2 Big Apple Hunter, page 4
“Every person is different, so you may have to decide for yourself,” I told her. “But caffeine is known to stimulate your appetite for sweets and fatty foods, and in many people, caffeine can be the one roadblock to losing weight effectively.” I could tell she was listening intently to what I was saying. “We've had several members who have had trouble losing weight until they eliminated caffeine from their diet, and then their weight started coming off steadily.”
“Ok,” she said nodding her head. She seemed to accept the response. “And my only other question is Can you go to Las Vegas in January?” She asked the question in an excited tone.
“What?” I asked, confused. I had no idea what she was thinking or why she would ask such a thing.
A huge smile crossed her face, and she reached over to touch my arm. “Susan, I’m sorry to have put you through all this. I'm not Sally Hagar, I'm Betsy Ann Tucker, and I've been doing some secret shopping in your division this week.”
My stomach flopped over, and I felt as though I might throw up. We all knew someone from the corporate offices could come through at any time to see how the center was run, how we treat our members, and how we sell our programs, but I never really expected it to happen, and certainly not this week when everything seemed turned upside down.
“Oh my gosh,” I said slowly, with my heart sinking into my flip-flopping stomach. Not only was she going to chastise me for yelling at Mrs. Colter when she peed on the floor, but she had spent at least two hours with me this week which was plenty of time to pick me and the center apart. I barely heard what she was saying to me now.
“Susan, being in your center this week has been a treat. You’re number one in the division in sales, satisfaction of customers, and results. I can see why. Your numbers haven't escaped Corporate, and I've been sent to make an offer to you.”
It finally got through to me she wasn’t here to yell at me; she was here to praise me. I was relieved to hear her kind words, but the sick, flip-flopping stomach was still with me.
Betsy Ann continued, “We want you to come to the corporate offices in Las Vegas for a week in January. I'm sure you know we’re going to do a major overhaul of the centers and incorporate a men's program, but there’s so much more. We want to do more online and with websites, too. There's a lot to be done.”
“But what does this have to do with me?” I asked, still confused.
Her smile broadened, and she said, “We'd like to take you out of the center and have you work out of the division office where you’ll be traveling on a regular basis to all the centers in the division. You can evaluate each one, see where they need help, and then give it to them. We’d also like you to set up training classes for new employees to the company.”
This was not what I was expecting today, and my mind started whirling. It was too much to take in. “I don't know what to say,” I finally managed to utter.
Betsy Ann laughed. “Well, you don't have to say anything right now. You’ll have plenty of time to think it over. Why don't you let me know by Thanksgiving? That will give you plenty of time to be sure of your decision, but still leave us time to choose someone else if you decline.” She paused before saying with a dramatic flair, “But Susan, I'm also authorized to tell you the job carries a 50% salary increase, a company vehicle, and travel expenses.”
I'm sure the shock registered on my face. Betsy Ann stood and held out her hand. I stood to return her handshake and managed to find my voice, “Thank you, Betsy Ann. I never expected this at all today.”
“I know,” she said with a smile. “That’s what makes my job fun. It was a pleasure to meet you, Susan, and I hope to see you again in Las Vegas.” She picked up her purse, turned, and left the center.
Stunned, I sat back down in the chair. Las Vegas, traveling, training, more money. More money! Oh my gosh! More money! More shopping! I could quit working at the racquetball club and play more. Would I really quit working at the club? I actually enjoyed it a lot. But if I was driving all over Northeast Ohio, would I have time to work at the club?
The stunned feeling was starting to leave, and even more questions came to mind. What about the center? Could Angela take over? Well, she should be able to; after all, I'd been training her to manage the place for over six months now. What about the members? I'd promised our members that I would be here to help them. But all of the other girls were as good about helping and counseling as I was. Unless something stopped me, I was going to Las Vegas in January!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Reuben sandwiches were almost ready, and Darby would be over in a few minutes. I didn't have to work at the club tonight, so we were going to have sandwiches and crash in front of the television for the evening. I was still in a state of euphoria over the job offer today.
