by Pinki Parks
“I’m sure. I don’t want to see Deacon tonight.”
“Oh, I see. Well where are you headed?”
“Probably to that restaurant up there, the one with the tomato on the sign.”
“The Italian place! It’s got great pasta. And by the way, the owner is not bad lookin’ either.” She winked at Brook.
“Okay, thanks. I’ll keep it in mind. See you.”
“Bye hon.” Sheryl stopped her before she could walk away. “Oh, hey, some of the girls and I are getting together tonight. We’re going to The Bear Cave. It’s a club in the basement of this old factory. You feel like dancing?”
“I’m not sure I’ll be up for dancing but I will come for a few drinks.”
“Great! You want me to pick you up after my shift or will you be in town?”
“I’ll probably be at the motel. Not much for me to do around here.”
“Not a problem, hon, I’ll come by around ten.”
“Okay, thanks Sheryl!” Brook gave a sincere smile.
“You bet!” Have a good night.
“You too!”
Brook walked up the five blocks and opened the door to the restaurant. She was greeted by an older Italian woman who seem to be running the place. She was seated by the window and offered a glass of house wine to start, which she accepted. She enjoyed her quiet meal. I was the first time in years since she dined out by herself. At the end of her meal, the owner’s son, who had been working on the back office, saw her and immediately came up to her table. He introduced himself and asked if she needed anything.
“Hello Miss, how was your meal?”
“It was delicious. Thank you.” She looked up and splashed those big green eyes at him, and he nearly fell over.
“Well, I’m Nico, my family owns this restaurant. If you don’t mind me asking, it is the first time I’ve seen you here. Are you new in town?”
“Yes. Well, kinda.” Brook didn’t feel like getting into details about the car and her husband.
He kneeled down next to her and asked “May I treat you to some desert? You won’t regret it. I promise.” He smiled at her flirtatiously.
“How can I refuse.” This guy was coming onto her. He is cute, she thought.
Nico went to get the desert menu, which was leather bound into a small booklet. It listed, deserts and some aperitifs. “We have raspberry panna cotta with chocolate sauce, tartufo, tiramisu and cheese cake.”
Brook had dined at countless fancy restaurants before. She was all too familiar with these plain deserts and wasn’t as impressed or excited as Nico would have liked. “What do you recommend?”
“For you, I would say the panna cotta or the cheese cake.”
“Panna cotta it is.”
“Perfect. You will die!”
He came back with the desert and quickly refilled her wine glass. “May I ask, why is such a beautiful woman like yourself dinning alone this evening? Is your husband away on business?” He was looking for a ring on her finger.
“I just didn’t have anything to do so I took myself out.”
Nico laughed at the charming and honest response. “lovely!” No ring on her finger. “Then would you mind if I joined you?”
“No, actually, that would be nice.” She needed the company after spending two days by herself in the motel.
They chatted over a glass of wine but the conversation didn’t mean as much to Brook as it did to Nico. She didn’t tell him any details of her personal life and kept the conversation focused on him and in between, she filled those moments with small talk.
This guy was hot, she though. So, what am I doing still pinning over Deacon. I’m young, I should be dating multiple guys, she tried to talk herself into giving this guy a chance. But she was still wishing it was Deacon sitting with her. She left the place without giving him her number, she didn’t want to start up two relationships in one town.
Chapter Fourteen
Brook waited by the common room window waiting for Sheryl’s. Minutes later, Sheryl’s car pulled up. Brook grabbed her little purse and made her way to the car. Sheryl watched her as she came up to the car, opened the passenger side, and jumped in. “Hi!”
“Honey, that is a pretty dress! You look great!” Sheryl half smiled, thinking Brook would grab all the guys attention at the club.
Brook wore her white cotton summer dress, the tan wedge sandals and the lingerie she got at the mall. She carried a little white purse that could fit in the palm of a man’s hands. “Thanks! I got everything at the mall the other day.”
