WIP

That night at six thirty, Frank walked up to Nancy’s front door and knocked three times. Christian answered the door immediately, Frank wondered if he had been sitting on the other side of the door waiting.
“Hello Chris, is your mother ready?”
“Almost Frank, I can’t believe she isn’t she’s been up in her bathroom for hours!” Rolling his eyes he said, “You know how girls are.”
Frank’s laugh could be heard through the neighborhood.
Walking down the stairs past the numerous pictures of Christian along with some of his art from school, in an elegant green dress with a single strap that went over her shoulder and behind her neck Nancy said, “ What is all this noise about?” and continued to put on an earring.
“Jeez mom, you didn’t even put on your earrings yet?” Christian chided. Frank was utterly speechless. This was not the same woman who worked in the bakery, well she was, he had always known she was pretty but tonight he was blown away, she was beautiful. Frank was especially partial to her red hair, and tonight it cascaded over her left shoulder in curls like a waterfall. Her dress was not so tight as to keep her from moving, but taught enough to show off her body. Frank found it hard to believe that someone who worked all day with the temptation of baked goods could have such an amazing figure.
“You are stunning,” Frank complimented her, “I feel underdressed now.” He wore one of his customary suits, however this time he wore a solid back suit with a silver undershirt.
“Are you ready to go?” Frank asked Nancy.
“Yes I believe I am. Chris you listen to Becky now you hear, you mind her and do what she says, when she asks it of you.”
“Ok Mom, have a good time. Bye Frank.”
“See you later Chris.” Frank replied. Walking down the front stoop of Nancy’s two-story brick house in a neighborhood full of Cadillac’s and Audi’s. They were just about to step off the porch when Frank halted and looked both left and right as if searching for something. His eyes were alert and squinting, even though sun was not at all bright, it was shining its last warmth onto the horizon. When he did not seem to find what it was he was looking for he extended his arm to Nancy and they walked together to his car. Frank opened the door for Nancy and then after she was situated, walked around to the other side of his black BMW and got in himself. After they had driven off to dinner, another all black sedan pulled slowly out from three cars down Nancy’s house, slowly turned and went the opposite direction.

“Was it hard for you to get out of work?” Nancy asked after they had been seated at Manarola, an Italian restaurant known for its exquisite seafood. She had been trying to keep the conversation going throughout the ride to the restaurant. She was nervous and the idle chatter helped to ease her queasy stomach. She wasn’t sure why she felt this way. She had been on other dates before and she hadn’t thought anything of them. It was like she had a premonition and she already knew that it wasn’t going to work out, and no sooner than the first date had ended, so had the relationship. Tonight was somehow different, and she wasn’t sure why.
“No,” Frank replied, “I told a friend I had a date with you, and he said he would cover for me. Is this place okay Nancy? We could go somewhere else if you would like.”

