Today People

by Barbara G. Tarn

  They shook hands.

  She looked more curious than wary now. "Are you friends with Amanda?"

  "No, her father, my boss, invited me."

  "Oh, you're that Chris."

  "You heard of me?" he asked, puzzled.

  "Yeah, Mr. Goldberg has been ranting about you for days now." She shook her ponytail with an amused smile.

  "Ouch." He averted his eyes, uneasy.

  "No, he says you're smart, capable, good-looking... and single."

  He could feel her eyes on him now. "And he gave me six months to get married if I wanted a promotion," he blurted out sourly.

  "I know, he's been trying to impose marriage on me as well." She snorted. "Just because he got lucky – so to speak – doesn't mean everybody else has to!" She sounded exasperated.

  Chris smiled against his will. "So you're single too."

  "Yep. Never been married. People keep asking me if I'm a lesbian." She shrugged, closing her notebook and toying with her pen.

  "Are you?" Chris asked.

  "Are you gay?" she retorted.

  "No! Why?" he protested.

  "Same here." She smiled at him. "See? An unmarried woman is a lesbian, a man is a heartthrob."

  "I'm sorry, but you said it first."

  "I said people ask, not that I am. You know, some women can have a very fulfilling life on their own."

  "Can you believe men can live a bachelor life and be content too?" he replied defiantly.

  "I do, but Mr. Goldberg has another idea of love and relationships," she assured.

  Chris scoffed. "He married his brother's widow!"

  "Well, I was looking for Prince Charming when I was younger, but at some point I realized he doesn't exist," she admitted.

  "I guess not. I have female friends, but no relationship worthy of that name."

  "My best male friends are gay, the straight ones couldn't take the 'no' I gave them."

  "Most men can't take 'no' for an answer."

  She stared at him. "Can you?"

  "I don't give, therefore I can't ask, can I?" he answered. "I have a couple of fuck buddies, but that's it."

  "I'm not even interested in that." She sighed, staring in the distance. "I've been told I'm selfish."

  "Why, because you don't fall in love?" He couldn't believe his ears. "Then I'm very selfish too!"

  "I don't know, you actually sound like one of the very few males who know that boys don't cry, but real men do." She grinned at him.

  "I don't know about that!" And he couldn't tell if it was a compliment or not either. "So, Mr. Goldberg is trying to push you to commit as well?"

  "He's trying, yes."

  "I know how hard it can be! So, you're a Goldberg?"

  "Nope, my cousin Amanda is the real thing. I'm from Danielle's side."

  "I've met her, she's very sweet. But I don't think I can find another woman like her."

  "Yeah, Aunt Danielle is great. I've been in her custody since my mother died. I was twelve." She stared in the distance again.

  He could relate. Except he hadn't had a surrogate, as his father never remarried. "So she's been like a mother to you," he said.

  "Yeah..." She turned her attention back to him. "So, what do you do, apart from working hard for the Goldberg Corporation and looking for a wife?"

  "Have you ever considered some people might actually like a job you find boring and useless?" Chris asked, a little defensive, but Helen's tone had made it clear of what she thought of the Goldberg Corporation.

  "Sure, so you do the job of your dreams. Good for you. Any hobbies?"

  "I like reading. I have more bookshelves than any of my friends."

  She made an admiring face. "Have you seen the Goldberg library inside the house?"

  "I caught a glimpse today. Impressive. And what do you do?"

  She showed the closed notebook. "I'm a writer."

  "Any titles I might have heard of?"

  "I'm using different pen names to write in different genres. I'm very prolific."

  "How many books have you published?"

  "Let me see... Thirty-something, probably forty by the end of the year."

  "Whoa!" He was very impressed. "I'd really love to read some."

  "I'm not sure you'll like them."

  "Why not? Is it all romantic books for frustrated housewives?"

  "Oh, God, no!" She chuckled. "Maybe a couple from the beginning. Now I'm more into sci-fi and fantasy, although I still write contemporary stories."

  "Good, then I can read some."

  "You read genre books?" She seemed puzzled. Was he too old to be a sci-fi and fantasy geek? He didn't really go to conventions or anything, after all.

