Chapter 5
Hot date... for one...
It was Saturday morning and I found myself alone in bed, waking up to the smell of fresh coffee which was a treat, seeing how I'm the one who is usually up first putting on the morning brew, long before Veronica has to be up. It was part of our routine and it was also something I liked to do for her, like brushing the snow off of her car in winter...
"Morning Vee! You're up awful early on a Saturday, couldn't sleep for some reason?" I asked as I came into the kitchen to find Veronica rushing around, she was cleaning...
"I know... I couldn't sleep, and boy did this kitchen need cleaning, I've been letting stuff like this go around here, I'm sorry for that Dana"... She said back to me while rushing to take off her rubber gloves then pulling out a broom to start sweeping.
Right away I knew what was going on with her... She was guilt-cleaning...
"Come here Vee, put that down down and come talk to me"... I said to her while taking the broom from her and setting it aside while having her sit with me at our kitchen table...
"Listen, I can see you're nervous, and I know you tend to clean when something's bothering you. Are you having second thoughts about going out tonight?" I asked after sitting her down and refilling her cup...
"Well, yes...and no... Oh I don't know what to think"... She began, sounding rather unsure and flustered really... "I do want to go... I love the idea of letting my hair down and having some fun, but then I think about what were doing... I mean, I'm married, but I'm going on a date with another man, with our best friend"...
Hearing her say that took me back a second...
"You think Reg is 'our' best friend? Is that how you see him?" I asked, not that it was hugely important, I'd just never heard her refer to him like that before as 'our best friend'...
"Well, yeah sure... You guy's are practically like brothers, you're that close... So I'll call him a 'best-friend' or he's certainly one of them"... She answered but I understood, as I told her.
"Oh I know baby... Don't get me wrong, I think it's wonderful for you to see him that way... Like we say, it's kinda of important we all get along, and it's nice to hear you say stuff like that"... I said to her as we both paused then with me thinking of having her look at this a little differently...
"So, if you're nervous, and we're all 'just-friends'... Why even call it a 'date'?"... I asked as she looked at me a little puzzled...
"What I'm saying is... If you ask me baby... Calling it a 'date' adds too much pressure... So why don't we just say you and 'your' best friend are going out dancing tonight? Does that help take the edge off?"... I asked trying to make her feel better and it seemed to, she was glad that I was thinking so level-headed... But to be honest, I was just as nervous as she was...
This was all freaking me out just as much, but I also knew that I needed to be there to support her... Hell, I even asked if she wanted to back out...
"Or if you're that unsure, you know you can cancel... I'm sure Reg will understand"... I said to her but the look she gave me, it was like backing out wasn't an option for her, or one that she'd never seriously considered...
"What? No... I couldn't do that to him, I'd never be able to face him again... No, I'm going, I want to go... I'm just nervous about how you're going to think and feel... Also? What are you going to do with yourself while were out? You know we could be late, like when we all went out the last time, we didn't back till like 3am that night"...
Smiling I could see her doing it again, getting herself worked up over small stuff and looking for excuses. It was almost like she was waiting for me to be the one to tell her not to go, but I kind of felt the same, I wanted her to go, but neither did I want any awkward tension with Reg... I was fine, but I knew Veronica would feel bad every time she saw him, which would be quite often considering he lives on our land...
"Don't you worry about me, I'll be fine on my own" I started saying to her... "Between TV and the internet, I should be able to keep myself entertained... And!" I added sounding excited... "And... I get order a pizza with pineapple!" I adding joking again to break some of the tension, because she hates pineapple on pizza... I love it, and I don't care what anyone thinks...
"Oh well, doesn't that make me feel a whole lot better"... She answered sarcastically as I stood putting my cup in the sink and taking up the broom I continued from where she'd left off, sending her to the showers after suggesting something that seemed to perk her up...
"Hey look, it's after 9am, the mall opens at 10... Why don't you grab a shower and we'll head over, pull out Mr. Visa card and maybe look for a new dress"... I said turning and smiling as she did the same...
"Really?" She asked looking much brighter, happier...
"Yeah sure, and you can go see Shirley too if you like"... I added mentioning her stylist but then crinkling her nose at me she looked a little leery on that one...
"Yeah... That's a good idea, but Sheila is a bit gobby, and she has this way of getting stuff out of me. I'd be afraid I'd say something, so I shouldn't"... She answered but again, I had to let her know that she wasn't doing anything wrong...
"Ahh... Who cares what Sheila thinks? Remember. You're not doing anything wrong, you're just going dancing with a friend"... I let her know as she rose and turned to head up for her shower.
"Yeah! A 'guy' friend... A very 'hot' guy friend... So no... I just need a set; I'll see if I can get in at hairdressers in the mall... You don't mind waiting for me?" She asked and I was cool with that, I had some things I needed to pick up as well.
"Yeah, I'm good... I need a few things, we can split up for a while, you can text me when you're ready... How's that sound?" I suggested and she smiled and nodded while turning away, heading up stairs, which left me with a kitchen to tidy up...