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.