- Delta or Capa? - I whisper looking at Jane's empty bed and smile.
She was impressed that the boys respected Jane because of her spontaneity and that no party that she valued would be complete without her presence. She was like a goddess among the groups.
Yawning, walking to the bathroom and taking a long cold bath. Putting on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, I look in the mirror with satisfaction. I decide to take Jane's advice and make a change in my wardrobe.
- We'll see who's a pimp and who's not funny! - I say smiling with disdain.
Before starting my adventure, I go to the cafeteria and have a good iced tea with pancakes. Then I go to the parking lot and pick up my Mercedes, going to the only place where I knew I would buy good parts without spending so much, in addition, of course, to get help on the ones I will buy. Of course, I'd prefer Jane's opinion, but I'd have to trust the saleswomen.
The Bloomingdale's department store was not far from campus, but I choose to go by car instead of on foot. I would use the card that my mother had left with me and I knew she would be happy to see that I was wearing them to buy clothes and shoes. For once, she'd call to congratulate me instead of tormenting me. I walk through the high glass arched doors when I arrive at Soho's most famous department store. She had countless clothes and shoes stores, sheltering the biggest names of famous brands and others not so famous. I decide to start with the shoes when I see Manolo's new collection. I buy two pairs of heels, a pair of boots, which I thought about wearing at work and on campus, a sandal and a sneaker. They are beautiful and very discreet pieces. Satisfied, I leave in search of my clothes. There are countless pieces, between jeans and other more sophisticated ones that enchant me. I get so entertained, by the time I get it, it's time for lunch. I go to the parking lot in order to leave my bags and go to the osteria for a breakfast, before returning to my apartment.
- Good afternoon, miss! - the waiter greets me. - Table for one?
- Yeah. Thank you.
He takes me to a table and introduces me to the menu. I choose spinach and wine capeletti to go with it. If I retire, the waiter leaves me with my thoughts and I take the opportunity to check my cell phone.
- Five calls from Aron! - I sigh. - What a thing!
I type a message badly created for him and I laugh when I imagine his reaction. A thick, deep voice frightens me and I almost knocked my cell phone to the ground.
- Brooke?
- Damn it, I'm scared! - I grumble looking in the direction of my voice, ready to say improprieties.
Surprise, I note that this is Ryder accompanied by a very beautiful woman, old enough to be his mother. She was blond and tall, and like him, her eyes were the same color.
- Ryder? - I frown on him. - What are you doing here?
- I'm sorry about the scare, but I was gonna ask you the same thing.
I look at him in amazement, for Ryder was being a knight instead of the ironic guy he used to be. He kept his face soft while keeping the woman's arm between his own.
- I was shopping and stopped for lunch.
- You? Shopping? - ...he'll have a laugh. - Why didn't you call me? It would be like seeing monkeys using cutlery for the first time.
There he was! The Ryder I used to know, being the usual idiot. I sigh shaking my head.
- Ryder! - the woman scolds him. - Is that any way to treat the girl?
Contrary to what he says, he turns his eyes to me.
- I'm sorry, Mom! Brooke's a roommate who doesn't have the slightest sense of shopping. - he says to still smiling. - That's why I made the joke.
She breathes deeply.
- I'm sorry about my rude son! - she says nicely. - I'm Melanie Taylor!
- Brooke Evans! - I mean by returning the handshake. - You wouldn't happen to be Mel Taylor the famous painter, would you?
- Do you like my paintings?
- I love it, actually! - I say with excitement. - They're very inspiring and authentic. Real works of art.
- You know about art? - she asks with admiration.
- A little! - I answer. - My mother, Linda, taught me a lot of what I know.
- Linda Evans? Country club owner?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
She smiles even more and then looks at Ryder.
- Honey, I'd really like to talk to your friend more. - she says, then look at me. - Do you mind if we have lunch with you?
- Not at all! - I answer by settling down. - It will be a great pleasure!
Very upset Ryder sits in one of the chairs, after helping his mother settle into hers. They accepted my suggestion and ended up making the same request. I am amazed to learn that Ryder cooked and that his favourite food was his omelets with strawberries.
- I confess I've never tasted strawberry omelettes, only syrup.
- They're better when the fruit
