“Oh my God, look at these stores and the clothes, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Shirley gushed swinging her head from side to side trying to take in everything.
“Hey Mom, look at the guy in the black uniform helping the old lady holding the little dog get out of that big white car.”
“Oh you;ve got good taste kid, that’s a Rolls Royce,” laughed Howie.
Both hands on the door, sitting almost sideways, her hair blowing in the wind Shirley ‘s eyes opened wide admiring the light colored dresses and sportswear. “I can’t believe the beautiful short outfits and strapless tops women wear to shop. You’d never see that on Michigan Avenue.
Reaching the ocean, they turned north along the coast on Highway A1A. Beaches with waves crashing on light-colored sand fronting sky high or sprawling hotels lined the ocean side of the road. Across from them stood apartment buildings and luxurious homes separated by short intervals of specialty stores and tourist shops, housed in gleaming white or pale-colored stucco buildings.
Howie kept up a running commentary, trying to make sure they saw everything. “Don’t worry, in a few weeks you’ll get used to it.” Pointing to a sleek low building with a long white awning to the street and a doorman, he said, “Al Capone used to eat lunch there when he was in Florida. Now it’s a private club for millionaires. They don’t allow Jews.”
They turned inland after ten minutes and after a short distance pulled onto a quiet residential street lined with modern, ranch-style homes topped by deep red or brown tile roofs. Surrounding the homes were neatly trimmed lawns and palm trees along with exotic looking bushes and beautiful red, yellow and purple flowering plants.
Wheeling into a driveway of red-colored paver bricks with a low hedge of multicolored impatiens, Howie turned to Shirley and paused before saying with a broad grin, “Well, how do you like it?”
The house was nothing like anything one would see in Chicago. The exterior was light cream stucco with pale wood trim and a red tile roof. A carport and small storage locker were just off the kitchen.
Shirley pressed both hands to her cheeks, her eyes roving in every direction and suddenly started giggling uncontrollably.
In the back seat David stood grinning from ear to ear. As the car slowed to stop he was out the door racing to the back yard and circled back as Howie was helping Shirley out of the car.
Grabbing her in a hug, he said, “You look like a little girl who’s just gotten a big birthday present.” Taking her hand, he led the way to the front entrance. Pushing open the door, he picked her up and carried her over the threshold as David followed. “May I welcome you to your new home Mrs. Rabin,” he said smiling. Putting her down in the center of the living room, he spread his arms, turned and bowed.
Shirley looked at him, giggling again.. “Oh Howie,” she said, clasping her hands, and eyes tearing up “how did you do it?”
“Nothing is too good for my family,” he said, motioning as if tipping a hat. “How about a look around? We’ve got central air conditioning, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining room, a small utility room for the washer and dryer, a kitchen with a built-in dishwasher, electric oven and stove, a screened patio and a pool. Altogether, sixteen-hundred-and-sixty square feet, and how do you like these white ceramic tile floors!”
Waving his arms and shuffling his feet, almost dancing, he showed off for her opening doors and pulling her along as they laughed. The living room had a vaulted ceiling with a huge, slow-moving fan and the entire house was furnished with modern, low slung pieces in light patterns and colors. The walls were mostly white with the exception of the master bedroom which was painted a pale yellow. The main rooms were separated by curved archways and white paneled or louvered doors leading to the other rooms. Howie explained that he had arranged with an interior decorator to have everything in place for her arrival. The only things missing were vases, candles, wall hangings, paintings and other accessories.
Stopping for a moment, hands in his pockets he smiled and shrugged, “I think you’ll be able to use most of the things the movers are bringing from Chicago to dress the place up. Anything else you want you can buy in Fort Lauderdale. The decorator will help you.”
“What am I doing here in all this beauty? It’s like a fairy tale come true,” she said slowly turning around trying to see everything.
David ran in. Oh, my god, mom, have you seen the pool? Dad you’re unbelievable. I know we’re gonna love Florida.”
