Once Broken

by D. M. Hamblin

  In addition to being a waitress, Ellen was an uninhibited aspiring actress who practiced her artistry whenever and wherever she felt the urge. Her tall lean body and kinky red hair suited her zany nature. In any conversational lull, Ellen was likely to spew some well-rehearsed Broadway monologue to deliberately attract attention and shock bystanders she considered her audience. The expressions on the faces of the spectators sent Jackie into fits of laughter. One particular night, as they sat at a bar, Ellen lit a cigarette in a long cigarette holder. Holding it between her fore and middle fingers, she sprang into a monologue from Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Looking at Jackie as if it were mid-conversation, she threw her voice into the character of Charlotte Korman. Jackie was expected to play along. But the expressions on the bar patrons’ faces made her laugh so hard she cried. With Ellen’s spontaneity, even Molly’s could be tolerable, she decided.

  Mid-evening, as Jackie left the ladies’ room, she heard someone call her name.

  “Hey Jackie!”

  She spotted a tall guy waving to her. Focusing, she was stunned to realize it was Tony.

  “Hey, do you remember me?”

  Her mind flooded with memories. “Sure, yeah. How’ve you been?” Her heart thumped.

  “Good, better now. It’s great to see you. Excuse the cliché, but do you come here often?”

  “No, thank God. In fact, I hope this is the last time. Heavy metal isn’t my thing.”

  “Well, I’m glad you did. Actually, I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. Wondering whatever became of you. Want a drink?”

  “Sure, a vodka gimlet please.” Tony flagged a waitress and ordered drinks as Jackie settled against the wall and took a cigarette from her purse. He leaned over with a lighter. “Thanks.”

  “I didn’t know you smoked.” He lit one for himself.

  “Yup. Started a few years ago. They’re my friends.”

  Tony chuckled. “I know the feeling.”

  Shouting over the music, they caught up on each other’s lives. Luke Jackson, Tony’s closest friend, nudged his arm, gesturing his approval. Tony acknowledged Luke’s gesture with a nod and a smile, as the waitress delivered their drinks. “Luke this is—”

  “Victoria Principal. Has anyone ever told you that you look like her? You’re prettier though, if that’s possible.”

  “Geez, thanks. You guys are full of compliments.” Jackie sipped her drink and put out her cigarette. “You still selling cars?”

  “Actually no. I left the dealership right after Patty’s closed. I landed sales job with Dennison Manufacturing Company in Framingham. It’s going great and the money’s terrific.”

  “Good. You still driving that Camaro?”

  “Oh no. In fact, just got a new 1974 Mustang. I’ll have to take you for a ride sometime,” he said with a wink. “What’ve you been up to?”

  “What he wants to know,” Luke said, “is if you’re seeing anyone.”

  “Ah.” Jackie nodded in understanding. “Thanks for the interpretation, Luke, but a big-time salesman like Tony should be able to speak for himself.”

  “Well, are you?” Tony asked.

  “Maybe.”

  “What kind of answer is maybe? You make me ask a direct question and I get maybe?”

  “A cagey one,” Luke said with a sparkle in his eye. Jackie smiled.

  “Okay then, I’ll rephrase. Can I give you a call? We’ll take a ride in the Mustang and go to dinner.” He leaned closer to Jackie. “I’ve missed seeing you.”

  “Well, I have an affinity for Mustangs. I have one myself—it’s a 1966.” My rust-covered beaten-up Mustang with gears that slip hardly compares to his. She chuckled to herself as she jotted down her phone number on a cocktail napkin. “Here you go.” She hoped she appeared aloof; inside she was screaming with joy.

  Tony and Jackie met Ellen and her boyfriend Joe as Molly’s was closing, and walked out to the parking lot together. Ellen and Joe waited in the car while Jackie and Tony lagged behind, flirting. At Ellen’s car, conversation halted. Anticipation rolled in. Leaning against the car, bodies pressed to each other, his kiss was passionate but brief. “I’ll give you a call sometime this week,” he promised as he opened the car door for her.

  Heading for home, her heart still pounding, she shared her Tony Salvucci story with Ellen and Joe.

  “Holy shit, Jackie! Kinda weird, don’t you think?”

  “Weird, how?”

