Ann chuckled. “I’ll try to, Jerry.”
“I’d like to meet her,” he said, his eyes returning to Amy’s picture.
Ann replied, “Unfortunately Amy’s not here right now-she’s at the school football game. Maybe some other time.”
“I’d like that… Well, shall we go?”
“I’m ready,” Ann replied, heading toward the door. Jerry followed her outside and stood by while she locked up. When they reached his car, he opened the door and waited until Ann was inside before walking around to the driver’s side and getting in.
“Nice car,” Ann commented.
“Thanks. I prefer sportier cars actually, but this one accommodates my clients quite nicely.”
“What kind of real estate do you handle?” Ann asked as Jerry started the car and backed out of the driveway.
“Mostly residential, a little commercial. I lean more toward the speculative market. Condominiums in particular.”
“I see.”
It started to drizzle and Jerry turned on the wipers. They drove several blocks in an awkward silence. Ann noticed that Jerry was tapping the steering wheel with his fingers and suddenly realized that he was probably more nervous than she was. This made her feel more comfortable for some reason. She assessed how things were going so far and had to admit that she felt fairly at ease in Jerry Rankin’s company. He looked even more handsome than she remembered him looking the day she’d met him at the supermarket and she was impressed with his impeccable manners. Sam had only opened a car door for her a handful of times in all the years they’d been married. And two of those rare occasions had been on their wedding day…
“Would you mind a little music?” Jerry suddenly asked.
“No, not at all.”
He turned on the stereo and inserted a CD. Ann immediately recognized the song, Gimme Some Lovin’ by The Spencer Davis Group.
It’s an oldies collection,” Jerry explained. “They don’t make songs like this anymore.”
Ann smiled at him. “You can say that again. Amy plays some of the most nerve-wracking stuff imaginable! Rap music. Heavy metal. And she always plays it so loud!”
Jerry gasped. “That must be dreadful! How do you deal with it?”
“I put as much distance as possible between her bedroom and myself.”
He laughed. “How’s she doing in school?”
“Passing by the skin of her teeth. Amy’s a bright kid, but her social life takes precedence over her studies. She used to get all A’s and B’s through middle school, but she simply doesn’t apply herself anymore. I don’t think she realizes that it’s all going to catch up with her in the end if she doesn’t start shaping up.”
Jerry said, “She’ll come around, Ann. Most of the kids her age that I’ve worked with at church have the same problem. It’s not easy becoming an adult nowadays-the old, innocent days of Leave It To Beaver and Ozzie and Harriet are extinct. I think the family structure in today’s society is partially to blame for a lot of this generation’s problems.”
“Divorce doesn’t help much, either,” Ann muttered half aloud.
“What was that?”
Ann sighed. “I said that divorce doesn’t help matters any, either.”
Jerry hesitated a moment, then said, “Divorce is an unfortunate fact of life. But it certainly doesn’t have to destroy a child’s life. As long as there’s plenty of love and understanding at home, they can adjust eventually.”
“How about the theory that two-parent families are more stable for children?”
“I won’t argue with that. But remember, a divorce needn’t be a death sentence, Ann. Many parents remarry and experience successful relationships between stepparent and child.”
This was something Ann had given little thought to. “Are you sure you don’t have any children, Jerry?” Ann said, grinning. “I mean, you seem so well-versed on the topic.”
He chuckled, then his expression turned somber. “I wish I did, Ann. I really do. Marie and I tried for years to have a child but never had any luck. We were seriously considering adoption just before she passed away.”
“I’m so sorry, Jerry,” Ann said quietly.
“It’s all right. At least I have my kids at the church, and believe me-they’re quite a handful!”
Ann smiled and fell silent. For the first time, she realized just how lonely Jerry Rankin must be and felt sorry for him. Beneath the surface of that rugged physique and handsome, confident face beat a lonely heart-Jerry Rankin was a vulnerable soul who obviously loved kids and sorely missed his lately departed wife.
To look at him, who would ever have guessed?
The restaurant was crowded when they arrived. Once they were shown to their table, they each ordered a glass of wine and began looking over the menu. After they’d given the waiter their orders, Ann stared across the table at Jerry and said, “This is wonderful, Jerry. I’m glad you suggested it.”
“The food is just as impressive as the atmosphere. If you like Italian food, this is the place to be.” he replied.
“There’s something I’ve been dying to ask you. Are you English, by any chance?”
“Not hardly!” he laughed. “I spent several years in Europe before I got married-I met Marie in England, as a matter of fact. After we were married, I brought her back to the States and we settled down in Cleveland, which is my hometown. Between the time spent in Europe and being around Marie all those years, I seem to have picked up a bit of an accent in the process.”
“I’ll bet I’m not the first to ask you then, am I?” Ann said.
“No, actually, you’re not,” he replied. “Have you ever been to Europe, Ann?”
“No. I’ve never even been out of the continental United States. I guess you could say I’ve led a sheltered existence.”
“You really should go some time. It’s marvelous-especially France.”
“So I’ve heard.”
The waiter came over and they ordered another glass of wine. Ann felt herself becoming pleasantly buzzed by the time their food arrived. Jerry had loosened up considerably, too. His somewhat formal way of speaking became markedly more relaxed as the evening progressed and his dry sense of humor began to surface. By the time they’d eaten and had one more drink, the two were carrying on as though they were lifelong friends. Ann wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or Jerry’s company that had put her in such high spirits-maybe a combination of both. All she knew was that she was thoroughly enjoying herself for the first time in what seemed like ages.
It was raining steadily when they left the restaurant so they made a mad dash for the car. Jerry cranked up the volume on the car stereo and they sang to the oldies on the way back to Ann’s house. When they pulled into the driveway, Ann hesitated only a moment before inviting Jerry Rankin in for a nightcap, halfheartedly stressing the fact that it was to be for only one drink and afterwards they would be calling it a night. Jerry happily accepted.
Inside, Jerry helped Ann off with her coat and followed her to the family room.
“My favorite room in the house,” Ann declared as she turned on the lights.
“It’s wonderful,” Jerry commented, surveying the room.
Ann went over to the bar and set a pair of wine glasses on the counter. “There’s still a few things I’d like to do in here before it’s all finished,” she remarked. “One is to replace that old sofa and chair. I’ve had them both for a couple of eons.”
Jerry joined her at the bar. “Need any help with that?” he asked just as Ann pulled the cork from the wine bottle. Ann shook her head, poured them both a glass and handed one to Jerry.
“Thanks,” he said as he followed Ann over to the sofa and sat down beside her. He eyed the romance novel lying on the coffee table curiously and picked it up. “Are you reading this?”
Ann blushed and giggled. “Yes, I must confess. I’m a real sucker for a good love story.”
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” Jerry said. “I’ve heard that you can tell a lot about a person by what he reads. I, for instance, like a good crime story; especially the ones based on actual events. I guess you could say I’m a sucker for intrigue and suspense.”