A Chat Between Friends (Part 5)
Last Time:
Nora went to talk to Hank. Bo showed up.
*********
“Hey, Bo!” Hank said, his smile getting broader.
Bo stood in the doorway realizing he was interrupting something. “How about I come back in a little bit?” he motioned into the hallway.
“Nonsense,” Hank said, glancing briefly at Nora.
“Of course not, Bo,” Nora added, walking over to retrieve her purse. “I was just getting ready to leave.”
“You don’t have to rush off Nora,” Bo said sincerely.
“Really, Bo, I’ve gotta scoot,” she smiled warmly. Just glancing at his handsome face gave her a warm feeling.
“Don’t go, Nora.” Hank pleaded. Glancing briefly at his watch, “How about we all go grab lunch… Just like old times. Whatta ya say?”
“I don’t know, Hank…” Nora nervously glanced at her own watch. “I need…”
“Nonsense! No excuses. What about you, Bo?”
Bo glanced between Hank and Nora and smiled, “Sure! Why not!! Just like old times!”
“GREAT!” Hank proclaimed before either could change their minds. Taking Nora by the shoulder as she slung her purse strap over her other shoulder. They walked together to the door where Hank placed his other arm around Bo’s shoulder. All three proceeded to the door. The smile on the face of the man in the middle was gleaming from ear to ear.
“How about we grab some Chilidogs??” he asked with a smile in his voice. At the mention of ‘Chilidogs’ the groups forward progress halted as both Nora and Bo shot Hank an accusatory glare, “What???” Hank shrugged, “Don’t you guys like chilidogs anymore?”
Nora scowled briefly at Hank and then sweetly looked at Bo, who shared a similar look with Hank. Both agreed at the same time, “Sure.. Chilidogs will be fine…”
Hank continued to smile as he allowed Nora to lead the way out the door, “Well then great!! Chilidogs it is.” As Hank followed Nora out of the door, Bo graced Hanks shoulder with a fisted nudge.
“Knock it off, will ya!” he quietly admonished.
“What???” was all Hank replied as he shrugged his shoulders with a broad grin.
******
Later at Rod’s Red Hots…
All three sat at a table enjoying their third hot dog. The satisfied look on each face spoke volumes.
With a small, cleansing burp, Nora rested her back against the chair as the two men smiled at her. Wiping her mouth and placing the crumpled napkin on her plate, she smiled, “Now THAT’S a great hotdog!”
They all laughed in agreement as Bo and Hank order another.
“Where are you guys gonna put it, I’m stuffed,” she moaned in discomfort as she took a swig of her beer.
“Always room for one more, right Hank??” Bo said as the waitress placed their chilidogs in front of them. Looking around the packed restaurant. “How long have we been coming here, can you remember, Red?” he asked Nora.
“Gosh Bo, since I moved to Llanview,” smiling at all her memories.
“Yeah,” Bo nodded, “This was definitely a great find.”
“So what’s new in your life, Bo?” Nora asked. Hank continued to chew on his last bite of hotdog as his eyes switched from Nora to Bo.
Wiping his mouth and swallowing, Bo tried to answer, “I’m working on patching things up with Pa.”
“Oh, Bo! That’s wonderful,” she smiled. “I’m sure Asa won’t make it easy.”
“You can count on that,” Bo laughed.
“What else ya been up to Buddy,” Hank smiled as Bo cut him a look. “Haven’t seen you out much lately.”
Adjusting in his seat a bit, he can see that Nora and Hank are waiting for an answer. “Um… Just been hanging out at the garret. Not doing too much.”
“What about this new person in your life, Bo… Come on… Share!” Hank smiled challengingly.
Nora’s interest was definitely peeked as she fought to control the ache in her heart. Putting on her best friendly smile, “You’ve got someone new, Bo?”
Glaring at Hank, “Not really, Nora, just trying to meet new friends.”
“Hard to do if you don’t leave your garret, isn’t it Bo?” Hank asked as he wiped a speck of chili from his lip.
