Small Change

by Sheila Roberts

  Rachel understood the chemistry of attraction. She knew the date and mate buzz eventually wore off. She hadn't expected her marriage to be one long honeymoon, but commitment was another thing. That she had expected. Maybe, in this day and age, expecting commitment was as impractical as longing for the prince.

  Here she was, feeling the buzz again, but was it worth the heartbreak that could be waiting for her once the buzz wore off? Chad Alvarez had the whole package: looks, charm, brains. She couldn't help wondering what she'd find when she unwrapped the package further. What kind of heart did he have? It wasn't too late to stop now, before she gave away any more of herself. She could walk away with some great memories and her own heart intact.

  But sexual attraction was a powerful drug, and by the time she sat in Chad's souped-up vintage Mustang, riding into the city, she'd lost her desire to get him out of her system. In fact, she was flying high. She had on a perfect dance ensemble thanks to her closet shopping expedition with Tiff and Jess, she was out with a gorgeous man, and she felt sexy.

  “You look amazing tonight,” Chad told her as the lights of Seattle came into sight.

  “Well, you've got me beat,” she said. “You look amazing every night.”

  He chuckled. “I'm beginning to suspect you always say what's on your mind.”

  “Your suspicions are correct. But you like that. Remember?” she teased.

  He nodded. “Yes, I do.” He smiled over at her. “I haven't found anything I don't like about you.”

  “Oh, keep looking. You will,” she said lightly.

  Aaron had. In fact, one of the things he hadn't liked about her was the fact that she always said what she was thinking. Misty didn't do that. Of course, Misty didn't think, so that helped.

  They shot on down the freeway past Seattle, not exiting until they got somewhere south of it. In a little neighborhood in a small town, they pulled up in front of a Mexican restaurant. “They have the best food this side of eastern Washington here,” said Chad as they walked in.

  Obviously. The place was packed.

  But that didn't prevent the pretty Latina hostess from letting out a pleased squeal at the sight of Chad (Well, what woman wouldn't?) and hurrying to give him a hug. “Hermano!”

  Hermano. Brother? Rachel found herself staring, wondering if she'd heard correctly.

  “This is my sister, Maria,” Chad said. “She and her husband own this place. Maria, this is Rachel.”

  “Bienvenida,” said Maria.

  “Gracias,” said Rachel. “Agradable encontrarle,” she added, hoping she was remembering her college Spanish correctly.

  This made the woman's face light up. “¿Usted habla español?”

  “Poco,” said Rachel. “Very little.”

  “Well, we are happy to have you here. Any friend of Chad's is welcome,” she added, giving her brother a look that Rachel didn't have trouble translating. Sis was obviously hoping her brother had found Miss Right.

  Once they were seated and had ordered drinks, Rachel said, “So you have family on this side of the mountains.”

  “Only my sister and her husband. My parents and my little brother still live in Yakima.”

  “How did your sister end up over here?” asked Rachel.

  “She married a truck driver from Seattle. They own this restaurant together.”

  “She has a very traditional name. You don't. What's that about?” Rachel couldn't help asking.

  Chad's easy smile tightened. “It was my grandfather's name. My mother picked it in the hopes that it would make up for her marrying a Latino instead of a white guy.”

  “Oh.” This was uncomfortable territory, but Rachel pressed on. “Did it?”

  “Nope. My dad had his own landscaping business, but in my grandfather's eyes he was always nothing more than ‘the gardener.’ ”

  Rachel found her cheeks warming as she remembered that was exactly what she had thought Chad was when she first saw him.

  He saw the blush and managed a half-bitter smile. “Latino guy: gardener or illegal.” He shrugged. “Stereotypes happen.”

  Rachel sighed. “Yes, they do. You forgot another important one though.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

  “Hot Latin lover.” She blushed a little as she said it, remembering how well he'd demonstrated the truth of that particular perception.

  He smiled. “I like that one.”