“Herongate Mall? I didn’t think you would shop there.”
“Carole and her daughter took me there. It was nice.”
“Oh, Carole is such a doll! You’re all set?”
“Yup!”
Sheryl drove them to the club. From outside, there was no sign of a club at all. Brook started to think this could be another drab place like the bar Deacon had taken her, there wasn’t even a line up to get in. The streets were pretty quiet. They were just on the outskirts of the downtown core close to the lakeshore.
All the shops had closed, only parked cars and trucks lined the streets. No one else in sight. They walked over to the red brick building that used to house a small shoe factory. The building had been converted into office spaces and stores occupied the first floor. “I wished I had gone shopping here.” She muttered under her breath.
“Here we go.” Sheryl pulled open the door that lead them down a staircase towards a set of other doors. She could start to hear the music playing from inside and was beginning to be optimistic about the place. Sheryl pushed on the door and they arrived at the entrance of the club, where the doorman greeted them and checked Brook’s ID. There was a counter for coat check that was being used to collect the $10 cover charge to get in. They paid and the second doorman opened the door for the ladies. Sheryl smiled at him as they waltz into the club.
The placed looked like a wine cellar, with 4-foot-wide stone pillars and arched openings. Brook really liked the décor. They walk through the front area with tall cocktail tables and reached the bar. There was a dance floor on the main level all around the bar and on the mezzanine, which housed the DJ booth and wrapped around the whole club. They ordered their drinks and made their way further in to find Sheryl’s friends.
“Hey!” Sheryl was greeted by her three girlfriends.
“Hey! I brought someone with me. This is Brook. She’s only in town for a few days. So be nice.”
“Hi!” Brook looked at each one of them as they said their names.
They sat down at their booth and tried to talk over the loud music, dancing in their seats. A good song came on and they all got up and made their way to the dance floor. The night was starting out great. Brook was enjoying herself. She had forgotten what it was like to be single and young again. Everywhere Brook went, all eyes were on her, the men and the women, stared as she walked through the bar. It was hard not to, when you wear a white dress to a night club, you glow in their black-light lighting. But Brook was a vision that evening and didn’t care about getting stares. She was used to it.
It was getting to be midnight and the place was getting crowded, with enough room to walk but enough people to keep the place jumping. Brook and Sheryl were standing by the bar sipping on their third drink when Nico spotted them from across the dance floor. He smiled from ear to ear, and walked right up to them, never removing his eyes off them. Sheryl straighten her stance as he came close. “Hi there!” Sheryl shouted.
Nico was in fact, walking up to Brook. “Hello ladies!” He looked a Brook then at Sheryl but his gaze was on Brook. “It’s great to be bumping into you here.” He directed that at Brook.
Sheryl got the message and walked away with a disappointed and angry smirk. “I’ll be at our table.” She touched Brook on the shoulder.
“Okay.” Brook looked at Sheryl.
“You look like an angel!” Nico shouted as the m
usic had gotten even louder.
“Oh, thank you!” Brook gave him a shy smile.
“Would you like to dance?”
“Sure!”
They danced together for several songs and with the group of ladies then joined them. Nico kept buying her drinks and they kept dancing, Brook had allowed him to dance closer and closer to her. He put his hands on her waist, shoulders, as many places as he could without groping her. He danced behind her, wrapped his arm around her and put his hand on her stomach to hold her up against him and they grinded on the dance floor. It was the sort of dancing that usually happened at night clubs but Brook felt uncomfortable. I’m doing this with the wrong guy, she thought. She slowly moved away and made an excuse to go to the washroom. One of Sheryl’s friends went with her. Nico watched her leave the dance floor so as to not lose her.
“So, how do you like The Bear Cave? Cool place, huh?” Sheryl’s friend, Mandy started up while standing in line for the washroom with Brook.
“It’s pretty cool. I mean, I didn’t expect Evansville to have a club like this.”
