“How’s my baby girl?” Dad asked as he wrapped his arms around me when I came in.
“I’m good, Daddy,” I answered when he let me go and took my coat.
“How’s teaching?” Mom called from the kitchen.
“It’s good too,” I called back then went toward the kitchen to help her with dinner.
“Get the bread out of the oven, would you?” Mom instructed after giving me a kiss on the cheek when I came in.
Dad had followed and now leaned against the counter. “So you’re teaching PE, huh?”
“Coaching, Daddy,” I answered as I put an oven mitt on. “I’m Coach Manjajelly,” I said with a snort as I bent to pull the garlic bread out.
“Oh, coaching. I see.” He chuckled at that. Dad had hoped I’d go into engineering, following in his footsteps, but I’d explained to him that teaching was a calling, almost like preaching, I guessed, and it’s what I felt I was supposed to do. He still balked a little at my career choice but he was beginning to come around.
“Coach Manjajelly?” Mom questioned as she put pasta on our plates.
“The first graders can’t seem to say our last name.” I set the bread on the stovetop.
“Why don’t you tell them to call you Frankie?” Dad asked as he carried the plates to the table.
“Tony. She can’t have her students calling her by her first name,” Mom scolded.
“Coach M, then,” he answered with a shrug.
“That works,” I muttered as I put a cloth in a basket then tossed the hot slices of bread into it.
“Come on,” Mom prompted. “It’s ready.” She carried the pot of sauce to the table and told me to grab the salad bowl on my way in.
We chatted a bit while Dad poured the wine each of us putting salad in our bowls and sauce onto our noodles. Then it got really fun.
“Sharee says you met a boy,” Mom declared.
Holy shit. I was going to kill her. Class or not, no wonder she didn’t want to come with me tonight.
“Uh, well, yeah, I guess I did,” I mumbled.
“Who is he?” Dad asked.
“Just some guy.”
“Sharee said his name’s Ryker and he’s a wrestler and very handsome!” Mom cooed.
Great.
“He’s nice looking,” I supplied with a scowl. Sharee was getting her ass kicked when I got home.
“So are you dating him?” Mom asked, twirling noodles around her fork and looking at me almost rabidly.
Good grief. Mom’s twin sister Valerie’s daughter, my cousin Gia, had just had a baby and now Mom was dying to be a grandma.
“Vi,” Dad warned.
“What? I’m asking my only child if she’s dating someone. What’s wrong with that?”
Dad shook his head and kept eating.
“We’re not dating, Mom,” I explained.
“Why not?”
I sighed. “Because he’s not interested. We’re just, uh, friends.”
The look of disappointment on her face killed but whatever. I was only twenty-two. There was still plenty of time for me to give her the gazillion grandkids that she craved.
“Why wouldn’t he be interested? Look at you! You’re beautiful, intelligent, sweet! The boy must be out of his mind! And what kind of name is Ryker?”
“Vi.”
“What, Anthony?” Oh, lord. She was calling him by his full name which meant she was pissed.
“Mom, he’s just not into relationships.”
“What do you mean not into relationships? Sharee said you spent the night with him!”
Bad time to be taking a drink of wine.
“I’m gonna kill her,” I choked out, wiping my mouth on my napkin.
“Topic change,” Dad insisted. “How about those Mariners? Huh?”
I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. Sharee, Gladys and I always joked about how when Dad was uncomfortable with a conversation, he’d bring up the Mariners. But right now I was immeasurably glad I kept up with the local sports teams because he and I launched into a conversation about baseball while Mom pouted. Jesus.
After dinner, I helped clear the table and did the dishes keeping up the sports chat with Dad so Mom couldn’t ask about Ryker again.
“So have you met any other boys?” Mom’s curiosity got the better of her when I started the dishwasher.
“No, not really. Don’t worry, though. I’m sure I’ll find one and be knocked up before you know it. The playing field between you and Aunt Val will be even in no time.” I couldn’t help but be a little annoyed by this point.
“Francesca!” she chided.
I turned to her. “Well, that’s what you want, right?”
“Yes, but you don’t have to be crass about it.”
I rolled my eyes but felt bad that I’d been rude. “Sorry. It’s just a touchy topic right now.”
“Why?”
“Let it go, Vi. Can’t you see she doesn’t want to talk about it?”
Thank you, Dad!
