A Chat Between Friends (Part 7)
Last Time:
‘SlowDancer’ and ‘ChiliDog” agree to meet.
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It’s Friday night and Nora is running around the house like a mad woman. Where was Jess? She wondered. She promised to baby sit and she was running late. Nora glanced at her watch and tapped the crystal cover. Why was the time moving so slowly? Jess wasn’t late, Nora was just in a hurry to meet her anonymous friend.
“Mom! Mom!” Matthew yelled as he ran into the living room where Nora paced the floor. “Can I have my dessert now! Please!!!”
“Glancing at her watch again—it was ten minutes to 6:00. “Honey, can you wait until Jess gets here?”
“When is she coming?”
“She’ll be here in about ten minutes,” putting her watch to her ear and then tapping it again. Frowning, “That’s if my watch is working.”
“That’s too long to wait, Mom. Please! Please!”
Sighing, she decided to go ahead, “Yes, Honey, I’ll get you some ice cream. But you HAVE to eat it in the kitchen.”
“OK! OK1” Matthew smiled.
They both head to the kitchen and Nora begins scooping out the double, double chocolate chip with caramel ice cream into a bowl when the doorbell rings.
“Oh, Matthew, can you get that for Mommy? I’m sure it’s Jess.” She said as she licked the chocolate from her fingers.
“Sure Mom”
Nora fills the bowl and carries it to Matthew. As she reaches for the kitchen door, it suddenly swings inward, knocking the bowl over onto Nora’s one and only royal blue blouse.
Nora stood in stunned disbelief as she glanced down the front of her top. The chocolate was already making its way to her waistband. She looked up, horrified into the sad, apologetic eyes of her son.
“Sorry, Mom,” he said, his head hanging.
“Matthew Hanen!!…” words escaped her.
“It was an accident Mom!” tears beginning to form in his eyes.
Taking a deep, cleansing breath as she reached for the towel on the counter, to attempt to wipe off the chocolate mess. “It’s OK, Matthew,” she finally was able to say. “I know it was an accident.” Handing the towel to Matthew. “Can you please clean up this mess for Mommy, while I change?”
“Yes Ma’am,” he said quietly.
“OK,” taking another breath and patting him lovingly on the head, “I’ll be right back.”
Jess watched Nora run up the stairs, a panicked look on her face. Nora tore through her closet. Not another royal blue top to be found. She glances at her watch, it’s now 6:15. Scowling at her watch, “Oh FINE! Now you decide to work!”
It was hopeless! No navy blue, no light blue, not even a purple blouse. Finally running out of time, she grabbed a black sequined top that had an occasional blue tinge if the light hit it just right. She hurried down the stairs as the doorbell rang.
Yelling into the kitchen, “I’ll get it,” she said as she reached for the door.
Hank stood there immediately appreciating the beauty of the woman standing in the doorway.
“WOW!” was all he could think to say. “Going somewhere?”
“Come in, Hank,” she hurriedly said as she went to grab her coat. “You’ve come just at the right time!”
“What?”
“You’re coming with me tonight!”
“What?”
Nora laughed as she looked into his confused face. “I’m finally meeting ‘Mr. ChiliDog’ tonight Hank. Since you’re here… You’re gonna be my security blanket.”
“You’re actually going to meet your ‘ChiliDog?’” he asked as the smile spread across his lips.
“Yes I am! And you couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Smiling broadly and helping Nora with her coat, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world!”
Nora said goodnight to Matthew and Jess as she and Hank took off for the Palace restaurant.
Bo’s stomach was in knots. He had arrived at the Palace at 6:00, wanting to get a table by the window and in full view of the door. Renee had set him up perfectly after complimenting him on his appearance.
“The only man more handsome than you, Bo Buchanan, is your Pa,” she said as she brushed off the arm of his coat. She didn’t ask why he was dining alone and soon it became very obvious he was waiting for someone. Someone very important to him, Renee guessed.
