed. “Latisha you wanna join us?”

  “Nah, I’m good right here. You guys carry on,” I answered. I didn’t trust myself to stand; I was getting really dizzy.

  I leaned back against the sofa and watched Kiara rub her body against Chris. They were laughing really loudly. He seemed to be enjoying it. I had to admit, Kiara was gorgeous. She had an amazing body. And she could really dance. Chris whispered something in her ear and they glanced over at me. He walked towards me.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to dance?” he held out his hand.

  “Yes. Toootally. Positivelllyyy,” I slurred slightly.

  “Why Dr. Chaudhary... Are you drunk?” Chris smirked at me.

  “Noo…just tired.” I lied back.

  “Well come dance. It’ll be more fun than sitting here alone.” He took my hand. His hand felt rough and strong around mine. “Or are you shy because you’re a really bad dancer?”

  “You are sooo on!” I jumped up and pulled him to the dance floor.

  Kiara joined us and positioned herself between Chris and myself. I backed off. Chris kept looking over at me and I smiled back to reassure him. At some point a random guy started dancing with me. He kept trying to move in on me and I kept trying to put some distance between us.

  “May I cut in?” I heard Chris’s voice in my ear and felt his arm around my waist. I turned around to face him. We were standing close. Too close. The other guy backed off.

  “Hi,” I managed. His spicy scent combined with the alcohol buzzed around my brain.

  “You shouldn’t be dancing with strange men,” he teased.

  “Well you left me,” I shot back.

  “Clearly my mistake…” his voice trailed off as we moved to the music. Chris had his arms banded around me. My hands were resting on his chest and I could feel his warmth. Our faces were almost touching and all I could see was him. Only him.

  “You’re buzzing,” he stepped back suddenly.

  “You forced me to drink,” I pouted.

  “No, I mean your phone,” he pointed. I looked down and saw Vivek’s name flash across the screen. I felt my blood go cold.

  I took a step back. “I think I should head out. It’s late.” The buzz from earlier on quickly evaporated.

  Chris nodded and silently walked me out to hail me a cab.

  31 – EVA

  My family had been living in the U.S. for over five decades. Therefore, we had grown up celebrating all the American holidays but with a Jewish twist on them. We celebrated Christmas with Hanukah and our Christmas tree had a Star of David at its peak. Every Passover we had an Easter Egg hunt. And Thanksgiving meant a big seder with the entire family staying under one roof.

  By the time I got to the house on Thursday at noon, the others were already there. There was Becky with her husband and three kids. My three brothers; David, Amit and Gabriel with their wives and young ones. And of course my parents.

  “Auntie Evaaa!!!” Amit’s chubby two-year-old daughter ran towards me and gave me a big hug.

  I picked her up. “Hey squirt. How are you doing?”

  “Late auntie. Me hungry,” she poked her fingers at my face.

  I laughed. “Alright alright. Let’s go eat.” I carried her into the dining room where the rest of the family was waiting. I went ro
und and greeted everyone with hugs and kisses. I took my seat between Amit and Gabriel.

  “Typical. Last one to come in, never there to help,” Becky teased.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I had the longest commute. Not my fault. Besides you know I don’t really cook.”

  “Well don’t you ever want to learn?” My mother asked.

  “Hey, hey. Leave my princess alone. She just got here,” my father stood up for me. “Now let’s say thanks and start eating.” We had a family tradition where every Thanksgiving we would go around the table and say one thing we were all thankful for that year.

  As I listened to my little nieces and nephews express gratitude for their toys, friends or teachers, and my siblings talk about their families and children, I thought about my own year. What was I thankful for? I had a great family and amazing friends who stood by me and put up with me even when I was being stubborn and difficult. And I had an amazing job that motivated me and satisfied me.

  But what had changed from last Thanksgiving? Had I accomplished or achieved anything new? While winning cases and saving people from wrongful sentences seemed so much bigger than a children’s football game or a boring relationship, it didn’t seem as comforting in a personal sense. There was nothing in my exciting, single city life that made my eyes sparkle and shine the way my sister’s and brothers’ did when they talked about their families.

  “Eva, your turn” Amit nudged me.

  I looked at the faces staring at me, waiting for an answer. “Well I’m thankful for all of you. Thankful for a family that has accepted me the way I am and loves me anyways. Thankful that no matter how difficult and different I may be, you’ve never tried to change me.”

  Everyone fell quiet. I could see the tears in my mother’s eyes. Aw shucks, I hadn’t meant for this to get serious.

  “Let’s eat? I’m starving” I broke the silence.

  Everyone started chattering right away and grabbing bowls and plates. I watched as the women served the kids before serving themselves. My brothers’ wives were nice, quiet girls; typical. They dressed in a conservative manner, kept their heads covered out of modesty and had quieter personalities. I didn’t dislike them but I never really found their company super interesting either. Being my sister, Becky had a bit more spunk to her but she too lived an orthodox kind of lifestyle. A kind that I doubted I could ever abide by.