  “Well, you had such a crush on him, and might I add, obviously still do judging by the glow on your face. Maybe this is something that’s meant to be,” Ellen said.

  “Hmm, maybe. After Patty’s closed, I assumed I’d never see him again. Yet more than a year later, he still makes me quiver. And boy, can that guy kiss! Ooh!” Jackie squealed with excitement. “Oh my God, he’s gonna call me, finally!”

  *

  A week passed. Two weeks. No phone call from Tony. Jackie was confused and annoyed. She vented in a conversation with Tara. “Why wouldn’t he call? He seemed to like me.” Sprawled across her bed that was littered with textbooks, she swept her dark hair away from her face while reviewing her encounters with Tony. “When we met at Patty’s I wanted him to ask me out, but he never did. I think maybe he had a girlfriend. Anyway, he was so easy to talk to and we laughed so easily. Now he says he’ll call and nothing! I wonder if he got home okay. Maybe there’s something wrong with him?”

  “Jackie I hate to say this, but I doubt anything happened to him. Who knows why he didn’t call. I know you like him, but he’s no good for you. He plays head games, and that stuff makes you crazy.”

  “Yeah, but Tara, he affects me like no other guy I’ve ever met.”

  *

  Jackie was working four nights a week at The Stockyard. A huge oak bar filled the center of the room, with booths and tables around it for dining customers. Working in a renowned restaurant, she made excellent money. She also made many friends in addition to Ellen, most notably, David Lancaster, a line cook. David was a tall, blond, twenty-year-old Texan who had a wild crush on Jackie at first sight. Much to David’s dismay, their relationship was strictly platonic. Jackie was aware of his romantic desires, but to her, he was comfortable, steadfast, and of no romantic interest.

  *

  A month passed since she met Tony at Molly’s. Jackie was at Sammy White’s, a popular hangout for employees of The Stockyard. The music was trendy disco and the crowd was subdued compared to Molly’s patrons. Sunday nights, being Ladies’ Night, always attracted a large crowd.

  Jackie stood beside Sully, her brother Vic’s friend, who felt like another brother to her. They chatted and watched the disco band, dressed in bejeweled white bell-bottomed jumpsuits, perform “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. Someone squeezed her shoulders from behind and whispered, “Guess who?”

  No guesses needed. Only one person made her senses flair with his husky voice and that alluring scent of Brut. Her heart sank as her anger rose. She turned to look at him.

  “Hi! What’s up?” Tony asked.

  “Nothing.” Jackie turned away.

  When Tony persisted in talking with her despite her cold shoulder, she excused herself to Sully and joined David at the other side of the long bar. Plopping down on the seat next to David, she grabbed his cigarette and took a drag. “I’m so annoyed.” She crossed her arms. “Remember that guy Tony I told you about?”

  “Yeah, what about him?” David retrieved his cigarette and motioned the bartender to get Jackie a drink.

  “He’s over by the dance floor. I’m shaking mad! I was talking to Sully and he came up behind me, squeezed my shoulders, and whispered ‘Guess who?’ I don’t know what kind of game he’s playing but I’m so freaking aggravated!” The bartender put Jackie’s vodka gimlet down on a cocktail napkin. “Thanks,” she said to David with a sweet smile. “You know me so well.”

  “I sure do and I know that you’re aggravated now. But if this jerk asks you out, you’ll fall hook, line, and sinker. J
ackie, I don’t know why you’re such a sucker for him. You’re not a sucker for anyone else. What is it about him? You should tell him to…” Sentence unfinished, David realized he’d lost Jackie’s attention. Tony was standing beside her.

  “Hey Jackie, is something wrong?”

  “Nah, should there be?”

  “I don’t know.” Challenged to win her over, he added, “But I want to ask you if you’ll go to the movies Friday night?”

  As David predicted, her defenses crumbled. “Why didn’t you call to ask me?”

  “Oh I meant to… I wanted to… Ah, as embarrassing as it is, here’s the truth,” Tony confessed. “I lost your number and I don’t know your last name. So I couldn’t look it up in the phone book. Are you mad because I didn’t call?”

  “Well, yeah.” Relieved, she sighed. “My last name is Martin. You know, when a guy tells me he’ll call, I’m naïve enough to believe it. So, if I give you my number again, promise you’ll use it?”