Bo’s heart stopped as a woman stepped into the doorway. Bo frowned as he tried to figure out if her top would be considered ‘Royal Blue.’ She looked around the room and their eyes met. A smile spread across their faces as she slowly turned and walked to the bar. Bo watched, his heart racing. He finally took a deep breath and walked up behind her.
Leaning in slowly he whispered into her ear, “SlowDancer?”
The nearness of this stranger startled her and she turned around, frowning, “Excuse me?”
Smiling his best smile, “I’m ChiliDog!” he said gallantly.
It was the confused and comical look that crossed her face that made Bo realize the mistake he had made.
“ChiliDog?” she laughed with eyebrows raised.
“Um… I’m sorry…,” he said as he began to back away. “I thought you were someone else… I’m sorry…”
As he continued to move back, she was joined by her date for the evening.
He glanced at the amused look on her face and then at the red hue that was creeping up this man’s face and he asked, “Do you know this guy?”
“He said he was ‘ChiliDog’” she said as she began to laugh.
Bo quickly turned and returned to his table, placing his head in his hands. This was not a good idea, he decided. Just as he was about to cool off from his embarrassment, he glanced toward the door again.
“Oh please God, not tonight,” he begged as a mixed feeling of dread and desire crept into his body. There stood Hank and Nora. “Not Nora! Please not Nora, not tonight!” he said to himself.
Nora stood in the doorway anxiously looking around the room. Her heart sank when she saw Bo sitting there. “Oh No,” she moaned quietly as Hank looked down at her.
“What?” Hank asked.
“Bo’s here,” she sighed. “Of all nights, why tonight?”
“What are the odds?” Hank asked as his tight-lipped grin grew larger. “Do you see ‘ChiliDog’ anywhere?” he asked
“How do I know, Hank! I’ve never seen him before.”
“Oh yeah,” he said, “That is gonna make it kind of tough.”
“He was supposed to be able to find me, but I’m not dressed like he’s expecting. Oh God, this is not going well.”
“Let’s get a seat. I’m sure he’ll find you,” laughing slightly. “As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure he’ll find you.”
Nora frowned briefly before correcting Hank, “Look Hank, we can’t sit together. He’s not expecting YOU! Go get a seat and I’ll find one.”
“What about Bo? He asked. “We can’t just ignore him. He’s all alone.”
“We’ll say hi, then you can join him if you want.” She said as they made their way to his table.
“Hi Nora… Hank!” Bo said with a smile.
“Hi Bo,” Nora said, forcing her own smile.
“Hey Buddy!” Hank smiled. “Dining alone?”
Bo had to think fast. He didn’t want to hurt Nora’s feelings but there was no way he could allow them to sit with him. “Well… Not exactly. I was waiting for a friend.”
“Oh! Oh!” Hank said as Nora seemed preoccupied looking around the restaurant. “Anybody we know?”
“I don’t think so, Hank!” Bo gritted through his teeth.
Nora saw Renee motion that her and Hank’s tables were ready. “Bo, you have a nice evening,” she said sweetly. Looking back at him before they stepped away. “You look very handsome tonight, Mr. Buchanan. She’s a very lucky woman.” Her heart ached as she left for her table, followed by Hank.
Their separate tables were right next to one another, with the backs of their chairs practically touching.
“See anybody that looks like a ‘ChiliDog?” Hank asked laughingly over his shoulder.
“Shut up, Hank!” she scowled. “I can’t believe I’m doing this with Bo in the room. I’m leaving…” she quickly said as she grabs her purse.
“No you’re NOT,” Hank barked. “Sit! And just wait. I’m sure he’ll be here. Heck… He may already be here…” he chuckled.
Nora sighed as she sat back down in her seat and decided to wait, her eyes combing the room, occasionally coming to rest on Bo. They shared an occasional glance, a smile, almost a look of apology at times.
