Comfortable Distance

by Kenna White

  “Five or six. Sometimes I get on a roll and can have a dozen in a week. But it’s been a little slower these past few weeks.”

  “I’m sure it has but it’ll get better.” Jamie stroked Dana’s arm.

  “It has already. I can’t believe you did that for me. I never ever thought I’d see it again.”

  “I polished it up so no one will ever know it spent a few days on the bottom of Budd Bay,” Jamie said with a smile. “The engraving is as good as new.” Jamie’s cell phone rang as she was saying it. “Dr. Hughes here,” she said, answering it. “Yes. I left it on the table next to the door. I want it run again. Those results looked hinky to me.” Jamie scowled. “All right. Wait. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. No, don’t start. I’ll be right there.” She hung up and grimaced. “I’m sorry Dana. I have to go.”

  “Sounds bad.”

  “Not bad. They ran some tests for me and I question the results. I want to do it myself this time.” She headed for the door. Dana followed.

  “Thank you again, Jamie,” she said, squeezing Jamie’s hand. “You have no idea how pleased I am. You’re wonderful.”

  “Take care of it.”

  “I will,” Dana said. She pulled her into a hug and kissed her on the cheek. Jamie smiled to herself as she slipped out the door. If she didn’t stop smiling until she got home, she never questioned it.

  Chapter 13

  Jamie locked her office door and headed down the hall. As she crossed the parking lot, she pulled out her cell phone and played the message from Dana one more time.

  “Hi, Jamie.” She sounded anxious. “You must be working in your lab. I don’t want to interrupt, but I need to meet with you. How about this evening after dinner? Bartolu’s between seven and seven fifteen for a drink. If you can’t make it, I’ll understand, but I really, really hope you can. See you then. ’Bye.”

  Jamie pushed the button and redialed Dana’s cell number, but she didn’t answer. It was ten till seven. She placed the cell phone on the console and headed for Bartolu’s.

  “Hello,” the hostess said. “Welcome back. Table for one or are you meeting someone?”

  “I’m meeting someone,” Jamie said, scanning the room.

  “The cute little blonde you were with the other night?” she asked coyly.

  Jamie wasn’t going to agree out loud but yes, Dana was a cute little blonde, now that she mentioned it.

  “Has she been in yet?”

  “No, not yet. I can seat you if you’d like. How about a drink while you wait? Or maybe coffee?”

  “Do you have anything in the lounge?” Jamie asked. It was crowded in the dining room and Dana said they weren’t meeting for dinner. The message said just a drink.

  “Sure. Right this way.” She seated Jamie at a secluded table in the dimly lit bar. Two young women sat at the next table, holding hands and whispering to each other over a pair of draft beers. Jamie glanced around the room. Most of the dozen or so patrons appeared to be gay, all of them with a partner. The waitress was a well-tanned blond beauty with big bosoms and tight black slacks. She seemed proud of her ample cleavage and wore a deeply cut V-neck top to show it off. When she bent over to place a paper coaster on the table, Jamie was certain something was going to fall out.

  “What can I get you?” She gave Jamie a friendly smile.

  “Seven and seven with a couple cherries,” Jamie said.

  “Would you like an appetizer?”

  “No, thanks.” Jamie kept an eye on the door. It was after seven thirty. Dana had said between seven and seven fifteen. She was late and Jamie was worried. She tried Dana’s cell phone again, but it rang immediately to her voice mail. Jamie nursed her drink, occasionally dialing Dana’s number and staring at the doorway. Just as she was ready to head toward the marina to check on Dana, the hostess came through the door, a smile on her face. Dana followed as if she was late to catch a train.

  “Jamie, I’m sorry. I’m terribly late and I have no excuse.”

  Jamie stood up and held her chair. Dana kissed her cheek and smiled.

  “Are you all right? I was starting to worry.” That was a fib. Jamie had begun worrying when she first heard Dana’s message on her cell phone.

  “I was working on a set of panels and I couldn’t get away. You know how it is. You get going on a project and can’t find a stopping place until you’re finished. Forgive me.” Dana patted Jamie’s hand as she took her seat.

