A Woman in Search Of...

At home Wendy called her cousin Jake to tell him about the opening of The Shade House.

“Hi Jake.”

“How are you?”

“I’m calling to tell you about the nursery opening?”

“Wonderful. I can’t wait to see your creation.”

She gave him the information. “So, I’ll see you at the opening?”

“Definitely.”

His enthusiasm always encouraged her. Wendy turned on the TV and listened to more information about the Watergate scandal. The news revolted her. The burglary of Democratic National Committee headquarters involved spying and sabotage conducted on behalf of President Nixon’s re-election campaign. If it came out Nixon was in any way connected to the break-in impeachment would be imminent. Now, the country waited to find out. It may be big news, but Wendy decided working in her garden would be even better than the news.

Later she called Cindy suggesting they go for dinner. Cindy agreed. They met at Hamburger Hamlet.

Already seated in a booth when Wendy arrived Wendy scooted into her seat as they exchanged greetings.

“So, how was Hoffman’s for the rest of the night?”

“It continued to be great, but did you see the way he looked at the exotic looking woman with the long, black hair?”

Wendy could understand Cindy’s jealousy. “She’s been there a few times, you never noticed her?”

“No, I would have remembered, but. . .”

“Cindy, you know he sees other women, so why does this one bother you more than the others?”

“I’ve tried not to think about the others. It doesn’t make me feel very special, makes me feel shitty.”

“Well, it shouldn’t. Look at it this way, he picked you to be one of the women he finds attractive…he was impressed with your looks, and I’d imagine your personality too, so you should feel good.”

“I s’pose. It’s just such so damned exasperating.”

“Just feel appreciated. You look wonderful! You have a great body and beautiful dusty brown hair.” Wendy touched the sides of her hair. “Your clothes are impeccable and, of course, you are sexy. He must enjoy your time together and your talks.”

“Actually, there isn’t a lot of time to talk. His visits aren’t long.”

Wendy decided not to comment.

A waitress took their drink orders, and they checked the menus.

“If you don’t mind, I wondered what do you and Brad talk about, I mean when you talk?” Wendy asked.

“We talk about people at Hoffman’s, movies, football, just different things, nothing deep. Come to think about of it, pretty much surface topics. Like I said, we don’t have much time to talk. Why did you ask?”

“I don’t know.” Wendy leaned against the table. “I’ve often wondered what interests him, what kind of person he is when he isn’t performing.”

The waitress set down the drinks and took their orders.

After the waitress left, Cindy leaned into Wendy, “I think you mean fucking.”

“Haha, so what’s he do when he’s not involved in singing or fucking?”

“Mostly watches sports and listens to music and practices.”

As they enjoyed the wine, they chatted about who they thought some of his other women friends were.

“I know I’m one of, I don’t know how many, so I do accept whatever time I have with him. When we’re together he says sweet things and makes me feel special, so desired.”

Wendy reached across the table and touched Cindy’s hand. “Cindy, you’re special anyway.”

“Thanks, I do feel good being part of his life,” Cindy admitted