  "I read everything, as long as it's fiction. Not much into the classics," he admitted.

  She looked skeptical, but then smiled. "Good to find an exec with a reading hobby."

  Chris smiled back with a shrug. "How about joining that barbecue?" he suggested.

  "Go ahead. I'll join in later."

  "Okay. It was a pleasure talking to you, Helen."

  "Nice meeting you too, Chris."

  5.

  So, I met the (in)famous Chris Coleman! He looks nice, but he's as pissed off as I am with Mr. Goldberg. And I didn't even tell him of the high hopes the old man had of seeing us together. I mean, I was hiding precisely because I didn't want to meet Chris (AND I had a story to finish, of course!), but I guess it wasn't that bad. Now if Mr. Goldberg asks me if I met him, I'll say "Who? No, why?" Serves him right. He shouldn't play matchmaker, especially for someone who doesn't give a shit about finding the love of his or her life. I mean, I'm not 100% sure about Chris, but I certainly don't want a man to mess up my life. I'm married to Mr. Writing, for Christ's sake! What's wrong with that? Aunt Danielle will be kept in the dark as well. She's so in love, she can't keep anything from her husband. Why she's so obsessed with the Goldberg men is anyone's guess! Glad there was no third brother, or they'd have pushed me in HIS arms, yikes! Anyway, it was fun. I doubt I'll ever see Chris again. Well, maybe when he gets married to please his boss. Talk about workaholic, ready to die for the company. Umph. Pity, he was kinda cute...

  ***

  Chris sat at the Laundromat, reading a book while he waited. He barely noticed the girl sitting two chairs down, until she addressed him. She looked quite common, and not of the rich type. Pretty but unassuming. She sort of looked familiar – she probably lived in the area – but they had never started a conversation before.

  "I've heard about that, is it any good?" she asked, her chin pointing at the book in his hands. She also had one, but Chris could see only the back cover.

  "Yeah, sort of. I've had better," he answered. He glanced at her book and she showed him the cover. "How about yours?"

  She grimaced. "I've had better." She grinned. "My name is Lucy." She offered her hand.

  "Chris," he answered shaking it. "Come here often?"

  "As often as you do..."

  ***

  Mike, Chris and Linda came out of the Goldberg Corporation and stopped on the sidewalk. Chris blinked in the sun, not used to exiting the building at five with the rest of the employees.

  A glamorous redhead in her thirties came out of the building.

  "Uh, Sarah, do you need a lift?" Mike offered her.

  Sarah stared at them with contempt before stopping a taxi.

  "No, thank you." She got in and left, followed by Mike's eyes.

  "Bitch," he muttered.

  "That's Big Boss's personal secretary, what did you expect?" Linda teased. "We're nothing to Miss Sarah Gordon!"

  "She could be at least nice to us," Mike complained.

  "She's very busy, more than Chris here."

  "I'm not so uptight, I hope," Chris commented.

  Linda smiled fondly at him. "No, you're so nice you're taking me home!"

  "Okay, guys, see you tomorrow!" Mike left, shaking his head.

  Linda followed Chris to his car and soon they were stu
ck in the traffic of the rush hour.

  "I bet you're not used to this," Linda said.

  "Not really, no," Chris admitted. "The subway might have been faster for you."

  "And miss the chance to be taken home by my favorite co-worker?" she grinned, squeezing his arm with her fingers. "No way, Chris!"

  He smiled back, amused.

  "How come lately you finish earlier?" she continued, curious.

  "Mr. Goldberg wants me to have a private life," he answered, trying to sound neutral. His tendency was to be a little aggressive when on that topic, so he really needed to control himself.

  "Well, he certainly likes you a lot!" Linda commented. "I think he considers you the son he doesn't have."

  "So he says. But I don't miss the father I lost," Chris said, a little too bluntly for Linda's taste.

  "Chris, come on!" she chided. "I'm sure you miss your parents!"

  "I'm sorry, Linda, I guess my life is a bit of a mess, lately, with lots of people telling me what to do as if I were still a kid," he replied, trying to grab his patience and hold it. Not an easy feat when he was treated like a child by someone younger than him.

