exclusively.”
“I’m delivering us,” Nancy said. “Besides, if you take the
narrowest interpretation of every traffic sign, you’ll never find a space
because there is no parking in this city. Isn’t it fun having me as your
chauffeur?”
Since they didn’t have reservations,
they took seats at the bar. Nancy didn’t mind because she liked the opportunity to display her pert backside on a
stool and she could people watch in the mirror above the bar.
The bartender brought a small bowl of
crunchy Marcona almonds with their menus. Nancy pulled out the Ferragamo wallet that she’d taken from Todd, who had a drawer
filled with executive gifts, and took out the laminated sustainable fish guide.
“I suppose I’ll have the Pacific halibut again.”
“Madame is interested in sustainable
fishing?”
“Don’t talk crazy, but you have to pretend.
It’s like feigning interest when someone drones on about their children. Children
are so unformed, like amoebas and just as indistinguishable. They’re, you know…”
“Cheeky, with their annoying questions,”
he said with sudden enthusiasm. “As self-centered as cats.”
“Yes!” She smiled at Derek in the mirror.
She thought they looked like a really fascinating couple, Nancy all blondey
liveliness and him all dark and broody.
He said, “Most ladies are infatuated
with children.”
“Most ladies think that you can buy a
product that acts as both a shampoo and a conditioner.” She ran her hand over
the sleeve of his jacket. “What is this?”
“I believe it’s called chintz-glazed
linen.”
“It is to die for. What are you having?”
“A cheeseburger and chips,” he said.
“This is America , Derek. We call them pommes
frites,” she said deadpan, but before she could see his reaction she spotted Junie
approaching in the bar mirror.
Nancy swirled on her barstool and jumped up. “Juniekins!”
She held her arms out and hugged the tall redhead.
“ Nancy !
What a nice surprise!” Junie said in her soft voice and gave Nancy an extra squeeze before stepping back.
Junie’s previously uncontrollable hair
was now a shiny mahogany color, cut in a chic bob. She was wearing a structured
dark gray suit that disguised her pear-shape. Her makeup was different, too,
making her small eyes look bigger and drawing attention from her long nose.
“The hair, the suit, you!” Nancy said happily. “You
look wonderful.”
“I took your advice and hired that personal
stylist you recommended,” Junie said.
“She did wonders. Seriously, you look
terrific.” She took a sniff and recognized the floral and green chypres scent
of Eau du Soir. “You’re wearing my scent,” Nancy said, smiling even though she wasn’t
pleased.
“I liked it so much on you that I bought
some for myself.”
Nancy smiled, but now she would have to
change perfumes.
Derek swiveled on his stool, and Junie
was staring at him while saying to Nancy ,
“I’m so sorry I haven’t gotten back to you, but work has been nonstop.” She
smiled at Derek. “Hi.”
Nancy said, “Junie, this is Derek Cathcart,
my new assistant. Derek, Junie Burns.”
Derek held out his hand and said, “Good
afternoon, Miss Burns.”
Nancy thought Junie’s knees would give way. “Derek
and I have been conducting historical research for upcoming Froth events,” she
said.
“How fun! I wish I could talk, but I’ve
got to get back to my meeting,” she said and tilted her head toward a table of
business people. “I’ll see you at Lizette’s weekend party and we’ll catch up on
everything.”
“Oh, I wish I could make it, but I’m utterly
booked up. I’m sure they’ve taken care of the hanta-virus infected mice problem.
Call me!”
After Junie had left, Nancy said quietly, “Didn’t she look striking?
Thank god she finally has a decent haircut and clothes that don’t have an unpleasant
eau de clearance rack about them.”
“A professional acquaintance?”
“Heavens, no. Junie does
“I’m delivering us,” Nancy said. “Besides, if you take the
narrowest interpretation of every traffic sign, you’ll never find a space
because there is no parking in this city. Isn’t it fun having me as your
chauffeur?”
Since they didn’t have reservations,
they took seats at the bar. Nancy didn’t mind because she liked the opportunity to display her pert backside on a
stool and she could people watch in the mirror above the bar.
The bartender brought a small bowl of
crunchy Marcona almonds with their menus. Nancy pulled out the Ferragamo wallet that she’d taken from Todd, who had a drawer
filled with executive gifts, and took out the laminated sustainable fish guide.
“I suppose I’ll have the Pacific halibut again.”
“Madame is interested in sustainable
fishing?”
“Don’t talk crazy, but you have to pretend.
It’s like feigning interest when someone drones on about their children. Children
are so unformed, like amoebas and just as indistinguishable. They’re, you know…”
“Cheeky, with their annoying questions,”
he said with sudden enthusiasm. “As self-centered as cats.”
“Yes!” She smiled at Derek in the mirror.
She thought they looked like a really fascinating couple, Nancy all blondey
liveliness and him all dark and broody.
He said, “Most ladies are infatuated
with children.”
“Most ladies think that you can buy a
product that acts as both a shampoo and a conditioner.” She ran her hand over
the sleeve of his jacket. “What is this?”
“I believe it’s called chintz-glazed
linen.”
“It is to die for. What are you having?”
“A cheeseburger and chips,” he said.
“This is America , Derek. We call them pommes
frites,” she said deadpan, but before she could see his reaction she spotted Junie
approaching in the bar mirror.
Nancy swirled on her barstool and jumped up. “Juniekins!”
She held her arms out and hugged the tall redhead.
“ Nancy !
What a nice surprise!” Junie said in her soft voice and gave Nancy an extra squeeze before stepping back.
Junie’s previously uncontrollable hair
was now a shiny mahogany color, cut in a chic bob. She was wearing a structured
dark gray suit that disguised her pear-shape. Her makeup was different, too,
making her small eyes look bigger and drawing attention from her long nose.
“The hair, the suit, you!” Nancy said happily. “You
look wonderful.”
“I took your advice and hired that personal
stylist you recommended,” Junie said.
“She did wonders. Seriously, you look
terrific.” She took a sniff and recognized the floral and green chypres scent
of Eau du Soir. “You’re wearing my scent,” Nancy said, smiling even though she wasn’t
pleased.
“I liked it so much on you that I bought
some for myself.”
Nancy smiled, but now she would have to
change perfumes.
Derek swiveled on his stool, and Junie
was staring at him while saying to Nancy ,
“I’m so sorry I haven’t gotten back to you, but work has been nonstop.” She
smiled at Derek. “Hi.”
Nancy said, “Junie, this is Derek Cathcart,
my new assistant. Derek, Junie Burns.”
Derek held out his hand and said, “Good
afternoon, Miss Burns.”
Nancy thought Junie’s knees would give way. “Derek
and I have been conducting historical research for upcoming Froth events,” she
said.
“How fun! I wish I could talk, but I’ve
got to get back to my meeting,” she said and tilted her head toward a table of
business people. “I’ll see you at Lizette’s weekend party and we’ll catch up on
everything.”
“Oh, I wish I could make it, but I’m utterly
booked up. I’m sure they’ve taken care of the hanta-virus infected mice problem.
Call me!”
After Junie had left, Nancy said quietly, “Didn’t she look striking?
Thank god she finally has a decent haircut and clothes that don’t have an unpleasant
eau de clearance rack about them.”
“A professional acquaintance?”
“Heavens, no. Junie does
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