WIP

The sun was peeking over the horizon like a young child peering over a fence watching their older sibling doing naughty things with the next door neighbor. Nancy and Becky were already in the bakery getting ready to open for the day. Becky stood bent over the hearth of the fireplace in the rear of the bakery setting wood and tinder in it. All of the sudden there came a sharp rap at the stores front door.
“We don’t open for another twenty minutes,” Becky shouted at the early morning riser without looking over her shoulder.
“Frank?” Nancy sounded astonished.
“What is he doing here it isn’t the end of the month yet,” Becky said with a frown, “We’ve got a week yet.”
“Come in come in,” Nancy said rushing to the door, “to what do I owe this pleasant surprise?” Coming in and taking off a black fedora that complimented his usual black shirt. He took off his black and gray pinstriped jacket and folded it under his arm. He graciously thanked Nancy for letting him in and flashed the smile that made Nancy’s heart thump more rapidly in her chest.
“I was wondering Nancy,” Frank said quickly, and then changed his tone abruptly to that of a schoolboy in trouble, “I’m sorry is this too early? I can come back later.” He said very quickly.
“No Frank it’s no trouble at all, what can I do for you?” Nancy said returning his smile.
“Well I was wondering, I hope that I’m not overstepping my boundaries. But I was wondering, if you are not too busy tonight, would you like to have dinner with me?”
Her cheeks warming immediately Nancy responded “Of cour-.” But was cut off by Becky clearing her throat and giving a stringent look to Nancy, like that of sister trying firmly to warn her sibling of something she aught not do.
Without any heed to Becky’s warning or hesitation Nancy replied firmly, “I would love to.” Nancy was not sure why she took Frank up on his offer. And she hoped she hadn’t sound too eager. What are you doing! She thought to herself, He is a mobster! Continuing her inner argument with herself she replied, But there has to be something more behind that hard exterior. I just know it.
“Mom its time for me to go to school!” a shout came from behind the cash register breaking Nancys’ inner battle. Following his voice out into the seating area of the bakery Christian came, with his bright red backpack and his orange and blue striped gloved hands wrapped around a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
“Excuse me sir, but we don’t open for another twenty minutes,” Christian said firmly, promptly stepping next to his mothers side. Before Nancy could speak, Frank had already begun to answer the boy.
“Is that so?” Frank said his eyes shining. “I woke up extra early to come down here and be the first in line to see your mother. But if you would like I could wait outside.” Then unfolding his coat, and throwing it over his shoulder, Frank made his way to the door.
Christian piped up immediately, “Well I guess you are already in the store, what can I get for you?” He then ran behind the counter and assumed the position of cashier. With his nose, bright green eyes, and blue beanie peeking over the counter like the sun over the horizon, he patiently waited for Frank’s order. Frank smiled and strolled over to the counter. After taking off his coat he rested one elbow on the counter and put his face closer to the cash register.
“Hello sir, my name is Chris, what can I get for you today?”
“Well hello Chris, my name is Frank, and there are so many choices, what would you choose?”
See. Nancy thought, there is more to him than meets the eye. This might have not been a bad decision after all.
After Frank ordered a hot chocolate and two macadamia nut cookies, one for himself and one for Christian, Christian invited Frank to walk with him and his mom to school.

quick story

Too many choices, too many choices. How on earth did mom do this once a week? I mean, I like chocolate, but Frankie likes vanilla, and Susie likes strawberry, and dad, well dad likes beer. I was so looking forward to coming here and getting whatever I wanted and filling my own fridge with it. And then eating my food, the food I chose, and not having to worry about whether or not someone else ate it already. This place needs to turn the lights down, I’m going to get a sunburn with the amount of ultra violet rays that are raining down on my head. Maybe I’ll get melanoma and die and then never have to come back here again. Maybe I should have never moved out, I got my laundry done, free food that I didn’t have to shop for, as well as free internet and gas money. Those were the days, it was only last month but it feels like a lifetime ago. How on earth can someone possibly pick what kind of pickles they want, when there are easily thirty seven different kinds of pickles to choose from, I know, I counted. I feel like I am going to go into a epileptic seizure from all the different bright ads that jump out at you to tell you what’s on sale, and the exact amount of trans fat is in their deal. The signs are not nearly as bad as the produce section however. How am I supposed to choose a fruit? I felt like an idiot standing next to that soccer mom. She would casually pick up a nectarine, work some magic with it in her hand and then toss it back into the pile. I don’t know any nectarine spells. How can she tell which ones to take home and which ones not to? They should have some kind of pre-moving out training that prepares you for moving out on your own. How did I know that I really should have been growing up while I was growing up? I thought that this knowledge just came with me as I left the house. I have been here for three hours and my basket has three items in it milk, cherry Garcia ice cream, and a toothbrush.
“Rebecca?”
Who’s that ? “Mom!” Never in a million years did I think I would be this happy to see my mom.

