White Chocolate Moments (18 page)

Arcineh eyed her paycheck, her mind centering on the date and not the amount. Not in her wildest dreams would she have believed that she would stay away from home for more than two years. She had called home twice in the first year, and once more last year, but Quinn had answered each time. Arcineh had not tried again.

Sam Bryant was 69 years old today. Arcineh wanted to talk to him so much that she ached. Slow tears trickled down her face, though she was barely aware of the fact. Part of her didn't care who answered--Arcineh wanted to call. The other part of her felt she'd been replaced. Even the fact that Quinn was answering the phone made her seem like a beloved only child.

Tears came in a torrent then. Arcineh tried to muffle her sobs against her pillow, but Jalaina heard her from the hall. The older girl

152

came in, sat on her bed, and looked over at her friend. She waited until Arcineh was a little more under control before she spoke. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"It's my grandpa's birthday:'

"How old is he?"

"Sixty-nine:'

"You miss him?"

Arcineh could only nod, more tears coming.

"So call him:' Jalaina said in her matter-of-fact way. "Just pick up the phone and dial:'

"I don't want to risk someone else answering:'

Jalaina felt swamped with guilt. She had brought Arcineh home because she seemed lonely and because she liked her--but also so she could learn from her, and she had. Jalaina had landed a plum job at a nice clothing store, something she had wanted for years. It wasn't Michigan Avenue, but Jalaina was thrilled.

Arcineh, who had stuck around far longer than anyone imagined, had never even hinted at going back to her world. Most weeks she worked six days. She actually gave Grandma rent money, and never, even working on construction sites, did she lose her charm and class. But deep inside Jalaina knew she was the same person, just living out of her world.

"When's the last time you danced?"

Arcineh only groaned and rolled her eyes.

"Tell me:'

"I don't know, Jalaina. I'm so far out of shape I wouldn't last five minutes:'

"This Saturday you're going:'

"Where?"

Jalaina thought quickly. "It's a little ways from here, but there's a

dance studio. It's very nice. I'll get you there and you'll dance:'

"I don't know if it's that easy, Jalaina. Not all studios take walk-

ins:'

153

"We'll go and find out:" Jalaina would not be swayed. "Wear some of those tight things so you look the part"

Arcineh had to laugh. It was just like Jalaina to think that way, and she appreciated her friend's desire to help. And she was good at her word. On Saturday morning, Jalaina drove her to Blankenship Dance and Aerobics and left her at the door.

"Okay, ladies:' the instructor at the front of the room called as the class assembled. "Let's start our warm-up, nice and easy now"

Arcineh had been almost an hour early, but Jalaina had been right. She was able to join a large aerobics class, and just feeling the pull of her muscles and hearing the beat of the music worked wonders on Arcineh's heart. She was out of shape, but all worries and heartaches fell away in the next hour. The time flew. Before she was ready, Arcineh found herself going up to thank the teacher, something she'd practiced from the time she was little. However, not all was lost. Arcineh learned that they met again on Monday night.

"So it's like this," Jalaina said the next week--the girls were working on dinner. "I think what you need on Friday night is a date."

Arcineh looked at her roommate and wondered what had come over her. They had lived in peaceful cohabitation for two and a half years, and suddenly Jalaina seemed more aware of her.

"What is going on?"

"Nothing, I just want you to do more than work, read, and practice your Italian."

"I do:' Arcineh argued.

154

"What?" Jalaina demanded.

Arcineh grated cheese and didn't answer. She hadn't really thought about it. Her life was full. Grandma Ciofani treasured her, and Arcineh loved her in return. Marco was the little brother she'd never had, and Jalaina was an amazing friend.

Arcineh worked hard and was good at her job, and Nicky made sure she was treated well by the men. If the truth were to be told, she would rather be in an office somewhere, but she was content and proud of her ability.

"I don't like blind dates:' Arcineh finally said.

"But if I find someone, maybe someone Will knows," Jalaina replied, referring to her new boyfriend, "you could at least meet him:'

"And you would stay and not leave me alone with some stranger?" "I swear:'

"And if I didn't want to go out after I meet him, you're not upset with me and he's not pouting?"

"No being left alone, no pouting," Jalaina repeated with a hand in the air, looking like a large Girl Scout. "But will you at least try?" she added.

"Yes," Arcineh heard herself agreeing, hoping she would not regret that word.

"You've danced before," Pam, the aerobics instructor, said as she caught Arcineh when she went to thank her on Thursday. Arcineh nodded, not sure what to say.

"Listen," Pam continued, lowering her voice and taking in the wary look in Arcineh's eyes, "you can take this or leave it, but you really should be in the class Tina teaches:'

"What class is that?" Arcineh asked, wondering vaguely if she

155

sounded as guarded as she felt. It had felt good to be invisible in the back row. She obviously hadn't pulled it off.

"They do aerobics, but at an advanced level. It's more about dance than getting in shape. You won't have any problems."

"When do they meet?"

"Some Sunday afternoons, but mostly Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings."

Arcineh studied the other woman before asking, "Would I have to call someone?"

"No, I'll just let Tina know that someone new might be by." "Thanks," Arcineh said and turned to go, honestly not sure what she would do.

She would have bolted and never returned if she'd known that Pam had already told Tina all about her.

156

"Chapter Twelve

!" Arcineh said to Marco on Friday night. "I know you're bluffing."

"You'll have to put some pennies on the table to find out: the 12year-old said, looking smug. Arcineh looked away from his beautiful face, knowing she would smile if she didn't. His black eyes and hair, coupled with his olive skin, made him very eye-catching. Her own skin tanned very dark in the summer, but Marco managed to stay dark year round.

