The Crying Bridge

The Crying Bridge--Chapter 17

 Del had been sitting on the swing for nearly forty-five minutes and had actually gotten quite involved with her book, a mystery about a man mysteriously vanishing while on a cruise ship, when the phone rang. She had remembered to bring the cordless outside with her and picked up immediately.

"Six and a half hours!" Jenny nearly screamed through the phone line.

"What? Jenny, what's wrong?" Del asked.

"What's wrong? You want to know what's wrong?" Jenny asked with a note of hysteria in her voice. "Dan is supposed to pick me up in six and a half hours! That's what's wrong!"

Del was confused. "Yeah?" she asked. "So what's the problem? I thought you were excited to go out with him."

"I haven't been on a date with anyone but Greg since I was fifteen years old!" Jenny wailed. "I cannot do this!"

Del smiled a little. "Jenny," she said gently, "of course you can do this. You need to do this. It's time."

Jenny was silent for so long, Del was afraid she'd hung up. Finally a small voice said, "How? I don't know how to date someone now. I'm thirty years old and don't have a clue about any of this."

"Well, it's not like it's a blind date. You've met this guy and liked him, that should make it easier. Evan says he's a good guy. Just go with it and see what happens."

"But what if he wants to hold my hand or kiss me?" Jenny asked. "Greg was it for all those years. What if I freak out. And sex! Oh my god, Del what if he wants to have sex?"

Del laughed out loud. "Jenny, just the other day you were ready to jump right into this. Where's that bold, brash girl I've come to know and love?"

"Ohhhh. How did I get myself into this?" Jenny cried. "I have to cancel. I just have to call him and say thanks but no thanks, I've only seen one penis in my life, just simply can't see another one. EVER!"

"Oh, Jenny, honey," Del said, exasperated. "Stop being so damned dramatic! I know this is new and scary, but you said yourself that Greg would have wanted you to move on and be happy. Nobody's saying you have to see this guy's penis tonight or any other night. It's just a date. Good god, let the guy take you out and spend some money on you. Enjoy it!"

"Do you really think I can do this?" Jenny asked.

"Of course you can," Del assured her. "Just relax and let Dan see what an awesome woman you are. I guarantee if you flash one your trademark smiles at him, he will be putty in your hands. Be proud of your feminine wiles, Jenny. Use them. You can do this."

Jenny sighed, and was suddenly back to her usual self. "Okay, you're right. I am pretty hot. So should I wear the sexy underwear or none at all?"

"Goodbye, Jenny," Del said, laughing. "Have fun."

"Thanks! I'll call you tomorrow. 'Bye!" Jenny hung up.

Del shook her head. And I thought I was bad before my first date with Evan!

There was silver mini-van coming down the drive that Del recognized as Regina Meyer's. She hadn't realized she'd been on the phone so long.

Regina stepped out and came onto the porch. "This is a great place!" she said. "It must be so peaceful."

"Thank you," Del said. "That's what made me by it. It is usually peaceful, when I'm not being haunted, that is."

Regina nodded. "I've heard of people choosing to move from places rather than deal with this sort of thing."

"Well, I have no intention of going anywhere," Del said. "But I'm frustrated because I don't know what to do, how to help Emma."