Chapter 43

On Friday night, Wendy went to the Cove. Brad was on a break when she arrived. She noticed several empty seats at the piano bar and quickly hung her purse on the back of one of them.

Wendy wanted to talk to Rusty and was told he went to the office. She went through the kitchen and found the office door open. Rusty saw her standing in the doorway.

“Hey, Rusty. Hope you don’t mind my coming back.”

“Of course not.” He stood up from his desk and came around to her. “You’re always welcome.”

They stood facing each other.

“Thanks. I wanted to talk to you a minute.”

“Sure, about what?”

Wendy closed the door. “I wanted your opinion about peyote, if you know anything, I mean. I hear you can really light up on it.”

“Have a seat. What did you want to know?” He returned to his desk.

“Are you aware of its side effects?”

“Yes. Are you thinking of trying it?”

“I am intrigued. I’ve heard some of my customers share their experiences on it, their vision quest, as they say. I thought I’d like to give it a try.”

“It does happen. If you want to try it, I have some dried mushrooms.”

“No kidding.” Wendy didn’t hesitate. “May I come over?” “Of course, I’m available next Wednesday night, if it works for you?”

“Yeah, I think it does, thanks.”

She returned to the bar and her seat right in front of Brad.

Brad sang three songs in a row, all of which Wendy liked: Incense and Peppermints, by the Strawberry Alarm Clock, followed by Here Comes the Sun, by The Beatles and Genie in Disguise, by the Stylistics. Out of nowhere a thought hit her: maybe she should proposition Brad. She shook the crazy idea from her head. She wanted him to want her. She listened until Brad finished the set and then left.

At home she called Cindy. “Any interest in meeting for lunch tomorrow?”

“Sure, how about Hamburger Hamlet?”

“Meet you there at eleven thirty.”

Wendy arrived at Hamburger Hamlet at eleven twenty. The hostess seated Wendy at a table where she could watch for Cindy while she looked over the menu. Suddenly, Cindy plopped down across from her. “I forgot how much I liked this place.”

Wendy looked around. “I like to come here because it’s comfortable and I think homey.”

Cindy put her menu down and brought up Scott and they briefly discussed Wendy’s mixed thoughts toward him.

“So, what’s with you and Scott?”

“Nothing, but we’re friendly.”

“Well, that’s good.”

“I guess. I’d rather not discuss him.”

Cindy changed the subject. “So, tell me all about the design show. How did it go?”

“It was outta sight. Everything worked out with the furniture and plant arrangements. I handed out thirty business cards. I totally loved everyone else’s designs. It gave me some ideas about changes I’d like to make in my house.”

“That’s primo.”

They ate while they shared their missed times together.

In the evening Wendy headed for the Cove. She still liked Cat and Mouse a lot, but right now she wanted to be near Brad, and not think about the mention of Scott from Cindy. The thoughts about him were entrenched in her mind. Particularly, she dwelled on the conversation they shared about his new activities and lifestyle. He seemed so different, more like when they dated, but was he?

Brad’s strong voice welcomed Wendy as she came in. There weren’t any seats anywhere, so she stood next to an artificial fig tree near a few occupied tables. The waitress, Julie, came to Wendy and she ordered her usual screwdriver.

Brad sang Neil Diamond’s, “Solitary Man.” There were two couples on the dance floor, lots of conversations, and some like Wendy, watching Brad’s every word and expression. He interpreted lyrics with such depth. She thought he must be a sensitive and caring man when with friends. Those two traits were ones Wendy admired in a man. She considered Scott might have those traits now.

The set finished with another Neil Diamond song, “Kentucky Woman.” Brad came over to Wendy as he left the piano bar area.

“Hey, how you doin’?”

“Doing well, thanks.”

“Good to hear. By the way, I like your top,” he said as he moved away.

He liked her top. It wasn’t anything special, a blue and turquoise print blouse. In all the time she’d known him he never commented on her clothes before, or anything else personal. She didn’t know what to think about it, but it made her happy and put her on a natural high.

Wendy stayed for the next set and waved good-bye as she rose. Rusty stood at the bar. They confirmed Wednesday night at his place.

“May I ask a favor of you?”

“Maybe, it depends on the favor.”

“When you’re here would you mind turning the house music on and off when Brad’s on breaks? It’d help me out because sometimes I can’t get to it right away.”

Calming her excitement she said, “No problem.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Turning the house music on and off was something Cindy used to do. Wendy said goodnight and left. It thrilled her to be involved in a Pirate’s Cove activity.