by TJWEST
I laugh. “You just now figured this out?” Shaking my head.
“Oh, darlin', believe me, I already knew that.”
We both take more sips.
“I guess it has taken this week to show me that I should step away from the pageant stage for good.”
Her eyes show a sadness about this conclusion. Makes me feel sorry for her. I guess I still
have some compassion for others within my hardened soul, but I can't get myself to comfort her - that's a BFF's job. Amy snaps out of her pity party and smiles again even though I can tell there is more to the story then she's letting on.
“How about another drink?”
I just had two glasses. I'm not sure if I should......Oh, what the hell, why not?
“Sure, sounds good.”
I'm not sure why I want to stay and chat. I'm not the chatty type, but I'm pretty sure it's the wine making me feel this way. It actually feels pretty damn good to have a friend to hang out with.
Oh my God, did I just say friend? Yep, it's the wine talking.
*****
Amy slurs, “My goodness, but I think I'm getting a bit tipsy.” She crinkles her eyes. “I think three glasses is enough for me, sugar.”
I finished my last glass and definitely agreed it was enough.
“Would you like to get a bite to eat to soak up this wine? I won't be able to drive for awhile, that's for sure.” She asks.
What do I say to that?
I just spent an hour with Amy and noticed that I actually had a nice time with her. I still think it's the wine talking. “You know, I think that's a good idea.” Wow, I really must be drunk to say yes to lunch.
“Perfect! I know a great little place to eat at.” Amy gets out her wallet and pays for the wine.
I also paid and purchased a couple bottles to take home. I believe grocery shopping is gonna have to wait till tonight.
We stopped in front of a restaurant/brewery called 'Reds'. I noticed it was across the street
from Limbo Guitars. I glanced at the store, but immediately looked away.
During our time at the wine store, and before we got to Reds, Amy and I (well I should say Amy) kept chatting away; she talked about Texas and how she was always in beauty pageants ever since she could remember. Her mom was a beauty queen as well and enforced it on her daughter. She went to the best private schools growing up, and was a cheerleader until she graduated high school. She's a year younger then I am, so it surprised me she was still participating in those pageants.
Doesn't age make a difference in those contests? Whatever. Not gonna ask.
She traveled all over the United States for those silly pageants - that is my thought, not hers. While she was traveling she also went to college. I'm not sure how she even had the time for college when those “silly” pageants took her everywhere.
I didn't ask her that either.
Amy has one brother, Jordan, who is twenty-one and is living with his girlfriend in Hawaii. He
teaches surfing and has his own business selling surfboards and swim trunks, all on the web. Pretty impressive if you ask me.
But how did a guy, from Texas, get into surfing and was now living in Hawaii?
Again, I didn't ask.
Her mom is, or was, a full time stay at home mother, but keeps her life pretty busy by doing tons of different charities. Her Dad is a lawyer. That's all she said about her parents.
Not once did she ask about my life. I was okay with that.
*****
The hostess seats us at our table. Reds is pretty classy; red leathered booth seating all around the room, while the middle is laid out with tables and red leathered, padded chairs. TV's line up in every direction with either sports or a news channel playing. I notice they also have an outdoors seating area as well. I see string lighting, heating lamps and a stage in the corner of the patio. They must have live music at night or something.
How cool. I might have to come back and check it out.
We give our waitress our drink orders. I'm just having water while Amy ordered an ice tea.
I curiously ask, “So how did you hear about this place?”
“I actually have a cousin who lives out here so he brought me a couple nights ago. Isn't it fantastic?”
I nod my head. “Yeah, it's a great place.”
We decide what we wanted for lunch. We both ordered the cobb salad, minestrone soup, and bread sticks.
“Outside, as you can see, there is an outdoor seating area. Every night they have local bands that perform.” She takes a drink of her iced tea. “So the night we came, there was this guy singing? - he wasn't in a band or anything, he was just some customer who was asked to sing. Oh my goodness, was he sensational! You really need to come see him some time.”
I just nod my head.
“Oh! I know!” Amy exclaims.