WIP 3

“You gonna give me the money?” Frank was sweating, not that Frank minded sweating, it’s just that Frank minded sweating in his three thousand dollar suit.
“Why did you run? You must have known that I would catch you. I mean previous experience alone should have led you to realize this.” It was true Frank had chased Jesse, a small time coke dealer, four previous times when he had gone to collect from him. The only reason he was allowed to deal in this neighborhood was because he was small time, and because he was the son of a cousin of one of the lieutenants. It was for this same reason that he thought he could get out of paying Frank. Now back behind a Mario’s Pizza parlor in an alley littered with pizza boxes, empty bottles, and newspapers soggy from a rain the previous day, Frank had Jesse pinned against a wall next to a dented green trash dumpster. With his hand securely gripped around Jesse’s platinum chain that hung nearly down to his waist and ended in a pendant of a Jesus in front of a dollar bill symbol, Frank proceeded to garrote Jesse. Jesus’ came complete with a diamond encrusted halo, and a heart of gold.
“C’mon Frankie, let me off this time. I ain’t got no money.”
“You say that every week,” Frank said nonchalantly punching Jesse in the abdomen. He hated being called Frankie. Jesse doubled over with an explosion of air escaping his lungs. Bent over wheezing he tried to utter a sentence fragment.
“I don’t want to hear anything you have to say Jesse, I just want you to give me the money you owe Mr. Concanon. Lifting his head to meet Franks eyes Jesse’s jaw began to open and a vowel came out. “I-.” Frank thrust his fist into Jesses’ abdomen again, his knuckles thrust upward and slammed into Jesses’ ribcage. With a resounding thud and another explosion of breath Jesse fell to his knees. A sodden newspaper clung to his jeans soaking them through, as the liquid soaked into his pants a dark color began to seep through his knees. Jesse thrust his hand into his pocket and pulled out a sweaty wad of ten and twenty dollar bills.
“This is all I got, I swear.”
Without counting the money Frank casually put it into his inside jacket pocket, “Now now Jesse no need for swearing, I believed this was all you had before you even spoke. You wouldn’t try to lie to me even after running from me would you?”
“No Mr. Frank, I wouldn’t”
“Frank will do Jesse, just Frank, you have a good day now.”
“Thank you Frank.” Jesse said clutching his stomach still kneeling on the wet pavement. Frank adjusted his jacket collar, fixed his medium length jet black hair and strolled out from the alley.

WIP 2

“I don’t know why you talk to him Nance. He is so…dull.” Becky said coming out from the kitchen dusting flour off of her hands and on to her jeans. Becky was a short, stout woman who hated to be called Rebecca. She said she wasn’t a serious enough person to go around insisting that she be referred to as “Rebecca.” Somewhat of a clumsy person, she always seemed to be spilling something or other, be it flour or icing on her clothes. Becky is older than Nancy by a decade, and despite being employed by Nancy she used her age to lecture Nancy.
“He’s not dull, you are just too scared to talk to him. He is just…different. I’m not sure why I talk to him. A part of me repulses him for what he does, but then another part of me finds him interesting. Why don’t you give him a chance? You might end up liking him. Besides what is it to you if I want to talk to him or not?”
“Nance you have a son at home who loves you and needs you. What is he going to think if he sees you consorting with the likes of him?”
“He’s too little to understand what Frank does. But you don’t need to worry, what would Frank see in someone like me?” And with that Nancy let the subject drop and went about her day baking and cleaning.
“Hey Becky, its three I’m going to go and get Christian from school. I’ll be back later.”
“Ok Nance, but you better not let him hear you calling him Christian, its “Chris” now remember?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Nancy thought as she walked into the brisk afternoon air, “what’s the point of naming your child if his friends are just going to change it anyway.” Christian’s school was only five blocks away and Nancy enjoyed the walk to and from the school each day. It gave her time to think about anything she pleased. A lot of the time she thought about the bakery, and Christian. But today she couldn’t help thinking about the conversation she and Becky had had. What is it about Frank that makes me want to get to know him? Besides, what would Frank see in me? He is good looking, has money, he’s charming and funny. I’m just a widow with a seven year old. I run a bakery and go to the PTA. There is nothing interesting about me at all. Nancy had arrived at Christian’s school. After signing him out from the playground monitor, Nancy and her son began walking back to the bakery. Christians’ little legs wouldn’t carry him as far as Nancy’s steps would, despite how many super powers he received from his Spider-Man socks.
“It sure is cold mom,” Christian said rubbing his gloves on his heavy blue jacket.
“You look cold honey, would you like my jacket?”
“Of course not mom, then you’ll get cold too.”
“You think I’m interesting don’t you Christian?” Nancy abruptly asked giving in to what was bothering her.
“It’s Chris mom! I go by Chris now.”
“Sorry Chris, but you do think I’m interesting don’t you?”
“Of course I do mom, you’re the best!”
Smiling broadly Nancy thought, Who needs another man, I’ve got the only one I need right here.