“You can say that again. When this place opened up, practically every gal in town stopped going any place else. Great music, nice and clean. And where the girls go, the men follow!”
“So true,” said Brook.
“That guy you’re dancing with is CUTE!”
“His name is Nico. He owns the Italian restaurant on main street.”
“Oh, yeah? I’ve seen him around but I didn’t know he owned that place.”
“I think he works in the back.”
“Well, he’s hot hot hot. If you don’t want him, can I have him?” She giggled jokingly.
“You’ll have to wait in line behind Sheryl.”
“That girl has her eye out on practically any hot guy. I love her to death, but she ought to just leave Chester and be done with, you know. Then go out, get another guy, fool around. But that’s just me. Don’t tell her I said that.”
“I won’t. So why doesn’t she want to leave Chester?” After the bar fight, Brook didn’t see the attraction with Chester at all.
“They’ve been together a long time. When they were in high school, Sheryl was having a hard time with her dad. He was a bad drunk, always beating on her. One day, Chester had had enough and fought her dad. I mean a full-on fist fight.”
“I can see that happening.” Brook remembered the fight with Deacon.
“Well, after that night, Sheryl was thrown out of the house. Chester married her and they got a place together. They were 17.”
“Wow.” Brook was at a loss for words. She suddenly felt sorry for Sheryl even though she knew that she was a bit of a schemer.
On their way out of the washroom, Brook was not looking forward to dancing with Nico again. I should be, she thought. He is really hot, she added.
“So, you’re gonna go home with him?”
“Nico? No! In fact, I don’t think I will be staying much longer.”
“Why? The night is still young. I’m practically 10 years older than you and I can’t believe I’ve outlasted you.”
Brook chuckled. “I’m no longer in the mood. I’ve got a lot on my mind. I think, I’m going to head out. Catch a cab or something.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Say by to Sheryl and the others for me.”
“I will.”
As Brook made her way to the doors, Nico watched her, his smiled dropped to a concern look. He made his way through the crowd and met up with her by the doors. “Brook, you’re leaving?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna head out.”
“No. Stay. I want you to stay.” Nico reached out to hold both her hands.
“I had a really nice time with you, Nico, but I have to go. I’m sorry.”
“You sure? We don’t have to dance. We can sit a talk. Or go someplace else.” Nico knew this was his last chance.
“I don’t think so. You know, I am leaving in a couple of days.”
Nico, still trying to be convincing “So? Rarely do we get a chance at love. Who knows where tonight might take us.”
Brook wasn’t sure what he meant but she was going to head back the motel, alone.
“Listen, I’m going now.” She leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheeks.
Nico, persisted “How about I walk you home?”
“It’s pretty far. And I barely know you.”
“Okay. Okay. How about, I walk you to main street. I am going to my restaurant anyway. And I will leave you there. That way, you won’t think I am a creepy guy. Which I am not, by the way. Sound good?”
“Okay, Nico.” She smiled and they made their way up the stairs.
Nico had done what he said he would. He walked her all the way to main street and they stopped in front of his restaurant. “It’s closed.” Brook said.
“I know, I leave my car parked here, so I don’t drive home drunk right away. Plus, I left my cell phone in the office.” He smiled.
She smiled back. “You’re a good guy, Nico. Have a good night.”
“You have a wonderful night.” He put his hands on her shoulders, pulled her close and gently kissed her on both cheeks. “I hope you let me take you out again before you go.”
“I’ll know where to find you.” Brook wanted to say something that would not lead him on.
“Okay, then. Here, take my umbrella. It’s raining a little bit now but it might get worse. I don’t want your pretty dress to get wet.” He handed her the small fold out umbrella he got from his glove compartment. He gave it to her in hopes she would return it to him.
“Thanks, Nico. Bye!”
“Bye!”
She started walking and he watched a little then went inside his restaurant.