  “I thought maybe you dropped your cell phone in the bay.”

  “It didn’t ring,” Dana said, digging it out of her purse. “Uhoh.” She grimaced, noticing it was turned off. She pushed the button and cowered sheepishly. “I’m sorry, Jamie. I forgot to turn it on.”

  “And I thought I was forgetful,” she said, giving her a little scowl.

  “Oh, look,” she snickered. “I missed a few calls from Dr. Jamie Hughes. Quite a few calls, I see.”

  “What did you expect? You leave me a breathless message insisting I meet you this evening at Bartolu’s.The only information you offer is that it’s for a drink, not dinner and I quote, ‘I really really hope you can make it.’ I was certain there was some earth shaking news about Shannon.”

  “Well, there is a little. Not earthshaking though.”

  “About the lunch meeting?” Jamie felt sure this was it. The big important reason for Dana’s call. Either the meeting with Shannon went well and they had moved up to a dinner rendezvous, or it went poorly and Dana was back to square one.

  “What can I get you to drink, hon?” the waitress said, doing her dip and dangle in front of Dana as she placed a coaster on the table in front of her.

  “White wine, please,” Dana replied, leaving Jamie hanging over her news.

  “I’ll have that right out. Can I interest you all in chips and dip or an onion blossom?”

  “Do you have crab dip?” Dana asked.

  “Absolutely. Anything else?” She looked at Jamie.

  “Jamie?” Dana asked.

  “No. That’s good.” She wasn’t at all interested in appetizers. She wanted to know about the lunch with Shannon.

  “They have oysters on the half shell,” Dana said, holding up the table placard. “You like those.”

  “Okay. Sure. Oysters on the half shell,” she said, discharging the order so they could get back to the news about Shannon.

  “That’s crab dip and oysters on the half shell,” the waitress said cheerfully, winking at Dana. “And a white wine. Do you need another seven and seven, miss?”

  “No, I’m fine.” Jamie covered her glass with her hand.

  The waitress left them alone and none too soon for Jamie’s curiosity.

  “How did your lunch go?” she said, sitting up and leaning into the question.

  “Shannon didn’t show up. She called that morning and said she had to work. They’re doing the last bookings for an Alaskan cruise in two weeks so she couldn’t get away.”

  “Then you haven’t talked with her yet.”

  “Actually, yes, I did.”

  “But you just said,” Jamie started then saw something in Dana’s face. “Dana, did you meet her for dinner after all?”

  “No. Not yet. But I agreed to meet her tomorrow night. I know. I know. I said I didn’t want to do the long dinner thing with her, but we had no choice. She had to work through lunch. She didn’t even get a break. She had to order out for pizza. And she’ll be working every day for the next two weeks.”

  “Where are you meeting?” Jamie said, seeing no reason to argue with her. She seemed to have made up her mind.

  “Seven o’clock at Trinacera. She said she was hungry for Italian.”

  For some unknown reason, Jamie wanted to make a nasty crack about eating an Italian. But she didn’t.

  “Here we are,” the waitress said, bringing their order. “White wine.”

  “You don’t approve, do you?” Dana said.

  “It isn’t my place to approve,” Jamie replied, sipping her drink no
nchalantly.

  “Crab dip with a basket of crackers and oysters on the half shell,” the waitress added then left.

  Jamie stared down at the raw oysters. The plate was artfully arranged with lemon wedges and a tiny boat of cocktail sauce.

  “But you don’t,” Dana insisted.

  “Are you comfortable with your decision?”

  “Sure, I am. I wouldn’t have made it if I wasn’t.”

  “Then there’s nothing to discuss.”

  Jamie dabbed a little cocktail sauce on an oyster, held the shell to her lips, and let the oyster slide down.

  “How can you do that?” Dana said, wrinkling her nose. “Aren’t they slimy?”

  “They’re delicious. Try one.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Come on. Just one. You’re a woman who likes to try new things. You never know. You may like them.”

  “Or I may gag,” Dana said, watching her prepare one.

