Jennifer Robins (3 page)

When the noon hour whistle sounded, Rachael hurried to get her bagged lunch, coat, and purse. The morning had dragged so much she thought it would never end. Her attention was so focused on the clock all the time she almost wrapped a bone up for a lady who'd ordered ground beef. Carl, the man in charge, looked at her with a frown as she’d unwrapped the large blood-stained bone and proceeded to wrap the lady’s meat order.

Glad the morning was over, she put on her coat, grabbed her purse and the brown paper bag with the sandwiches, and then stopped by the produce stand to ask about a possible handout. She was told nothing was available until closing, so she went on her way to the skating rink.

The wind had kicked up, but she held on to her collar and hurried across the street. Stan sat on a bench near the entrance. He looked up and smiled when their eyes met. Then he rose and hurried toward her.

“Hi,” he yelled as he drew close. She liked the sound of his voice, how strong and handsome he looked, and the way that little dimple in the side of his face played at her heart strings. “I just got here a few minutes ago. Glad you could make it. I have a surprise for you.”

Rachel pushed the hair away from her eyes. “Really, what’s the surprise?”

“Turn around and let’s head back to the department store and I’ll let you know.”

“But, what about our lunch?”

He took her arm before she could say another word and led her back across the street and to the doors of the great store. Then he opened the large glass door for her and ushered her in. “Now let’s get to the second floor and we’ll have our lunch up there in the employees’ lunch room.”

“What? How can we do that?” she asked, coming to a stop, “Neither of us works here.”

“Not for long. I just was offered a job in their advertising department this morning and the manager told me we could have lunch in the employees’ lunch room. So, come on, let’s go,” he coaxed.

He tugged her along the aisle to the elevator. “Are you sure? This is so wonderful.”

He took her hand off the collar of her coat and looked into her eyes. “It’s for real. I have a new job right here in this store, and I have a chance for advancement as long as things go well,” he told her once they were in the elevator and on their way to the second floor. When the operator opened the door, he held out his arm for her to take and they went on.

The large lunchroom was filled with the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee on the counter at the back where paper cups, sugar, cream and spoons lay waiting aside the large urn. White walls, a large window at the side and five small tables with matching chairs made up the composition of the room.

Stan held a chair out for her to sit. “I’ll get the coffee. It’s free so we can have a second cup if we like. How do you take yours?”

She settled down in the chair and looked up at him, still amazed at his good fortune. “I’d like a little cream, that’s all, but are you sure it’s okay?”

“Yes, don’t worry. It’s okay. I was told we should enjoy our lunch here and have coffee on the house. Now let me get our drinks while you open that wonderful lunch you made for us.”

It was warm there; she opened her coat. By the time he’d returned, she had the sandwiches out and the wax paper binding them unwrapped. “Here I thought we’d be sitting by the skating rink watching the skaters and freezing like crazy while we tried to eat this cold lunch I made. This is really great in here.”

He set the paper cups down and took the seat across from her. “Be careful, the coffee’s hot,” he warned as he stared across the table at her. The expression on his face was that of concern for her, along with a smile that gave her the idea he liked the way she looked. “You know, this means I’ll be able to take you out some time for dinner and maybe even a movie. That is if you would like that.”

She picked up the paper cup and held it to her mouth in hesitation while she assessed what he’d just told her. “Yes, I’d like that very much.” Then she sipped at the hot beverage and tried to avoid the tripping of her hearts beat.

The hour zoomed by so fast they hardly knew it was over. Rachael had to get back to work, even though she’d rather have spent the rest of the afternoon and maybe the evening with him. “I’m so happy for you and your new job. I suppose you’ll be working a lot now.”

“Yes, I most likely will, but that will mean more income and a better life. I can’t wait to get started. I have to meet with the manager right after lunch so you’ll need to leave on your own. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. You do what you have to, and don’t worry about me.”

“When will I see you again, Rachael?” he asked as they walked to the elevator.