Shit! What!
“Why don't we come back here tomorrow night?! My cousin said that this guy comes almost every night for drinks and happy hour. Wouldn't that be sooo much fun!?” She asks excitedly.
Another BFF moment made in history.
I really didn't want to tag along with her, but I really wanted to come back and see the bands. I guess it wouldn't hurt to hang out with Amy again. She's not that bad.
“Okay...That actually sounds like fun..” Why am I smiling?
Amy claps her hands. “Yay! We will have so much fun! It will be a night out on the town! After
lunch we should go shopping for a new dress!”
Whoa, whoa, whoa! I think that is pushing the BFF limit!
“Amy, I don't want to burst your bubble, but I can't go shopping after lunch. I need to do some
grocery shopping. I haven't done anything since I've been here sooo......”
She pouts her bottom lip.“Oh pooo, that's too bad, but I understand. How about tomorrow?”
I just want to roll my eyes right now. I usually like to go clothes shopping by myself but Amy is too damn nice! “Sure....Okay....Sounds good.”
Another little clap and “Yay” from Amy.
I am soooo not becoming her BFF, so help me!
*****
During lunch Amy brought up the 'ME' talk. What about me? I'm just a screwed up, selfish, and 'stay out of my business' type of person these days. Of course I didn't give her those exact words. I didn't go into detail about my crappy past, but I did tell her where I was from, what my parents did for a living, yadda yadda yadda, that kind of stuff. Not too exciting if you ask me.
Amy seemed pretty interested though, which I wasn't surprised. She was just so happy I mentioned anything about myself. I knew I couldn't keep quiet for long. It was bound to happen.
We had finished our meal, paid for lunch, ready to get up when this badass, hot guy comes up to our table; he had blonde lightly brushed back hair, blue eyes, and a little scruff on the face.
He was wearing a dark denim, buttoned up shirt with the sleeves rolled above his elbows, and a pair of dark blue levi's with a brown suede belt.
Where in the hell did this guy come from, and why was he standing at our table?
He bent down, kissed Amy on the cheek and said, “Hey, babe.”
What?!
I think Amy just melted. “Oh my goodness!” She squealed. “Mitch! Hi!” Giggling like a little
teenager.
Awkward moment here...
“Oh geez, excuse my manners. Marty, this is Mitch. We met the other night, here at Reds.”
Mitch extends his hand. “Nice to meet you, Marty.”
“Likewise.” I reply back.
“Have a seat, sugar.” Amy, suggests.
Mitch takes the seat, turns it around and sits on it like a motorcycle; back facing his front, arms crossing on top.
Okay, that's hot.
“Marty and I met on the plane last week - remember I was telling you that? - Well, anyways we ran into each other at the wine store, down the street. We had a few too many drinks, and ended up here for lu
nch.” Amy stated, giggling.
Nodding his head Mitch says, “Sweet. Small world.”
More giggling. “Isn't it? We were just on our way out until you came in, which by the way has made my day!” Putting her hand on his shoulder.
Mitch smirks. “Oh yeah? Well, seeing you here has made my day too, babe.”
More giggles..
I think I'm gonna throw up. I need to get out of here.
I interrupt this lovely moment and announce, “Hey, you guys I'm gonna leave now. I still have a lot to do.” I scoot out of my chair.
Amy gets up and gives me a big hug. “Ohhhh Marty, this was sooo much fun! Thanks a bunch for a fantastic morning!” She shakes her pointer finger at me, “Now don't forget to call me okay? We have some dress shoppin' to do tomorrow!”
“Okay, okay.” I can't get out of here fast enough. “Again, it was nice to meet you, Mitch.” I wave goodbye.
He waves back. “Later.”
And I leave with the continuation of giggling in the background.
Awkward.
I unlock my trunk, place my wine there, get inside my car, and roar off!
Exhale.
CHAPTER 6
MATT
“And don't forget the goddamned lemons again, pretty boy! I like them for my water.” Chuck
shouts.
“Chill, old man I'm not gonna forget the damn lemons again.”