  Jamie used the cocktail fork to dab on a little sauce then squeezed a lemon over the top. She handed Dana the shell then prepared one for herself.

  “Don’t chew it. Just let it slide down. When it passes over the palate, that’s the moment supreme.” She held her shell up to Dana’s as if clinking glasses for a toast. “Bon appetit.” Jamie ate hers. Dana hesitantly tipped the shell to her mouth, grimacing as if anticipating foul tasting medicine. As the oyster entered her mouth, she closed her eyes and swallowed, making a gagging sound.

  “How was it?” Jamie asked hopefully.

  “I have no idea. It went down,” Dana replied and burped. “I think.”

  “You have to admit, it wasn’t terrible.”

  “If that’s the best you can say about raw oysters, it isn’t much of a recommendation.”

  “Try another one.” Jamie quickly applied the sauce and lemon.

  “No, thank you. You enjoy them.” Dana covered her mouth as if worried the oyster might come back up.

  “Okay for you.” Jamie chuckled and swallowed another one. She wiped her mouth with a napkin and took a slow sip from her drink. “I take it your call to have me meet you was to tell me about your change in plans with Shannon, right?”

  “No. That’s not the reason I called. I wanted to thank you again for recovering my key ring. Having it back represents such a kind thing you did for me. What did they call it in that movie? Beau Gest? Beautiful gesture.”

  “It wasn’t that big a deal.” Jamie felt a blush warm her face. She didn’t expect Dana to make such a production out of it. That wasn’t why she did it, and Dana’s lavish thank you was humbling.

  “It was to me. That’s why I invited you to meet me here tonight. For a thank you drink, on me. Oysters, too,” Dana said, raising her glass. “I’m only sorry it couldn’t be dinner, but I was on a time crunch today with Ringlet.”

  “I don’t need you to buy me a thank you drink.”

  “I know you don’t. I want to.”

  “Ladies,” the waitress said, placing a second drink in front of each of them.

  “We didn’t order another drink,” Jamie said.

  “This one is on the house, from the management,” she said, nodding toward the bar as she left.

  “Why?” Dana said, looking in that direction.

  The hostess who had seated them waved and smiled from the end of the bar.

  “Is she flirting with us or do you know her?” Dana said out of the corner of her mouth.

  “I have no idea who she is. She must be flirting with you,” Jamie said.

  Before they could make any more guesses the woman came to their table.

  “Thank you for the drinks,” Dana said, holding up her wineglass.

  “You’re welcome. I noticed you two were here the other night.” The woman pulled up a chair and sat down. “I’m Janice,” she said, offering to shake their hands.

  “Hello. I’m Jamie. This is Dana.”

  “Please don’t think I’m being terribly forward but I have a favor to ask. I’d like for you to allow us to photograph the two of you for our Web site.”

  “Photograph us?” Jamie said, still skeptical.

  “Yes. As you probably know, we haven’t been open very long. We’ve hired someone to build our Web site. Most of the restaurants and bars have them now. You have to have one to be included in the Olympia community listings. People want to know where to go for dinner so they look online. People use the Internet more than the phone book. Our webmaster says we need photographs of people in the restaurant to show the ambiance. I noticed you two when you came in for dinner and I thought you were the perfect couple to photograph.” She smiled encouragingly. “What do you say? He’s in my office right now. It won’t take but a few minutes. He has a camera and everything.”

  Dana looked over at Jamie.

  “It’s up to you, Dana. I don’t mind if you don’t.”

  “I guess so.” Dana shrugged.

  “Be right back.” Janice hurried away, seemingly excited over their agreement.

  “I’m a little surprised she asked,” Jamie said. “Usually places like this just take candid shots and post them on the Web site.”

  “Maybe she’s new at it and thinks she needs permission. I bet she thinks she has to have us sign a waiver or something.”

  “We’ll probably need to push our chairs a little closer together,” Jamie said, scooting hers over a bit.

  The woman reappeared, followed by a young bearded man with a camera and a tripod.

  “This is Danny,” Janice said. “He’s our web builder.”

  “Webmaster,” he corrected.

  “I think we’re ready,” Dana said, sliding her chair next to Jamie’s.

