Outcome

by Kim Pritekel

  "What time is it?"

  "Nearly seven-thirty."

  Haley finished her food, and pushed the plate away, smiling at me. I looked at her.

  "Yes?"

  "Okay. I’m ready for more." I chuckled, pushing my own salad away. She looked at it, the bit I’d left. "You’re not going to finish that? How dare you leave such a great salad to go to waste."

  "Well, if I finish my salad, there’s no way I can finish my salmon."

  "Wuss." She grabbed the plate, and began to chow down. I shook my head, astounded.

  "Are you pregnant, or something?" she laughed.

  "Yeah, right. Aren’t there certain physical conditions that need to be met for that?"

  "Oh yes, virginal one." She grinned.

  "Salmon?" The waitress, who seemed to just appear, placed my dinner in front of me. "Careful. The plate is hot. And crab cakes." Haley was grins from ear to ear.

  "Thank you." She smiled at us.

  "Can I get you anything else?" The waitress looked from one of us to the other.

  "Nope. I think we’re good to go." I said. With one last smile, she left.

  "Wow. Does this ever look excellent." Haley smiled at her meal, then at me. "Thanks, Andi." She picked off the little sprig of mint leaf.

  "Anytime."

  Not another word was spoken as we both dug into our meals, swapping bites, and closing our eyes in utter delight. The service was superb, the food divine, and the night perfect. I couldn’t have written it better myself.

  Finally, empty plates sat before us both. The waitress was back in a flash, almost as if she’d been watching us to see when we’d finish.

  "Dessert, ladies?" Haley looked at me with hope in her eyes. I nodded at her.

  "Chocolate-raspberry mousse, please?" she asked, the excitement of a child shining in her eyes. God, she was so adorable.

  "Ma’am?" Blinking rapidly, I looked up at the waitress’s expectant face.

  "Oh, sorry. I’ll have the banana gelato, please." With a smile, she was gone, only to return with a few friends moments later.

  I heard the clapping from the other side of the restaurant, and grinned as I knew what was coming. I glanced down at my watch, happy to see they were right on time, then up at Haley. She look confused as she tried to look around the place to see where the noise was coming from. It got louder and louder until ten waiters and waitresses stood around our table, clapping their hands, our waitress standing in front with Haley’s mousse in her hands, a single lit candle in it.

  Haley shook her head, for the first time turning completely red.

  "No," I smiled, loving her embarrassment at such direct attention. The wait staff began to sing Happy Birthday in harmony with each other. I was impressed; it actually sounded great. Even though Haley looked like she wanted to hide under the table, I could tell she was enjoying it.

  They finished their song, all the guys giving her a kiss on the cheek as they walked by, wishing her a happy birthday. I just about died laughing at that. I had no idea they’d do that, but Haley didn’t seem to mind.

  When everyone le

  ft, she grabbed her spoon, pointing it at me accusingly. I just laughed and began to eat my gelato.

  We ate our dessert, and I glanced at my watch again.

  "Oh, we have to go. Are you done?" I asked, looking up just in time to see Haley trying to get every single last drop of mousse with her spoon.

  I grinned. "Why don’t you lick it?" She looked at me, then around, then back at the dessert dish. With an evil look, she stuck her finger into the glass dish, and ran it all over the inside, catching all those stubborn bits that her spoon just couldn’t catch. Closing her eyes in pleasure as she stuck the finger in her mouth, the smiling at me.

  "Yum." I shook my head.

  "You are an absolute nut, you know that, Haley?" She nodded.

  "That I do."

  Our waitress had put our ticket on the table in the little leather binder. Haley swiped it off the table. I just stared at her.

  "Ha! I am not about to let you pay for this." She opened the binder to see a piece of paper that simply said, "Thank you, and please come again." She looked at me, confused.

  "Why don’t you put that down, and let me give you your present?"

  "You mean this wasn’t enough of one? And what’s up with this?" She flashed the paper at me.

  "Ah, the wonders of the credit card numbers." She glared at me. "It’s all taken care of, Haley, so get over it."

  "Thank you."