  “Promise.” Typical of time spent with Tony, she was oblivious to anyone around her and neglected to notice that David had walked out leaving the chair available for Tony.

  *

  The following night at work, David was unusually quiet. Jackie stood in the back of the kitchen smoking a cigarette before the dinner rush, watching David cooking behind the line. Typically he’d join her for a cigarette, but not tonight.

  “Hey David, you okay? You’re awfully quiet.”

  “I’m fine. Just busy.”

  “Really? The dining room is empty and your prep work is done. Come have a cigarette with me.”

  David was a sucker for Jackie. He grabbed his coffee, joined her, and took a cigarette from his pocket.

  “So what’s bugging you? You mad at me?”

  “I’m aggravated with you. When you’re around that jerk Tony, you get lost. You didn’t even notice I left last night. No one else exists when that guy’s around. And I don’t think he’s good enough for you.”

  “Oh David, I’m sorry. And it’s so sweet that you think he’s not good enough for me. But don’t worry. I can handle it.”

  “Well, last night when I lost you to him, I was in the middle of saying you don’t take any shit from anyone. But this asshole comes around and you melt. I don’t get it.”

  “I know. Tara and Ellen say the same thing. I can’t explain it,” she said, stubbing out her cigarette. “But thanks for being such a great friend.” She pecked his cheek. “You’re sweet.” Jackie secured her apron and started to walk away.

  “Wait!” David grabbed her arm. “What if he doesn’t call you? You won’t get all obsessed, will ya?”

  She hesitated, knowing where David was going with this. “We’ll see what happens.”

  *

  Tuesday night, Tony called to confirm plans for Friday. The remainder of the week dragged, despite Jackie’s obsession to find the perfect outfit. David, forced to endure her elation, wondered why she couldn’t see that Tony was a cad. He didn’t have the integrity of the boy from San Antonio.

  Chapter Five

  June 1974

  Jackie answered the door wearing a sleek scarlet halter dress cut above the knee. Her long tanned legs ended with beige ankle-strap sandals. Her hair hung below her bare shoulders.

  “Wow, Jackie, you look fantastic.”

  “Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself. Come in for a minute. My family wants to meet you.” Jackie introduced Tony to her brothers and her mother, who had heard about this elusive stranger. After a few minutes of small talk, Jackie and Tony said their good-byes.

  “Nice car. I knew it’d be black!”

  In true gentleman fashion, Tony opened the passenger door for her. After getting in on his side, before starting the car, he kissed her. His embrace was overwhelming and she quivered in response. After the brief but beguiling kiss, he started the engine and turned toward Jackie.

  “I believe in hello kisses.”

  “I’m a fan too.” She settled herself in her seat, dizzy with passion.

  “So, there’s been a change of plans. I hope you don’t mind but we’re skipping the movie tonight. We’ll see it on the next date.”

  Her adrenaline surged. There’s a next date! “Okay, where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise. Don’t worry, you’re dressed appropriately. By the way, red’s your color.”

  “Thanks. So where are we’re going?” She hoped to trick him into divulging the information.

  “I deliberately did not say. It’s a surprise.”

  “Ah, I don’t like surprises.”

  “Oh relax.” Tony chuckled. “It’s a ten-minute ride.” Tony turned on WMJX for some soft rock. Listening to “Can’t Get Enough” by Bad Company, Jackie leaned back, lit a cigarette, and relaxed. Wherever we’re going, he’s in the driver’s seat in more ways than one. Her mind swirled with possibilities, both good and bad, as she crossed her legs and tuned in “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by Elton John.

  Tony spotted a jogger looking exhausted and pale, but determined to continue. “Looking at that guy really makes me want to take up jogging.”

  Jackie smiled. “Seriously, it makes you wonder, doesn’t it?” Soon conversation flowed easily. Before she knew it, Tony turned his car into the Brighton Marina.

  *

  “You like boats, Jack?”

  “Sure! I love water and anything to do with it.”

