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March Theme: Blind Date Congrats to Ronald, our March Winner |
- It took a moment for Eve Kendel’s eyes to adjust to the dimly lit foyer after being in the
late afternoon sunlight. The heavy oak panels on the wall seemed to absorb any light
and the thick plush red carpet did not help. She could smell the strong oak scented
wood as she waited for her eyes to adjust. She moved towards the closest wall and
pretended to peer into the display case. Seeing only a collection of bottles and a
vaguely familiar face staring back at her.
that the afternoon winds had not messed up her hair too much. Her glance moved downward to her face, it was
a simple face yet pretty face, but not a beautiful face. At twenty six, with a career, a condo in the city and a nice
figure she should be on top of the world. She then turned sideways to look at her tush and sighing in disgust
as she saw ten pounds there no one else did. But those pounds would have to wait for the treadmill tonight.
A frown crossed her lips as she remembered why she was here tonight. Dinner once again with her sister, Lilly,
her sister’s husband, Danny, and a mystery date. Why is it, she thought, that everyone who is married thinks
they need to inflict the same misery on all of their single friends? Most of the time all they do is bitch about the
men in their lives. Was I that way about Roger? For a moment she thought back on Roger, the last man in her
life. They had been together for over two years when he suddenly announced they needed time apart to think.
After a month she gave up trying to make the relationship work. The last she had heard from him was a
Christmas card the year before.
No wait, a year and a half. I’ll never figure out men, she thought.
Eve turned and walked to the hostess stand under the very large sign that read “The Hyatt’s Oak Room.” This
was not the type of place Eve liked to go, but she knew her sister and brother-in-law never got out now that
Zane had arrived. This was their one big night out for the month. Eve tried to beg off, since they needed their
alone time, but Lilly insisted. She smiled at the hostess and was about to speak when hre phone rang.
Excusing her self she moved away and answered the call.
“Hello?” she said into the phone.
“Eve,” her sisters voice said weakly.
“Oh no your not?” Eve said knowing the words that were about to come.
“Sweetie, I’m sick. I can’t keep anything down. Danny,” Lilly’s husband, ”is running up to Walgreen’s to get me
some medicine. There is no way we can make dinner tonight.”
“And just what am I supposed to do. You know I didn’t want to come on this blind date to start with and…” Eve
wasn’t able to finish before Lilly cut her off.
“Don’t worry. Danny took care of everything. The Oak Room will bill Danny’s expense account for dinner. You
two have a wonderful dinner on us. It is the least we can,” the sound was cut off by sounds Eve really didn’t
want to hear.
“Lilly, are you sure you don’t need me to be with you tonight.”
“No,” lily said. “Danny will be back soon. Danny gave Robert a picture of you, the one we took at Smith
Mountain Lake.”
“Not that one in the bikini!”
“Were you wearing a bikini in that picture?” Lilly lied. Lilly was always complimenting Eve’s athletic figure and
how strong and shapely Eve was. “Danny gave him that picture so he’ll know what you look like.”
“And just how will I know him?” Eve complained. Anger burned in her, but it was hard to be angery at Lilly when
she was so sick. “This is a complete fiasco.”
“Are you wearing that red dress I told you too?” Lilly asked.
“Yes?” Eve said.
“Well there you go. He’ll know you. His name is Robert Thornhill and he is absolutely charming. Why don’t you
go have drink in the bar while you wait and I’ll tell him to meet you there.
“Oh joy,” answer Eve. “And sis,”
“What Eve? My most favorite sister in the whole world!”
“If that bug doesn’t kill you I just might.”
Eve heard a little laughter in her sister’s voice as the phone went dead. She grimaced and stopped wondering
how much worse this evening could get. At least she will have a very expensive dinner on Danny and try to get
out of here as quickly as possible.
Eve approached the hostess stand once more. “Hi,” she said, I’m supposed to meet the Krieger party for
dinner at 7:30, I don’t suppose anyone is here yet?”
The young hostess smiled as she looked in the reservations book, her long very straight hair hanging loosely
around her pretty face. Eve envied her perfect skin. “No,” the hostess replied. “Would you like me to seat you
or would you like to wait at the bar. I’ll be more than happy to get you when the rest of the party arrives. Mr.
Krieger gave us instructions that everything is to be put on his tab tonight. I could arranged to have you drinks
put on his tab too if you would like.”
Eve liked that idea, she liked that idea very much. Hmmmmmm. What fancy expensive blue concoction can I
stick Danny with to night for this torture.
“Oh do show the way,” Eve said.
The bar was about half full but not as dark as she expected. The hostess showed Eve to a seat at bar and
then went to the end and talked quietly to the bartender. He nodded, smiled, and picked up a cocktail napkin
where he was and came down the bar, and set it in front of her. He said, “What can I get you?”
“How about a Blue Hawaiian?” Eve replied.
“Coming right up,” he said and moved off to mix the drink.
Looking around Eve could see that this place was filled with a variety of young professionals and business
men. The younger professionals crowded together, talked loudly and seemed to complain about their work
days. The business men were mostly older, sitting alone or in pairs. She assumed they must be out-of-
towners, staying in the Hyatt on business. She remembered how lonely she had been on several of her
business trips lately. For a brief moment she felt the emptiness that often accompanied her since Roger moved
out.
“Is this seat taken?” said a man. He looked to be in his early thirties, open white dress shirt, sport coat with the
look of a grueling day at the office behind him.