  "You’re welcome. Happy birthday." I reached into the inside pocket of my jacket, and took out the long envelope I had stashed in there. "Here." I put it on the table in front of her. "You’ve got to make this snappy."

  "Okay." She grabbed it, ripping into the paper, and pulling the humorous card out. Reading it, she laughed. "Ha ha. You’re an old hag, too, I hope you know." I smiled. A smaller envelope was inside, and she took it, setting the card down. With a drawn brow, she opened it, and pulled the two tickets out. As she read them, her eyes got huge, and her mouth fell.

  "She’s having a Fourth of July concert?" she whispered, looking back at the tickets. "And, oh my god! How did you get backstage passes for Linda? I had no idea she even did that!" She stood from her chair, grabbing me from mine, and tugging me to her. Nearly having the breath knocked, then squeezed out of me, I hugged her back, so happy she liked it.

  "I got you two so you could take someone with you." She pulled back from me staring down at them again.

  "Third row back, center," It hit her what I had said. "Take someone with me? Are you kidding me? Andi, there is no ‘someone’. It’s you or no one." I had hoped she’d say that. I wanted so badly to experience that concert with her.

  "Well, the option is there, okay?" She nodded, then grabbed me in another bone-crushing hug.

  "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

  "You’re welcome. Come on, woman. We have to get out of here."

  We hurried through the restaurant, and to my glee, the customers were telling her happy birthday as we passed. She took all in stride, being her usual gracious, charming self. At the door, she turned and gave them all a huge bow.

  In the car, I turned to her.

  "Okay, turn away from me." She did as told, and I took the sleep mask from my jacket pocket, tying the black, satin ties behind her head.

  "Oh, Andi. I had no idea you were into the kinky." I grinned.

  "You have no idea. Can you see?"

  "No. Not really."

  "Good. Now just sit back and relax."

  "Is this going to hurt?" she asked.

  "Maybe. Especially if you peek."

  I got the car started, and the heat going strong, as it was really cold in the car, and outside, and I figured it would be best to get her warmed up now.

  As I drove, I glanced over at her, and saw that she was resting her head against the back of the seat, the slightest bit of a smile on her face. She looked so relaxed and peaceful, and utterly beautiful. As we had eaten dinner, I had watched her, the way she moved, the way she spoke and her expressions. How was it fair that one woman could be so beautiful and kind, yet intelligent and talented all at the same time? It wasn’t fair.

  I cleared my thoughts as I knew I’d start going into dangerous territory, and concentrated on the road. We had just had another storm this morning, so the streets were slick. I was so glad it wasn’t snowing now.

  Just up ahead I saw all the lights, as well as our mode of transport, and began to get excited.

  I pulled the Jeep up next to the carriage, always in awe at the sheer size of the Clydesdales. Turning to Haley, I quickly untied her blindfold, and shoved it back into the inside pocket of my coat. She opened her eyes, pushing some hair out of her face, her eyes stopping when she saw the horses. In fact, they grew huge.

  "Wow," she breathed.

  "Come on." I opened my door, and hurried around to the carriage. The driver was waiting for us. He was in a tuxedo, but you
could barely see that beneath the layers he wore.

  "Good evening, Haley." He smiled at my friend. "Happy birthday, and watch your step." He helped her into the convertible carriage, and then me. I sat in the seat next to her, where we were shoulder to shoulder in the narrow space.

  "Where are we?" she asked, looking around.

  "Crowsbend," I said, reaching beneath the seat. Bingo. I brought out the thermos. "Hot chocolate?" She grinned, her breath coming out in white puffs.

  "My, you do think of everything. Please." I pulled off the top cap that served as a cup, as well as the lid underneath. "Crowsbend? This is a hugely wealthy area."

  "Yes it is." The driver urged the horses on, and we began to move. Haley looked like she’d burst when we started going, the little sled-like bottom on the carriage making a soothing swishing sound on the packed snow. I looked behind us to see the tracks they made. Turning back, I saw that Haley’s eyes were everywhere. All the houses were lit up with Christmas lights and scenes in the massive front yards.

  "Wow. Look at that. There must be a million little lights in that display. Hey, look!" She pointed to a house we were passing. "Santa is sticking out of one of their five chimneys."

