But these snap judgments are often incorrect. My boss is a blonde who happens to love shopping at the mall, and she is one of the brightest people I know. A man who hails from Mexico owns my favorite restaurant in the world, and his English is sometimes better than mine. Don’t tell my boss. One of my best friends in college was an engineer, and he partied harder than the rest of us put together–and is currently the only one married.
Some of these snap judgments can come back to bite you. I witnessed an encounter in my apartment building not too long ago and assumed the worst. That the people involved were violating a trust, and that they were horrible, rotten, scum-sucking individuals of the worst sort. Imagine my surprise when I confronted one of these people and discovered the truth.
The encounter I had witnessed turned out to be nothing more than a simple greeting between friends. I had been so willing to snap to the wrong conclusion that I failed to see what was really right in front of me.
So to those innocent people I offer my sincerest apologies. I know my thoughts may not have offended or even bothered you, but to me they were wrong and deserving of my humblest apology.
And the next time I see a blonde in the mall or speak with a person who has an accent or go to a party with an engineer, I will try to remember how it feels to be a horrible, rotten, scum-sucking person of the worst sort.
Chapter Four
Rebecca put the newspaper in the drawer in her nightstand when she had finished reading Elliot’s column. This was the closest thing she was likely to get to an apology, so she figured she had better hold on to it.
After showering she rummaged through her closet. What kind of clothes did librarians wear? Jen typically wore business casual, but surely that wouldn’t be suitable for a job interview. Just as she was going through her limited wardrobe for the third time, Cassie knocked on her door.
“Hey, Rebecca. What are you doing?”
Rebecca put the jacket she had been looking at back in the closet. “Trying to decide what to wear today,” she admitted.
Cassie wandered over to the closet and peered into the half-empty space. “It looks to me like you need to go shopping.”
Rebecca let out her breath with a huff. “I guess so,” she said dismally. She hated shopping. There were too many choices and no matter what she picked out, she always looked the same.
“Oh, come on,” Cassie scolded. “It’s not that bad. I’ll take you this afternoon after your interview. You can’t go to work every day dressed in that.” She swept her hand disdainfully in the direction of the closet and wrinkled her nose. “You would fit right in with the books, though. Dull and lifeless.” Rebecca made a noise of protest. Surely she didn’t look that terrible? “Come on, it’ll be fun. We’ll celebrate your new job!”
Rebecca tried to stop her sister’s enthusiasm, but she could tell it wasn’t going to work. “I don’t have the job yet,” she reminded Cassie. “I don’t want to get my hopes up too much.”
Cassie just waved an arm in the air at her. “Don’t be so pessimistic. You’ll get the job. Let me look through my things and I’ll find something you can wear today that will be more…” She paused, looking Rebecca up and down in an appraising way. “…flattering. Don’t go anywhere.” Then she skipped out the door, closing it behind her.
Rebecca sighed. There was no use arguing. Cassie was very good when it came to fashion and would do infinitely better at putting a job interview ensemble together as long as Cassie remembered Rebecca was taller by several inches.
She sat on the bed and started to go through one of the boxes she had brought from the old house. It had all her high school things in it, and she laughed when she found her senior pictures. Seven years hadn’t changed her all that much, she admitted to herself. She might wear her hair a little differently, and the clothes were updated–well, not according to Cassie–but she looked mostly the same. She was slightly saddened by the realization.
Under her senior picture was an envelope with no markings on it. Curious, she opened the flap and watched as a photograph slid out onto her lap. When she picked it up, her heart gave a painful twist. It was the picture someone had taken at graduation, just after she and Elliot had returned to the auditorium…
“Happy graduation,” he whispered in her ear.
Rebecca looked at Elliot sitting next to her in the auditorium filled with black gowns and hats. “Thanks,” she whispered back. “Happy graduation.”
Elliot beamed at her. “I can’t believe we’re going to college in three months,” he said. “Are you sure you don’t mind going to the community college?”