Before Mom could keep going, I said, “I’m gonna head back. I’ve got classes tomorrow, so I need to get some sleep. Thank you for dinner.” I gave them each a hug and kiss on the cheek promising to come back next week.
Sitting in my car before taking off, I texted Sharee.
Text Message—Thurs, Jan 15, 9:23 p.m.
Me: Just warning you I hate you very much right now
Text Message—Thurs, Jan 15, 9:23 p.m.
Ree: LOL
Text Message—Thurs, Jan 15, 9:23 p.m.
Me: You’ll think LOL when I get home
Text Message—Thurs, Jan 15, 9:24 p.m.
Ree: You should call your mom more often so she doesn’t have to call me to find out what’s going on in her only child’s life. The woman should’ve been a detective with her powers of persuasion at making me talk. Sorry.
By the time I got home Sharee was gone, having texted a few minutes before I got there saying she had to run to get shampoo which was a good thing because I was in a mood and a half. But I was tired, so after showering and putting on my pjs, I plopped into bed and was out like a light, not even hearing her come in.
~*~*~*~
Ryker wasn’t at school the next day. Coach G informed me that he had a tournament out of town, which I told myself I couldn’t have cared less. My classes went great with all of them opting to play dodgeball which still made me shake my head, and this time only a total of eight kids had to go to the nurse’s office all day, which Coach G said was an all-time low.
By the end of the day I was beat, having jumped in to play a bit with the kids because I must’ve been out of my freaking mind. The younger grades weren’t bad but some of the older kids weren’t lacking in ball-throwing skills making me duck, dive and dodge to avoid being knocked upside the head several times. Jeez. I couldn’t wait to get home and have a long soak in the tub but when I got there Sharee told me I needed to go somewhere with her.
“But I don’t wanna,” I whined like one of my first graders and throwing myself onto the sofa.
“It’ll be fun,” Sharee assured me.
“I feel like I’m eighty.”
“Whatever. Get your octogenarian ass in the shower and get ready.”
“Where’re we going?” I moaned.
“It’s a surprise.”
Pulling myself up off the couch and giving Sharee a grouchy look, I limped to my bedroom to get some clothes then hobbled into the bathroom. God, I was only twenty-two. I needed to start working out again. Yay.
“Okay, I’m ready,” I called from my room.
“Let’s go!”
I had to catch up with her outside as she jumped into her Saab.
“Good grief. What’s going on? Where’s the freaking fire?” I asked buckling my seatbelt.
“You’ll see!” she semi-squealed. I knew it had to be something big because Sharee rarely squealed about anything.
When we ended up at the airport, I asked with a frown, “What’re we doing here?”
“C’mon!” she said, getting out of the car.
“You better not have gotten me a mail-order husband.”
I followed her into the airport to concourse C wondering what the heck was going on until we made it around the corner and I heard someone screaming.
“What the…” I barely got out before being tackle hugged.
The next thing I knew, Sharee, Gladys and I were jumping up and down in a group hug.
“What are you doing here?” I finally asked, astonished that she’d flown in.
“I left some stuff at Mom and Dad’s over Christmas and they couldn’t send it all to me, so I’m back to get it! I wasn’t sure when I could make it until Ree told me about the party tomorrow night, and I thought it’d be perfect for me to come so we could help find you a new boyfriend!”
Oh, my God. Talk about spoiling the fun.
I gave both of them a disgusted look. “I don’t need a boyfriend.”
“We’ll talk about that later. Let’s get out of here!” Gladys suggested picking up the carry-on she’d dropped to hug Sharee and me, then looping her arm through mine she pulled me through the airport with her.
In the car on the way to the apartment, Gladys showed us pictures on her phone of her latest designs, and we all three screamed when she told us that Michael Kors had come by to give a lecture. I was so glad she was happy and loving what she was doing.
“Before we go to your apartment, my lovely friends, take a detour! I’m taking you to Spinasse!” She turned and looked back at me. “I owe you, remember?”
Oh, I remembered all right. And I was definitely going to let her buy me dinner, if not only for the fact that her parents were both doctors and had money coming out the wazoo and she could afford it, but she’d promised anyway.
“Sounds great!” Sharee said as she took the exit that would get us to the restaurant.
“And when we’re there, we’ll figure out what kinda guy we need to find for you,” Gladys tacked on.
I huffed. “Why am I the charity case all of a sudden? Ree’s single too. And so are you for that matter!”
Gladys chuckled. “Oh, I’ve got my eye on someone and Ree just got out of a relationship. You’re the only one who needs someone!”
