West Coast Winter

Let's See What The Night Can Do

Charlie invited me to opening night of his play Life After You. He also invited mom, but she declined and offered to babysit Nina and Henry as Nicole and Carter would also be in attendance.
Charlie had mentioned something about having to pick up his suit on Friday, so I gathered I should dress appropriately for the occasion. I went shopping and happened upon a beautiful navy dress with sheer long sleeves and a plunging neck line. The skirt is overlaid with sheer chiffon. I paired the dress with strappy gold heels.
Tonight, I meticulously curled my hair into soft waves. My bangs are thick and blunt, just touching my eyelids. I kept my make up subtle, placing emphasis on my eyelashes. My lips are a plush rosy color. I take one last look in the mirror and the door bell rings.
Nina stops me at the bathroom door. "You look so pretty, mama!", she says with her eyes dancing over makeup, hair, and dress.
"Oh, thank you baby bear!", I smile as I bend to wrap her in a mama bear hug and place a kiss on her cheek.
"Let's get the door. That'll be Charlie and Henry. Are you excited to play video games with Henry tonight?", I ask as we walk down the hall.
"Yeah! Are you excited to see Charlie's play, mom?", Nina asks very interestedly for a someone so young. I love how conversational she is.
"Of course! Oh, Nina! I forgot my earrings. Could you ask Nana to get the door?"
Mom was already there welcoming Charlie and Henry. I could hear Charlie's deep voice chatting with my mom.
I found them. My fall leaf earrings dipped in gold. I placed them in my ears and grabbed my gold clutch purse.
"It's a real shame you couldn't join us tonight, Tina", Charlie smiled at my mother, placing a hand momentarily on her upper arm as he spoke.
I stood in the hallway frozen,suddenly nervous and staring at him. He looked so classic and heartbreakingly beautiful. His suit was navy blue with a white dress shirt and no tie. His collar unbuttoned. I could feel myself coming undone inside.
Mom saw me and must have picked up on my nerves and awkward behavior. I could tell she wanted to smile or maybe even laugh at me, but she just said to Charlie, "I have a feeling you two will have a much better time without me."
Mom looks at me pointedly causing Charlie's head to turn and see me for the first time. His smile fades and suddenly I become extremely self conscious.
Charlie's eyes dance all about me. Down, up, and then locked on my face. His smile returns and I feel all warm and gooey inside.
"Um... is this ok?", I awkwardly ask as I gesture to my dress and nibble my lip nervously.
Charlie slowly moves toward me. My heart is racing and I look away as his expression is so unreadable. I don't know what he's going to do until his towering form is upon me. He leans down to kiss my cheek softly and whispers, "You look...gorgeous, but even that word doesn't do you justice."
All I can breathe is a soft, "Thank you."
The tone of his voice, his scent, and his overall presence made me a bit woozy with desire and longing.
Charlie straightens up and announces in a louder voice , "Well, we'd better get going. The curtain goes up in an hour. I should probably already be there."
Charlie pulls a comedic "oops" face and I smile at his cuteness.
As we make our way out the door, Charlie turns back and says to Henry, whom is already settling in with a game controller, "Ok, Henry, be good for Tina. Remember your manners."
"Ok, dad", Henry says absently, barely acknowledging Charlie.
"Bye, Charlie!", Nina yells out from her spot next to Henry on the floor. "Take care of my mom!"
Charlie chuckles and says as he straightens his suit jacket, "Of course."
Charlie flashes everyone a smile as he closes the door. He turns to me and grabs my hand to lead me down the walk to the car.
"You look and smell amazing", Charlie comments as he opens the car door for me.
"Thank you. So do you." I smile at him before getting into the car.
"This old thing?", Charlie gestures to himself. "You flatter me." Charlie laughs kind of endearingly in a dorky way and says, "Thank you."
Charlie shuts the door and goes around to his side of the car. I reach over to open his door for him. Charlie gets inside the car and says, "Thank you. You didn't have to do that. A Bronx Tale, right?"
"Yeah! You know that movie?", I ask with my eyes a light. I always get excited when people know and love the same movies as me and get the little references.
