Page 10

Part 5

“Shivers”

April

I’m just on my way out the door on Monday for my lunch break when my cell phone rings. I don’t recognize the number, but since it’s a 919 area code I answer, hoping against hope that it’s Roddy and not a telemarketer. If I’d been smart, I would have entered it into my phone from Abby’s. Or, I would have gotten it from him when he drove me to the CT scan on Friday evening, but you know what they say about hindsight.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Hi, Clare, it’s Roddy.”

I’m instantly both thrilled and panicked. I try to think of something remarkable to say, but all that comes out is, “Oh, hi.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, but this weekend was insane,” he explains. “Any results yet from the scan on Friday?”

“That’s okay. I was pretty busy myself,” I lie. I mean, I did spend a while unpacking, but most of the weekend was spent watching movies with Abby in our pajamas. And, even if he had called over the weekend, I was still feeling so terrified over the biopsy results and the CT scan—not to mention the realization Roddy might literally be the man of my dreams—that I wouldn’t have been a great person to talk with. I’m still feeling pretty panicked, but talking things out with Abby helped and I’m trying to take things one day at a time. “No, nothing yet from the CT. I’ve been refreshing my portal all day to no avail.”

“Sorry, that must be hard. Hopefully you’ll hear something soon,” he says with genuine concern. “Probably just them catching up from over the weekend.”

I nod, then realize he can’t see that and reply, “Probably.”

“So, listen,” he begins, “I’d really like to take you out for that proper date sometime. Are you free this week at all?”

My heart flutters as I flip open my calendar and do a quick scan. “I’m free every night except Friday,” I reply. Friday is the night Abby and I are taking Nate and Isaac out to celebrate their engagement. We’re going to throw them a real engagement party later on, but with everything going on with me, Abby thought it would be good to do a nice dinner with just the four of us for now.

“Hmm. I could do tomorrow, but it would be kinda late.” He’s silent for a moment. “How do you feel about dinner Saturday night? I could pick you up around six-thirty.”

“That sounds perfect,” I say. I’m secretly thrilled he offered to pick me up, so I don’t have to smell like public transit on our date. I’m sure Abby would be willing to drive me, but it’s probably just as embarrassing to be dropped off by a friend as it is to smell like bus.

“Great. I’ll see you on Saturday.” I think he’s about to say good-bye, but then he adds, “I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Me, too.”

As soon as we hang up, I text him Abby’s address—in case he forgot from dropping me off on Friday—then sit back in my chair with a huge smile on my face.

“And just what is that big ole smile about?” Nate asks, startling me. He must have come back downstairs while I was on the phone. I wonder how much he heard.

“Well…uh…”

“You weren’t just talking to Suz, were you?” He gives me a reproving look. “You need to move on from her, Clare. She didn’t make you happy.”

I sigh. “No, I wasn’t on the phone with Suz. And, you’ll be happy to know that I am moving on. I…have a date on Saturday night.” I smile, triumphantly.

Nate gasps. “Really? This soon after the breakup?”

Shaking my head, I say, “C’mon now. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t tell me I need to move on from Suz and then tell me I’m moving too fast when I do.”

“You’re absolutely right.” He puts a hand on my shoulder. “You deserve to be happy.”

“Thank you,” I reply, patting his hand with mine. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I was just heading out for lunch. Can I get you anything?” I stand up and grab my purse.

“Can you get me anything? Uh uh. You’re taking me with you and giving me all the details of this mystery person you’re seeing on Saturday,” Nate declares, hooking his arm in mine and leading me toward his front door.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Nate. Would you like to come to lunch?” I mock while he ushers me to his car, a late model Camry Hybrid. He opens the passenger door for me, and I get in.

Nate starts up the car, then turns to me. “So, where are we going?”

“Well, I was just going to walk to Noodles…”

“Oh, you eat there all the time,” he interrupts. “Let’s go to Element instead.”

We ride in silence for the four minutes it takes to get there. Nate parks in the deck closest to the restaurant and we walk the half block to our destination. Element Gastropub is one of my favorite restaurants in downtown Raleigh. They are completely vegan, and even if you aren’t vegetarian, their food is just as delicious as their meat counterparts. Unfortunately, it’s always very crowded, unless you come at an off time. Thankfully, though, there is a sidewalk table available, so we don’t have to wait long. The hostess seats us, then leaves so we can peruse the menu.

Nate puts his menu down on the table without giving it so much as a glance and checks his phone. “So, I want you to tell me about this new person, but you’ll have to wait until Isaac gets here.”

“Isaac’s coming?” It’s not that unusual for Isaac to meet Nate for lunch, but it’s surprising he didn’t tell me until now.

“Of course he’s coming,” Nate replies. “I texted him while we were walking to the car. You didn’t think I was going to keep him out of the loop, did you?”

“No, but I figured you’d just tell him later on. Hey, how does he know where to meet us?” I ask, since Nate texted him before he decided where we were going.

“I texted him again in the parking deck,” he answers, sighing. “You know I’m a wizard at texting with one hand.”

I laugh. “Yeah, and half the time I can’t understand your texts because the words you misspell get autocorrected into something completely different. Like when you texted me: ‘You defibrillator need to raff the hogging post toady.’”

“You always seem to figure it out,” he says. Then he waves his hand high above his head, and I turn to see Isaac striding toward us down the sidewalk.

“There’s my handsome fiancé,” Isaac says, as Nate stands up to hug him. Isaac gives Nate a quick kiss on the cheek, then turns to give me a hug as well. “And, my beautiful friend, Clare. How are you doing?”