Just as the last sandwich was placed on the platter, there was a knock at the door, and I opened it to a grinning Darby. Sometimes he just looked so doggone adorable. His sandy-colored hair was always in a tousled state, he was lean but not skinny, and he looked like he belonged on a California beach surfing rather than in Ohio. He had on a great looking pair of jeans with a soft brown pullover v-neck sweater. No shoes tonight, he was wearing his favorite pair of brown slippers he had ordered from Australia.
By comparison, I had come home at 5:00, soaked in a bubble bath for an hour, and slipped into a pair of soft pajamas. They had a pretty pink and purple swirl design on the pants, and the top was a solid pink tank. I wanted to be comfortable if we were going to be on the sofa for the evening.
He came in and stood by the dining room table. His grin seemed even bigger now. “What are you grinning about?” I asked.
“I have some really good news,” he said, and I could tell he was excited.
My face lit up. “I have really good news, too. Want to flip for it?”
“Sure,” he said. He pulled a quarter out of his pocket and said, “You call it.” He sent the quarter into the air.
“Heads, of course,” I said. I always called heads.
He looked at the coin on the back of his hand and said, “Tails.”
“Of course,” I said with a smile and a shake of my head. “It's always tails.” We sat down at the table and proceeded to inhale the Reubens. Darby was mumbling through mouthfuls about how much he loved the sandwiches. He said the same thing every time he ate them. As usual, we were washing them down with raspberry iced tea.
“Well,” I prodded him, “spill it. What's your good news?”
“Have you heard about a new shopping plaza going in over by the racquetball club?” he asked.
I nodded. “Martin told me about it on Monday. The entire plaza is supposed to be high-end stores from New York, right?”
“Yep,” he acknowledged. “And I’ve been trying to contact all the incoming tenants to see if I could do some web or marketing writing for them, and I heard back from Angelo Brothers. They’re a big jewelry store on Fifth Avenue, and they liked the samples I sent. We had a good conversation on the telephone today, and I’m leaving tomorrow night for New York City for the weekend.”
“Oh my gosh! Darby, that’s so exciting!” I squealed in delight for him.
“I know. Isn’t it?” He was grinning from ear to ear. “Most of the work will be done when they open the store here in Carbide City, but to get the ball rolling, we’re going to brainstorm in New York this weekend. I’ll be able to see their store, the type of merchandise they offer, and hopefully, sign a contract with them.”
“Wow! That’s awesome,” I said sincerely. “I know you’ll do a fantastic job; you always do. I envy you going to New York.”
“Well, about that,” he said looking extremely mischievous. “I figured since I’m supposed to be babysitting you for Mick, you’ll just have to come with me so I can keep an eye on you. We leave tomorrow night, and we’ll be back Sunday night. Piece of cake.”
“You can’t be serious,” I said incredulously. “I can’t go to New York.”
“Why not?” he asked. He didn’t seem fazed at all by my reaction. “You’re not doing anything this weekend. You already said you only hope to play a couple of games of racquetball with Samantha. Admit it, you’re open. Besides, I could use a traveling companion.” He waited for a response from me.
“Darby, I don’t know,” I told him with hesitation. It was such short notice, and I didn’t know if I could make it work.
“Well, I do know,” he said matter-of-factly. “I already called for a room for you, but the hotel the Angelo brothers booked for me is completely filled. That’s not a problem if you don’t mind sharing a room with me. There are two king-sized beds, so we’ll have plenty of room.”
I looked into his enthusiastic eyes. New York City. What a tempting offer. It wouldn’t be the first time Darby and I had taken off together. I could go shopping. A light bulb went off over my head. I would be making more money soon, so I could go shopping!