  "It's because you need a woman who takes care of you," she said gravely. "You might not notice it, but we do."

  "I don't need a wife!" Chris exploded, exasperated. "Besides, I'm too selfish to spend my life with someone."

  "No, you're just scared," Linda corrected. "You don't want to change your daily routine. But if you meet the right person, I swear you'd be happy to compromise."

  "And how am I supposed to find something I don't know I'm missing?" he asked, sarcastic.

  "Use your heart," she suggested. "Not your head, your heart." She patted her bosom for emphasis.

  He shook his head with a sigh. "What if I don't have a heart?" he said. "I'd rather sleep alone, or with a good book."

  "You rely on books too much." Linda snorted. "You should read less and go out more."

  "I don't like going out. I'm doing it because I have to."

  "See? You're using your head again. Look for someone who has your same tastes..."

  "Like staying in and reading a good book?"

  "Yeah, why not? Enjoy your free time, you might meet a woman you can actually talk to."

  "I already know a couple, but they're already married." He smiled fondly at her.

  "I'm sure there are many more that are still single out there," she assured, smiling back.

  Chris nodded, thoughtful. He wondered where Lucy bought her books. Maybe she knew Naomi the salesgirl too. Maybe they had met at the bookshop as well as the Laundromat, but were both too busy reading to notice each other.

  Well, they had started talking now, and even exchanged phone numbers. After he dropped Linda, Chris called Lucy and asked her to meet him at Naomi's bookshop.

  ***

  Thoughts on men after the second meeting with Terry – six months later. Still chuckling at the thought of Aunt Danielle's face if she ever sees him. Look who's come to dinner 40 years later, haha! Anyway, he's very sweet and outgoing – with everyone. I love his voice (sends shivers down my spine) and I love his smile (white teeth on a black face, aaah!). I like the way his hands brush my leg when he talks. But he also has a silver ring. When he talks to me and looks at me the way he does, I melt.

  I addressed him because he was so handsome and a writer – wasn't really cheating on Mr. Writing, was I? – then we decided to write something together. Except I wrote 90% of it. Anyway, we managed to meet again after six months, to discuss our story (white woman with black man romance, guess why)...

  So, we discussed together for one hour today, then he tells me he has something for me but it's in his room. Panic, then "why not?" So I follow him to his hotel (the convention's was overbooked, he was staying one block away) trying not to think and... they were doing his room. I wanted to burst out laughing when he grumbled "Shit!" I had an excuse to run away, and I did. I don't mind being close to him (he doesn't smell?), but I felt relieved he couldn't do what he probably planned to do – getting more intimate with me. Sorry, Terry, you're gorgeous, but...

  Tomorrow we both go back home, as the writers' conference is over, who knows if and when we'll meet again? Still, his black hands on my pale body... ah, shut up, Helen! Invite him to your room if you feel so bold! (I wish...)

  Thinking about Terry and my so-called sense of humor: Him "Have you ever been in love?" Me "A long time ago." Him "That's funny." Funny? I'm telling the truth and he thinks I'm joking! Sigh. And he's hitting on me. Glad the housekeeper was in his room when we got there...

  ***

  Chris sat in Mike's backyard with a drink. Mike slumped in the chair next to him with a sigh of relief.

  "Sorry about that," he said, as their conversation had been interrupted by an "emergency" in the house.

  Snapping back to reality, Chris heard Mike's daughter sobbing in her mother's arms. He shivered under the sun – he wasn't ready for any of that.

  "What were you saying?" Mike sipped his own drink, relaxing.

  "I'm sick of those online encounters," Chris answered. "I closed the account."

  "Didn't you have another month?" Mike wondered.

  "Yes, but it wasn't working anyway." Chris shrugged. The three-month free trial sounded like a good deal, and he was glad he hadn't decided to pay for those services. "Computers don't smell, don't sweat, don't cry."

  "Why, were those girls smelly?"

  "No, but I couldn't find any chemistry with the real person."

  Mike pondered. "Have you asked out some of our co-workers?"

  "A couple," Chris answered absentmindedly. "Didn't work either."