WIP

“Those smell wonderful Nancy, they always do.”
“Well thank you, I hope they taste just as good as they smell. Would you like to try one Frank?”
“Yes ma’am, any opportunity to have a taste of heaven, is an opportunity I’ll take.”
Frank’s appearance clashed horribly with the surrounding décor of the bakery. The only thing that made him blend in was the cup of coffee Nancy had just given him. He wore a charcoal gray suit, with a smooth black shirt under his jacket. He wore no tie. He never did. His shoes reflected the warm ceiling lights, and seemed to shine just as bright. However the dark leather stood on the smooth burnt orange ceramic tiles like an elephant trying to tiptoe through daisies. All around him there were colorful signs depicting some of the delicacies that could be found inside of Nancy’s Bakery. He always liked the name of the bakery, he thought it suited Nancy perfectly. She had no need for an ostentatious name, it didn’t suit her, just plain, simple, straightforward, that’s how Nancy was.
As Nancy walked through her bakery toward the rear of the store where the were large cushioned leather chairs and loveseats, with dark maple wood coffee tables all around them Frank asked her, “ So how are things going with the bakery?” He always wanted to make more than small talk with Nancy, but for some reason he never could bring himself to. He was carrying a tray full of steaming mugs of hot chocolate, as he followed Nancy around delivering orders to customers.
“Very well thank you Frank, and how are you this morning?” she replied now nearing the windows where there are tables two can sit at and enjoy some fresh baked goods, coffee, or hot cocoa. These windows look out into the city and off in the distance customers can see Lake Michigan. During the cold seasons is when the bakery does best, people just can’t resist looking in at the warm bakery with the comfy chairs, steaming cups of coffee and baked goods fresh out of the oven, and they come in to fight off the chill. With their icy wind blasted red faces they step through the front doors into Nancy’s Bakery, and feel immediately welcome and at home. There is a row of wooden pegs jutting out of the front wall for jackets and beanies. In the very back where the large loveseats sit inviting someone to relax, there is a large fireplace built into the wall, during the winter the fire never goes out. Those lucky enough to find themselves in the two overstuffed chairs can almost always be found nodding off in the presence of the warmth.
“I’m doing very well this morning Nancy. I enjoy the brisk winter air very much.” He opened his mouth as if about to say more, but then shut it quickly as if he couldn’t think of anything else to say and handed Nancy her tray.
“Would you like anything else Frank?’ Nancy asked as she put a large envelope stuffed with green bills in a red box filled with fresh white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies and melt in your mouth caramel brownies.
Taking the box with a smile that reached his eyes and dazzled Nancy with perfect white teeth, “No Nancy, this will be all. Thank you for everything, how much do I owe you for the cookie and coffee?”
“Don’t be silly Frank, your money is no good here you know that. You just come back and see me before next month so we can continue our conversation on why Little Debbie ought to be imprisoned and executed. How dare she call her products ‘baked goods.’ ”
“Thank you so much Nancy, I’ll be sure to stop by, have a good day.”
And, with that, Frank stepped toward the door of the bakery, politely holding it open for an elderly couple. He then stepped out of the bakery and met the icy wind without so much as a flinch. He looked up and down the street, and casually walked out of Nancy’s sight.

Intimate Strangers at the Mall

Intimate Strangers at the Mall



sitting down

during a cold evening

on a warm toliet seat