  “Me, too,” she said shyly, and he reached across the table and held her hand. “Thanks for bringing me here to meet your sister.”

  “I brought you here because the food's good. And I can get a free meal,” he said with a grin.

  “No wonder you weren't worried about washing dishes.”

  “I was only kidding. I'm paying for the meal. It's important for family to help each other. I want to see my sister stay in business.”

  Their waiter arrived with two margaritas in glasses big enough to swim in. “My God,” said Rachel, looking at hers. “If I drink all this I'll be dancing on my lips. Are you trying to get me drunk so you can seduce me?” she teased.

  “Do you really think I need you drunk to do that?” he teased back.

  There he sat, looking at her with those gorgeous brown eyes. “Absolutely not.”

  Later, as he moved her around the dance floor to the rhythms of a hot Latin band, teaching her how to salsa, her skin burning at the touch of his hand, she knew she was going to invest her whole heart in this man. She only hoped it turned out to be a safe investment.

  Small Changes, Big Difference

  From Rachel Green's Blog

  SMALL CHANGE, BIG DIFFERENCE

  Rachel's Money-Saving Tips

  Thanks to everyone who has been reading my blog. I love all the great money saving tips you're sharing here. You're proving my theory that small changes in our money habits can make a big difference in our lives. Here are the latest tips I've come up with. I hope they help.

  ♦ Pay Less for Services

  Bartering can save you a ton of money. If you have a skill like cutting hair or cake decorating, you may be able to trade your services for someone else's. If you have a vacation home, do a house swap with someone living in a locale you'd like to visit. If you have small children, trade childcare services with other mothers in your circle of friends.

  ♦ Pay Less for Your House

  Most homeowners wind up paying almost double the cost of their house due to interest. There are two basic ways to knock years off your mortgage payments. Some lenders may not do this, so ask your bank or mortgage company for details. (They'll be sooo happy to talk to you. Not.)

  Make one extra mortgage payment per year. In other words make thirteen payments instead of twelve. Tell your lender to apply this extra payment toward the principal.

  Divide your mortgage payment in half and pay that amount twice a month. (For instance, a 30-year mortgage at 5% (fixed rate) on a $300,000 loan would require a monthly payment of about $1600.00; half of that would, obviously, be $800.00, paid twice a month.) This amounts to twenty-four $800 payments per year. With this option, you don't pay any extra to the bank as you do in option number one, but you reduce the number of years you pay your loan. (In banking terms this is called reducing the life of your loan.) You reduce the life of your loan because every $800 payment reduces the principal amount of your loan and thus reduces the amount of interest you ultimately pay. So, how much might you save by doing this? Let's go back to the 30-year mortgage at 5% (fixed rate) on a $300,000 loan with a $1600.00 per month loan payment. Using either method one or two you could save around fifty thousand dollars. You can save a lot more if your mortgage amount and/or your interest rate is higher. Now, that's worth making a call to your friendly lender.

  ♦ Pay Less for Your Car

  Yes, that new car smell is great, but a new car drops in value the minute you drive it off the lot. Plus you wind up with car payments. For those of you who didn't get in on the Cash For Clunkers program, you can still find
a bargain by purchasing your vehicle from a private party. Check online and in your local paper. Always take someone with you who can check major things like engines and brakes.

  ♦ Pay Less for Your Food

  When you eat out you're not only paying for food. You're paying for ambiance and for someone else to make your chicken parmesan or your turkey sandwich. Neither one is difficult to make, so stay home and do it yourself. If you want to enjoy a treat and support your local restaurant, go out for lunch, which is less expensive. Or meet a friend for dessert and share something decadent. Many restaurants offer great food bargains during happy hour. They make their money on the drinks, so buy one and stop there.

