Music of the Soul 1, 2, & 3 Starter Bundle

by Erik Schubach

  The music volume was dropping as the night had been rolling along, the subtle way that clubs slowly wind down the night over the hours. So we could talk at slightly elevated levels instead of yelling at this point. I made an introduction, “Beverly, I'd like you to meet Jane. Riley I'd like you to meet Bev, my bestest and most dear friend.” They exchanged smiles and shook hands.

  Bev was still looking between us in shock as she spoke, “Jane and Crystal, I'd like you to meet Tara.” The blonde offered quickly, “Trish.” with an evil glare at Bev.

  “I mean Trish.” Bev corrected herself.

  It was soooo hard for me not to laugh and I saw Riley having the same problem, squishing her head to her shoulders.

  Shots and chasers arrived and we all downed them with ease. “So Bevi, Riley here thinks she can arrange a better date than I can.”

  Bev laughed, knowing my connections because of my job. I saw her eyebrow quirk when I called her Riley.

  The brunette caught this and said to me, “I told you everyone calls me Jane.”

  I played with my ponytail as I bit my lower lip and said as innocently and cutely as I could, “I'm not everybody, Riley.” I squinted my eyes with a smile when I said her name again.

  “Jesus! You gotta stop doing stuff like that.” Riley exclaimed, licking her lips, breathing raggedly.

  I perked up a little at a thought. “So, why do they call you Jane? Middle name?”

  She shrugged. “I really have no clue, someone called me that in the first grade. Maybe they thought I was someone else, but other people overheard and it just sorta stuck. Never liked my first name and my middle name is Winfred so I never complained.”

  I smiled at this revelation. “Well, I happen to think Riley suits you.” I dismissed it before she could argue and turned to Bev and said, “Anyway, we made ourselves a wager. We each take the other out on our best date, and whoever set up the best date wins. Loser announces, standing on the bar, that the other girl made them their bitch.”

  Bev shot a look of concern to Riley and said, “Ooooo... sorry Jane, but hey, at least you'll have fun.”

  Riley smirked, then laughed before she responded confidently, “Don't be so sure about the outcome.”

  God she oozed charisma.

  Bevi turned to me screwing up her face in comical confusion, “But wait. How's this supposed to work when you're straight as an arrow, Kru?”

  I shrugged, not taking my eyes off of Riley's as I spoke to my friend, “Well you know me. It won't bother me if it doesn't bother her. And I'm thinking I may be a little bendy now anyway after the knee buckler she laid on me earlier.”

  Bev's eyes shot wide at this admission. “No way!” she mouthed.

  We exchanged information and solidified the terms of our gentlewoman’s agreement. I'd be up first tomorrow night, a Friday, and she got the following Saturday. I asked for her dress and shoe size cryptically. She endlessly tried finding out why, but I reminded her of the rule that we had, to go along with whatever the person setting up the date said.

  Then the three of us spent the rest of the night chatting and joking and laughing. Tina... I mean Tara... no, ummm... Trish! Had left early on with some friends, realizing she had almost nothing to add to our conversations. I kind of felt bad about it; but she did come for a hookup just like Bev and from what Bevi says, they did... twice.

  It was fun finding out a few things about Riley. She was a small plane pilot, who flew a Cessna 205, and ran a one person air tour company with some high class clients that ran in the same circles as my clientele. This could be useful in the future for my party planning and vice versa. Maybe we could send referrals to each other. Nice! An excuse to hang around with this fascinating girl sometime!

  On the drive home, Bev accused me of having eye sex with Riley the whole night. I shrugged. Maybe I was. Bevi seemed extremely excited about it. I just rolled my eyes and smiled.

  Chapter 3 – First Date

  When the next morning rolled around, I contacted a few places to set up the date. I had a great plan. I was excited to hang out with Riley again, and I of course wanted to win. Truth be told, if we based it off of the fun from last night alone, I had already lost. I simply loved dancing and speaking with her! So I'll have to step up my game a bit here.

  I didn't have any parties to start planning until Tuesday so I buckled down and dedicated my entire focus on tonight. I know it was supremely short notice but I pulled in a few markers; networking is great, it's what I do, it's what I love. The dress and shoes should be expressed to her at 5:00pm and I'd be picking her up at 6:30 for our dinner.