Handing me a list, “Here, I wrote it down just in case.”
I chuckle. “I don't need no fuckin' list, Chuck. I'll get you your precious lemons.” I make my way to the front entrance of the store when I see this woman rush out of Reds. Chuck is
still jabbering in the background, but I tune him out. I feel like someone put a spell on me because I can't move my eyes away from her. She looks so familiar.
“It can't be.” I whisper.
“What's that?” Chuck asks me, but I don't answer.
I just watch her. Her car is parked a few cars down from Reds. I feel like I'm moving in slow motion, but I open the door, step out, and keep staring. I watch her put a brown paper bag in the trunk, open the car door, back out and drive off.
I just stand there. Still in my trance. My heart racing.
Chuck impatiently shouts, “Pretty boy!.......Matt!.....What the hell are ya doin'?”
I feel Chuck slap me on the shoulder which snaps me out of my trance. I clear my throat. “Oh..uh...nothing...I'll, uh, get our lunch.”
“Lemons!” I hear Chuck yell at me again as I walk across the street. I wave my hand in the air
letting him know I heard him.
What the hell did I just see? Was it her? Or did I want it to be her?
I have recalled too many times thinking I have spotted her. One time I was at the county fair and thought I had seen her buying fried ice cream. She was holding hands with a man, but the minute she turned around I knew it wasn't her. The shape of her nose, and lips were all wrong. I couldn't see her eyes because of her sunglasses, but I knew it wasn't her. There were other times I thought I had seen her at a 'Daves Matthews Band' concert, a baseball game, and crazy places like Comic Con and Seaworld. Her sixteen year old image won't leave my mind. I don't even know what she looks like as a grown woman. I can only imagine though. She was so beautiful back then - I can only imagine her even more beautiful today. That woman I saw just now - she looked just like Marty.
While waiting for my order I see Mitch and that girl from the other night. I think her name is Amy? Yeah, I think that's it. I walk over to them. From what I can see Mitch seems pretty gung ho on this girl. I don't remember him seeing anyone a second time.
I walk up to their table and slap Mitch on the back. “Hey, bro you gonna introduce me?” I take a seat and give him a grin.
“Oh hey, yeah, Amy this is Matt. He's the dumb-fuck I was tellin' ya about.” He laughs and punches me in the shoulder.
Amy just giggles. I hope she likes his smartass mouth cuz that's what he is; a smartass. We extend hands.
“Nice to finally meet you, Matt. I enjoyed your singing last week. It was so beautiful.” She smiles back to me.
“Wow, thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.”
“I was just telling Mitch, here, that I'm hoping you'll play and sing again, tomorrow night. I have a girlfriend who will be joining me. She just left a little while ago. I wish you could have met her.”
I shrug my shoulders and say, “Sure, I'd love to play again.”
Amy claps her hands and gleefully says, “Perfect!”
“Dude, you eatin' here or takin' stuff back?” Mitch asked.
“I'm taking stuff back. The old man needs his lemons.”
Mitch starts laughing. “Chuck and his fuckin' lemons.”
“Yeah, well, we gotta keep the elderly happy now don't we?”
The waitress comes up to the table and tells me my order is ready. I get up and shake hands with Amy again. “It was great meeting you, Amy. Stop in the shop some time.”
“I would love that. See you tomorrow night.”
I get close to Mitch's ear and whisper, “Enjoy dessert, Romeo.” And walk off.
*****
MARTY
I crash on the couch after I put away the groceries, clean up the mess in the sink, vacuum the house, and put away my laundry. Boy do I hate doing house work. I close my eyes, relax and before I know it I fall asleep. I woke up to darkness. What the hell was the time? I look at my phone and it's 9:30pm. Holy crap, I slept for three hours? I must not be used to doing all this “cleaning up crap.” My parents always had a housekeeper who did our laundry and cleaned our messes in the sink. My mom was not much of a cook so we ate out a lot or she had a cook come over to give us a “home cooked meal.” I don't talk about my marriage a lot, but when I was married we also had a housekeeper, but I did learn how to cook. I took some cooking classes when I was in college. I actually ended up loving it. So every chance I get (excluding this past week) I pretty much cook my own meals.