That night, they ate dinner on the patio of a crowded Italian restaurant where the owners and employees enthusiastically greeted Howie as they welcomed Shirley and David with broad smiles and bows. He had carefully arranged the dinner to celebrate their arrival, determined to have his family love their new surroundings.
As the waiter poured coffee Howie looked at his watch, “Gotta make a call,” he announced, getting up and heading toward the telephones. He returned ten minutes later and asked for the check.
“Everything okay” she asked quietly.
“Just something minor, but I gotta take care of it right away. I’ll drop you off and be home in about an hour.”
At the house David got out and Howie held Shirley’s arm, pulling her close. Embracing her they kissed and he nibbled on her ear, whispering, “I’ll be home soon, be sure to wait up.”
Licking her lips, she smiled shyly opening the door, “see you later lover,” she whispered.
David went to sleep about nine exhausted. Shirley bathed, combed her hair, applied fresh makeup and slipped into a sheer nightgown. In the living room she set out a bottle of Cabernet with two glasses she found in the kitchen and turned on the television. She fell asleep on the couch about midnight, only to wake at two thirty. Howie had not returned. She washed her face and retreated to the bedroom. He came in near five and she heard him talking on the phone. At six he crawled into bed, putting his arms around her from the back. Sleepily she tried to turn, “where were you?” she sputtered as he held her firm, kissing her neck and entering her from behind. “Hmm,” she moaned gritting her teeth and tensing with each grunting thrust, finally allowing her body to become limp as he satisfied himself and rolled to his side of the bed. She laid there on her side, eyes shut, facing the wall; waiting for the day to begin.
Hearing David in the kitchen about nine, she got up, dressed and left a note for Howie on the kitchen table, telling him she and David were going for breakfast and would return by ten thirty. He was still sleeping when they came back.
“C’mon, I’ll help you unpack and set up your room,” she offered David, “and afterward you can go out for a walk around the neighborhood while I put my things away.” An hour later David went out and she looked in on Howie who was just beginning to stir.
In the kitchen she poured a coke and sat at the table. Yesterday had been so wonderful. Her apprehension at seeing Howie evaporated almost as soon as he hugged her. By dinner time she felt aroused as he tickled the inside of her thigh under the table. It was a good sign she thought, fantasizing about making love to him the first night in their new home. Instead his abrupt departure spoiled the evening.
Hearing him rustling around in the bedroom she wondered if it was Chicago all over again.
Chapter 21
Within weeks, Shirley set about meeting many of her Florida neighbors and parents of the boys David met playing baseball at the nearby park. Howie was polite when introduced, but showed little interest in socializing, so invitations were scarce. During the day she managed to mingle with some of the women in the neighborhood for coffee or an occasional shopping excursion, but it wasn’t the same as being with her mother and sister. With David in school and Howie gone most days until midnight or later she felt isolated and alone; some days not even dressing until David came home for dinner.
Pitching, playing left field and hitting 357in the Pony League within weeks of arriving ma
de it easy for David to fit in. Copying his new friends, he let his hair grow longer and spent hours in his room, driving his parents to distraction as he listened to Chubby Checker shout out “the Twist”, or Bobby Lewis rockin’ to “Tossin and Turning” and other Rock and Roll stars.
On a rare evening at home, Howie, overwhelmed by the heavy beat of David’s Hi Fi bouncing off the walls, wailed, “for cryin’ out loud, David, turn it down, you’re makin’ me crazy!” Shirley rolled her eyes and held her hands over her ears as he ranted, “Jesus, I don’t know how he can stand the noise.”
She chuckled just loud enough, so if he strained he could hear her over the music. “That’s not all,” she almost shouted, “I wasn’t going to say anything, but I think he smelled like cigarettes when he came in earlier.”
“You mean he’s smoking,” Howie sighed, shaking his head. “Well, I guess every kid has to try it, but whadda you think we should do?”
