After acknowledging his normal vodka martini and ordering a cabernet at Shirley’s request, he asked her if he could order for both of them because he knew the menu well and wanted to surprise her. Relaxing and looking around the restaurant, she agreed with a smile.
The lights were low and the walls were a deep shade of green with pictures of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and other Italian celebrities. The fragrance of fresh garlic wafting from the kitchen made her mouth water. Sipping her wine, she took in the old world atmosphere and listened to the staff speaking to each other in Italian but switching to heavily accented English as they stopped by the table to laugh and chat with Jack Brown, who made sure to include her in each conversation.
The large portions of food were outstanding. Luigi hovered over them and they were delighted as each course was delivered with a flourish and an explanation of the preparation. A small tomato and onion salad was followed, by a platter of thin slices of veal and eggplant in a parmesan sauce and another of yellowtail Snapper prepared with a lemon wine sauce. All were delicately seasoned, and very tasty. The Chianti he ordered had a rich taste as well.
“Are we expecting company,” she laughed.
“Just enjoy, I don’t want to hurt Luigi’s feelings. Do what I do, move the food around on your plate so it looks like you’re eating more and don’t worry your mother isn’t around to insist you clean your plate because the people in Europe are starving.”
“Your mother said that too?”
“Didn’t all Jewish mothers say that?”
By the time they got to the coffee, Shirley had eaten so much that she felt like she would burst. But she was laughing. “I hope you don’t eat this way all the time,” she said, leaning back in her chair.
“Are you kidding?” he replied. “No, I don’t, but I haven’t the heart to stop Luigi from showing off. Normally I just have a salad and a small dish of pasta. But I figured you would enjoy having some good food and a few laughs after the last couple of days.”
“That’s true,” Shirley said, and felt suddenly sad.
Sensing her change of mood, Jack said, “I understand that you’re from Chicago. You know, I’m from there originally. Of course, I’m older than you and I left right after the war to come here.”
“Really?” said Shirley, setting down her coffee spoon and smiling. “What a small world. Did you come down here to work?”
“I went to the University of Florida on the GI Bill,” he said.
“Do you ever make it back to Chicago?”
“No, I changed my name and never went back.”
“Oh” she said, “and what was your name then, Mr. Brown?”
“Well, at Marshall High School I was Jacob Brownstein. Graduated in 1943 and was drafted into the army two months later. By the way, call me Jack.”
“You know what? I like Jacob. Do you mind?”
“That’s funny; my Ma and Pa always called me that. To my sisters, I was always Jake, the baby brother to three older girls.” Taking a sip of his espresso, he nodded once. “No I don’t mind. I like it.”
The conversation went on, mostly about growing up in Chicago and some Jewish geography, but between the age difference and the fact that he had left the city so many years before, they didn’t make any connections. But by the time he drove back to her car, shook her hand and said goodnight, they both laughed, acknowledging that it was like they were old friends. .
On the way home, Jack couldn’t get her out of his mind. What the hell was this woman doing to him? It had been years since he thought this way about someone other than his wife. He loved Wendy and his daughters. It wasn’t like it was when they first married, but he still loved her and she still shared his bed even though he had slept with many women over the years. Shirley Rabin, however was different and exciting.
As she was preparing for bed, Shirley was surprised to find herself humming and feeling happier than she had for a long time. Sure, she had a lot of troubles, but she would bet her last dollar that Jack Brown was going to help her forget them.
Chapter 27
Shirley hadn’t talked to Jack Brown for a week. In the meantime, the only news she’d had from Howie was bad. He was being held at the Dade County Jail and because he was considered a flight risk, bail had been denied. Sam Petrillo was trying to plead out the case, but the District Attorney was getting so much publicity about the big drug bust, he wasn’t about to let Howie off easy.
Thursday shortly after noon; Shirley had just put some laundered bed sheets in the linen closet and was going into the kitchen when she saw a four door black Cadillac pull up in her driveway. Hoping it was Sam Petrillo, she ran to the door but stopped short when she saw Sal Farina, exit the car. A narrow brimmed straw hat was pushed back on his head and looked comical with his striped short sleeved golf shirt and baggy pants. His stocky brute sidekick was with him.
She wanted to run for the phone but couldn’t do so without walking past the window, so she hid behind the door, hoping that her neighbors wouldn’t spot this pair of thugs arriving at her house.
He pounded on the door. “Open up Shirley, it’s Sal!”
He turned back to his bull necked partner shaking his head when she didn’t respond.
Softening his voice, he tried again. “How ya doin’ Shirley? Calmed down yet?”
She held her breath, debating how to handle him.
“C’mon, I know you’re in there, I can see your car. Open up, I won’t bite.”
She shuddered, hearing how close he was, with only the door separating them.
“Go away, Sal. I don’t wanta talk to you.”
“Look Baby, I ain’t goin’ away and if you don’t open up, I’ll have Joey kick the door in.”
Peeking through a gap in the drapes she could see his car blocking hers in the driveway. Joey, in a black T-shirt, was standing alongside it, his arms crossed over his bulging belly.