  Around lunch my phone buzzed, I checked the text message, it was from Riley. [ bored ] I laughed and replied, [ call me ].

  Moments later the phone was ringing with her caller ID, I answered, “Hey girl! Why you so bored?”

  She laughed. “Hey! Don't have a flight until 2:30. I really don't think I can read the same four, ten year old car magazines here at the hangar again.”

  I smiled at this as I pictured it in my head before I responded, “Well, just chat with me while I make a snack for lunch then. I can try to be more interesting than reading about which cars have a more efficient turbo.” This got me the desired laugh from her, tinkling like wind chimes.

  I multi-tasked, making two hot ham and cheese sandwiches, sending emails and instant messages from my iPad to prep for tonight, and just chatting, joking and laughing with Riley. She's so easy to talk to. Bev materialized from her moping dungeon and wandered over to take the second sandwich I had sitting on a little plate for her at the edge of the counter, and wandered back into her cave.

  “What you scarfing down? Sounds good by the satisfied grunts you are making,” Riley said in a tone tinged with mirth.

  “Just a sandwich,” I said.

  She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial tone, “Describe it for me, I had a stupid granola bar and a water. Let me live my lunch vicariously through you.”

  I snickered at that and replied with a smile. “Well I grilled... on marbled rye of course, some thick slices of honey ham, with a generous slice of pepper jack cheese. Slathered it with a homemade creamy au-jus sauce. Oh, and one sweet pickle on the side. Has to be sweet, I hate dill pickles!”

  She gasped dramatically, “Damn. I think I just had a food-gasm. Not only are you a box tease, but now you're a food tease too!”

  I couldn't stop the snort that this evoked from me as I defended myself. “Hey! You told me to describe it. And for full disclosure, you think just hearing about it can give you a food-gasm, you should taste it! Mmmmm.” This elicited a, “Tease, tease, tease...” causing us both to laugh.

  We went on talking until 2:00 when regrettably she said, “Hey Cryster, gotta go prep and preflight the Cessna. Clients will be here in a bit.”

  Reluctantly I agreed. “Okay, fine. I gotta finish prepping the winning date anyway.” This got me an, “In your dreams girl. Bye.”

  I smiled huge. “Bye!” I ended the call. I tingled a bit at the new nickname she had just bestowed upon me, haven't heard that one yet.

  Crap! I had to make a couple last minute calls to complete the planning, that call ate up a lot of time. But it was so much fun! I'd rather be talking to her.

  Around 3:00 I Google Mapped her address so I could enter it into the GPS in my phone for when I went to pick her up. When I saw she was in a loft by Pioneer Square, a smile crept up on my lips. Oooo... I got another idea. I dialed up another contact.

  “Hi, Fredrick? Yeah it's me Crystal. What? Oh you flatterer. I need a huge favor tonight. No YOU still owe ME one. Remember the Flannery bash I secured for you in April? Yeah, thought so. Think I could borrow you and Flower tonight for a date? Yeah I know it's short notice. What? Oh no, it's a really nice girl. How would you know which way I swing? So can I? Okay thanks. This just about makes us even. I'll text you the address, 6:30 pm sharp. Yes thanks, bye!”

  I did a geeky victory dance and called around to shuffle things so
they still worked for the 9:00 pm surprise before I started getting ready for the date. Bevi wandered into my room as I started sliding into my dark green evening gown with matching four inch suede heels, she didn't look as depressed as she was earlier today.

  “So, you seem to be putting a lot of effort into this date. You sure there isn't something you want to tell me?” She asked with a mischievous lopsided grin.

  I slapped her arm and just turned around and grabbed my hair in my hands exposing my neck. People seem to think it is scary just how in synch Bev and I are, we just see it as how it has always been. She reached absently for the pearl necklace on my dressing table and draped it around me as she worked the clasp.

  I shrugged as she started brushing out my hair and pulled it into a high ponytail, being sure to leave a lock out to fall over my face as I spoke, “It's just a bet. She insulted my dating ability.”