My eyes lit up, and I practically yelled, “Oh my gosh! Darby, I was so excited for you, I almost forgot to tell you about the promotion I was offered today.” I quickly filled him in on all of the details and finished with, “I’m sure I’ll take the job, so shopping in New York City will be perfect. I’ll need some new clothes for my new position, and I can go shopping while you’re in meetings.” I rubbed my hands together and squealed, “You’re the best babysitter ever!”
He threw his head back and laughed a belly laugh. At least we were both happy about our jobs tonight. We cleaned up the kitchen and headed for the sofa with refilled glasses of tea. I handed the remote to him. I was surprised when he didn’t settle back with a cooking show, but tuned into The Mentalist instead. I was fine with the decision. That sexy hot and handsome Patrick Jane was practically a Darby clone, only older. I took my spot on the sofa. It was going to be good to have the diversion of New York for the weekend. It would help take my mind off the unresolved issues of love and sex with Mick.
Chapter Five
By 8:00 P.M. Friday night, we were on our way to The Big Apple. The flight would be less than two hours, and we were scheduled to land at 9:30. I glanced at Darby and saw he was lost in thought. This was a big weekend for him, and I didn’t want to disturb him by trying to chat.
I was excited to be going to New York City. I had only been in the city once before about four years ago. My hippie Aunt Charlotte on my dad’s side had run off to New York with a man, and after spending the weekend in the city, they decided to fly on to London for an extended stay. Her passport was at her home in Ohio, so I jumped at the chance to fly into LaGuardia to drop it off for her. My parents had a conniption when they found out I didn’t turn around and come right back home, but instead took a cab into the city and checked into the Sheraton Hotel. Why would I come home on a Friday afternoon when I could spend the weekend in New York City? Besides, Aunt Charlotte slipped $300 to me to add to my own pool of money.
I settled more comfortably in my seat, put my head back, and smiled to myself remembering that first trip. . . .
I was awed by the city, and my first cab ride was quite an experience, but I didn’t mind even if I was almost thrown to the floor several times. I checked in, went to my room, gawked at the magnificent view - and terror set in. I was alone in New York City. I was too afraid to leave the room.
By 7:00 that evening, I finally talked myself into at least going down to the hotel bar and relaxing with a glass of wine. I changed into my one and only little black dress that was just above the knee and had a square cut neckline with squared cap sleeves. The dress was close fitting and sexy. If I was going to venture out, I might as well look good. I slipped into a simple pair of black peep-toe heels.
I had only been at the bar for a few minutes when a much-older-than-me, very well dressed, bald man sat down beside me. Not everyone can wear bald well, but he was handsome. He introduced himself as the hotel’s general manager and struck up a conversation. We engaged in typical banter such as where are you from, how long will you be with us, and what do you do for a living. In return, I asked him about running the hotel. It was an easy, enjoyable conversation.
After about an hour, he excused himself and told me to have a nice evening. I was proud of myself. I had left the room, it went well, and I was feeling much braver. When I returned to my room, I opened the door, and there on the floor was a card which had been slipped under the door. I picked it up. It was the hotel manager’s business card. On the back had been handwritten, Room 217. Please join me. I bolted the door, jumped into bed with all of my clothes on, and pulled the covers over my head.
Hunger drove me from my room on Saturday. Keeping an eye out for the manager, I sneaked down to the hotel dining room for a late breakfast. I couldn’t stay in the room for another 24 hours, so over breakfast, I tried to whip up some courage. Crossing the lobby to head back to my room, I noticed the hotel concierge was behind her counter. I stopped and asked for some assistance as to what I could do for the short time I would be in the city. She suggested the theater, of course. She could get a ticket for me that evening at The Palace on Broadway for Legally Blonde, The Musical. I held my breath and said “Yes.”
After hiding out in my room all afternoon, I forced myself to get dressed and not wimp out on the theater. Jumpsuits were back in fashion, and I had a lovely belted one of thin cotton in pastel hues of pink, yellow, and green with a fold-over collar and a button-down front. I left the first several buttons unbuttoned. Tan suede sandals with an ankle strap and 4-inch heels followed the jumpsuit. I may have been afraid, but I was confident I looked good enough to venture out into the city. The doorman hailed a cab for me, and I was on my way.