Rebecca shrugged. “I don’t mind. It’s not like my dad would pay for it anyway. Community college… I can afford that.”
Frowning, Elliot looked over the sea of parents to find an uncomfortable-looking William. Her father hated attending functions where he was not the center of attention, but Faye had forced him to come. “I think he’ll come around,” he said. Rebecca just shook her head.
After receiving their diplomas, Elliot pulled Rebecca outside. He looked nervous and pale. Now that graduation was over and they would never have to enter the school again, what could possibly be bothering him?
Elliot took her left hand in his and kissed her on the cheek. She felt something cool slide up her fourth finger and pulled away in surprise.
“What’s this for?” The ring glinted in the darkness. Her heart started to beat faster.
Elliot cleared his throat. “An engagement ring.” Rebecca looked up at him in shock. “I thought that since we were going to college together in the fall we might as well make things official,” he finished with a rush.
The words seemed to hang in the air. “Engagement ring?” Rebecca repeated faintly. She felt like she needed to sit down.
“I love you, Rebecca. I’ll always love you. Please, will you marry me?”
Rebecca swallowed. She did love Elliot, almost more than she could contain, but… “I’m only seventeen,” she protested.
Elliot smiled. “Not anymore. Did you forget? Today’s your birthday!”
Rebecca blinked at him. With all the fuss about graduation and thoughts of college, her birthday had almost slipped her mind. It didn’t help that no one in her family had seemed to remember, either. “Oh,” she said. “Of course. But we’re way too young to–”
Elliot grabbed her hand again. “Don’t you love me?”
Rebecca’s answer was immediate. “You know I do.”
“Then let’s get married.”
Looking up at him in the darkness, Rebecca caught her breath. How could she say no? He loved her when no one else would, and didn’t care that she didn’t fit in with most of the people back in the auditorium. For once in her life, Rebecca tried to forget her fears and just feel happy for once. “Yes,” she answered finally, and smiled. “I’ll marry you.”
“Open the door!” Cassie yelled. Cassie banging on the door, interrupted Rebecca’s thoughts. “I can’t hold on to all these clothes much longer!”
Rebecca hurriedly stuffed the picture back in the envelope and slid the box under the bed. “I’m coming,” she called. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, hoping Cassie wouldn’t notice the tears still in her eyes.
Fifteen minutes later, they were down in the garage waiting for Nicole and Haley. Elliot had appeared a minute before but hadn’t said anything. He just stared at Rebecca with a surprised expression on his face.
“Doesn’t she look great?” Cassie gushed, turning Rebecca around so he could look at her from all angles. “This is much better,” she told Rebecca. “I really am taking you shopping this afternoon. You’re so pretty when you get rid of all those dull colors. Isn’t she, Elliot?”
Elliot just grunted. His eyes flickered to Rebecca’s and then moved away before she could read his expression. His attention was drawn to the stairs a moment later when Nicole and Haley came clattering into view.
“Saved by the blondes,” Rebecca muttered
under her breath. She heard Elliot snort next to her.
“Let’s get going!” Nicole chirped, giving Cassie an air kiss and hugging Elliot.
Haley shot Nicole a reproachful look and hugged Rebecca. “You look fabulous,” she said in obvious sincerity. “Where did you get the clothes?” Catching Cassie’s smug look, Haley laughed. “I should have known. Seriously, though, you look great. You’ll be the best-looking librarian the Chicago Public Library has ever seen once Cassie’s done with you.”
Rebecca could feel herself blush and turned her head. “Thanks, Haley. I really appreciate that.” She took a deep breath. “Shall we go?”
After a short, intense discussion about seating arrangements, which Elliot stayed out of, they were on their way. Elliot and Nicole were seated in the front and the other three crammed together in the back of Elliot’s car. “This is a fabulous car, Elliot,” Nicole said, stroking the leather seat. “How long have you had it?”