Nora glanced at her watch. It was now 6:50 and no sign of her on-line friend. “He’s not coming,” she finally said to Hank, who sat enjoying the evening more than he should be.
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. Something must have happened to him.”
Bo was becoming increasingly concerned. Not a royal blue top in the place. His heart was aching. It was the mix of not knowing where ‘SlowDancer’ was and wanting desperately to get Nora on the dance floor. He could hardly keep his eyes off of her and his arms ached to hold her.
“That’s enough,” he said as he decided to end his torture and leave. As he stood to leave, Hank rose.
“Where are you going, Hank? Nora asked, nervous that he was leaving her alone.
“Um… I need to speak to Bo a minute.”
“Oh… Hurry back, will ya,” Hank smiled and squeezed her shoulder as he walked away.
Hank caught Bo just in the doorway. “Where ya going Buddy?”
“I think I’ll call it a night, Hank.”
“Your date didn’t show?”
Shaking his head, “I guess not Hank, I don’t see her.”
“Who?” Hank asked, already knowing the answer.
“SlowDancer. We were supposed to meet, she’s not here.”
“Are you sure,” Hank asked as he looked around the room. Both men’s eyes resting on Nora as she smiled back and Hank waved.
“I can’t stay here with Nora here Hank, it hurts too much.”
“Ask her to dance, Bo.”
“What?!? I can’t Hank. I’m supposed to be meeting another woman. Someone I was hoping would help me get over Nora. Dancing will NOT help.”
“Just one slow dance,” Hank said with a smile and as if on cue, the music changed.
Bo sighed as he glanced again at Nora, who was looking around the room as if she were looking for someone. He sighed and smiled as he patted Hank on the shoulder. “One dance won’t hurt, will it?”
“Definitely not,” Hank smiled as he walked back to the table with Bo.
“Hi Nora,” Bo smiled handsomely.
“Hi Commish!” she smiled back.
Holding out his hand, “Would you do me the honor of sharing this dance with me?”
“Um…” she glanced around again, “I don’t know Bo…”
“Oh come on,” Hank pulled back her seat. “Just one dance.” Leaning close to whisper. “I’ll keep an eye out for the hotdog man!” he chuckled.
Nora scowled at Hank as she placed her hand in Bo’s and smiled into his warm blue eyes, her knees practically going weak.
They walked onto the dance floor and Bo immediately pulled her into a tight embrace. Nora’s breath halted as her face brushed against his and her arm came to encircle his shoulders.
“Thank you,” he said quietly as they began to move around the floor.
“My pleasure Bo,” was all she could manage to say with the single breath she allowed to escape.
Hank sat back at his table sipping his drink and waiting…
The music continued to play and Bo and Nora were lost in one another. The room could have been empty for all they cared. The feel of their bodies touching was so familiar.
Was it her imagination or was Bo’s hold on her growing tighter and tighter. She pulled her arm tighter around his neck as his hand held hers. Unconsciously, she let her hand run across his hair and smooth it at the base of his neck. Her simple embrace lit a fire in the pit of Bo’s stomach that almost made him moan.
He eased his hold on her as he slowly moved his head back to look into her dazzling brown eyes. His hand came around to caress the softness of her skin at her temples, down to her earlobe, as his lips lowered to hers.
It was the quick replay of ‘ChiliDogs’ scenario of the evening that caused Nora to stop him, “Stop Bo!” she said breathlessly, wanting his lips to touch hers so badly she ached.
“What?” Bo said, stunned by her words. He could tell she wanted him to kiss her. He could feel it.
“I was supposed to meet someone here tonight…” she said, the pain showing in her eyes.
“Red… I…”
“No, no… I can’t…” she said as she quickly turned, grabbed her purse from the table, as a stunned Hank and Bo looked on, watching her practically run out of the restaurant.
Hank dropped his head in his hands, “I AM NOT BELIEVING THESE TWO!” he growled.
To be continued. . .