Hazards on the Hardwood (Hazards and Hijinks) (17 page)

Taffy and Sasha cleaned up the apartment while Sophie spent some more time with Zoe before she headed to her appointment with Nicholas at the church. She was getting nervous about meeting with him; thinking Willie might just show up and spoil the entire session.

The rest of the day before the appointment was quiet as the girls talked and laughed about other topics like: Raul’s online dating habit and Francois’ fake French accent and his womanizing ways. It proved to be a lively discussion and passed the time before Sophie had to prepare for her appointment.

Two thirty p.m. came and Sophie dashed out the door to the waiting taxi and headed to the church.

Arriving at two forty-five, she got out of the cab, paid the driver and moved quickly up the steps to the huge, ornate wooden entrance to the church. Magnificent and old, the décor inside the sanctuary was beautiful. There were stain glass windows with pictures of the saints, a window portraying the Nativity, another with the Last Supper; all precious works of Biblical art.

She moved toward the front and a side door squeaked as it opened, “Good afternoon, Sophie.” Nicholas said greeting her cheerfully.

“Good Afternoon to you, Pastor? Preacher? Nicholas.” She wasn’t sure what to call him.

Nicholas could tell she was still not comfortable.  She kept glancing around her surroundings as if Willie might appear at any moment.

“Just call me Nicholas. Welcome. Would you like to come inside my office and have some tea? I just made a fresh pot.”

“Yes, please. I take it with a teaspoon of sugar; no milk. Thanks.” Sophie hadn’t had a good cup of hot tea in ages. Mostly she drank coffee or hot chocolate.

They passed the time in deep discussions of Sophie’s life before Willie; her Irish roots, her relationship with Sasha, their education and the different directions their lives took when they grew up.

Nicholas listened intently, interjecting response when he thought it prudent, but mostly he just quietly sat hearing all that Sophie had been through since Willie came into her life…and then there was precious Zoe. Nicholas was deeply concerned that Zoe might grow up with a warped view of her father and carry those wounds deep in her subconscious for years to come.

The time came for them to end the session and Sophie felt she had made Nicholas understand her fear of letting Willie back into their lives. Realistically, this wasn’t an option. Now Nicholas had both sides of the story and would ponder it for a while.

Sophie called a cab and returned to Taffy’s apartment; she had much to relay to her sister and her friend.

“How’d it go, Sophie?” Taffy asked.

“It actually went well. Nicholas is a good listener and a very nice man. I’d snatch him up in a heartbeat, Taffy!” Sophie meant it. Nicholas made a definite impression on both a professional and personal level. Taffy was very blessed to have this fine gentleman in her life.

29

Willie would do better just to return to Vegas and get a new life. He wouldn’t have a chance here with Sophie. She was done!

Nicholas went upstairs and found Willie in his room and without disclosing too much of the confidential details of Sophie’s conversation, he said, “Willie, you need to get your life in order so that you can have visitation rights with Zoe. You need to know that as far as reconciliation with Sophie, it’s a no go! However with some good vocational training and earning a decent income, you may be able to salvage a possible relationship that would gain you visitation with Zoe in the future. That is totally up to you. She did tell me that I could disclose to you that she has sought out an attorney and will be filing officially for a divorce. So, it is imperative that you get yourself prepared for that situation and get some training and most definitely, a job.” Nicholas had said his piece now it was up to Willie.

Willie sat for a while quietly thinking on what Nicholas had said. “I think I will have to go away for a while and I will leave you an address, of course. I must get my life together. I realize now that I will never win back my family with my current lifestyle and I also need to improve my financial and spiritual situation before even trying to restore my relationship. My heart is telling me to move to Ojai, California. I have some distant relatives there and they’ve been bugging me for a few years now, to move in with them. My second cousin, Ralph, owns a grocery store in Ojai and said he would put me to work and earn some decent wages. So far, that’s the best offer I’ve received. It’s a start.” Willie had a slight smile on his face now.

“That’s a wise decision, Willie. Just make sure that I have your address when you arrive. No doubt, you will need to make Sophie aware of your address, too.”

Willie used Nicholas’ phone and made arrangements that day to travel by bus to California and start his new life. He wrote a quick note to Sophie and handed it to Nicholas. “Thanks for all you’ve done. I will not forget your kindness.”

Willie now had a plan and a strong desire to do what was right.

Nicholas made a few phone calls; one in particular, to Sophie advising her of Willie’s plans. Sophie felt a great relief after hearing the news.  She quickly called her lawyer and let him know the latest update and then went to tell Sasha and Taffy.