Elliot shrugged. Rebecca could see his eyes in the rearview mirror glance at her when he said, “My old reliable finally gave up the ghost a while back, and I thought this would be a fitting replacement. You know, out with the old, in with the new, that sort of thing.” His eyebrow raised in the mirror before he turned his attention back to the road.
After that comment, Rebecca tried to tune out the conversation in the front seat. When she could take no more of Nicole’s inane chatter and affected laugh, she asked Haley in some desperation, “How has Ben been doing? I haven’t heard his name in a while.”
Haley sighed. “Ben’s still in Iowa,” she said. “To be honest, I’m getting tired of the long-distance relationship thing. He never calls when I’m awake, and I hardly ever see him.”
“Surely he’ll be called up soon,” Rebecca said. She thought Ben was a decent baseball player, but the Cubs rarely seemed to think the same way she did.
Haley sighed again and shrugged. “I’ve almost given up on him,” she confessed. “He’s a great guy, and we have lots of fun together, but I know I won’t see him until September at the earliest. Maybe I should set my sights somewhere else.” She cocked her head toward the front seat and grinned.
Rebecca tried to smile back. “That’s too bad,” she said. “I really liked Ben when you guys called last month. He seemed so… normal. Not like a major league ball player would.”
“That’s because he’s not a major league ball player,” Haley pointed out.
“You know, if he ever made it to the majors, you’d see him even less,” Cassie said. Rebecca and Haley looked at her in surprise. “Well, it’s true. Just because he’s in the minors doesn’t mean anything. Either you love him or you don’t. If you don’t, then break up with him and cut your losses. If you do, then it doesn’t matter what he’s doing or how often you see him.”
There was a stunned silence for a split second until the car jerked abruptly into the center lane. “Sorry,” Elliot said, his voice sounding unnatural. “There was something in the way.”
***
Jen was waiting on the front steps of the library when the car pulled up to the curb. Cassie kissed her sister on the cheek and whispered, “You’ll do great!” before pushing her out the door. Elliot rolled down his window. “Call us when you’re done,” he said, and finally looked directly at her. “Good luck.” He smiled briefly before merging back onto the road.
“Are you ready?” Jen was breathless from her run down the stairs. “Who gave you a ride? I think I covet their car.”
Jen rolled her shoulders to get some of the tension out. “That was Elliot. Look, it’s complicated,” she rushed on, seeing the surprise on Jen’s face. “Can we just talk about the interview? What kind of position am I applying for?”
“Ah…” Jen looked at the ground. “Didn’t I already tell you? You’re interviewing for the story lady.”
Rebecca stopped in her tracks. “The what?”
Jen sighed. “Look, it’s the only position open worth anything, and all your experience volunteering at the children’s hospital really had Sarah excited. You wouldn’t have set hours, and you wouldn’t even be in the same branch every day. If I weren’t already working here I’d apply for it.” Jen gazed at her pleadingly. “Come on, Rebecca. You always said you wanted to work with children. This just happens to be a job dealing with a lot of different children every day.”
Rebecca thought for a minute as Jen led her into the foyer of the library. Yes, she had always wanted a job that involved children. Could she do it? She glanced at her clothes and almost laughed. She’d need a much different wardrobe than the one Cassie planned on, that was for sure.
She felt a strange emotion as she walked down the hallway, Jen chattering happily at her side. It felt almost like hope.
An hour later, the hope was extinguished. Sarah had proven to be an intense interviewer, asking Rebecca involved questions about the classes she had taken in college, her volunteer work at the hospital, and her dismal lack of experience. When Sarah shook her hand and told her she would call by the end of the week, Rebecca almost fled from the room.
Jen was waiting for her across the hall. She took one look at Rebecca’s expression and laughed.
“Don’t worry.” She started down the hall toward the entryway, pulling Rebecca behind her. “Sarah always has that affect on people. Did she tell you she would call you or that the library would be in touch?”