“Seriously? I don’t need anyone, Glad. Can’t we just have fun hanging out while you’re here?” I saw her glance at Sharee who shrugged. “I mean it! If I’m supposed to be with someone, I’ll be with them. Leave it alone. Please!”
Here’s the deal. The reason I was so irritated (other than the fact that they wouldn’t leave things alone) was they’d done this to me a couple times before, ganged up on me in a way. At the end of our sophomore year in high school, my first year there, they’d decided I needed to run for Miss Greenling. Since I was new, I had no idea what the pageant title meant but I’d done pageants in Texas when I was little so I was okay with the idea. Until I figured out what Greenling meant when I’d won and was made to pose for pictures holding a stinky, slimy greenling fish acting as if I was kissing it. It’d taken me a couple days to get over being mad at them, neither having understood my embarrassment since they’d known what the pageant was about and that was the normal thing the winner did not taking into account that I’d been clueless.
Then there was the Chris Swartz incident our junior year when they’d made it very clear to him that I had a crush on him at which he’d just snorted and the very next day had very demonstratively come out of the closet by holding Tommy Kinzer’s hand in the hallway.
“We’re just trying to help,” Sharee mumbled.
“I know, but I don’t need your help,” I mumbled right back.
We were quiet for a few minutes before pulling into Spinasse and Gladys broke the silence. “Okay. We’ll let it drop. But only if you promise to have a look around tomorrow night. Deal?” She and Sharee turned to look at me.
Good lord. I needed to get new friends.
“Whatever,” I answered and got out of the car.
~*~*~*~
It was Saturday night and we were getting ready for the SAE party, which I couldn’t not go to since Gladys was here. I just hoped she and Sharee cooled it on the trying to hook me up with someone gig.
“Here! Wear this!” Gladys said, coming into my bathroom holding up a gorgeous cream-colored, long-sleeved lacy blouse. “I made it last week. Isn’t it adorable?”
“It’s beautiful. You sure?” I asked, pushing off the counter where I’d been leaning to put on my mascara in the mirror.
“Yes! I made it with you in mind so it’s yours! That color will go perfectly with your olive skin!” She looked at me for a second then at the shirt for another, finger on her bottom lip before saying, “It needs something.” She hung the shirt on the shower curtain rod and stared at it for a moment more before the light bulb went on over her head and she scurried out of the bathroom. When she came back in she held a gorgeous black silk scarf with pink flowers on it. “This is what it needs,” she stated as she draped it around the neckline of the blouse. “Keep this too.”
“Wow,” I remarked in awe as I looked at it. It was perfect. “How do you know this stuff?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I think it’s kinda like a cook who knows which spice to put in.” She shrugged. “And let’s hope this Ryker guy’s there and sees you in this, so when you find a new boyfriend, he’ll be really jealous.”
Here we went again.
I took a deep breath, trying to control my temper, so tired of hearing that. “He won’t be there. He’s at a tournament out of town.” Gladys raised an eyebrow at me in the mirror while she smoothed on some lip gloss. “Coach G told me yesterday in PE why he was gone. That’s the only reason I know.” I shrugged nonchalantly letting her know I couldn’t have cared less but I’m sure I didn’t fool her.
“Darn. I wanted him to be there so you could show him what he’s missing out on when we find you someone else.”
Okay, I’d had it.
“I’ve had it!” I shrieked. “Stop trying to set me up! Jesus!” Sharee walked into the bathroom just then and did a turnabout. “Oh no. You get your ass back in here!” I called. When she reluctantly came back, I continued. “Both of you stop it. I know you love me and that’s why you’re doing this ganging up thing again but stop.” Their looks of innocence first at me then at each other made me want to smack them. “Greenling? Chris Swartz? Remember?” At least they both nodded knowing what I was getting at which made me calm down. “Look. I’m fine. I don’t need anyone. If I find someone, well, whoopee for me. But if not, I’m good. So for the last time, get it through your thick skulls that I’m fine, okay?”
They both nodded again.
Gladys and I continued our makeup routine in silence until Sharee broke it. “How ‘bout those Mariners?”
We all burst into laughter and the conversation was behind us. Thank God.
And even though they dropped it, I still secretly hoped I’d find someone. I mean, not at this party just somewhere. Because although I tried acting like I didn’t care about Ryker I knew I still did, which sucked. But I also knew I needed to move on.
And that’s what I planned on doing.