“No,” Eve replied and he slid in the seat as the bartender brought the fancy blue drin with a large chuck of
pineapple sticking out of it.
“What on God’s green earth, excuse me, Blue earth, is that?” the man asked.
“A Blue Hawaiian,” replied Eve.
“Really. What an interesting drink. Do you drink these things often?”
“No, but I am getting a little revenge at my sister.”
“Your sister? How? Is this her drink and your going to see she comes back to find a large glass with half eaten
pineapple in it?” He turned and waved to the bartender. He ordered a scotch when the bartender came down.
Eve smiled and chuckled softly. “No, I’m drinking on her tab.” Eve realized this was the first time today she had
laughed. She looked at his face and was taken with how kind his eyes were. His short brown hair was a little
unkempt, as if he had the habit of running his hands through his hair while he thought.
“Oh lucky you. What brings you out tonight? You don’t seem to fit in with this crowd.” The bartender returned
and placed a glass with an amber liquor in it in front of him.
“Now what makes you say that?” Eve said defensively.
“Well,” he started, “I know that the steaks in the Oak Room are some of the best in the state, and no less as
pricey. That the people in this bar, well most of them, make around six figures in income as stock brokers,
lawyers, and bond junkies. You,” his eyes swept over her,” you are unlike anyone I’ve ever seen here. Your
make up is beautiful, yet simple. Your dress is very flattering but, not trendy. Most of these people spend lots
of money on being trendy. What sport did you play in college?”
“No wait a minute, I can be as trendy as …” Eve started then stopped mid word. “What makes you think I played
sports? And why would I having a conversation of this with someone who’s name I do not know.”
Quickly he wiped his hand on his pant leg and presented it to her. He took her gently offered hand and said,”
John Robbie, at your service milady. And you are?” He smiled warmly as he looked deep in her eyes. Those
eyes were blue and she could almost feel her self being swept away in them.
“John Robbie?” Eve said with a quick retort, “a man with two first names?” Eve could not remember the last
time she had a conversation with this warmth. It flow uninhibited, without any of the work or small talk she was
so used too with unfamiliar people.
“What can I say? My mother was a huge Cary Grant fan. To Catch a Thief was her favorite movie. She loved
Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.”
“It’s nice to meet you John Robbie, I’m Eve Kendell.” Eve smiled back and could feel something.
“Enchanté. The pleasure is all mine.” Eve was aware of the warmth she felt as he still held her hand.
“Now that we have that out of the way,” Eve said with a bit of mock indignation, “what makes you say I played
sports.”
“Simple actually. Looking at your calves and ankles I can see a beautiful athletic shape.”
“I could be a runner,” Eve countered.
“Yes you could be, but you don’t get that kind of muscle development in the caves from running. You did a lot
of squats, and judging the shape and beauty in your arms I would say you worked out all around, upper body
and lower body. Which means your either played softball, unlikely, field hockey, soccer or volleyball.”
Eve tilted her head impressed, “And how would you know this.”
“Would you believe me if I said I watch a lot of ESPN?”
Eve couldn’t tell what it was in his voice but she could tell he was joking with this comment.
“No,” she said.
“I work for a law firm that handles professional athletes. I am constantly meeting collegiate and semi pro
athletes. You could say it is my business to be able to tell.”
“Very good,” she said. “Volleyball, I played for four years at Kent State University.” Eve couldn’t be sure if it
was manly, but he beamed at being right. She smile, she was really enjoying this evening . . . and then she
remembered and her smile left her face. The blind date, she had almost forgotten. She still had that horrible
blind date to go on. Just her luck that she finally meets an interesting man while waiting to go on that horrible
bind date.
“Eve, what’s wrong. Your smile just disappeared.” John asked with deep concern in his voice.
She had been enjoying the conversation so much she hated to even mention why she was here. Looking at
the bar she said, “Well I have this dreadful blind date I have to go on.”
“Oh my God no,” John said. “Not a blind date. Is there an punishment worse in the world?”
“No,” Eve said shaking her head. “My sister set it up and I was suppose to meet her, her husband and some
guy named Robert for dinner here tonight.”
”Say no more,” said John quickly, taking her hand in his. “As I see it we can do one of two things. You and I,”
he reached over and lifted her chin to look at him, can sit here and have a wonderful conversation. And if and
when he shows up, you tell him I am some one from your work and I was keeping you company. You go and
have you dinner.”
“Any the other option,” she said, “you and I slip out of here and you have dinner with me any where you like.”
She looked in those eyes, the warmth, the tenderness, the way they sparkled as he looked at her.
There wasn’t a moments hesitation when she said, “Do you like Thai?”
“I love Thai,” he said.
“Great!” Eve said. Her happiness returning as quickly as it had departed. “Just Let me go freshen up and call
my sister. Maybe my brother in law can call what ever his name is and cancel for tonight.” She smiled warmly
at him. “Bartender”, she said to the man behind the counter, “would you put Mr. Robbie’s drink on my tab?”
She slid off the bar stool and made her way to the ladies room.
John smiled and watched her go.
“John?” said the bartender, “Since when did you start going by John, Robby?”
“John is my first name; Jonathan Robert Thornhill.” John looked into the bartenders eyes. “Eve isn’t the only
one who hates blind dates. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a quick call to make to let Danny know what to
expect.”
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