  I saw Bev cock an eyebrow in the mirror, saying, “Okay. Whatever you say. I just don't want to see you hurt, sis. We'd have to start stocking up on pudding cups.”

  We shared a laugh at that as I put in some matching pearl earrings. Bev looked at me and the dress and raised a finger then ran out of the room. That was her “Ah-ha!” face, wonder what she's up to. I started putting on my makeup when she returned and started fussing with my ponytail. She's always said it was my best asset.

  We finished and I turned my head to see the ponytail in the mirror. She had taken some dark green felted Christmas ribbon that matched the dress and fashioned a bow at the knot of the ponytail and then put several thin curled strips of silver ribbon draping down from it to my shoulders. “Perfect Bevi!” I exclaimed.

  She replied with a cocky grin. “Yes, I know I am,” getting another arm slap and a chuckle from me.

  I stood and twirled for inspection. “Ten.” she said with a grin.

  I took in her flannel pajamas, messy hair and looked slightly up into her red, cried out eyes. Woohoo I'm almost as tall as her when I'm in heels!

  “Six.” I responded in our ritual, offering sympathy for my truthful appraisal of her in this state.

  She dumped my purse and put my wallet, keys and phone into a silver clutch then shooed me out the door.

  I hopped on the 520 for the twenty minute drive into Seattle. I caught myself fidgeting with the end of my ponytail and instead punched up Riley on speakerphone.

  She answered, “What the hell is this dress?”

  I giggled and replied, “And hello to you too. I'm 'bout a half hour out, I'll be there 6:30 on the dot. You almost ready, lady?”

  She sheepishly replied, “Well if I'm going to be completely honest, then I've been ready for like a half hour. Not that I'd actually admit that to you or anything. So really, what gives with the dress and heels?”

  I smiled, she was like a dog with a bone and wouldn't let go. So I sighed in defeat.

  “Well, most people only see the relaxed party girl side of me, but half my life is spent in a different world. The fantasies I create for people with my party planning. I just thought I'd give you a glimpse into that other side of me,” I said more truthfully than I was willing to admit to myself.

  She sounded odd, “So, like how many guys have you done this with? Is it your typical first date?” I took a deep breath ready to just dodge the question, but my traitorous mouth told the truth again. “Actually, this is the first time I've ever let anyone see this part of me outside of Bev.” I got a quiet, “Oh.” from her.

  There was an awkward silence that followed that, unlike our smooth conversations from earlier so I just started talking. “Truth be told, I've never made it past a second date and never wanted to share anything about myself with anyone. I guess I'm just scared of commitment. I mean look at what happened to Bevi, she finally committed and now she's nursing a heartbreak.”

  Crap, I was getting too heavy there. But to my relief, she responded with her old flair. “I've found relationships to be like that. Kind of why I stay unattached. Though I must say, one night hookups have been getting pretty old lately. Hell, Ballyhoo last night was the first time I'd been on the prowl for weeks.”

  I realized that we had a lot in common that way.

  We just chatted about odds and ends for a few minutes after that. Then I said, “Gotta go, I'm coming up to the exit, be there in ten.” I was rewarded with a cute, “Kay, bye!” I smiled out a “Bye,” myself as I hung up and descended the exit ramp from I5 into the city center.

  I parked a block away in one of those 'sell your kidney' expensive lots and walked up to the old brick building that had been converted into mid-range lofts where she lived. I liked it, it just oozed historic charm. At the curb I saw my first surprise for her waiting patiently. I smiled that direction then went up to the door and buzzed her apartment.

  “Who is it? What do you want?! Go away!” I heard her over the intercom, her voice full of humor. I played along, “Okay, I'll just have to go find some other hot girl to date.” The door lock buzzed and I went in. I noted the line of mailboxes in the wall in the lobby as I walked along. J. McKay was displayed on box 203. Ahhh, McKay, her last name. I filed it away in my head. Then I walked up the beautifully restored staircase with the cast iron railing to the second floor, instead of taking the pretty cage elevator. I always take stairs when I can, they do wonders for my calves.