Slowly, she fastened the short chain lock and opened the door. Sal, with his hand on the door knob, laughed while looking through the three-inch opening.
“Open the door, Shirley. You don’t want the neighbors wondering what we’re doing here, do you?”
He stepped back while she undid the chain. Then waved for Joey to follow him and they shuffled in as she closed the door.
“First time I ever seen you without high heels,” Sal sneered, nodding with approval at Shirley’s blue jeans, pale blue halter top and loafers. “You look good in jeans. Like a real broad.”
“Whadda you want, Sal?” she said softly, staring first at him and then at Joey.
He put his hands up in front of him, spreading his fingers. “Look, we don’t want any trouble, I just wanta make sure we understand each other.”
“What’s to understand? I don’t like being threatened.”
“Look Shirley,” he whined, “I want my ninety grand. And another thing, I heard you went to see Jack Brown. I don’t like that. You deal with me and only me.”
He grabbed both her wrists. “Don’t get any ideas,” he said pulling her close as she struggled to break free, “Joey will smash that pretty face of yours.”
With her eyes shut and head down, she waited. Slowly, he released her. “I’ll give you thirty days to work something out. If not, I own you.”
He paused, then pulled her chin up, “Look at me,” he mumbled, his face close to hers, “you understand?”
She nodded.
Sal motioned to Joey, who stood poised by the door. “Relax, she ain’t going to try nothing.”
Joey looked at Shirley and pointed with his chin towards an umbrella in a large ceramic pot near the door. “Hey, what’s this?”
“It’s to hold umbrellas when people come in from the rain,” she murmured, her arms wrapped around her waist as she kept her eyes on the two of them.
The big man shrugged then grabbed the umbrella and the stand, shoving them under his arm as he followed Sal out the door.
On the driveway Sal turned back. “See ya Shirley. And remember: thirty days.”
Holding the door open a few inches, she watched him disappear into the passenger side of the Cadillac while Joey stuffed the umbrella and vase into the trunk and settled his bulk behind the wheel. Backing into the street, he revved the motor and pulled away.
Closing the door, she leaned against it, before slowly making her way into the living room, where she slumped onto the couch, her mind racing. An hour later, she called Jack Brown and asked to see him.
They met at his office shortly after five; the staff had cleared out for the day. Proceeding to his private office, he held the door for her, and motioned toward the sofa.
She hesitated tensely, mouth half opened and turned to face him. “May we sit at your desk? I want to talk over a business idea with you and would be more comfortable sitting across from you.”
”Okay,” he said slowly, noticing how tight her jaw was set as he moved across the office and directed her to the chair facing his desk. “I’m not sure I can help you, but what’s on your mind?”
She pulled a small sheaf of notes from her purse. Glancing at them, she looked up, catching his eye. Observing his reticence, she began slowly and calmly, much like the way she’d pitch a new real estate client.
“Jacob, I’ve known for a long time that my husband was involved in all sorts of shady deals. As far as I knew, it was petty stuff. He never talked about what he did and quite frankly I just ignored that part of our relationship, because it paid the bills and while we don’t have much of a marriage, he is a good father. I know that when my son David finds out about him, I’ll have my hands full. The boy will be devastated.”
Pausing, she looked down at her notes. Jack was leaning forward with hands folded in front of him, waiting calmly, for her to continue.
“I have to accept that Howie is probably going to prison. My job now is to see that David can stay in school. He’s always found ways to forgive his father, so as far as that relationship goes, he will come around. As for me, I will have to figure out how I have to support the two of us and deal with Howie’s defense and the money he owes. I can’t rely on my real estate business to do that. With all the publicity about Howie’s arrest, I’m already losing my clients. ”
“Shirley, I can’t give you a job here. If I could, I would, but because of the drugs, we have to do everything to avoid being tied to Howie right now.”
Sitting up straight, she cut him off. “Hear me out, Jacob.”
He nodded. “Just so you know where I stand. It’s nothing personal.”
“Jacob,” she hesitated, and slowly looked directly at him, before saying, “I want to replace Howie. I can run the poker games and the other gambling. I also know about putting money to work. I’m in the real estate business, where sometimes the only way I make a deal is determined by how I can get it financed and believe me, I know how to put deals together and put money to work.
“The same goes for the prostitutes. I know I can manage them. Even though I never interfered in Howie’s business I know what it involved.” Let’s face it, I grew up in Chicago so I’m not naive. Howie isn’t the first hustler I’ve been around. My father was in the liquor business and he gambled too. I know I can do this.”
Jack held up his hand and she stopped, mouth half-open, and waited.
“You’re serious aren’t you?” he said, his brow creasing into a look of doubt. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking?”
“Jacob, I have to do this,” she sighed. “I know you can make it happen. Please give me a chance. I know I’ve got what it takes.”