“I don’t have to work again until next Monday, so I don’t know.”

“Can I come by your house some evening? Maybe tomorrow night, say around eight?”

“I think it would be okay for you to come by. I’ll let my parents know. I’m sure they’ll be all right with it.”

“All right then,” he said as the elevator doors opened to the main floor. “Thanks for the lunch and the great company. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

Rachael hurried through the shoppers to the front doors and out into the street where she hustled along down the block to the market to get back. It was already past her lunch hour.

All she could think about the rest of the day while wrapping meat was Stan and his good fortune. She looked forward to seeing him again. He gave her a good feeling. She loved being with him and admired the way he talked, the way he looked, and especially the way he seemed to admire her. Those blue eyes of his had promise, hope, and a future in them, a future which she would like to be a part of. Lately, people had seen so little hope or promise. She had thought there would never be anything other than discouragement, despair, and little to look forward to in her life, but now things had changed. At least she thought so.

Although she was a grown woman, her parents still tried to shield and protect her from the world. Most likely, they would be concerned about a man in her life. Nevertheless, she would tell them about Stan when she got home.

Of all the boys who had courted her, she never felt anything like what she was experiencing with Stan. Warmness came over her just thinking about him. Is this what love feels like, she wondered.
Maybe this is what they call love at first sight.
What if he didn't love
her
and only wanted company once in awhile? Or, could he be one of those guys looking for a quick thrill? She shook her head and began to clean the wood tables in the meat market as they were about to close up shop for the day. Six o’clock came so fast she hardly realized the day’s work was over.

A repeat of the snow storm the day before had moved in while a glimpse of light lingered over the western horizon. The sky, now filled with clouds, overshadowed the sunset and extinguished what little daylight was left. Snow flew past her face as she ran toward the corner where the streetcar would stop. The cold stung her face and hands.

The streetcar pulled up and came to a stop in the middle of the road. She ran with all the others to get aboard and out of the cold. Once inside, she proceeded to the rear looking for a vacant seat while shaking the snow from her hair.

She found an empty place beside a mother and her infant wrapped up nicely in a lovely blue knitted blanket. The child whimpered a little, but the mother soothed him by patting his backside as she held him up to her shoulder. The thought of having a child of her own one day entered Rachael’s mind and gave her great pleasure to think about as she settled down next to them.

Her stop was coming up by the time the baby had fallen asleep in his mother’s arms. Rachael rose and smiled at the woman, then made her way to the door, ready to be let out into the nasty cold and snow. The car stopped with a sudden jolt. The door opened and cautiously she stepped onto the icy pavement.

Both her parents were busy preparing the evening meal when Rachael entered the kitchen. Speckles of the melting snow in her hair were shed when she reached up to brush them away. Somehow, she thought when they turned and smiled at her, just maybe they suspected she had something good to tell them. Surely they had to see how happy she was, or did she only think she looked that way?

“Hi, Mom,” Rachael said as she walked up to her mother who was peeling potatoes at the sink, and gave her a nice kiss on the cheek. “I had a wonderful day I’d like to tell you and Dad about.” She turned to address her father, who sat at the table cutting up some carrots.

Her mother put the peeler down and turned her gaze to her daughter. “You look so happy, it must be something special. Go ahead and let us in on your good day.”

“You see…” she paused and was surprise to hear herself stutter a bit when she continued, “I . . . met a new friend yesterday, and today we had lunch together. It was supposed to be in the park at the skating rink but he just got a new job at the department store so we were able to have our lunch in the employees' lunchroom. It was warm and nice in there and they even have free coffee.” She danced around the table as she glanced down at her father. “His name is Stanley but everyone calls him Stan. He’s coming over here tomorrow night to meet you.”

Her father stared up at her with a grin on his face. “Is that right!” He then lowered his eyes. “How well do you know this person?”

“Not well, but what I do know about him so far is very good and besides, I really like him.”