  To make the most of eating in, check the weekly in-store specials at your local grocery store and plan your meals around them, including meals that will promptly use up the leftovers. Plan meals ahead for at least a week and always stick to your list when you go into the grocery store. Also, be sure to plant edibles in your flower beds. All right, I admit, I have a black thumb, and I used to hate gardening. But I'm changing my wicked ways because I'm realizing what I grow in my flower beds can supplement what I buy in the grocery store and save me money! Rhubarb tucks in nicely. Rosemary is great in rockeries and you can use it in everything from chicken to biscuits. Blueberry bushes add color and interest … and affordable antioxidants.

  ♦ Pay Less for Your Fun

  Fun doesn't always have to center on spending large amounts of money in theaters or restaurants. Opt for game nights and potlucks with friends. Host a chick poker night. Get together with the girls and learn how to play poker, but don't gamble for money. Gamble for chocolate. A bag of Hershey's Kisses isn't much to spend on an evening out! (I did this the other night with my neighbors. I now know the difference between a full house and a royal flush—as long as I have my cheat sheet next to me. And the good news is, I don't think I even gained a pound in spite of all the chocolate I consumed because I'm sure I laughed off every calorie!)

  If you've got cabin fever, check out your community calendar either online or in the paper. You will find plenty of free concerts, movies in the park, and other activities to keep your life interesting and your fun affordable.

  Your public library is another great resource. In addition to books, you can also borrow CDs and movies. Public libraries also offer classes and bring in interesting speakers, so check your local branch to see what's happening.

  ♦ Pay Less for Everything

  Everything goes on sale eventually. What you don't find on sale you can pick up at garage sales. (Just ask my friend Tiffany!) Buy your clothes at 50% off (at least) at the end of each season and store away for the next year. The best time to buy your wardrobe for next winter is the end of January and beginning of February. The best summer bargains can be found in August. (If you want to be instantly current with styles buy one piece of jewelry to update.) Start your Christmas shopping in January and February when stores have their biggest markdowns. Buying ahead, on sale, is also the best way to stock up on birthday presents and hostess gifts. Also keep your eyes out at garage sales for new items you can tuck away to give as wedding and shower presents. Whether you're at a garage sale or in a department store, don't be afraid to dicker. Someone trying to get rid of unwanted clutter will often take less simply to see the junk gone. Stores also need to move merchandise, so ask, especially if you find an item that has a minor flaw, like an article of clothing with a ripped seam. If a clerk doesn't have the authority to give you a markdown, ask to speak with the manager.

  The next time you're itching to do some online shopping, check out the Goodwill auction site, which offers all kinds of house hold goods at secondhand prices. (Great news for all of you who don't have access to good secondhand stores. Goodwill is only a click away!)

  Get your facials and manicures at vocational technical schools. (Don't worry, we won't tell Tiffany.) When money is tight this is a great way to still look good (and feel good) for only pennies. When the money is flowing again, though, remember to support your local businesses and help other women pay their bills.

  Don't forget about coupons. These days you can visit any number of online sites and print out coupons for whatever you need.

  ♦ Never Put off Paying Tomorrow What You Can Pay Today

  In other words, pay cash. Not only does this save you from falling into the credit card trap (where you will remain until the end of the world), it helps you remain prudent in your spending. When you pay cash you see your money disappearing before your very eyes. When you whip out the plastic you don't always make the connection between your purchase and your dwindling checking account.

  • 21 •

  The Small Change Club was now officially meeting on Saturday afternoons, and this Saturday the three friends were in Tiffany's kitchen, making jam from their freshly picked rasp-berries.

  Tiffany had assured herself several times that she was having a great day. It was actually her birthday. She was now twenty-five.

  And separated from her husband and childless. Some happy birthday. She'd gotten a card from her parents, signed by her mom, of course, with a check for fifty dollars enclosed. “Have a wonderful birthday, sweetie,” Mom had written.

  She always told her mom everything, but so far she hadn't been able to bring herself to make that call, even though she knew she'd get plenty of sympathy. She didn't want sympathy. She wanted her life back. She wanted Brian back, even though he obviously didn't want her. How pathetic was that!

