Pizza & Wings

1 The Message

Lizette

I was in New York on assignment to interview a couple of cast members from a brand new musical. It was the first time I had left California for work since I met Avi. I missed him terribly, but I was due home in a couple of days and he had promised to pick me up from the airport. The past couple of weeks had been rough. He was spending a lot of time in the studio and we had not seen each other as much as we were used to. The time we had spent together was sometimes strained. He had promised that he was almost done.

My first night in New York was spent in my hotel room. He was going to be in the studio late so we exchanged a few texts before I went to bed. The next morning I got up and had breakfast in my room. I lounged around a bit before catching a cab to the theater. I was early for my appointment at the theater so I took a moment to pull out my phone. I had a message from Avi.

Message: "Hey, my Girlfriend is out of town for the next couple of days. Would you like to come over, order some pizza and wings, get drunk & see how much trouble we can get into?"

I read it a couple of times before it sank in. A. this message was not meant for me. B. I was curious as to who it did belong to. I was about to respond when my cast members showed up. Trying to stay calm, I pulled out my notepad and my digital recorder and put my phone away. I plastered a smile on my face and greeted the two actors. I was one hundred percent there for the interview.

I was pleasantly surprised with how receptive the actors were. The interview was very conversational, which is always my favorite. Their exuberance fueled my excitement to see the show. Before long they were called back to rehearsal and the interview was over.

I gathered my things and grabbed a taxi back to my hotel. I needed to get ready. I was fortunate enough to have a friend in the city that I was meeting for dinner and who was seeing the show with me. I sent Avi a quick text while I was in the cab.

Hey sweetie. It's just me. Not sure who that last text was meant for, but it came to me instead. I just wanted to remind you that I am meeting Jess for dinner and the show. Please call me if you get this before 8. At least text me back. Love you.

 I got back to the hotel and hopped in the shower. I got done and checked my phone. No message from Avi yet. I couldn't remember if he was in the studio today or not and there was a three hour time difference. As of late, he had been horrible at returning messages in a timely manner. There was a message from Jess letting me know where and when to meet her for dinner. I glanced at the time. I still had about an hour until then. Both the restaurant and my hotel were in the theater district. I busied myself with getting ready and praying my phone would ring.  

I got dressed and did my hair and makeup, still no call. I decided that I looked pretty hot so I snapped a quick picture and made a quick tweet with it and my evening plans. I checked my phone again, still no call or text. I glanced at the clock, grabbed my coat and headed down to the lobby to catch a cab.

Jess was standing outside of the restaurant when I got there. I hadn't seen her in over a year. We hugged and she told me how amazing I looked. I told her the same. I told her how much I loved her short hair. We went inside and we were sat almost immediately. A waiter came and took our drink order. We had both decided that we were going to get the special. Our drinks arrived and our order was taken. Jess looked at me. "You have to tell me about this guy you are seeing." I blushed a little. I knew she could keep a secret. "Well, he's a musician." She rolled her eyes. "Of course he is. Would you be with someone who wasn't?" She laughed. "Anyone I have heard of?" I smiled. "Actually, yes. Can you keep a secret?" She leaned in. "Girl, spill." I took out my phone and noticed that there was still no call or text. I continued on to the pictures and pulled up a recent picture that Avi had taken of the two of us at sunset. I smiled to myself. It was before this most recent project he was working on. I handed her the phone and she squealed. "You. Are. Not." I laughed. "I am. About eight months now." She was shocked. She asked all of the usual questions, and I answered them. Yes, he is super private. He is very kind and a gentleman to a fault sometimes. In listing all of his good qualities, my recent frustrations came out. I was explaining about his schedule and his forgetfulness. "Sweetie, even he isn't perfect." She laughed again. "In fact, I'm glad to hear he's not."

We talked and we ate and we headed out to make it to the show. The seats they gave me were so good. I took a few notes throughout the show so I could write the review. The show was fantastic and I was sure that Avi would have actually enjoyed it. Jess and I parted ways outside of the theater and promised to get together again when we were able. I hailed a cab back to the hotel. I pulled my phone out and checked again, still no message from Avi. I decided to send him another message.

The show was really good. So was dinner. I told Jess about us. She was excited. I hope you are having fun with whatever you are doing. I will still be up for awhile, you know I like to write show reviews right away. Please call me when you get this. I miss you. Love you.

Once I got back to my hotel room I took a quick shower, put on my jammies, and pulled out my laptop to write my review. I had the recording of the interview so that could wait. In the back of my head, I was trying to figure out why he hadn't responded. Maybe he was out celebrating the project being done. If that was the case, his ex was probably there. I promised I would be civil, but lately, she had been all over him. He is a flirty drunk. I hoped he wasn't out with her and drinking. I silently fumed while I wrote the review. By the time I was done, it was almost 2 am 11 pm in LA. I couldn't keep my eyes open. Still no message or call from Avi. I sent him one more message. We never go to bed without talking to each other first.

Can't keep my eyes open. Love you, goodnight.