Since it was so late I decided to make myself a cheese and tomato omelet with an english muffin. It was simple but tasty. I get out my laptop and do some catching up on my email. Wow, I didn't think I was that popular, but I had a ton of messages. A lot of them from some friends back in Europe and a couple from Florida. I'm really not in the mood to write comforting letters back to everyone so I think I'll just leave them for another day. I feel like a horrible person and friend because I've distanced myself from so many good people, but they will only pity me. From just reading a couple of the letters. That's all I get - pity letters.
I don't need that right now.
I log off the computer, clean up my dishes, get a glass of wine and sit outside on the deck. What a way to end the night. Simply perfect. I start thinking about tomorrow though - How did I end up being all 'friendsy' with Amy? What The Hell? I'm dreading this shopping fiasco she's pushed me into. My head tells me to shut up and drink the wine. So that's what I will do.
Sip. Nope... Gulp..
*****
As promised, I text Amy the next morning. She was thrilled and made happy faces in her message back to me. If only I could return that happiness but I can't. I tell myself to suck it up. So I shower, have my coffee and meet Amy in Solana Beach.
I haven't shopped for any kind of 'night out on the town' type outfit for a long time. I'm not even sure what to look for, but Amy has an eye for it; she had me try on several different styles of dresses, blouses, skirts but had finally settled on a dark pink, one shoulder ruched top with a black and white polka-dot bow on the shoulder, and a pair of dark blue skinny jeans. Amy also insisted on getting shoes and accessories so I got a pair of black satin heel shoes with a black bow on the heel, a few thin silver bracelets, black beaded tear drop earrings and a silver ring with a black stone in the middle.
I gotta tell ya though, I'd forgotten how much fun it was to shop for clothes. It's something I loved doing when I lived in Paris. I loved browsing the shops for new shoes or to buy the
latest fashion.
This day brought a new smile to my face.
I was actually happy - so happy that I actually asked Amy if she would like to come to my house for a drink. You can only imagine how excited this made her; clapping her hands and gleefully, saying, “Yay!”.....Yay for me, my brain thinks sarcastically. Oh my, what the hell has gotten into me?
Amy followed me home in her bright yellow VW Bug. It totally fits her personality. She told me it's a rental, but wants to buy one soon. She mentioned that she is planning on moving to San Diego and getting her real estate license. She'll be leaving for Texas in a couple days, but will be back next month.
I guess that's good for me right? No more BFF moments for awhile, but why do I feel a bit glum? She's coming back to annoy me some more so shut up! I hate when I start to get sappy.
I give her a tour of my place. “My goodness that view! It's fantastic!” She puts her hand to her chest and walks over to the back sliding door, that leads out onto the deck.
I get a couple wine glasses out and pour us some wine. “It really is a great view. I love sitting out there. It's my favorite spot in the house.” I hand her the glass.
“I cannot wait to move out here! The hotel I'm at is not something I fancy right now.”
“How about I get us some crackers and cheese and we can eat outside?”
“Yay! Sounds divine, sugar.”
I roll my eyes when she calls me sugar; I'm not a fan of that, but I roll with it.
We sit in the lounge chairs and stare at the beach. Drinking and snacking in silence. It feels great to just be in silence mode when it comes to Amy. I have to admit, it also feels good to have a girl companion to talk with again.
“Marty, I don't want to pry or anything but …..” She clears her throat. “What happened to you that you needed to see a therapist? Please tell me if I'm stepping on any toes here, okay? I'm just a bit concerned that's all.”
I sit and just stare out. I don't look at Amy. I'm not sure I'm ready to open up to her. I take a drink of my wine. I don't answer right away and Amy doesn't question me about it.“It's a really tough thing to talk about, Amy. I haven't talked about it with anyone except my parents and therapist. It's not something I'm comfortable talking about with anyone else right now. I hope you can understand.” I turn my head and look at her.