"Of course!", Charlie exclaims. "And trust me, I already know you're not a quote 'selfish broad'."
"It was such a perfect moment when she unlocked his car door, wasn't it?", I sigh dreamily.
"Yes. It was like an immediate epiphany. He just...knew", Charlie's eyes lock with mine momentarily while we are at the stop sign. I smile at him. A car honks behind us and we snap out of our moment.
We laugh the whole way to the theater talking about favorite movies.
We arrive and when I reach for the door handle, Charlie says, "Let me get your door."
This would take some getting used to.
"Charlie, you don't have to wait on me hand and foot. I'm a big girl. I got it", I say as he takes my hand to help me out of the car.
Charlie looks earnestly into my eyes and says, "I want to. Let me. Please."
I nod almost dumbly as he shuts the car door. This man causes me to lose all train of thought with his sincerity. I take a deep breath, smile, and say, "Okay."
Charlie adjusts his brown leather messenger bag on his shoulder, takes my hand, and we make our way into the Geffen Playhouse.
Charlie greets a few people as we walk into the auditorium. He leads me to my seat in the now empty auditorium and for about thirty minutes, I watch him walk up and down the aisles talking to various crew members. He disappears backstage. People begin to take their seats all around me. Charlie's messenger bag is keeping me company in what I suppose is his seat. I finally see a familiar face. Nicole and Carter spot me as they start to walk back up the aisle from their third row seats.
"Jaclyn! Hi!", Nicole says excitedly. I beam and stand to meet her in the aisle. She hugs me and then Carter gives me a half hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Oh my goodness. I'm so glad to see you guys!", I say pressing my hands together.
"That dress is amazing", Nicole points out. "You look so beautiful tonight! Wait...", Nicole says in a hushed tone, "is this your first date with Charlie?"
"I don't really know how to answer that question. I'll just say nothing is official yet, I guess. We just keep ending up spending time together in an unofficial capacity?" I said it like a question, but I'm the reason we're not dating yet. It's all me. Why I put limitations on myself with this man is beyond me.
Nicole looks confused and then smiles and says, "Well, ok!"
"You look fabulous by the way. I love your outfit", I comment on her gorgeous all black power pant suit.
"Thank you! I don't know what you and Charlie have planned for after the show, but maybe we can all get a drink after. I gotta run to the ladies room before curtain. Enjoy the show!", Nicole says as Carter whisks her away toward the foyer.
I settle into my seat and I can't help but scan the crowd for Charlie. I'm sure he's backstage making last minute adjustments.
The lights go down and I can make out Nicole and Carter taking their seats just before the curtain goes up. I start watching the play. There's still no sign of Charlie. I decide to immerse myself into the play until he comes along. After about five minutes, I feel a presence next to me. Charlie removes his bag from his seat and settles in. He has a notepad resting on his knee that's crossed over his left leg. He's watching the play intently and every now and then, he scribbles something in his notepad.
I found myself laughing a lot as I could relate heavily to the madness surrounding newly single life. At times, I found myself moved to tears because I knew the feelings all too painfully well. There's a series of awkward encounters, dating mishaps, and that feeling that settles over you when you're all alone at the end of the night. It's so much bigger than loneliness. There's an entire monologue about cleaning an apartment top to bottom and then not knowing what to do with yourself when you're all done. There's an entire story for both the male and female leads. The play ends at the epiphany. It's that moment of just knowing. The two lead characters meet for the first time after all the head ache of trying to move on from their respective pasts in a grocery store when their carts collide. There is the commotion of apologies and then silence as they stare at each other. Some would see it as anti climactic, but I see it as leaving the ending open to interpretation. The audience knows that these two people are perfect for each other because we've watched their lives separately unfold. There are plenty of poignant and humorous moments throughout. There's balance. The entire play gives hope to those who feel they are floundering and tired in their singleness. The best part is when the two leads give up on listening to friends, co workers , and family. They choose to be content where they are and when they are finally able to let go, they find each other. I thought it a truly remarkable play, but I may be biased. I'm friends with the director.