  “Well, that’s something else we have in common,” Tony said, as he got out of the car and went around to open her door. “My parents gave me a boat for my last birthday; they got a great deal from a friend. I love taking it out. I didn’t want to promise you though because I wasn’t sure the weather would hold up. But tonight’s a perfect night to go out into the harbor. Warm weather, full moon, clear skies, and a beautiful woman. What more could I ask for? Okay with you?” He glanced at his wristwatch. “If not, we still have time to make the eight o’clock movie.”

  “Oh no, this is fine.” They walked hand in hand down the boat ramp. Does he do this on every date? How romantic! Her skeptical side reared. “Super Stud” will probably be scrolled across the bow. As he pointed out the boat, however, she was relieved to read the name, Moonlight.

  “Here it is. It’s not much, but it’s mine. He hopped in and took her hand to guide her aboard. The boat was a 28-foot cabin cruiser, with an upper deck equipped with two leather captain’s chairs side by side and a lower deck designed for passengers to relax.

  Once out of the berth, they cruised down the Charles River toward the Boston harbor. The setting sun scattered illusory floating stars on the gentle waves, and the fading daylight bounced off the willow trees that drooped over the river and cast romantic shadows across the banks. Jackie was mesmerized by the beauty of the river at dusk. Tony studied her and thought, she’s breathtaking and so unassuming. The combination intrigued him.

  The couple enjoyed glasses of Riunite, delightful conversation, and intermittent flirtation. Tony steered the boat; Jackie nestled her head on Tony’s shoulder. After a few hours of enjoying the view of Boston from the harbor and the remarkable pink, orange, and gray sunset on the ocean side, the couple returned to the marina.

  Tony docked the boat and enticed her to move to the lower deck. She hesitated. He coaxed. She capitulated and followed Tony. Tony took Jackie’s hand and kissed it.

  “Another glass of Riunite?”

  “Yes, please.”

  After pouring wine into each glass, he sat on the sofa beside her. Placing his arm around her, he pulled her to him. They shared an arousing and investigating kiss under a full moon. The soft river breeze swept her hair around both their faces. At one o’clock, a weak-kneed and desire-drenched Jackie floated off the boat. Once home in bed, she fell into a deep sleep with dreams of Tony swirling in her mind.

  *

  Jackie was in the middle of typing a term paper when her phone rang. Her heartbeat quickened when she heard Tony’s voice on the phone.

>   “Hi Jack!”

  “Hi Tony, how are you?”

  “Great, and you?”

  “Fine. It’s good to hear from you.” She kept her voice even.

  “I had a great time last Friday.”

  “Me too. It was a wonderful evening.”

  “I’m glad you liked it.”

  The couple bantered and flirted on the phone and laughed as they so easily did together. “Okay, so it’s now eleven o’clock. I’ve got work tomorrow. It’s time for me to go to bed,” Tony said with a yawn. “But I owe you a movie. How about this Saturday?”

  “Uh, sure,” she said, trying to hide her excitement. She couldn’t wait to see Tony again.

  “Okay, so Blazing Saddles is playing at the Medford drive-in. I’ll pick you up at six? I’ll be driving my dad’s Caddy. The bucket seats in the Mustang wouldn’t be at all romantic. I’ll bring a picnic, so eat light.”

  “Sure, that sounds great!” After she hung up the phone, she twirled 360 degrees and fell on her bed. He’s bringing a picnic! He’s so romantic! She couldn’t wait to share the news with Tara and Ellen.

  After their shift the following day, she told Ellen about the phone call. That evening she updated Tara. “Can you believe it? He called! I’m so excited I can’t stand it,” Jackie told Tara.

  “Well, give me specifics. What did he say? I want details.”

  “Well, you know, had a great time Friday, glad to hear my voice. We’re going to the drive-in. He’s bringing a picnic! We talked for hours. Time flew.” Her eyes were dreamy.

  Tara smiled at her friend’s delight. “That’s nice Jackie. So romantic.”

  “Yeah, it is. Tara, I really like this guy!”

  “I know. Boy, do I know. But I’m concerned. You’re falling hard. I hope he doesn’t hurt you.

  “Hurt me, how?”

  “What if it doesn’t work out? Will you be okay?”

  “Not work out?” The notion startled Jackie. “Why wouldn’t it? We’re a perfect couple!”

  “Jackie, this is what I mean. You’ve had two dates. There’s a long road ahead before you know what will happen. And remember how unpredictable he’s been.”