  "Yeah." I smiled. "He’s waving at us." I reached my arm up. "Hey, Santa!" I called. Haley giggled, waving, too.

  "My god! How many bedrooms do you think that place has?" she asked, pointing to one coming up at the end of the block.

  "Jeez, seven? Eight, maybe."

  "Wow. I bet my entire condo is the size of just their foyer."

  "I hear you. When I was looking to buy a house, I actually looked at a place over here. I could have done it if I never wanted to go out again,"

  "Or buy boots."

  "Hey, you have to have priorities." She laughed, scooting in closer to me, sharing our body heat as we sipped the hot cocoa.

  It was an extraordinary night, being taken throughout the neighborhood, seeing incredible setups in houses and Christmas lights. There was even an obviously Jewish family, as the entire house was lit up with decorations of the Jewish faith. A huge Star of David on the roof, and an outline of a menorah on the lawn, complete with yellow lights to represent the flames. There was even a Santa who was losing his pants as he tried to climb out of a chimney.

  We laughed and talked, and pointed, and giggled. I felt like I was ten years old again, yet very much a woman as I felt Haley link her arm with mine, tugging on me to point something out, or leaning her head on my shoulder as we stared at a beautiful house.

  "This is magical," she whispered against my neck. I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to memorize every aspect of this for my mental photo album that I could flip through later. I wanted to be able to recall the smell of Haley’s shampoo, the smell of all the fireplaces that were lit in the houses around us, the smoke pouring out into the night, mingling to tickle my nose. I wanted to be able to recall the way the snow looked, the street lights making it look like an orange wonderland as we passed under them. The magnificent beasts that pulled us along, and the driver that talked to them ever so gently, prodding them along to obey his commands.

  I leaned my head against Haley’s head, remembering what she had said.

  "Yeah." I agreed. "Magical."

  Eventually the ride came to an end, and it was time to leave the fairytale, and head back into reality. I gave the driver an extra large tip, which he acknowledged with a smile, and the tip of his hat. Haley and I got back into the Jeep, me turning the heat on full blast, rubbing my gloved hands together. After being out in that for thirty minutes, I was pretty much an Andisicle.

  I turned to my passenger to see that peaceful smile from earlier still on her lips.

  "Did you enjoy yourself?" She leaned her head back against the head rest, and looked over at me, nodding.

  "Definitely. This is truly the best birthday I’ve ever had, Andi. Thank you." I was thrilled.

  "You’re very welcome, Haley. And, you, too are worth it." I smiled, she smiled back.

  * * *

  I smiled when I saw Kendall run out of the house, her purse in her hand. She’d be eleven soon. Where does the time go?

  "You know, Andi, I don’t know how I didn’t see it before." Haley said from the passenger seat next to me.

  "See what?" I asked her, not taking my eyes off the girl.

  "That she’s your daughter. You two have the exact same eyes." I smiled.

  "Yeah. I was always so glad she got something of mine."

  "Oh, it’s more than just that. She got your mouth, too." She stopped herself short as the door was thrown open, and a little bundle of energy was whisked into the backseat.

  "Hi!" she exclaimed, hugging me from behind, wrapping her arms around the head rest to my neck. I squeezed her forearm.

  "Hey, you." Then to my surprise, she did the same to Haley. I smiled over at her as Haley was grins from ear to ear. She grabbed my daughter’s arms in return.

  "How’s my favorite ten year old?" Haley asked.

  "Good." I got the Jeep in gear, and we were on our way to the Mall of America.

  "Are you ready for a full day of shopping, kiddo?"

  "Yeah! Christmas!" Haley and I both grinned.

  "That’s right." Haley turned as far as her seatbelt would allow, and looked back at the girl.

  "Honey, is your seatbelt on?" I asked, looking at her through the rearview mirror.

  "Yep." Came the enthusiastic reply as she snapped the belt that went over her narrow chest. Soon that chest would be developing. God, where did the time go?

  "So, how’s school, Kendall?" Haley asked.

  "Ick. I don’t wanna talk about that." I watched the conversation through the mirror, my brows narrowing.

  "Why? What’s wrong with school?"