  There were only three lofts on this level and I walked to the end to 203. The door was slightly ajar. I knocked and head her call out “Come on in, I'm just grabbing my purse!” So I pushed the door open the rest of the way and stepped in.

  Wow! Everything about the space resonated charm. From the old brick walls to the cast iron fixtures and inlaid oak. Right down to the worn but well maintained original hardwood floors with the simple throw rugs and runners.

  It was one large open space, like a warehouse, with exposed open beams. There were a couple doors on the far end beside the freestanding kitchen space. I assumed those were bedrooms or a bedroom and bathroom. It was sort of messy, but it was a comfortable 'lived in' messy.

  “So you think I'm hot?” I heard from the back room.

  I looked up as she walked out of one of the doors at the end and she stuttered to a stop when our eyes met, her mouth hanging open. If time hadn't just stopped I'd swear we had both just gasped as my heart stopped. My God! She was stunning, no, stunning would be an insult to how spectacular she looked in that maroon dress and heels which matched mine exactly.

  It wasn't the grace in which she had walked into the room that held my attention, but her hair that was pulled into a messy bun, held in place by ornate chopsticks, displaying her lusciously long neck just begging for someone's lips to sample the exposed flesh. Her eyes were done up smoky and seductive, and her lips glimmered from across the room. I didn't want to break the moment. Brain to mouth circuitry wasn't fully functional but I managed a single syllable, “Yes.”

  We snapped out of it and I started twirling the end of my ponytail in my fingers, biting my lower lip. “I mean, you look lovely Riley. Shall we?” I offered an arm which she took, her eyes not leaving mine as she gently took it.

  “Umm... you too.” she smiled.

  We walked toward the stairs and she started to slow down near the elevator but I caught a quick smile play at her lips when she realized I was heading toward the staircase.

  I opened the lobby door for her and we stepped out to the sidewalk and she stopped in shock in front of the antique Cinderella style carriage that was hooked up to a beautiful mammoth Clydesdale draft horse. The driver placed a velvet covered step on the curb and offered his hand to Riley.

  She delicately grasped it as he helped her in while she took in his formal Victorian attire. Then he similarly helped me up beside her. She had a childlike smile of wonder on her face that made me smile similarly as I spoke after the driver mounted his seat up front.

  “Fredrick, this is Jane.” I said and turned to her, “Riley, Frederick will be our driver tonight. And that lovely lady up front helpin
g him out is Flower.” The horse snorted when I said her name.

  Riley nodded toward them both respectively. “Fredrick, Flower, it's nice to meet you.” she said sweetly.

  Fredrick nodded with a smile mouthing a, “Wow!” to me when Riley was looking away, then he turned toward the front and we started down the road.

  We were actually less than four blocks away from our destination, but I had something else in mind. I grabbed Riley's hand and laced our fingers as we trotted down First. She looked excited as we just chatted about nonsensical things, more intent at looking at the city we knew like the back of our hands, pass by from a new perspective.

  We turned onto Pike Place and rode past the market, watching the vendors packing up for the day. It was a nice leisurely pace, then we cut down to Alaska Way and circled back past the ferry docks and the aquarium, stopping for a moment by that awesome Mia Jacobs hubcap mural. Then we continued on until we got to King street and stopped at a restored six story brick building.

  She gasped, “Alessandro's? There's a six month waiting list here!”

  I smiled and winked at this. “I'm owed a favor.”

  I swear I heard Fredrick snort, cheeky boy, or was it Flower? Frederick ran around and placed the step and helped us down and asked me quietly, “So are we even now?”

  I shook my head and whispered back, “If only.” We shared a smile. I noticed Riley caught the exchange as the carriage trotted off.

  “Another owed favor?” she asked, cocking one of those perfectly sculpted eyebrows at me in mirth.

  I started fidgeting with the end of my ponytail and laughed nervously. “Something like that.” We walked into the building and to the elevator this time since Alessandro's Italian Restaurant occupied the top floor.

  Once the doors opened, the stunningly handsome Italian man who was standing over by the maitre'd glanced over and smiled hugely then hustled to us. Offering an arm to each of us as he spoke brightly in a thick Italian accent, “Miss James! We've been expecting you. And...”