***
Brook had another forty-five-minute walk ahead of her, which will more likely be an hour and a half on account of her shoes. She was wearing those wedge sandals, which weren’t the most comfortable. Her feet were sore from the cheap plastic straps on the back. She looked around, the streets were empty, it looked like a ghost town. No cab in sight either. She contemplated taking them off but the rain just got heavier.
She had reached the church at the big intersection, only three blocks from Sam’s Diner. She glanced over at what she could barely make out to be Deacon’s shop and stood there, missing him, staring at the sign that had his name emblazoned on it. The light was still on but she wasn’t sure if anyone would be inside. It was close to two thirty in the morning. Maybe they left the light on by mistake, she thought.
As she stood there, contemplating her shoes, Deacon, Nico, the car, it had stared to downpour. Heavy clouds suddenly filled the sky and thunder roared announcing the coming of the storm. The wind had picked up and Brook grabbed hold of the umbrella with both hands trying to keep her hair from getting wet. It was no use. The raindrops were the size of quarters and the big gust of wind swooped under the umbrella and flipped it back. She turned against the wind to get the umbrella to flip back, and turned again at the mercy of the strong winds blowing in all directions.
The umbrella flew out of her hands as she tried to get it back above her head. It was no use. And it was starting to be unsafe for her to stay outside, the wind was so strong. She started running and stopped under any awning and door niches that was in between her and the diner. Maybe Sam is there, she hopped. The diner was empty, with the lights out. Without a second thought, as the winds started to pick up again, she ran over to the auto shop and knocked on the door. Maybe Joey is there, she was scared and desperate for anyone to be around.
Inside, Deacon had been working at keeping his mind busy. He poured himself into his work rather than talk to anyone. He liked being alone with the machines. Feeling alone and sad, Deacon didn’t quite know what to do with himself and hasn’t for the past few days without seeing Brook. He heard the thunder and knew the storm that Sam was talking about was coming. He didn’t care. He was going to be working i
n his shop the entire night. No point in being at home, he thought. The knock on the door made him jump and wasn’t sure if he had heard right. Walking over slowly, he opened it and there she stood, completely soaked. “Brook? Get in here!”
“Hi.” Relieved, happy and cold, Brook quickly ran into the shop.
“What are you doing out in the rain like that?” Deacon wiping his hands on a dirty shop towel.
“Oh, you know, I thought I would take a walk.”
Deacon smiled. “Good thinkin’! Here, let me get you something to dry yourself up.” Deacon kept a gym bag in his office that he used on occasion. It had a small hand towel in it, which he quickly grabbed, took a whiff to make sure it hadn’t been used, and came back to Brook. “Here, it’s all I have.”
“Thanks.” She gladly took the towel and started wiping her face, arms, neck, and chest.
“I went out with Sheryl.”
“Oh yeah?”
“She took me to The Bear Cave?” She looked over at Deacon to see any reaction from him. There was none. “Then I decided to walk home. Boy am I glad to see you!” She meant it in several ways.
“So am I.” He said with a sad soft tone.
Brook began to rub the towel on her head and started drying her hair. She took a step closer. “I’m surprised you’re here. This place is a ghost town at 2 A.M.”
“Yeah, well, sometimes I like working at night. No one coming in and out of the shop. Less distractions, you know.” He was trying to sound at ease trying to make it seem like he was fine.
“Oh.”
“I’m working on your car actually. That engine is coming tomorrow. I wanted to make sure I was ready.”
She didn’t take her eyes off him. And didn’t care much about her car at that moment. Looking into his light brown eyes, that she had been missing, she could sense that he was a little sad. “Deacon, I am sorry for yelling at you the other night.”
Deacon was leaning over the opened hood of Brook’s car and quickly jumped in “No, I’m sorry. I should have controlled my temper. And I made you scared. I shouldn’t have taken you to that bar in the first place. I didn’t want you to see me like that.” He stopped when he realized he was babbling.