  "Will you see the Laundromat girl again, what's her name?"

  "Lucy? She's nice. Yeah, I guess I will."

  They both sipped their drinks, musing about love and relationships and how hard it was. For everyone.

  "You know, I think you should go for Sarah Gordon," Mike said.

  "Are you kidding?" Chris scoffed. "The princess on the pea would never look at me!"

  "She might, now." Mike winked.

  "Why, just because her boss promised me a promotion?" Chris retorted, jarred.

  "Yeah, you're good for her career plans." Mike chuckled.

  "Mike, please!" Chris snorted. "Why should I marry someone like that?"

  "You could fuck her and dump her on behalf of all of us," Mike suggested eagerly.

  "All of you are married and you should stop fantasizing about her," Chris replied, glaring at his friend.

  "Okay, just an idea!" Mike shook his head with a shrug.

  "You're not helpful," Chris muttered.

  "I'm afraid in this case nobody can help you but yourself," Mike said, serious now.

  Chris sighed. Mike was right. Linda was right too, though, he should follow his heart.

  He was at the office when the thought of Helen hit him. The woman was intriguing and she said she was a writer. Without thinking, he picked up the phone and called the Goldberg Mansion.

  He lay back in his chair as he waited for Helen to come through. She sounded surprised to hear him, but she remembered him.

  "How come you have this number?" she asked.

  "I work with Mr. Goldberg, remember?" he answered, amused.

  "Right, I should have known! So this is a follow up call for...?"

  "You haven't given me any titles, or even your pen names for my next trip to the bookshop," he said.

  "You mean you're actually serious about it?"

  "Of course I am. Do you have a web page?"

  "Silvery Earth dot com, but that's for the heroic fantasy only. And I have a blog."

  "Can I contact you and ask for more details from there?"

  "Feedback is always welcome. Reply depends on the content of the mail."

  "What an important author!"

  "It's just to avoid online stalkers."

  "All right, I'll e-mail you when I've read one book."

  Chris hung
up and started his online search, very happy with himself. At Naomi's bookshop he found Johnny&Marian by Helen Turner and the Books of the Immortals – Air by Barbara G.Tarn.

  Naomi smiled her approval at his purchase.

  "Can you believe I actually know the author of these two?" he said.

  She raised her eyebrows, skeptical. "It's two different people."

  "Ever heard of pen names and ghost writers?" He beamed.

  "Oh, right." Naomi nodded. "By the way, did you get rid of that box of unwanted books?"

  "Yeah, gave them to the public library, thanks."

  "Is this author any good?"

  "I have no idea yet. But I'll let you know."

  "Remember autographed books are worth more. Will you ask her to sign them? With her real name, maybe?"

  "I don't know, we'll see..."

  6.

  Chris called. Not a good sign. Although he didn't ask for a date, but about my books. Nice. I wonder if he actually bought something. I mean, others have told me "I'd love to read one of your books!". Blah blah blah – they never did. Sometimes they just want an autographed copy to put on their shelves, they don't even open it. Talk about friends.

  Okay, I'm too prolific for my friends – I'm always at loss when they ask me about "my book" (singular), I mean, which one are they referring to? – but still. Hasn't been a line to hook up with me so far, though, so I don't know what's on Chris's mind. I just don't believe in friendship between men and women. A handsome man like him can't be interested only in my writing, can he? He must want something else as well – that physical part everybody so rants about but I'm not interested in trying. I'm really not. I'll have to get drunk to allow someone to make love to me, haha!

  I mean, even Terry. Yeah, we started talking and writing the story, but I know he wants more. And I'm not ready to give it to him yet, even if I find him very attractive.

  I don't like kisses. And even if sometimes I'd love some cuddles, I don't like being touched in general. I guess I'm not used to it. Lady Ice, much like Aunt Danielle, who was a virgin when she got married. Well, I'm still a virgin and I'm now older than she was, haha. Anyway, my curiosity towards sex has vanished and I lost interest in all that stuff. How I'm still able to write romance is still a mystery – I guess I can thank my wild imagination! I so love to make up stuff! But I also learned to research, so I guess I'll be all right.