  She'd only heard from him once since their not-so-close encounter on the street, and that had been the message he'd left on her voice mail telling her not to worry. He was taking care of paying the mortgage and utilities. There had been no call from him this morning, which was just as well. She couldn't even imagine what they'd say to each other.

  Cara and Iris had a cake and balloons for her at the salon the day before, and she'd pretended to be happy, like she was doing now.

  “I'm not sure this is saving us any money,” Jess observed, pulling the giant pot of bubbling berries, sugar, and pectin from the burner. “Jars and seals and sugar—a jar of jam doesn't cost that much at the store.”

  “Of course we're saving money,” Rachel insisted. “The berries were free. Remember? And we'll reuse a lot of the jars. Plus we've got a start on Christmas.”

  “I know my son will love getting a little basket of jams,” Jess retorted.

  “Your mother-in-law will,” said Rachel. “Speaking of sons, what's the latest with Mikey?”

  Jess smiled. “He and Michael made up, thank God. Michael actually called and apologized to him. He even admitted he'd forgotten how hard it is to hunt for a job.

  “So is Mikey moving back?” asked Rachel as they ladled jam into jars.

  Jess's smiled faded. “No. He's still staying with his friend.” She heaved a sigh. “It's probably just as well. I hate to admit it, but I think maybe we made it too easy for him letting him hang out at home. Mikey seems more motivated now. He's actually going to some temp agencies on Monday. Hopefully, that will work better for him than it did for me.”

  “With a degree in business, it should,” said Rachel. “It looks like life is improving for all of us.” Tiffany could tell she was sorry the minute the words were out of her mouth. “I mean financially,” she added, looking apologetically at Tiffany. “And speaking of finances, how are your bids going?”

  Okay, here was something Tiffany didn't have to pretend to be happy about. “Awesome. I made seven hundred dollars!”

  “Whoa,” breathed Jess. “What can I sell?”

  “What a great way to start whittling down those credit cards,” said Rachel. “That is something to celebrate.”

  It looked like that was all they were celebrating today. Neither of her friends had said anything about her birthday, even though she'd been hinting all week. Tiffany turned back to finish sealing jars.

  “Speaking of celebrations,” said Rachel, “someone has a birthday today an
d we have a cake from Sweet Somethings.”

  “Your favorite,” added Jess as Rachel pulled out a pink cardboard cake box from her pantry. “Lemon poppy seed.”

  “Aw, you remembered. You two are the best.” Everyone had remembered except Brian. Well, he'd probably remembered. He just didn't care anymore. She blinked back tears, determined not to ruin her friends’ sweet gesture.

  Rachel lit the candles. “Okay, Jess, you sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ I can't carry a tune.” Jess obliged and Rachel added, “Make a wish.”

  Tiffany closed her eyes and wished for all her bills to be paid off. At least it was something she had a hope of making come true.

  As soon as she'd blown out the candles, Jess said, “And now, do you want to know what else we're doing to celebrate?”

  “There's more?”

  “We're going out tonight to hear Jess's band,” Rachel announced.

  She wouldn't be alone on her birthday. “Awesome.”

  “Wear your dancing shoes,” said Jess as Rachel handed Tiffany a piece of cake.

  Tiff took a bite of the cake. The lemon frosting melted in her mouth. Oh, yeah, this was going to be a good birthday after all.

  “What are you doing right now?” Chad asked.

  Rachel propped her cell phone between her ear and shoulder and walked to her closet to pull out her black top. “I'm getting ready to go hear my friend Jess play with her new band.”

  “Sounds like you need an escort.”

  “I have an escort.”

  “Who? I'll have to beat him up.”

  “Tiffany.”

  “So, you'll be out clubbing with your girlfriends?”

  “Yes, I will. And dancing and picking up men,” she teased. As if any man could compete with the hot moves Chad had showed her on the dance floor.

  “Picking up men, huh? Where is this club?”

  She told him, pretending she had no suspicion why he asked.

  “I think I might have to show up to make sure no one comes along and steals your heart.”