“Let’s not talk about me… What about you, Nora. What’s new in your life?”
She missed the glares passed between Hank and Bo as both men settled their eyes on her. She suddenly felt under scrutiny. “Well… Um… Sam and I have split, but I’m sure you know all about that.”
“Well… Asa did have a little private party,” smiling slightly, “He’ll always think of you as his daughter,” Nora smiled as Bo turned serious, “Are you OK?”
“I’m fine, really. You know… sometimes you just need to know when it’s over and cut your losses.” Bo nods in agreement, but there was something inside of him that was rejoicing at the ending of Sam and Nora’s relationship. “Troy and I have come to an understanding about our feelings for one another.”
“Really?” Bo said with eyebrows raised, his heart pounding, “And what did you two decide?”
“We both had to step back and understand what we were feeling. My feelings for him were totally based on gratitude. He went the extra mile to get Lindsay to confess. I’ll always appreciate that. He just kind of felt responsible for what his brother did.” Sighing as she recalled their conversation, “Neither feeling is a good foundation for a serious relationship. We both realized that.” Bo nods in agreement.
“So where does that leave you?” Hank asked with a big smile.
Nora cut him a look and forced a smile, looking briefly at her watch. “It leaves me very late for a meeting!” She reached around and went to open her purse.
Hank placed his hand on hers, “My treat!” he smiled.
“Gee… Thanks Hank!”
“No!… Thank you! It’s been a very enjoyable lunch!” Hank smiled at her.
Nora glanced at Bo as she stood. “Bo, I hope everything goes well with Asa.”
“Thanks!” he said as he watched her stand. Not wanting her to leave, but understanding that he had no right to ask her to stay. “Maybe we’ll grab lunch again?”
“I’d like that,” she smiled. Tilting her head at Hank, “Maybe next time we’ll leave him at the office!”
“Good idea!” He laughed as Hank feigned being hurt.
“See ya, Boys!” she turned and left, her heart aching to just sit and talk to Bo… Alone… Maybe he could help her sort out her feelings, maybe he could help her move on…
The door barely closed to the restaurant when Bo was grabbing Hank’s arm.
“What the hell were you doing!”
“What?’ Hank smiled. “You know talking to Nora about this might just give you the perspective you need.”
Shaking his head, “Nah, I think I blew it last night.”
“How?” Hank asked.
“You know… I’m not quite sure. We were chatting. Starting to get a little personal…”
“Really???”
“Yes!” Bo smiled and then turned serious, “Then she just said goodbye and logged off.” Shaking his head. “I’m totally confused, and I’m scared she won’t sign back on.” Running his hands through his hair. “Damn it, Hank. I’m in a situation I have no control over.”
“Nora looked great, didn’t she??” Hank attempted to divert his attention.
“Yes she did,” he sighed. “Can I be honest with you, Hank?”
“Sure, ChiliDog… Shoot!”
Bo frowned, “I’m serious here!”
“OK! OK! What??” Hank turned serious.
“I’m so in love with Nora my whole soul aches when she’s near.” Hank smiles as Bo continues. “but I know her well enough to know that we’ll never be together.”
“Why?” Hank asked.
“Oh… I don’t know… Too much water under the bridge. Too many kinks in the armor…” shrugging his shoulders, “Not enough trust, I guess.”
“You should just trust your feelings, Bo… Go with that.”
“I thought I had built some trust with ‘SlowDancer,’ but something happened.”
“SlowDancer?”
“My on-line friend,” Bo replied. “We talked about so many things. Things I would have normally only shared with Nora.”
“You definitely need to meet with this ‘SlowDancer,’ Bo.” Hank threw his money on the table. “And Soon!!” he said as he stood to leave. Bo stood with him, a troubled look on his face.
“SlowDancer, huh?…” Hank said aloud as they stepped out into the sunshine. “Interesting…”
“Kinda cute, isn’t it,” Bo replied with a smile.
“Yes… Very cute… Very cute indeed…”
To be continued…