30

Taffy had been giving a great deal of thought to dumping Francois but didn’t want to hurt his fake French feelings! She wasn’t romantically inclined toward him, but his dancing abilities had suffered of late because of his preoccupation with the family business. It took up a great deal of his time and he didn’t seem to be sharing the dance competition vision. So, Taffy made a decision on her own to “dance her way” out of Francois’ French frame and considered asking Nicholas if he was completely committed to Caroline Smathers as a dance partner for the competition.

That very thought had occurred to Nicholas that he might not want to dance with Caroline at the upcoming competition. If things worked out in a positive way with Taffy, he would prefer to dance with her on a more permanent basis.

* * * *

Taffy thought about how things were “dancing” right along between her and Nicholas. She pulled out her phone and decided to “come clean” with Francois. She had talked to him occasionally about searching out other potential partners, but didn’t know if he’d taken offense to the idea or not. With Francois one never knew what to expect. Him showing up that evening at the Italian Inn with that Hampton “hussy,” Caroline Smathers was evidence that he’d been dabbling in some extra-curricular adventures; Nicholas hadn’t really been serious about Caroline, only dancing with her and “helping her with her huge rich ego” once in a while.

Snickering to herself, Taffy called Francois but there was no answer. She left a voicemail and ended the call. She’d call him again later. Now she would see if Nicholas would agree to “drop” Caroline; well, not drop her exactly, that would hurt! If only he would become her partner everything might just fit into place and their budding relationship could take off. Time would tell.

The reason Francois didn’t answer his phone was evident by the smile on his face as he sat across from his Hampton “honey,” Caroline. They were enjoying a quiet brunch a “Chez Louis” on Fifty-Fourth Street. Staring into one another’s eyes it was sheer magic. “Where have you been all my life?” Francois asked with stars shooting from his eyes. He had it bad!

“Darling, people are staring. Please don’t look at me like that. You look like you’re hypnotized or something.” Caroline loved the attention but didn’t want to make a spectacle of herself or be embarrassed in public. There were many articles written about the “Hampton Smathers.” She had a bit of a following in society pages of the newspapers. She had to protect her public image at all costs; even where this handsome Frenchman was concerned;
especially where this handsome Frenchman was concerned!

“I’ve got to tell Taffy about our desire to dance in the competition together. Have you told Nicholas yet?” Francois gazed at Caroline from behind admiring eyes. She was gorgeous!

“I will be talking to him this week. We have a session at the dance studio scheduled. I don’t know how he will take it but after seeing him at the restaurant with “your Taffy,” I figure he has another partner in mind, too.”

“She’s NOT my Taffy! She’s been my dance partner for several years, that’s all!” He said defensively.

“At any rate, I will call you once I get untied from Nicholas. He will probably be ecstatic! He’s always spouting all that faith stuff…now he will have to pray hard for victory on the dance floor!” She said with a sneer.

“Well I’m off to the plant to see what new tragedies have occurred in my absence. Father is always in some kind of frenzy by the time I arrive. He’s getting too old to handle all the pressure and stress. Those employees are nuts and making him that way, too!” With that, Francois got up, headed to the front to pay the bill and get on with his day. Caroline sat there for a moment, taking out her mirror and applying new lipstick.
Goodbye Nicholas…Hello Francois!

31

Raul and Sasha had practiced their dance moves on that Saturday however, things were quite strained between them. “What is up with you, Sasha? You’ve not said a word this entire time. Did I do something wrong,
again
?” He asked.

“No it’s not anything you did, Raul. I’ve been thinking that maybe you and I need to take a break from dancing together. I realize our fee is paid and all, but how about we just sit tight and see what happens. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately with my sister’s situation and that has drained me.”

Raul looked at her like she was from another planet, “Why would that drain you? It wasn’t your kid that was going to be nabbed?”

“You insensitive brute! How can you even say that? You know I’m protective over Sophie and Zoe. What a horrible thing for you to say!” Sasha’s face turned bright red.
That arrogant imbecile!

With that, Sasha stomped out of the studio and headed down the street to find first a cup of coffee and then go home and think about what had just happened between her and that inconsiderate Raul!

Raul stood there for a moment trying to figure out what had just taken place. He thought that Sasha had blown her top for no apparent reason. She was always the hot-headed Irish girl who lost her temper at the smallest things.

“Well that went badly,” He thought as he collected himself and walked out the door. “She will be better off with some other guy as her partner.” He mused as he caught a cab and headed for home. “I’ll just do a little searching online and see if there’s some lovely lady out there that might want to take a few turns on the dance floor.” He thought as he looked out the taxi window.

Raul arrived home and immediately went to the computer. As he clicked on the dating site, a few more lovely ladies pictures shot up on his screen. “Ah there’s got to be one of these darlings that would want to dance with me.” He was hopeful of good results today.