  “No, I don’t need you at the table,” Janice said, wringing her hands nervously.

  “Where then?” Jamie said, looking at the empty barstools.

  “On the dance floor.” She pointed to the raised parquet floor next to the jukebox. There was no music playing. “We want to show that we have dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.”

  “What?” Dana laughed. “I thought you meant a picture of us sitting here with a drink in our hand.”

  “We’ve got plenty of that kind of shot. What we need is a picture of an attractive couple dancing. And you two are perfect. Right age, right size, right chemistry. They’re perfect, aren’t they, Danny?” she said in his direction.

  “Yes. Perfect.”

  “See. You two will keep us from looking like a teenybopper hangout or the lobby of a nursing home. I’ve been waiting for a couple that represented a sophisticated yet casual clientele. Please. It’ll just take a few minutes.” What started as good logical reasoning had become downright begging.

  “No one else is out there,” Dana said.

  “That’s what we want,” Danny said. “It’s hard to get a clear focus with a lot of background motion.”

  Jamie instantly envisioned having to strike a pose as if she was doing some wild rock-and-roll dance then hold it for several minutes while Danny focused and checked the lighting. The more the woman talked, the more Dana’s expression changed from disbelief to understanding. And the more Dana seemed to agree with the woman’s plan, the more worried Jamie became.

  “I don’t have a good feeling about this, Dana,” Jamie said, poking her glasses against her nose.

  “Just standing out there. That’s all you need, right?” Dana asked, seeming to sense Jamie’s concern.

  “Yes,” Janice said.

  “Dancing,” Danny said at the same time. “Slow dancing.”

  “Ahg,” Jamie groaned softly.

  “One dance?” Dana said, patting Jamie’s knee reassuringly.

  “Tell you what,” the woman said. “I’ll turn on the jukebox. It should make it easier for you. You’ll look more natural if you’re actually dancing, not just posing. And I’ll pick up the check for everything. I’ll even throw in a couple complimentary shrimp cocktail. What do you say?”

  “Shrimp cocktail, Jamie,”
Dana said, elbowing her in the side playfully as if that should make a difference. “Just for dancing one dance. How hard can it be?”

  Jamie furrowed her brow as the woman hurried over to the jukebox and flipped the switch on the back. Danny set up his tripod next to the dance floor, calculating his field of focus.

  “I’m a sucker for a shrimp cocktail. It has to be better than raw oysters.” Dana pushed her chair back. “Come on, professor,” she said brightly. “Pretend you’re in your laboratory.”

  Jamie knew her face had lost its color. It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to dance but she hadn’t done it in years and even then, not very well. Dana was a new friend. Too new to be exposed to Jamie’s clumsiness. Underwater she was agile and swift, even graceful. On a fifteen-foot square dance floor, not so much. She reluctantly followed Dana onto the raised floor, standing as close to the edge as possible. Dana stood next to her, awaiting instruction. The music started, something instrumental and light.

  “Would you mind taking off the fleece vest?” Danny asked Jamie. “The dark color will blend you right into the background.”

  “Okay,” she said, removing it and straightening the collar of her shirt.

  “That’s good,” Janice said, eyeing her up and down. “Would you mind?” She unbuttoned the top button of Jamie’s shirt, took a long look then unbuttoned another. Jamie scowled down at her as she slipped her fingers inside the opening, her fingers brushing against her cleavage as she spread the collar. “Perfect.” Janice then turned to Dana. “Could I talk you into removing your ponytail holder, Dana? I think your hair is gorgeous, and it would look so great down.”

  “Sure, I guess so,” she said and pulled it free. She gave her hair a toss, releasing it into a cascade of blond waves. Janice laced her fingers through it, fluffing it over Dana’s shoulders.

  “Great.”

  Dana’s top button was already unbuttoned but Janice couldn’t resist opening the top of her blouse slightly to reveal the top of Dana’s lace bra.

  “I love it,” Janice said proudly, as if gloating over what she had created.

  “I feel like I’m auditioning to be a pole dancer at a strip club,” Dana muttered to Jamie.