I pull back. “I’m doing okay. Everything is still so overwhelming, but I’m trying to take deep breaths and just take things as they come right now.”

Isaac nods. “That’s all you can do. Until you have all the information, that is. I know it’s scary, though. We’re here, if you need us.”

“We are,” Nate echoes.

“I know. And I love you guys.” I do my best not to let the tears well up in my eyes, but it’s hard. “All the waiting and wondering is so difficult, not to mention all the testing appointments. Thankfully I have the best boss in the world who doesn’t question when I need to schedule one.”

Nate shoots me an “aw shucks” expression. “You are one of our best friends and that’s what we do for one another. Plus, I’d like to think I’d be this understanding of a boss regardless.” He looks at Isaac. “Wouldn’t I?”

“Of course you would, but we’re not here to stoke your ego, dear,” Isaac replies, then turns to me. “I’ve got plenty of PTO built up, so if you need someone to take you, let me know. I know Nate and Abby are at the ready too, but you can never have too many drivers.”

I thank him as the server comes over for our drink orders. We all end up ordering as well, since we know what we want, and she heads off to place our orders.

“Now, what did Nate drag me all the way down here for?” Isaac asks, smiling.

“All the way down here? You work like two blocks from here,” I reply. Isaac works at a software company doing some sort of computery thing I couldn’t begin to describe. He’s evidently really good at it because he keeps getting promoted.

“Anyway,” Nate interjects, dragging out the word. “So, you remember how our little Clare successfully broke up with Suz last week?”

“Yes,” Isaac replies taking my hand. “I’m still so proud of you for actually doing it.”

I nod. Thankfully, the server comes back at just that moment with our drinks, which allows me not to say anything on the topic of Suz. I take a sip of my ginger ale and remain silent.

“And that’s not all,” Nate says, sounding a bit like a game show host introducing the new car after the contestant has seen the boring living room set. “She’s got a date Saturday night.”

“What?!” Isaac looks at each of us as if he must have misunderstood. “Who are you going on a date with? Have we met her? Him? Them?”

Nate pats Isaac’s knee. “That’s exactly what we’re here to find out.”

* * *

At the end of the day, I’m really ready to go home. I’m feeling emotionally drained after telling Nate and Isaac some of the details of meeting Roddy—conveniently leaving out the part about kissing him—and holding in my feelings about Suz. Plus, you know, everything else going on in my life right now. Also, they wanted to discuss the song I’m going to sing at their wedding for their first dance, and it took a while. There were a lot of little arguments while they discussed everything from Michael Jackson to Beyoncé. In the end, they settled for something classic: “Only You” by the Platters. What I’d like to do is take a long hot shower and curl up on my bed with Shelley to watch a sappy chick flick.

Back at the apartment, I just want to crash. I know if I see Abby, she’ll want to talk to me, and I just can’t talk anymore today. So, I come in as quietly as I can and walk straight to my room. Shelley is asleep on my pillow—her favorite naptime location—which makes things easier since her food, water and litter are all in my bathroom. I close my door quietly and drop into the blue club chair in the corner, my purse falling to the floor. I close my eyes and just sit there, enjoying the silence.

About five minutes pass like that, then my phone bleeps, signaling a new text message. I contemplate ignoring it, but curiosity gets the better of me. I pull my phone out of my purse and look at the screen. My heart jumps when I see that it’s a text from Roddy.

Roddy: How are you doing? Any results yet?

My heart is full at the fact that he keeps checking in. I realize I’m grinning ear to ear and he’s only asked me about test results.

Clare: I’m doing okay. No results yet.

Roddy: Hope that means it’s good news.

Roddy: Changing the subject…How does Asian food sound for dinner Saturday?

Clare: Sounds great.

Roddy: Ever been to Yo Ho?

Clare: Like, “and a bottle of rum”??

I giggle.

Roddy: No. Yo Ho Asian Bistro, in Cary.

Clare: Oh, haha. Can’t say that I have.

Roddy: Well, if you like Asian food, it’s one of the best places in the area.

Clare: Then, by all means, let’s go! And, thanks for asking.

Roddy: Of course.

A few seconds later:

Roddy: (My sister suggested I subtly let you know where we were going so you wouldn’t stress out about what to wear quite so much.)

Hmm. So, he’s told his sister about me. Did he tell her about the kiss? I shake off the thought. At least he’s close with his family.

Clare: Tell your sister thanks.

Roddy: Will do. See you Saturday.

Clare: See you then.

Just as I’m about to close my texting app, I see the link of my conversation with Suz. I realize I haven’t communicated with her in any way since I left—not that she’s tried to talk to me either—and I do need to go back to move the rest of my stuff out at some point. Hesitantly, I open our conversation and start a new text. It takes a couple tries before I get out exactly what I want to send.

Clare: Hey. Hope you’re doing okay. When would be a good time for me to come by to get the rest of my stuff?

I wait a few minutes, but get no response. This is a little odd because Suz is practically glued to her phone. Except when she’s playing one of her annoying video games. She must be in the middle of one of those very involved RPGs with her crew. I send another text anyway.

Clare: Guess you can’t be bothered to answer right now. Figures. I can come when you’re at work sometime, if you don’t want to see me.

Clare: Just let me know.

I give up for tonight since this still garners no response from her. Instead, I focus on my upcoming date with Roddy. Saturday certainly can’t come soon enough for me.