“Right now, nothing, but if I find out he is, then we’ll have to get on his case. Do me a favor though, try not to smoke around the house; he’s only a kid and if he doesn’t see you smoke, maybe he won’t.”
“Aw c’mon Shirley, he hardly pays any attention to me these days.”
“Another thing,” she said softly, moving closer and looking over her shoulder to make sure David wasn’t coming down the hall, “a girl by the name of Nancy has called here a couple of times looking for him.”
“Jesus, girls too, you know I talked to him when you asked me to, right after you got down here. I don’t think we have anything to worry about. He knows about girls.”
“On the plus side he’s doing good in school. You saw his report card.”
“Yeah, I did, I guess he got some of the Rabin smarts.
His head back to his sports page, Howie didn’t see her shake her head.
As the newness of Florida wore off Shirley began feeling homesick. With her family so far away and no close friends to confide in, she had nothing to distract her from fretting about Howie’s work.
Maybe there was a personal shopper job like she had at Marshall Fields, she thought looking at the Sunday papers after David had left for a baseball game. Mentioning it to Howie, as they were eating a late breakfast he was dead set against her working.
“Hey no wife of mine needs to work. How do you think it would look. We don’t need you working, besides you gotta take care of the house and me and David.”
“Yeah, but with your crazy hours we have no social life and David’s in school or with his friends, I feel trapped.”
“Whadda’ you complaining about, you should be happy you don’t need to work. Lottta people do.”
“You’re not listening. You want me at your beck and call, but don’t care that I’m stuck here and bored with nothing to do. And another thing, I’m tired of preparing nice dinners and you not showing up or even calling.”
“”You know I’m busy, so knock it off,”
“Look at me Howie, get your head outta the goddam newspaper and listen.”
“If you ever pull a stunt like you did this past Friday when I cooked a nice dinner and you got a phone call and ran outta here without a word just as I was gonna put it on the table, I;m grabbing David and going back to Chicago.”
Sitting upright and reaching for her hand, his lower lip curled in, as he twisted around so he was looking into her eyes..
“Hey, Baby, I hear you, it’s just that I want to make sure I got all the bases covered. I’m still a new guy in town. These yokels don’t get it and a lotta them got to be convinced.”
Pulling her hand away, she compressed her lips but didn’t answer knowing she was getting to him.
Manuevering again to get her attention, he grinned , “I’ll tell you what, I’ve got a meeting tonight with my guy Sal Farina at the Jai Alai games in Dania. Why don’t you come with me, it’ll be a lot of fun.”
Looking up, her lips curving into a smile, she said, “they gamble there, don’t they?”
“Yep,” he answered, “you’ll like it.”
“So,” she answered.
Seeing her wide-eyed grin, he chuckled, “be ready at 7:30 and wear something sharp like that new black outfit with the tight pants.”
Grinning, she slapped the table, “Hmm, I can’t wait.”’
Entering the noisy Jai Alai fronton, Shirley saw two men swinging large scooped paddles, throwing a small ball that made a sharp smack each time it struck a far wall on the wide screened-in court that stretched out across the front of the arena.
Howie explained, “They’re warming up. Wait till a match starts, then you’ll really see some excitement,”
Looking around, she sucked in her lower lip and squinted, creases forming on her forehead, she appeared disappointed. The spectators clustered in about two thirds of the smoky seating area, were overwhelmingly men, many of whom wore ill-fitting worn clothing. The few women were poorly dressed as well. Recognizing a few men nearby, Howie returned waves or nods as they found seats and got a program for placing wagers from one of the men booking bets in the stands. She was also a little surprised when a heavy set man in a T-shirt, taking bets close by, called out to Howie by name.
“This is my wife Shirley, Jose,” Howie replied. “How ‘bout takin’ care of her bets?”
“No problema, whatever the lady wants, the lady gets,” Jose answered, making Shirley raise her eyebrows, as she barely understood his heavily accented English.