“All right then, tell us what you know about him and how you met him.”

Rachael sat at the table, and while her parents went on preparing the meal, she began to speak. She told them how Stan helped her on and off the streetcar and walked her home. “He was a perfect gentleman, so when he asked to have lunch with me, I accepted.” She reached across the table for a piece of carrot and took a bite of it. “He’s very nice and I’m sure you both will like him. Unless he proves otherwise, I’d appreciate your cooperation.”

Her mother turned to look at her. “Of course we will be hospitable to anyone you invite to this house, but don’t expect us to fall in love with him right off.”

“Mom… I didn’t ask you to fall in love with him.” Rachael clucked her tongue.

After dinner, Rachael went up to her room to reflect on the day’s events. She stared out the window at the falling snow as she pondered the following night when Stan would come to visit. Her speculations were running high about how her parents would receive him. After all, he was so very nice… who wouldn’t like him? Letting out a long sigh, she turned away from the window and went to her dresser to put away the folded laundry her mother had brought in.

A knock at her door caught her attention right after she laid the last of her sweaters in the bottom drawer. “Come in,” she called out.

Her mother entered with a smile on her face. “I thought we could have a little talk without your father around.” She went to the bed and sat at the end, then patted the space beside her, coaxing her daughter to come join her. “You’ll have to forgive your father if he seems a little too protective, but that’s the way most men are about their little girls. As for me, I’m happy to see you starting to date or at least have some male companions. All those young boys while you were in school were just a part of growing up. Now you’re a grown woman and I suspect you’re thinking about a life apart from Dad and me. I know how I felt when I was your age.” She patted Rachael’s hand. “Don’t you worry about us, you just have your friend over tomorrow night and I’ll bake something for the occasion.” She rose from the bed. “Now I hope that puts your mind at ease some.”

Rachael stood and placed a kiss on her mother’s cheek. “Thanks, Mom.”

Her mother walked out of the room, leaving Rachael with happy thoughts and a little more relaxed about the next day's meeting. It had been of such great concern because it was the very first time she would have a male visitor come to the house. Even for her prom dance, her father had taken her to meet her date at the school hall where the occasion had been held. Silly, how things came to mind and took one back to a younger version who hadn't really known what love was all about. She wasn’t all too sure she knew even now, but something was going on in her heart.

The sound of the radio downstairs had her thinking of her father and how he was looking for another kind of work for the winter. Road work had been shut down for the winter. But for a few trucks for garbage collection and deliveries there was no other outdoor work. A friend of his who worked at a carpet factory had spoken to the owner in his favor and had been told to send his friend in to see him. Rachael’s father had set up a time for the following day to see the man. She hoped he would get the job and end the way he looked so depressed all the time.

So many people out of work, no place to go, no place to live, it was no wonder why any man, with a family to boot, wouldn’t worry about being in those kinds of positions.

How lucky Stan was to land another job making more money. He sure had been one happy guy when she met him for lunch. And all he could talk about was his new position with one of the largest department stores in the entire state of Ohio. Now that she recalled, he had mentioned something about art, she thought as she went over their conversation in the lunch room. Yes, he had said he dabbled in art.
Wonder what kind of art?
He hadn't said. Anyway, art would be a good thing when working in advertising.

Rachel took off her shoes, tucked them away in her closet, and slipped handmade crocheted slippers onto her feet. She then let loose the long braid that ran down her back and teased her waist, shaking her hair to let it unfold around her shoulders. For a short time, she would join her parents down in the living room and listen to the late night show, The Shadow, one of her favorites on a Friday night. Each week she looked forward to the show and hardly ever missed it. She would sit on the floor crossed-legged in front of the radio and wait for the announcer to say his opening line about evil lurking in the hearts of men. Even Mom and Dad sat with their ears perked when the show came on and they never left the room until the end. It was a perfect way to end the week, sharing a bit of entertainment with her parents. She hurried downstairs before the show began and settled on the floor by the radio.