“Did he ask you out?”
“Not exactly. He did mention that his band rehearses in the residents’ lounge every Thursday night and he invited me to stop by. He said there are always lots of people hanging out and having a good time.”
“So if he checks out okay, you’re going, right?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you know? Do you think he’s secretly freaky or something?”
“Geez. No, I don’t think he’s secretly freaky. Do you really think I should go?”
“Sure. Why not?”
Maddie hesitated and said, “You know why I’m hesitant. That’s why I’m calling you for advice.”
“The answer seems obvious to me. He likes you enough to ask you to come hang out, and you seem to like him too, so you go.”
Maddie paused for a moment then said, “Do you think it would be safe?”
Sancha sighed and said, “Try not to worry so much.”
“I have a good reason to worry, and you know it,” protested Maddie.
She sat down on her barstool and poured herself a glass of wine.
“You know I understand more than anyone,” said Sancha. “But you are due to have some fun in your life. You need to get out and meet people, make friends, date, and have a good time. You can’t just waste away your life in that apartment, being a recluse.”
Maddie silently contemplated her friend’s words. She knew Sancha had a point, but her intuition told her to be cautious.
“I don’t know. There’s a part of me that wants to go, and a part of me that thinks I shouldn’t even start anything.”
“Well, you called me for advice and my advice is for you to go. Go—have a good time, socialize, meet some new people, and quit worrying. Just because you go doesn’t mean you are starting something. If nothing else, maybe you’ll make some new friends.”
Maddie didn’t respond.
Sancha apparently sensed her hesitation and continued more forcefully, “Maddie, I want you to promise me you will go.”
“I don’t know if I can do that. I still haven’t made up my mind.”
Sancha cut her off, “Then I’m making your mind up for you because I love you. And I think it’s about time you let go of everything from your past and get a life.”
Maddie knew her friend truly cared about her and meant well. She sighed. “I know deep down that you’re right. I just don’t know if I can do this.”
“Of course you can do this, cariño. Promise me you will go to the rehearsal. And I want a full report.”
Maddie silently debated.
“Okay, I don’t normally do this, but you’ve forced me. If you won’t do it for you, then do it for me,” said Sancha.
Maddie whined, “That’s not fair, Sancha.”
Sancha ignored her and went on, “It’s not very often that I ask you to do something for me. So now I’m asking you, sincerely, please do this for me.”
Maddie sighed again and said, “Okay, okay, already. I’ll do it. I’ll go. Against my better judgment, I’ll go.”
“Great! You’ll be so happy you decided to go. Trust me. You’ll be fine, and you’ll have a great time. And even if all that comes out of this is you make new friends, it will be a step forward. Now, aren’t you glad you called? You can thank me later.”
“Yes, so glad,” said Maddie sarcastically, not quite convinced.
“Deep down I think you know I’m right. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. You just needed confirmation.”
Maddie mumbled, “We’ll see.”
“Cheer up, girl. Everything is going to be fine. I’d better go now. I’ve got to get back to the garden. Remember, I want a full report on Friday. Adios, amiga.”
“Yes ma’am, and good-bye.”
Chapter 3
Time seemed to slow to a snail’s pace as Adam waited for Thursday night to come. When it finally did, he had a bounce in his step and a gleam in his eyes when he entered Blondies Sports Bar to meet the guys for their customary pre-rehearsal gathering. “The guys” also affectionately included Lacey, the keyboardist, her girlfriend, Sam, and Claire, Zach’s girlfriend. One of the largest sports bars in the Manhattan area, Blondies served up TVs at every angle and free-flowing pub grub and suds. Adam spotted his friends at the usual table and headed to join them. His best friend and lead guitarist, Zach, waved him over.
Adam pulled up a chair. Zach gave him a fist bump and handed him a beer. Lacey seemed to notice his excitement first.
“Why the extra-big, creepy grin?” said Lacey, true to her blunt, no-nonsense self. “You look like The Joker.”
“I can always count on you for a compliment, Lacey,” said Adam. “I’m just excited for tonight’s rehearsal, that’s all.”
“Um-hmm. Right,” said Lacey, looking unconvinced. “Am I right, Sam?”
Sam laughed and rolled her eyes as she nodded.
Claire’s eyebrows rose as she studied Adam’s face. Ever since she had started dating Zach, she and Adam had also developed a close friendship, although it hadn’t always been that way. Admittedly, Adam had been jealous when Zach and Claire’s relationship had grown so serious. He missed the shenanigans he and Zach always seemed to get into. When Claire had come along, Zach often invited him to hang out, but Adam often felt like the third wheel since he had not yet found a serious relationship of his own.
“Seriously, Lancaster. For being The Joker, you have no poker face. What’s going on with you?” said Claire as she dipped a pretzel bite into the cheese and popped it into her mouth.
“I’m just happy to see all of your bright, shining faces,” said Adam.
Claire rolled her eyes. Lacey shook her head.
Zach chimed in. “You’re so full of bullshit, Adam. Just tell us already.”
Adam feigned being hurt. “What? Am I that transparent?”
“You’re so transparent you’re like a fuckin’ ghost,” said Luke as he took a swig of his beer and then began to chant, “Tell us. Tell us. Tell us. Tell us. Fuckin’ tell us.”
“What are you, a child?” asked Adam as he taunted back.
Jason
