“I remember.” Allison spoke softly forcing me to lean in to hear her words. “Not everything mind you but I remember you. I was supposed to meet Nikki or so I thought. When I found out my meeting was with some kid working on her thesis I was furious. I remember you standing on that sidewalk in faded blue jeans and a Yale jacket that was far too big for you. I remember your long strawberry blonde hair, it seemed to glow in the sunlight. I also remembering thinking that I thought you looked incredibly hot and if only I wasn’t involved.”
“What?” Now I was confused. “Chris just said that the two of you weren’t together yet?”
“Oh right.” Allison answered a shade too quickly. “Maybe I don’t remember everything. If I could I wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“Uh huh.” I grunted as I wondered why she was lying? “I was still hot though?” I teased.
“Oh yeah.” Allison answered with deep sigh.
Chris began to call for us to hurry up. As I began to descend the staircase I heard Allison whispering. “You still are.” I spun around quickly causing her face to turn a deep shade of crimson. “Good.” I retorted with a wink and turned away from her and headed down the staircase before she could see the blush racing across my face.
Allison drove us to The Church Street Cafe, Amy was once again tending bar. I was more than pleased to find her behavior much more professional this time. Of course after the last time I doubt that she would still consider Allison being swayed by her charms. Chris on the other hand flirted with the girl outrageously. This made me very happy. During dinner I limited myself to just one margarita, with Chris’ encouragement Allison had three and was just a little tipsy. At the end of the meal the waiters sang Happy Birthday to Allison as the entire restaurant cheered. When we left the restaurant I insisted on driving.
We arrived at The Galaxy a little after ten and I checked our coats quickly. I found Allison and Chris seated at Teresa’s bar ordering another round of drinks. I opted for spring water. I searched the crowd and quickly found Rita. As I crossed the room to greet her, I glanced back at the bar to find Chris caressing Allison’s shoulder. Then she bent down and whispered something in her ear, which caused Allison to laugh brightly.
I just stood there watching them feeling like an idiot. It wasn’t until I felt a hand touching my shoulder that I stopped staring. I spun around and found Rita smiling at me. “There you are.” She exclaimed. “I was beginning to think that I had been stood up.”
“Sorry I’m late. I had dinner with one of my colleagues for her birthday.” I explained. “I hope you don’t mind but I invited her and an old friend of hers to join us.”
“The more the merrier.” Rita answered. “Is she cute?”
“She’s … beyond words.” I answered absently.
“Uh Huh.” Rita responded.
“Come on I’ll introduce you.” I took Rita by the arm and led her back towards Allison and Chris.
As we approached the giggling duo Rita’s jaw dropped. “Allison?” She exclaimed cheerfully.
“Rita.” Allison responded and greeted her with a warm hug. “This day was just getting worse and worse. Maybe there’s a hole around here I could crawl into.”
“Rita this is Chris.” Allison made the introduction. “Rita and I were at Wellesley together.” Allison explained to both Chris and I.
“I hear that it’s your birthday, Allison.” Rita gushed. “That calls for a round of drinks.” Rita waved Teresa over and order a round of margaritas. I politely declined explaining that someone had to drive. As I listened to them chatter about the old days, I was suddenly the odd woman out again.
“Do you remember that time during finals?” Rita asked Allison. “What was it freshman year?”
“Sophomore.” Allison corrected her.
“God you really shocked everyone.” Rita laughed.
“Oh please our dormitory floor was the queerest on campus.” Allison scoffed.
“You two are not going to believe what the prim and proper Miss Kendell did.” Rita began to explain as Allison began to blush. “It was during finals and everyone was so stressed. So Allison in her infinite wisdom decided to relieve the tension as it were. So she streaked down the hallway screaming ‘come out come out where ever you are!’”
“Streaked?” Chris leered. “Do you mean that you…?”
“Yes. I ran buck naked down the hallway.” Allison laughed. “Hey I was nineteen.” She added defensively.
“Well it certainly lifted everyone’s spirits.” Rita added.
“I bet it did.” Chris answered as she lick her lips.
I thought I was going to be sick. Just then Rita touched me on the arm. “I can hear that new Cher song playing in the other room, let’s dance.” She asked me sweetly.
“I’ll go.” Chris offered quickly.
“Maybe later.” Rita said coolly. “Stephanie owes me a dance.” Rita dragged me off before I could respond.
Much to my surprise Rita dragged me into the lounge instead of the front dance room. “Allison Kendell?” She asked quickly. I just stared at her blankly. “Allison Kendell?” She repeated. I was still at a loss. “Stephanie is she the one that you were telling me about?”
“Yes.” I admitted reluctantly.
“I knew it. I could tell by that goofy look on your face.” Rita said.
“Hey?” I shot back indignantly.
“I’m confused.” Rita blurted out.
“Why are you confused?” I asked in bewilderment. “I’m not the one speaking in code.”
“First I need to explain a few things to you.” Rita started. “Years ago there was this women’s bar in the financial district called Somewhere Else. It burnt down a long time ago. But in it’s hey day Allison’s reputation would walk in about ten minuets before she did.”
“Great.” I muttered.
“Relax.” Rita tried to reassure me. “That was a long time ago. Personally I think that a lot of women lied about being with her. But once she got into Harvard her only interests were in her studies. Then she went off to New York and left a string of broken hearts behind her.”
“I know all of this.” I butted in. “New York was where she met Chris and Jessica. New York where she had a life long before she ever laid eyes on my sorry ass.” My pity party seemed to be in full swing.
“What you don’t know is that since she came back to Boston, that everyone and I do mean everyone and their sister has been trying to get up close and personal with her. I mean she’s beautiful, successful and rich. Allison is quite the catch.”
“Is this supposed to be cheering me up?” I groused.
“Yes.” Rita answered with a cocky smirk. “You told me that you were trying to get over someone that was involved.”
“That’s because she is or was, I’m not really sure anymore.” I tried to explain.
“No she’s not.” Rita argued. “And she certainly wouldn’t take Chris back.”
“I know that.” I snapped. “She is seeing this youngster named …”
“Courtney.” Rita cut me off. “A little brunette about yeh tall.” She held her hand up at the appropriate height. “A little too perky for her own good.” Rita added.
“That’s her.”
“They are not together.” Rita asserted strongly. “They had one date and Allison shot her down.”
“What are you talking about I’ve seen her leaving Allison’s apartment?”
“Stephanie I ran into Courtney around the beginning of the month and she was with someone else. Not only that she was bitching about how all she got from the high and mighty Miss. Kendell was the cold shoulder.”
“I don’t understand?” I exclaimed in frustration.
“Don’t you?” Rita retorted. “Courtney set you up, so she could keep you away from Allison. Stephanie trust me on this, if Allison Kendell had a girlfriend I would have heard something.”