A Modern Love
Page 24
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About a week later and after a brisk morning run and quick shower Jennifer exited her apartment anticipating another good day at the library. As she started towards to the parking lot she was approached by Frank. It was less of a bumping into to the new kid in town than it was a deliberate interception of forward progress. I often wonder if Dr. Whitney knows what his mannerisms are saying to folks.
"Well hello Missy ? being new here you might consider introducing yourself," Frank said with an accusatory tone. Jennifer paused for a moment stunned at the rude tone. Her first thought was about being welcomed, and introductions. It should be the other way around, that this man should come by and introduce himself and welcome her to The Villa if he wants to meet her. At least more like the polite Miss Donna. Jennifer thought about saying this for a moment but then decided to hear the man out.
"What's that girly I didn't catch your name?"
"Hello I'm Jennifer Holmes, I ju--?," Jennifer was interrupted.
"Yah yah I know just moved in, I'm Dr. Frank Whitney and I've lived here quite some time. The Villa used to be fairly nice but now, hell I just don't know. I mean take a look at that." Jennifer let her eyes follow Frank's finger to the pool but didn't see anything to complain about.
"Just look at those leaves in the pool; seems nobody cleans that damn thing anymore." Frank sounded as if this was a very big deal. He was overly melodramatic this morning, even for him. Jennifer didn't think a few leaves were worth complaining about. Frank wasn't done yet though.
"Just look at the paint flaking off that eve over there, the gazebos could use a good cleaning, oh yah and watch yourself on the laundry room steps and it sure stinks down there!" Frank was whirling around and pointing vigorously as he spoke. Jennifer found this kind of humorous and actually found him a little endearing; eccentric at best, but endearing none the less.
"Oh, I'm sure they'll get around to addressing all those things at some point," replied Jennifer with an optimistic tone. She also was forcing a smile as she tried to lighten the conversation a bit.
"Don't hold your breath on that one," Frank snapped back with a sarcastic laugh.
"Well I'm ?," Jennifer had that I've got to go tone but was again interrupted before she could finish saying she was headed to work.
"Well let me set you straight right off Jenny?" Jennifer hated being called Jenny, she's a Jennifer, she thought, not a Jenny, Jen or anything else; but she thought it not the time to make that point. "You see that parking lot right over there ? those front spaces they are reserved, got it." Frank was not asking he was telling.
"I see, well I haven't parked up front as of yet," Jennifer didn't realize her mistake of not simply saying yes to Frank. He started in on her.
"I didn't say you had girly, I'm just giving you fair warning not to. See those up front spaces are for people who have earned them. You haven't parked up front yet huh?"
"Well I ?" Jennifer tried to respond.
"Let me finish dear," interrupted Frank with that tenured Professor's tone of condescension. "You kids these days with your back talk, I swear." Jennifer was stunned and just stood there with a hopeless look on her face. "You haven't parked up front yet; well I better not catch you doing it at all toots. You can park to the back of the parking lot, you're young a little walking won't hurt you," Frank was slowing down a bit and speaking more softly, at least for him.
"I understand," said Jennifer while looking at her watch and simply trying to get away, she was already going to be late for work now.
"Good answer Jennifer," Frank rewarded her succumbing to his will by showing her the respect of using her correct name this time. This was a manipulation tactic he learned early on with college freshman; but Jennifer was no freshman. She saw through his antics and found him more of the humorous rambler than aggressive. The funniest part was that he was trying so hard to be mean but he really came across as affable and witty at times.
"I'm glad we can end on a positive note," said Jennifer with an almost authoritative tone. "Now I must be getting to work, I'm certain you understand." Frank was taken aback a bit by her change in tone. He was also impressed with it, she seemed quite articulate. His first thought was that this Jennifer Holmes will be a worthy adversary; that made him smile. Jennifer took this smile as a polite good bye and walked swiftly to her car. Frank yelled out "nice to meet you Jennifer" as she crossed the parking lot. Jennifer yelled back "you too" but didn't turn her head back toward him, she just kept walking.
Over the next few steps to her car Jennifer was surprised to find herself thinking she actually likes Frank. There's just something about him; he's the loveable grumpy old man. She knows he's good inside and is really just faking his anger. Frank just wants someone to talk to him now and think about him later. He probably knows all his neighbors talk about him when he's not around, referring to him as that grumpy Frank, and he likes it. No publicity is bad publicity I suppose.
Jennifer spent the short trip to work worrying about the consequences of her late arrival. I'm the new girl at the library and I'm already showing up late, that's going to look real good. She didn't actually blame Frank but wished that conversation could have happened after work instead of before, or maybe not at all; at least not in that way.
As she walked in the door of the Daviess County Public Library she glanced at her watch and noted that she was a full fifteen minutes late. Some folks wouldn't see it as that big of a deal, but librarians tend to be a bit more rigid and organized/timely than most, they have to be I suppose. Jennifer was concerned.
As Jennifer walked through the center of the library she heard Mrs. James call out, "nice of you to join us Jennifer". Jennifer's heart jumped up into her throat and her head whirled a bit as she turned around to greet her supervisor with a pleasant smile, or at least an attempted smile through the fear inside.
"I apologize for being la?, " she wasn't able to finish her sentence before Mrs. James broke in.
"Oh, that's Ok Jennifer. I hope I didn't scare you I was just attempting some light humor. I'm sure you have a good reason for coming in a few minutes late." Ella James leaned in and whispered her best library whisper, "don't worry about it".
Jennifer was surprised by how understanding Mrs. James was and appreciated the kindness. Mrs. James has people skills, Jennifer thought, as she happily got to work. She smiled inside and knew it was going to be a good day.