1998: Solace awakened that Sunday with anticipation. She was to meet Rosanna at Maria's Market—a new restaurant on 91st street that offered what was billed as "healthy" cuisine. Solace was not particularly health conscious, but she did make an effort to eat something nutritious at least a few times a week. She stood in front of her closet with the gooseneck lamp shining brightly over her shoulder. Gracious, that lamp is hot! I better pick something before I fry here. This was a thought that ran through her head each time she stood in front of her closet. She decided on a pair of white jeans and a red long-sleeved shirt. And now for the all-important shoes! She scanned the rows of her shoe rack and picked out a pair of white walking shoes that had a small black heel as she knew she'd be wearing a black sweater. As she was in such a free-spirited mood, she left her mane of auburn hair loose and simply brushed it to remove any stray tangles. She dabbed on a lipstick that she and Jessie had picked out at Bloomingdale's. Jessie had advised her that it made her look sexy, but not slutty. Now why did she care about looking sexy? Better not stop to analyze that one recalling the dream she'd had the night before.
When she was ready, she sat down in her favorite chair. She hadn't been sitting two minutes when she jumped up and flew back into the bathroom for a last check of her lips and to dab a bit more deodorant on. She was filled with a nervous energy and couldn't seem to sit still, which was probably why she dashed out of her bathroom and into the wall.
"Ouch!" she yelped. She backed into the bathroom to assess the damage. I better put some ice on it, she thought. Having retrieved the frigid remedy, she sat down and plastered it to her head hoping to avoid a goose-egg.
"Why me?" she asked the empty room. She answered her own question. "Because your head's screwed on backwards thinking about this woman. That's why. Now try to pull yourself together before you do serious damage to yourself or some unsuspecting pedestrian.
She sat there until she checked her watch and realized she had better be going or she would be late. But I've got to call Jessie, she thought. I need her to give me some words of wisdom. She picked up the phone and punched in the numbers. The phone rang for quite a while before it was finally picked up by a very sleepy Jessie.
"Solace, this better be good. I just dropped off a couple of hours ago," said a very groggy Jessie.
"Is that true or are you trying to play one of your awful jokes on me?" Solace asked with suspicion.
"No, I'm not doing that. I worked on the musical until seven this morning and I—" She broke off. "What do you want, woman?"
"I need advice. I'm meeting with Rosanna today and I just want to do the right thing and not scare her away," Solace said, unconsciously beginning to play with the dripping towel she had previously used to dab at her recently injured forehead.
"Solace, just be yourself," Jessie advised.
"Be myself? Well, I guess I could try that. You think she'll be freaked out by the blind thing?" Solace asked with uncharacteristic self-consciousness.
"Doesn't she already know?" Jessie asked.
"Well, yeah, but—" Solace realized that she must sound ridiculous and decided that Jessie was right. If Rosanna had been scared off by the blink act, she would not have asked her out. Right? Right.
"Thank you, Jessie. You're right, as always," Solace said.
"Oh, please. You know you don't think I'm always right. So don't even try that, Solace. Just have a great time, okay. And goodbye!" With that she hung up the phone, rolled over and attempted to complete the sleep that crazy Solace had interrupted. But her last coherent thought was that she hoped Rosanna was not going out with Solace out of curiosity or pity. She fell asleep with a frown marring her smooth, milk-chocolate complexion.
Solace put down the phone, grabbed up her bag and flew out of her door. She was halfway down the stairs when she realized that she had forgotten her cane. She ran back up the stairs, panting from exertion and frustration. She opened the door and went to its normal location. No cane. She growled. She then went on a rampage, looking for her lost mobility device. Where had she put it? She could not go without it. It did not occur to her to look in her closet.
Rosanna had not felt this nervous since her first date—and that was many dates ago. She chose her outfit with care, stopping at one point to remind herself that Solace probably would not be able to see what she was wearing. But she quickly dismissed that idea. Sol has some sight. I don't know how much, but she might be able to see me and I want to look good for her. Why this should matter so early in their relationship, she did not know. Relationship? She had chosen white pants, a navy long-sleeved shirt and short navy-colored boots. She applied only a light lipstick and dabbed on her signature scent--"Sensuale". She didn't have to worry about her hair because she had squeezed in an appointment with her stylist the day before. She smirked as she recalled the conversation:
"Alos, please! I need my hair done. I have a really important meeting." Rosanna hoped this would sway the popular, but temperamental hairdresser.
"Everyone's important, R. I have clients calling me up saying they're meeting with this person and that person. What can I do? I'm only one person," Alos Tempierri sighed with self-importance. Alos, who never allowed anyone to call him Al.
"Okay, Alos. I have a date." Rosanna confessed.
"Good for you. When don't you have a date?" Alos sniffed.
"Look. I'll make a deal with you. If you'll squeeze me in, I'll give you some computer lessons." Rosanna offered. She knew she must be desperate because the thought of the high-strung hair genius at a computer was positively frightening. But she needed her hair done.
"Well…maybe I can—" Alos began, but was interrupted.
"Great! When can I come?" Rosanna pounced on the opportunity like a puma on its prey. She did not want to give him any room to wriggle out of the deal.
"If you can make it here in half an hour, I'll start someone, do you, and finish them after," Alos said.