* * * *

Sasha returned home, Sophie had been online job hunting and Zoe was busy cooing and playing with a couple of colorful baby toys on her soft fleece blanket on the floor.
It was a serene scene; different from a couple of days ago!

“Hey Sophie how’s your day been? I just called it quits with my dancin’ man. He is such a proud peacock of a man. I’ve had it and called him on the carpet for his actions. He couldn’t care less about me or this situation here at home.” Sasha was determined to find another dance partner and leave dear Raul in the dust!

“Well I went online and found a couple of interesting jobs that might be suitable and sent my resume.” Sophie had a positive tone in her voice and a slight smile touched her face. She hadn’t disclosed that she had gone online to a dating website. Her sister would do nothing but tease her if she knew. So it would be her secret for now. The website, “gotamatch.com” was advertised on the TV as a great place to meet “your other half.” She hoped it was true. There was one guy on there that caught her curiosity, “hot sauce 39” and after staring at the image she realized that he looked very familiar. She dare not tell her sister that she had taken up online dating and that this “hot sauce 39” character was in fact, none other than Sasha’s washed up dance partner, Raul! Wow! Not only was the hot sauce heating up but things were about to “fire up” at Sasha’s home!

So far, Sophie hadn’t messaged Raul online. She had to think about this. How would she tell her sister?
She wouldn’t
, deciding to keep it quiet for a while. Sophie wasn’t a game player; if she wanted to succeed at something, she found a way to do it. Dancing had taken a backseat when she’d met Willie years ago. Before that, she was quite the dancer; even won a few local awards. She wasn’t the best but she surely wasn’t the worst. Knowing that Raul was most likely going to be wanting to replace Sasha, she would be in a spot to fill in for her dear sister.

“What will this do to our relationship?” She thought long and hard on that question. Her sister was her protector, friend and was dear to her. She would have to proceed cautiously if she wanted to guard that relationship and build one with Raul, even if it was just on the dance floor.

Sasha came into the living room and greeted Sophie with a big smile, headed to the kitchen for a snack. “What’s up, sis? You look deep in thought; anything you need to talk about?” Sasha’s tone was upbeat as she grabbed a whole wheat cereal bar and a cup of steaming hot tea.

“Sasha how are things between you and Raul lately? Are you guys in love or something?” Nothing like cutting right to the heart of the issue, Sophie thought after throwing that question out to her sister.

“Why on earth would you ask? Raul is not my favorite person right now. His heart is set on dancing in the competition with me this year. He’s been busy trying to find another dancing diva online. I’ve had it with his womanizing ways! Just want to be done with the competition and with him.” She answered emphatically.

“I had something strange and awkward happen and I wanted to sort of confess it to you before you found out some other way.” Sophie’s voice trembled a bit as she answered.

“In what way? What happened, Sophie. You don’t have to be secretive or shy with me. I’m your sister and I am always here for you. You can tell me anything.”

“Okay here goes. I have been thinking about dating again. Please don’t judge me on that. I get lonely and Zoe fills my days, yes, but I feel I need more, socially, at least. Hear me out, sis, before you disagree with my thoughts.” Sophie got a shot of “brave” as she continued.

“I decided to go on one of those “online” dating sites. This one was called “gotamatch.com” and I thought I was a little crazy for signing up but after all, what did I have to lose? When I got on there and logged in there were pictures of men in this area that were looking for their “soul mates.” This is where it gets a little touchy; one of the people on there was Raul. He popped up and before I realized he was YOUR Raul, I responded. Then after it sunk in that he was your dancing partner, I thought I was going to be in trouble with you. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to start any trouble. I just want a person in my life. Are you mad at me?”

Uncontrollable laughter rose up in Sasha. She couldn’t stop laughing. “Are you serious? You were matched up online with Raul? That is hilarious! No, I’m definitely not mad. I’ve been wondering how to give the ax to old Raul for some time now but never in my wildest imagination did I figure that you and Raul would show up on a dating site matched to each other. This is the  stuff reality television shows are made of; please proceed, you have my blessing! I’ve got a few things up my “dating sleeve” as well. But will save that for later. Right now, you’ve got to ask Raul online if you can meet. This is rich!”

Sophie felt a feeling of complete and utter relief as she stared at her sister’s happy expression. Sasha’s face showed everything she was feeling on the inside. It happened the way things did in the movies or on television; out of the blue and unexpected!

* * * *

A few days later, Raul and Sophie talked online and decided to meet and have a “coffee date” at Starbucks and discuss their possible dance partnership and other aspects of a budding friendship.