Calah
The driver pulls into an unfamiliar parking area and there are people gathered all around outside. The lights that are flashing and shining make the place look like a party. All the girls standing on the sidewalk in their glittery, strappy dresses make my feel nervous.
“Rhea, where are we?”
“Just, please trust me.”
Our driver lets us out at the curb and Rhea reaches for my hand, “Hey, it’s gonna be okay,” she says with a soft smile.
“Am I really that strange?”
“No, I don’t think so but I know you, you have to figure out how to let people in.”
“Okay, what do I do?”
“Tonight, every guy that talks to you… give him a chance…” she says like it’s clear as day.
“Until he says he doesn’t want a family...?”
“Right, then down the drain,” she giggles.
“Even though I’m leaving?”
“That makes it even better, tonight is about being free and letting go.”
“Alright Rhea, I’ll do my best.”
She walks me into the crowded bar, there are people all over the place but it’s well lit and everyone is dressed to the nines. Rhea stops when she reaches two stools in the middle of the bar, then we sit down.
“Okay Cal, I just spotted the perfect mark for you.”
“Explain.”
“There is an older, made of money type coming this way...” she winks.
“Rhea?”
“Just play it by ear, get free drinks, I’ve got your back.”
The guy Rhea is looking at is a Robert Redford type, suave, mid-50s, good-looking for an older guy.
“What do I do?”
“Look at him and when he meets your eyes, smile. He’s already been looking at you,” Rhea coaches.
“Alright, my dear, here goes nothing.”
When I turn to my left I notice immediately that Rhea was right. I just caught him full on checking me out, he is not being shy about it at all. I check out his shoes first, it’s probably dumb, but my mother told me not to date a man with ugly shoes or something like that. Slowly I let my eyes rove up his body and for an older guy I have to say, he’s very handsome. I follow Rhea’s instructions and when I meet his eyes he smiles and in less than a minute he’s sidling up next to me.
“Hello beautiful, can I buy you a drink?” he grins.
First impression, he thinks he can buy anything but I promised Rhea that I would try. He’s at the very least good-looking. What would Ellamay do?
“Sure, whatever you suggest,” I smile.
"Cristal, only the best for a precious angel like you but don’t let that woo you. I’d like to take you to a fancy restaurant before I sweep you off your feet,” he winks, and his moves are all sorts of cringy.
As I remove his sweaty hand from my thigh I start to get flustered, “I’m getting ready to leave the country sir, I think I’ll have the house wine instead.”
“No, you want Cristal,” he urges me on with his eyes.
“No, I’m not sure if I like that,” I try to say sweetly.
“You must try it because it’s simply the only thing in a place like this worthy of touching your glorious lips.”
Oh my goodness, I feel like I need a shower just from sitting near him, “I’m sorry sir, I’m a simple girl with simple tastes,” I giggle trying to laugh it off.
“Why don’t we just get out of here now, I’ll buy you dinner tonight.”
“Oh um, sir, it’s fine, I just got here, I’m spending the night with my sister,” I lie through my teeth.
“Come on honey, I have a fast car, it’s a brand-new Bentley,” he says with a smarmy smile.
I glance over my shoulder and see that Rhea has left me at the bar to talk to a guy on the other side of the room. If she was here maybe she would say… give him a chance. What would Ellamay do?
“Okay,” I agree.
Without another word he tugs me along to the outside curb of the restaurant. He tosses his key card at the valet then steps back and wraps his arm around me. A chance is one thing, but this is too much. I don’t even know his name… where the hell are you, Rhea?
I’m jolted from my thoughts by the man demanding attention, “I came here in it, you parked it, now go get it,” he yells.
Whoa, what an asshole.
“It’s not hard to find, it’s the most expensive car in your lot! You know the one worth twenty times what you make in a year,” he continues.
The poor valet just looks like he wishes the ground would swallow him up.
“Wow, good night!” I scoff and twist out of his hold then make my way back into the bar without saying goodbye.
I have to find Rhea, but when I walk into the bar she crashes into me on her way out, “Calah! What are you doing?”
“Um, he was an asshole,” I admit regretfully.
“I’m sorry, I thought he would buy you a drink and pay you lots of compliments to help you warm up,” she pouts.
“It’s not your fault, I gave him a chance and said yes but then I was like NOPE!” I laugh.
“See you’re already coming out of your shell, let me buy you a drink,” Rhea giggles.
After we sit down at the bar and order some glasses of wine I start to calm down a little. Sure that guy was an ass but at least I got away from him, these are the skills I need if I’m going to go to a foreign country.
“Hey, Ray, you’re beautiful and know so much about the world, why haven’t you settled down?”
“I guess that I’ve never felt settled with someone.”
“So, I’m not like too behind.”
"You’re not behind but if you think you are it’s never too late to catch up," she assures me.
"How do you know what to do?"
"I guess experience and going with my gut but if I was so good at it, I’d be settled down by now too," she giggles sarcastically.
"I think you gave me good advice," I laugh.
"Which was?"
"Say yes, give them a chance, and wear a hot dress."
Rhea smiles but it quickly turns to a frown, "My brother is getting married next weekend and it’s like I never, ever thought he’d settle down, it makes me feel…"
"Behind?" I suggest, raising my eyebrows.
"Damn Calah, I feel exposed!"
"We’re not behind we’re just waiting for the right man, who knows, they could be just around the corner?" I try to give her advice but clearly I'm failing at it.
"Okay, I guess I have to let you get away with that cheese since it worked for Ellamay."
"We just get back out there and try again…" I laugh because it's another old adage.
"Yeah, and you’ll know when you know," Rhea grins.
"Oh, if you fall off the horse get back on," I can't contain my laughter.
We both burst into a fit of giggles. After we finish our wine we order a few martinis. We stay away from guys for the rest of the night. It’s just nice to be out with Rhea laughing about dating and boys. It makes me realize what I’ve been missing staying home all the time. Now Spain just seems like an even better idea. Sun, sand, freedom, maybe a hot matador? Sign me up!