"Are you playing for money?" Grandma came to the dining room just then, trying to look outraged.

"Just pennies: her grandson told her, and proceeded to put a winning hand down on the table.

Arcineh said something in Italian that made Grandma laugh. "What did she say?" Marco demanded, but his grandmother had no sympathy.

"You should work as hard on your Italian as Arcie does, and you would know:'

Marco was ready to argue, but the front door opened just then.

157

Jalaina led the way, followed by Will, and behind him a stranger. A tall good-looking stranger.

"Arcie, this is Kevin:' Jalaina wasted no time in saying. "Kevin, this is Arcie

"Hello" Arcineh stood to shake the man's hand and tried not to stare. This was not the kind of person she pictured Will and Jalaina bringing home.

Will had the presence of mind to introduce Grandma and Marco as well, but Jalaina was too busy watching Arcineh's face. When their eyes met, Jalaina saw approval and suggested that everyone head into the living room to get better acquainted.

"Are you busy tomorrow night?" Kevin asked Arcineh when she walked him to his car several hours later.

"No Arcineh answered, feeling breathless and hoping he couldn't tell.

"I was thinking dinner would be nice, and maybe a movie" "I'd like that:'

For the moment they just stared at each other.

"Jalaina said you were an anger Kevin said with a smile. "I was silly not to believe her:'

Arcineh smiled, and Kevin's eyes went to her mouth. Had she not been so attracted to him and impressed with what she'd seen all evening, she would have been scared to death.

"Tomorrow night. Six-thirty," Kevin said.

"I'll be ready."

Arcineh stayed on the walk until he drove out of sight. She almost ran back to the house to tell Jalaina she had a date.

158

"I was born in Maine Kevin told Arcineh over dinner. "I didn't come to Chicago until I was ten. How about you?"

"Born and raised here. Very boring:"

"And do you really lay tile with Jalaina's brother?" Kevin suddenly asked. It was a question that intrigued him.

Arcineh laughed before saying, "I have the hands to prove it:'

Kevin laughed with her, but he was very impressed. She hadn't tried to hide her hands, and she wasn't embarrassed. He couldn't picture her doing anything but sitting elegantly in fine clothing, but when he did notice her hands, they were a little rough-looking, and her nails were short.

"I'm glad you enjoy it," Kevin said, hoping she hadn't seen him looking. "But I'll be honest and tell you that I see you in an office building:'

"I wouldn't mind working in an office, but I just haven't taken the time to pursue it:'

"There are openings in my building:'

"At Brockton Printing?"

"Yes. Do you have any experience?"

"A little," Arcineh hedged, not willing to talk about her past. "Filing and such?"

"Yes:'

"That's all you need to get in the door. From there you can study the job board and maybe move around:'

Arcineh had more questions for Kevin, and he had answers for each one. It ended up being a fabulous evening. Not only did she enjoy her time with this handsome man, she began--for the first time in two years--to seriously consider a job change.

"Are you Tina?" Arcineh asked the woman who seemed to be in charge on Monday night.

159

"I am. Are you from Pam's class?"

"Yes. Pam told me she thought I might like your class."

"I hope you do:' Tina spoke sincerely. "Can I get your name?" "Arcie:'

"Darcy?"

"No, there's no
D,
just Arcie:'

"Okay," Tina said with a smile. "We'll be starting in about five minutes."

Arcineh nodded and asked herself why she'd come. She couldn't believe how nervous she was. Nerves and dancing were a new combination for her. Dancing had always relaxed her, but right now she was tight as a knot.

"Okay, ladies." Tina announced from the front. "Let's get this music going and get to work."

Arcineh was glad that this class was fairly large. She stayed near the door with about 30 women in front of her, realizing the other class must have had at least 50. Trying not to worry about how she did, Arcineh concentrated on the music and Tina's moves and directions.

She learned inside of ten minutes that Pam had been right. This was no problem for Arcineh. She changed moves and tempo without effort, and when it seemed that no one was even aware of her, she relaxed.

The class was at least 30 minutes longer than aerobics had been, but Arcineh went the distance. She was dripping and tired when Tina called a halt, but she was also hooked. At the moment, she couldn't remember why she'd ever stopped.

"Are you setting the alarm?" Arcineh asked Jalaina from her bed on Saturday night. The other girl was making a racket.

"Yes, I'm going to church in the morning."

160

Arcineh sighed loudly. It was always the same. Jalaina believed that sleeping with a man before she was married was a sin. She and Will had not done that, but they did kiss and Jalaina was tempted toward more. Whenever one of their dates got a little heated, Jalaina felt guilty and went to church.

"I don't know why you do this: Arcineh said. "Why do you bother

with a religion that makes you feel guilty for being in love?"

"It's not that simple. God wants me pure on my wedding day." Arcineh sighed again.

"And before you say it: Jalaina cut back in. "Unlike you, I do believe in God, even one who makes me feel guilty:

Arcineh didn't comment further. They had had this talk more times than she could count. It was no use going over it again.

"Can I talk to you, Nicky?" Arcineh asked on a quiet Sunday afternoon. She had had a date with Kevin the night before, and he'd given her three possible positions to apply for at Brockton.

"Sure." .

"I'm thinking about getting another job: Arcineh didn't know how to be anything but up front. "I don't want to leave you in the lurch or seem ungrateful for the way you trained and paid me, but I'd like to try office work again."