“C’mon Shirley, this thing you’re asking for is a dirty business. There’s no way you could handle it,” he said shaking his head. “A classy woman like you will be laughed at, or worse, maybe muscled in a way that you can’t handle. Some of these guys are animals and the women are no better”
He started to rise, but stopped as she stood up and glared at him, her jaw set firmly.
Leaning toward him, her hands on the edge of the desk, she took a deep breath. “Look, you don’t really know me. I know what you think and I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think I can do this. Yeah, I sell real estate and dress nice, but don’t let that fool you. I’ve made deals with some tough guys and take my word for it, I took good care of them in more ways than you can imagine.”
His brow still wrinkled, he raised his eyes to look into hers, His lips were compressed into a tight line, but he made no other movement as she continued.
“Besides everything else, I’ve covered for Howie enough times when he was passed out drunk and got calls from customers or some of the whores. Yeah, it’s a dirty business, but I can do it. In fact I can do it better than Howie and certainly better than scum like Sal Farina.”
Lowering herself into the chair, she slumped back and after a brief moment raised her head, focusing on his eyes.
“Jacob, I know what is at stake here. What I really want to prove to you is that I can make money with this operation. Just give me ninety days to show you. The only thing I’d need from you is to keep the goons away from me.”
Shaking his head with his hands folded and resting on his desk, Jack let her words sink in.
Sliding her notes into her bag and resting it on her lap, she showed no signs of nervousness, but continued to fix her eyes on his, trying to assess his mood, looking for an affirmative sign.
“Are you through?” he asked softly.
She shrugged looking at him without lowering her gaze.
Standing he said, “I heard you. Now go home. I’ll be in touch.”
Getting up she started to say something, but he held up his hand.
“Go home. I’ve got some things I have to do.”
“Jacob, I just want a chance,” she sighed, abruptly turning toward the door. As she left a tight smile broke across his face as he admired the sight of her backside.
Chapter 28
It was almost midnight when the phone rang, startling Shirley. She picked up on the third ring, praying it wasn’t more bad news.
“Hello.,” she answered tentatively.
“I hope I didn’t wake you. It’s Jack.”
“No“, she answered slowly, trying to imagine what he wanted. “As a matter of fact, I was just getting ready for bed. I’m a late person.”
There was a chuckle on the other end.
“It’s ten to twelve, where are you?”
“I’m at a pay phone a few minutes from your house, thinking about you and how much better it would be if I could talk to you in person.”
“Why Jacob,” she exclaimed, a crease showing on her forehead, but quickly relaxing into a smile, “aren’t you full of surprises, calling a girl in the middle of the night.”
She waited for his response but only heard the sound of a passing auto.
Glancing in the mirror she smiled. Something happened today and she wasn’t the only one who noticed. “I guess he got the message,” she thought. “I only hope we’re on the same page.”
She crossed her fingers and kissed them while raising her eyebrows, thinking, “here goes, it’s now or never.”
“Oh why not?” she said. “How about swinging by and we can talk?”
Quickly slipping into a sheer nightgown and a pale blue satin robe she dashed to the bathroom. Dabbing her face with a tissue, she checked her eye make-up and applied fresh lipstick.
Back in the living room she fluffed the sofa and smiled wondering what the neighbors would think seeing a strange car at her house at this hour.
; Hearing Jack’s Mercedes pull into the driveway, she opened the door, waiting for him just inside, spreading her arms as he came up the walkway.
As he drew close, she threw her arms tightly around his neck as they stood in the open doorway. She kissed every part of his face while he held her tightly.
It was a long minute before he kicked the door closed, looked into her eyes and said softly, but enunciating the words clearly, “I want you,” his hands slipping the robe and nightgown from her shoulders, watching it slowly drop.
Tugging at him, she helped remove his jacket and shirt. As they slid to the floor, he ran his hands over her breasts and hips, reaching between her legs.
She moved her hand to his, but abruptly he stopped and pulled back. “Let me look at you. God, you are beautiful.”
Shyly she reflexively crossed her arms across her breasts. Moving her hands away and admiring her, he sighed, “you excite me.”
Lowering his head, he began kissing her breasts and stomach, working his way to her thighs and then spreading her legs so he could kiss her in a way he knew would arouse her passion.
Closing her eyes, her face became contorted as she felt the tension begin to rise. Soft shrieks erupted as she arched her back and let out a scream, followed by a muffled sob. Jack gasped, holding tightly to her outstretched arms.
“Now“, she cried, taking deep breaths, “make love to me, Jacob. I want you. You feel so good. Do it. Ohhhhhh! Love me.”
“Mmmmm,”, he moaned softly as he entered her, looking into her eyes.
With her teeth clenched and her arms pulling him closer as he rocked into her more intensely with each thrust, she whispered, “yes, yes, love me, love me, until she felt his release and he slumped down. Slowly he kissed her lips as they rolled to the side, spent, still holding tight to each other.
“Oh my God, do you think the neighbors heard me scream?” she whispered, stifling a giggle.
“If they did, I hope they enjoyed the last few minutes as much as I did,” he answered, pulling her tighter. “You are unbelievable! I feel like a twenty-year old kid.”
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