Days For Stars

Day Nine

Day Nine: Enough Nerve, Part I,

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            The phone rang as I held it up to my ear.

            "Hello?"

            She picked up on the third ringy- dingy.

            Hi. Is this Gwen Poplar?

            "Yes. May I ask who this is?"

            No need to be so formal, Gwen. I laughed. Don't worry. It's Max.

            "Max?" It took her a moment to make the connection. "Oh! When did I give you my number?"

            About a month ago.

            "Oh, yeah. At Sal's, am I right?"

            Yes.

            "And you chose now to call me?"

            I'm sorry, is this a bad time? I asked hurriedly.

            "No! No, of course not... it really took you a month to pick up the phone?"

            My face burned. I could tell from her tone that it was the desired effect.

             Uhh... yeah? Is there something wrong with that?

            "No. Not particularly."

            What does that mean?  I asked defensively.

            "Oh, nothing." Her voice held the quality of a female who refuses to reveal all. I knew that tone all too well.

            I thought that maybe we could get together sometime, I said, hoping I didn't sound too forward.

            "Like a date?"

I knew it. I had been too enthusiastic.

            Whatever you would prefer. I mean if you already have a guy or something-"

            "I don't. Not right now." Gwen's voice took on a hard edge. I didn't press the subject.

            So... Friday at 5 o' clock?

            "That sounds good!" She seemed to be cheerful again. "You'll pick me up?"

            I was kind of hoping we could take the hearse, I teased.

            "If you want..."

            I was joking.

            "I know."

            See you on Friday, then?

            "Friday," she said firmly before hanging up.

            Friday, I told myself happily. Friday.