“Gracias,” winked Howie, gesturing a thumbs up.
Turning back to Shirley he stuffed some bills in her hand, saying, “have fun while I go talk to a couple guys.”
“Can’t I go with you?” Shirley asked, as a heavy dark haired man smoking a cigar in front of them, turned around. “Hey Rabin, I thought I heard you,” he said wiping his hand on his sweat-stained shirt and grabbing Howie’s hand in his.
“This your girlfriend?”
“This is my wife, Shirley,” Howie answered turning to his left and shaking hands with a gray-haired man in need of a shave. A short, heavily made-up plump woman in a tight-fitting, red print dress and large hoop earrings held onto the man’s other arm. Shirley shook her head, pursing her lips as she observed the woman’s bare legs in low heeled patent leather pumps.
“Hey, gringo, que paso?” the gray-haired man laughed. “You no introduce me to your amiga linda?”
Howie ignored the man..
“Don’t pay any attention to these guys,” he whispered, “I hardly know ‘em. They just hang out here. But you see that guy with straw hat coming our way?” He pointed. “It’s Sal Farina, the guy I work with.”
“You mean the skinny one with the moustache and loud shirt? He sure doesn’t look like much of a businessman to me.”
“Knock it off Shirley, he’s an important guy with a lotta contacts. And you see the sharp guy with him? That’s Jack Brown, the main guy in all South Florida.”
Tilting her head in the direction Howie indicated she turned back slowly. “You mean the good-looking man in that light-colored sport jacket that everyone is nodding to, but no one shakes hands with? Now, he looks important, “Shirley smiled approvingly. “But what about the tall gal with the black eyes and the halter top she’s falling out of, who is she?”
“That’s Teresa.””
“Sal’s wife?” she asked showing obvious disapproval.
With a shrug, Howie, held up his hands , “I dunno, but I don;t think so, cause I saw a picture of his wife with four little kids and she’s short and fat.”
Shirley snorted, as she shrugged.
Raising his eyebrows, he smiled, then turned to watch as the crowd cheered the announcement of the players for the next match.
As Sal got closer, Howie bounded down two rows to the aisle and shook hands with him. Jack Brown and another man,
a short guy wearing a light tan suit, waited as Howie and Sal talked.
Shirley kept an eye on Howie and then glanced in Jack Brown’s direction. Their eyes met for an instant and she noticed a tight smile on his face.
Turning, Howie yelled to her, “Stay there! I gotta talk to Sal. If you need anything, Jose ‘ll take care of you,” he said, rushing away.
Waving, she called out to him, but with his back to her he moved away still in deep conversation with Sal.
“Shit, you son of a bitch, how can you leave me alone in this sleazy place” she murmured, slumping back in her seat, Tucking her small bag under her arms which were crossed tightly in front of her she tried to keep her eyes on Howie but the crowd, mostly standing, seemed to swallow him.
“You need anything, Senora?” Jose yelled with a shoulder shrug from two rows ahead of her, as the man next to him laughed.
Pouting for a moment, amid the noise and smoke as the buzzer sounded for the match to start she picked up the program and tried to figure out a bet, but then jumped up, shouting , “Jose, I want to bet ten dollars on the tall one in the white shirt.”
Laughing, Jose, waved, “Okay, Senora, you got it.”
The loud roar of the crowd, jumping to their feet as her player scored a goal, and seeing Jose grinning and nodding his head up and down, she laughed. Each time her man scored a goal she found herself jumping up and joining in the cheers, “Carlos, Carlos”, and applauding wildly as he won.
Returning fifteen minutes later, Howie grinned. “Did you see me in their private box, up there,” Howie said pointing above them to the right. Shirley looked where he was pointing and was surprised to see Jack Brown looking her way with the same tight smile as before. This time, she smiled in return.
“Sal introduced me to Jack Brown and his right-hand guy, Paul Freed. You should’ve heard the send off he gave me.”
Albany Park Page 29