  "Stupid boys." She pouted. That’s my girl. I chuckled to myself.

  "Oh, yeah? Want to talk about it?" Haley asked, putting her hand on Kendall’s leg. The girl shook her head. "Okay. We don’t have to."

  "Andi?"

  "Yeah, hon?"

  "Can we play a CD?" I glanced over at Haley to see she was already looking at me.

  "Uh, sure. Give it to Haley."

  She unzipped the small bag she had with her, and handed over a jewel case. Haley took it, sitting in her seat, facing the front.

  "Tempo Toys," she read, and glanced at me again. I rolled my eyes. God, I hate boy bands. I glanced over at the cover to see five young guys standing in various poses on the front.

  "They’re the coolest!" Kendall gushed, a huge grin on her face.

  "Yeah? Which one is your favorite?" Haley showed the case to the girl, and without hesitation, Kendall grinned, showing the hole where one of her front teeth was supposed to be.

  "Adam," she said shyly.

  "Which one is that?" Kendall pointed to the boy standing in the middle, his feet spread wide apart in a tough-guy stance, one arm outstretched as he pointed a finger at the onlooker.

  "He looks like he barely shaves," I muttered. Haley smacked me on the thigh then slid the CD into the player. Immediately I regretted my decision to let this rubbish be played in my car. But, such is the way it goes when you have a ten year old.

  "Do you think those sideburns are real?" Haley asked quietly as Kendall began to really jam with the music, singing along. To my amazement, she actually had a great voice for a little turkey. Thank god she didn’t get mine.

  I glanced over at the boy Haley indicated, sideburns down to his jawbone.

  "No, I think they’re painted on, personally." She grinned.

  "Do you remember those god-awful boy bands from when we were young?" she asked quietly. I chuckled.

  "Yeah. ’NSYNC and Backstreet Boys."

  "Oh, and do you remember that skank Britney Spears?"

  "What’s skank mean?"

  "Oops." Haley grinned.

  "Um, it’s not a nice word, Kendall." I called back to her. The damndest things they hear.

  The drive to the mall w
as long, but luckily Michelle Torrini had had the foresight to send Kendall with a Gameboy and some books. But, finally we got there, and none too soon for a certain ten year olds bladder.

  The day was split up into basically three shopping trips. All three of us together buying for Kendall’s parents, and Haley and I shopping for our families, and then Kendall went with Haley so I could get some extras for her, and then Kendall was with me so Haley could shop for me and Kendall.

  I had already decided, and had talked with the Torrini’s about, getting Kendall a computer. She was getting to the age where she needed one, especially when they had started using them in school from just about day one. Kendall’s parents didn’t have the money to buy her one, so why not me? They had been thrilled at the idea.

  I knew Haley had planned to get her some software for it, and I was picking up a joystick and game for stocking stuffers. I wouldn’t be seeing Kendall this Christmas, which was a week and a half away. That hurt, but it wasn’t my choice, and I had no say. The family was heading out west to spend the holidays with Michelle’s parents in Colorado. I would be having my Christmas with Kendall when they got back.

  I pushed those thoughts out of my head as I wanted to have a fun day, and boy did we ever! It was like I was with two ten year olds instead of one. Man, Haley was born to be a mother. She said otherwise, but she’d make a great mom. Funny; she said the same about me.

  We ate, we laughed, we shopped until we nearly dropped. Kendall had to be back early today as they were leaving for Colorado tomorrow morning. So, the shopping trip had to be cut a little short.

  The girl conked in the car as we drove back to her house. She clutched her Gameboy in one hand, game long forgotten as sleep took over. Haley reached back, turning the power off so the batteries wouldn’t die.

  Haley got comfortable in her seat, sighing contentedly.

  "Did you hear about the New Year’s party the hospital is putting on?" I asked, my voice quiet so as not to wake Kendall. Haley rolled her head toward me, and nodded. "Are you going?"

  "Oh, I don’t know. I’ve thought about it. You?"

  "I doubt it. Date required." I grinned.

  "Oh, come on, Andi. I can’t imagine that would be a problem for you. I’m sure there are plenty of lonely women running around that hospital." I shook my head.