The Spinster's Club

CECE: Three

I had long ago switched my ginger ale for a pink, frothy drink that had a cutesy name I couldn't quite remember. So, I just kept saying "more of the same". I'd also scored a table because some folks had left, presumably after 'their' karaoke person had performed. Results were not to be announced until Saturday night, which was tomorrow, which meant I would be back here, Jodie or no Jodie.

Carlos had joined me at my table after his performance. Jodie still held up the wall; I assumed she had an interest in all twelve contestants, but I have to admit, I lost all interest after Carlos sang. We talked, it seemed like forever, and I kept complimenting his voice. It was something I just had to do.

"Has anyone ever told you you have a beautiful voice?" I asked for the umpteenth time.

"You have. I can hold a note," he said modestly. "But I am very glad you think so. I think there is no need to be telling me again. I promise I believe you."

I rested my chin in my hand and my elbow on the table. "Beautiful," I said dreamily. "Wonderful, magnificent. Um, I need another pink thing."

"I am truly delighted you have the liking for me and my voice." He gestured to our waitress. "I think after this, you must have the coffee or your head will hurt very badly in the morning."

"I'll worry about that in the morning." I dismissed his concerns and sat back in my chair, trying to pretend my elbow hadn't slipped off the table. "You must make your living singeing. It would be a crime not to use that voice to your advantage."

"Sadly, I must say no. But, I am in the entertainment business. I have the very good job in the T.V."

"You don't shing...sing for your living. How can this be?" I threw my arms out dramatically. "My heart is broken."

"I have no wish to break your heart," he said, trying not to laugh. "I am the actor on the very popular show, which I don't think you will have seen because it is in Spanish. A telenovela ... in this country it is as the soap opera."

"The Spanish channel?" I perked up. "Oh, it has subtitles, doesn't it? I could wasch...watch you. Hell, I can wash you without subtitles. But you should shi...sing, Carlos, you really should."

"Cecelia," he said, finally letting his laugh loose. "You are, as the Americans say, tanked. You will remember nada in the morning and will have the wonder at your hurting head."

"You could be there to tell me."

I did NOT just say that. Surely to God I wasn't that drunk. Oh, but I was and despite feeling no pain, my tortured brain managed a thought. I had four quests to complete, right? And I'd already done one, right? I had no hair as proof of that. So ... if I invited Carlos home and had my wicked way with him and then inveigled (I don't know how my pickled brain even came up with that verb, but there it was) him into taking me to his job, that would be an adventure, wouldn't it? And maybe even a new job if I could fast talk my way into doing something ...but what was his job?

Oh, right, actor. Did it even matter? There he sat, handsome as sin, a lock of his black hair caressing his forehead and his almost dimple quivering as he smiled at me. But there was a worried look in his eyes. Who could blame him? He'd just been propositioned by a tipsy woman who looked like a matchstick and who hadn't had sex since 2011. Of course, he didn't know that last fact, but I did and I have to say I had one hell of a nerve asking him to stay with me overnight.

Quickly, I regrouped.

"Forget I said that, 'kay? I'm just a little off tonight. I don't usually drink so much but damn, those things are good." I tried to get to my feet. "Gotta go find Jodie, she's my ride home and thank you so much, Carlos. I really enjoyed talking to you and enjoyed your shinging even more. You should shing for real, boy, you really should. Broadway and all that. Uh ... yeah. Bye, now."

I was planning a graceful exit, stage right, but I couldn't seem to get out of my chair.

"Cecelia, don't be embarrassed. I will see you home and we can have the speaking later, when you feel ... ah ...more yourself."

"Came with Jodie, gotta leave with Jodie." I was feeling stubborn. Lord, let one thing go right tonight!

"Jodie, she has left."

"What? When did she leave?"

"Perhaps the hour ago. When the singing is over."

"Has it been that long?" I narrowed my eyes as the waitress set another pink thing on the table. "Who ordered that!"

Carlos got to his feet and edged around the table to my side. "Come, querida, I will get you home before you get in the trouble. Just lean on me."

"'Lean on me, when you're not strong'," I snuffled. "You gonna be my friend, Carlos? You're a good man, Carlos Marin and Jodie is dead meat. Dead, I tell you. I do her a favor and come to her stupid club and what does she do? She abandons me, that's what! Romi wouldn't abandon me. Cass wouldn't abandon me. Amy wouldn't ...arghh."

Carlos maneuvered me through the door. "Shhh, querida," he soothed. "Tell me your address and you'll soon be home."

But I was too fascinated by the black dots in my field of vision to answer him. I watched as the dots grew bigger and then everything went away.

Far, far away.