At the theater, my ticket seated me next to a married couple about my parents’ age. Stella and George seemed to take an interest in me, and they were shocked to hear I was in New York City alone. We chatted for about twenty minutes before the curtain rose, and Stella peppered me with questions about myself, which I wasn’t shy about answering.
The show was fantastic. It was tongue-in-cheek, infantile, and bubbly. I loved it, as did the rest of the audience. I love musicals, and this was a fun, feel-good musical. I was glad I had left the confines of the hotel room for the performance.
After the last curtain call, I started to feel some panic. I had never hailed a cab before, and the concierge told me to be sure to get one quickly as once the first rush of them was gone, it could be a while before another showed up.
Stella and George asked what my plans were, and I told them I was going to try my hand at hailing a cab. Stella pooh-poohed the idea and insisted I go across the street with them for drinks, and they would run me back to my hotel afterward. They didn’t seem like predators; they seemed like protective parents, and I welcomed the idea of not having to deal with a taxi at night.
We walked across the street to an upscale bar and sat at a small table with stools. Stella and I ordered Cosmopolitans while George ordered a scotch, neat. The bar was crowded, and we were continually jostled by people walking by. After several minutes of idle chatter, Stella began rapidly sending texts on her phone. George was already ordering another drink.
Twenty minutes later, three frat-boy types walked into the bar and headed to our table. Stella stood up to kiss one of them. Unbeknownst to me, she had been texting her son, Dale, to come to the bar because there was someone she wanted him to meet. She was trying to play matchmaker!
It was obvious all three of the guys were already intoxicated when they ordered a pitcher of beer. Dale positioned himself on one side of me, and his friend Jack stood on the other side. Skip stood across the small table next to Stella.
The waitress brought the beer, and as she was reaching past me to set it on our table, she was bumped from behind. The entire pitcher of beer spilled down the front of my jumpsuit. I gasped at the shock of it as well as the coldness of it. All three guys yelled, “Nooooo,” and the next thing I knew Dale had his head buried in my lap trying to suck up beer, and Jack was shaking his head while slurping beer off my chest.
I stared at Stella with my eyes wide, but I think her eyes were wider than mine. George was cussing a blue streak. The waitress was in tears and trying to say how sorry she was. George cracked both guys assaulting my body in the head. I stood up and looked down. The thin cotton of the jumpsuit clung to me like I had entered a wet t-shirt contest. Stella rushed me out the front door, and we waited while George went to retrieve the car. Stella was apologetic and tried to be nice on the way to the hotel, but George was swearing under his breath the entire way and mumbling something about hating coming into the city. I high-tailed it back to my room and bolted the door.
All I could manage the next day was a walk up 7th Avenue to Central Park. I sat at the Pulitzer Fountain across from The Plaza Hotel and watched people until it was time to go back to the Sheraton for my luggage and a cab ride to the airport.
My first trip to New York had been exciting, but it bit me in the butt, too. This time I was going to show the city I could handle anything she threw at me, and I wasn’t going to be afraid.
I glanced over at Darby again. He was still lost in thought. I closed my eyes; we’d be landing soon.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Darby and I entered Angelo Brothers Jewelers at exactly 10:00 A.M. when the doors opened, and my jaw dropped. It was beautiful, and it was pink! Well, it wasn’t entirely pink, but there was a lot of pink, and it was gorgeous.
The showroom was modern with white sculptured walls dividing the room into sections. The backdrop of the cases along the outer walls was pink and was the predominant color in the room. A pastel teal color was the accent color in several of the cases. The floors were a beautifully patterned dark wood in what appeared to be a rich walnut. The room had a sensual, romantic feel to it. I almost squealed out loud upon taking it all in.