That was a strange question, Rebecca thought. “She said she’d call by the end of the week.”
Jen laughed, obviously relieved. “That’s a very good sign,” she said. “When she interviews someone who’s not getting the job she tells them that the library will contact them. When it’s someone good, like you, she promises to call herself. You’ve got the job.”
Rebecca sagged down on the bench by the front door. “Do you really think so? You weren’t in there. I felt like I was being grilled by a federal marshal.”
“Trust me. Hey, call your sister to pick you up. I’ve got to get back to work. Promise you’ll call when you hear from Sarah.” After one last hug, Jen was out of sight.
Rebecca rubbed her temples and dialed for Cassie.
“How did it go?”
“Pretty well, I think. Are you guys finished with your sightseeing?”
There was a pause, and Rebecca could hear a muffled conversation in the background. “We just sat down for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Elliot says he’ll be by to get you in five minutes. I want to hear everything when you get here, okay? See you in a minute!” Cassie hung up before Rebecca could respond.
Rebecca sat in silence while she waited for Elliot. She leaned her head against the window behind her, closed her eyes, and tried to think. So far things weren’t out of control too severely. Sure, her ex-fiancée seemed to have a vendetta against her for something she had done too long ago for it to matter to anyone but herself anymore. And sure, he was sharing his feelings with the entire Chicago land area. And maybe–well, almost certainly–he was flirting with her sister’s sister-in-law. That was okay. She could handle that.
She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. “Rebecca? Are you awake?”
She raised her head to meet Elliot’s gaze. He wore a strange expression on his face, one she didn’t understand. “Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t meet you out front.” She stood to her feet and stumbled over the heels Cassie had insisted she wear. Elliot grabbed her elbow to steady her, looked at his hand on her arm, and let go as if he had been burned. He strode hastily toward the door, leaving her to stare at his retreating back. “I’m double parked,” he said over his shoulder by way of explanation.
The ride to the restaurant was silent. Elliot kept his eyes on the road and didn’t speak until they could see Cassie waving through the window of the restaurant. “I’ve got to run to the office for a while,” he said, still not looking at her. “Do you mind if Cassie and the others take you shopping until I’m done? I shouldn’t be more than a few hours.”
Rebecca
glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. “That’s fine,” she said quietly. How could shopping be any worse than the interview she had just gone through? “Why don’t you call when you’re done and we’ll meet you somewhere?”
“All right.” Elliot waited until she was safely in the restaurant before speeding down the street.
***
She was wrong. Shopping with Cassie was bad enough.
“Stop trying on clothes that have no shape. Didn’t they teach you anything in college?”
However, shopping with Nicole was pure torture. It wouldn’t have been so bad, she reasoned, had Nicole not tried on everything Rebecca did and looked a hundred times better in the same clothes.
When it was all said and done, Cassie had purchased the better part of a new wardrobe for her, against Rebecca’s better judgment.
“I can’t let you do this,” she had said. “I thought you were trying to economize. Buying new clothes for your sister is not economizing.”
Cassie looked offended. “I haven’t seen you in five years, and I never once sent you a birthday present. Call it making up for lost time.”
“That’s ridiculous. Besides, I never got you a wedding present,” she reminded Cassie.
“True,” Cassie replied, unconcerned. “But then, Michael and I eloped, and you generally don’t give presents to people who don’t get married the traditional way.”
“Not even for your own sister?”
“Not even for your own sister.”
Rebecca had agreed in the end and tried to appear grateful. She doubted the clothes Cassie had purchased would look any better on her than the ones she already owned. But she had to confess it was gratifying to hear Haley and Cassie tell her that she looked beautiful for a change; even in a black dress that was shorter than anything she had ever worn.
Elliot called Nicole just as they were exiting the last store. Nicole smirked as she put the phone back in her bag. “He’s running a little late,” she told Haley. “He says his meeting with his boss went longer than he thought, and he’ll be another two hours.”
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