Title: The Wrong One
Summary: For VeraRose19. Happy Birthday, Hot Mama! An AU look into Red's world when her forty-year marriage crumbles and her darling daughter, Nicky, takes it upon herself to set her up on a blind date.
Disclaimer: I do not own OITNB or any of its characters. They belong to Jenji Kohen, I do, however, own my writing so please don't steal- Johanna002©
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A/N: My darling, I hope you have the most magical birthday ever! You deserve everything in the world and more. Thank you for your friendship, the laughs, and all the joy you bring to my days. I'm looking forward to seeing how life plays out for you, and I hope that I am always a part of it.
"Ma, what are you doing? Nicky asked as she walked into the kitchen. She tossed her black purse onto the counter and walked around the island to stand at her mother's side, where she was stirring spaghetti sauce at the stove.
"Cooking," Galina answered her as she lowered the fire and set down the wooden spoon, she was using to stir the sauce. "What does it look like?"
"I can see that," Nicky picked up the spoon and dipped it into the sauce before bringing it to her lips for a taste. "I meant why. You have a date tonight, shouldn't you be getting ready?"
"I'm not going," Galina said tensely as she opened a cabinet door and pulled down four bowls. "I invited Vasily and Lida over for dinner, they're dropping the kids off at Lida's mom's tonight. I really wish they would have brought them. You know I love it when those babies come over."
"I know you do, Ma," Nicky said gently. "But… why did you invite them over when you knew that you had to meet Sam at the Harbor for dinner in like…" she turned her wrist to look at her watch, "an hour."
"Call and reschedule, Nicky, or better yet, just cancel it forever. I'm not ready to start dating again."
"It's one dinner," Nicky argued. "No one is forcing you to get married. You're a great woman, and you deserve to be happy. You didn't deserve Dmitri leaving you for that whore in Sheepshead Bay."
"No matter what your feelings are toward him, Nicky, he's still your father."
"Not by choice."
Galina rolled her eyes and walked back over to the stove to start dishing the spaghetti into bowls. "Can you call your brother and find out where he and Lida are?"
Nicky sighed and leaned heavily across the granite counter top. "If we're having a family dinner, how come the other bozos aren't coming?"
"Who?" Galina asked in confusion as she looked over her shoulder. "Yuri and Maxsim?"
"Those would be the ones," Nicky nodded.
"Well, Maxsim is across town with your father, and Yuri and Anna are out of town remember, at that couples retreat?"
"Why are they at a couples retreat?"
"Trying to save their marriage," Galina explained.
"Why?" Nicky gasped. "We all know she's screwing that guy in her office. The one who has six fingers."
"Nicky, please," Galina sighed. "Your brother loves her. It's good that someone in this family cares enough to try and make their marriage work instead of just throwing it away."
"This is why you need to go out tonight," Nicky practically sang.
Galina shook her head no. The idea of dating, especially at this stage in her life, when she had just gotten out of a forty-year marriage, was as overwhelming as it was frightening.
"I know I'm getting on your nerves with this, Ma. I've been bugging you for weeks to go on this date, but it's only because I want you to be happy and I think you'd have a lot of fun," Nicky explained.
"I appreciate that, but if you're so concerned with someone's love life, why don't you focus on your own?"
"Hey, nothing is wrong with my love life," Nicky said confidently as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Lorna and I are getting pretty serious. I think we're going to go out of town next weekend."
Galina smiled at her. "I'm happy for you, sweetheart." She grabbed two bowls and gestured to the other two on the counter. "Grab those for me Nicky," she said as she turned on her heel to head into the dining room. The front door open and she instinctively knew it was Lida and Vasily. "In the dining room!" She called.
"I thought you had a date tonight?" Vasily asked as he and his wife made their way into the dining room.
"Jesus Christ, Nicky," Galina sighed as she took her seat at the head of the table. "Did you tell everyone about this?"
"No, not everyone," Nicky protested.
"She told Vasily and Vasily told everyone," Lida chuckled. "We're all really happy for you."
"Uh-huh," Galina mumbled unconvincingly.
"I wish I had known that you were coming over here sooner, Lida," Nicky said. "I would have told you to bring your cosmetology kit with you so that you could do Ma's hair and make-up for her date."
"I do have my cosmetology kit in the car," Lida replied.
"Oh," Galina scoffed. "You just had that huge thing in the car? No ulterior motives?" She twirled her spaghetti around on her fork. "I don't buy it. Now that I think about it, you were way too eager to accept my invitation to dinner. I should have known something was up. You've been planning this all day, haven't you?
"I had a bridal shoot today," Lida laughed. "I'd be happy to help you with your hair and make-up if you want. We still have a bit of time, right? I can do something simple and quick."
"That'll be great!" Nicky exclaimed. She pulled out her phone and quickly pulled out a picture before showing it to Lida. "Do you think you could do something like this for her?"
"Sure," Lida nodded as she scrutinized the picture. "I like that. It's classic and clean and you can never go wrong with a red lip. I love the way her eyeliner is more blended here," she said gesturing to the corner of her own eye. "It's not so harsh. I could smoke it out a little on the lower lash line too. I think that would look good."
"What about her hair?" Nicky asked as she took her phone back. "I don't know how long it'll take you to do, but if you curl it that should be good enough for now."
"If I am, I need to get started like right now," Lida said seriously. "Her hair isn't too long, so I could make good timing, but why don't you go ahead and see if we can push the date back another half hour just in case."
"I'll ask for an hour," Nicky said as she rose to her feet.
"I've never seen your hair curled," Vasily said through a mouth full of spaghetti. "I'm sure Lida will make you look good, Ma."
"And you never will," Reed replied curtly. "Because I'm not going anywhere." She picked mindlessly at her spaghetti and frowned. "Nothing is wrong with the way I'm wearing my hair now, right?" She asked her son self-consciously as she smoothed her hand back over the low ponytail she wore.
"Of course not, Ma, you look lovely," Nicky mumbled distractedly as she scrolled through her contacts. "Sam," she said as the voice on the other line answered. "Hey, my mother wanted me to call you and ask if she push dinner back to seven-thirty?"
"I did not!" Galina protested.
"Great," Nicky said after a brief pause. "Good. Yes, she's very excited. She'll meet you at seven-thirty. Bye-bye." After hanging up, she turned to her mother with a smile that would rival a Cheshire cats.
"I have half a mind to ground you," Galina growled.
"I don't live here anymore."
"I should disinherit you."
"You're broke," Vasily chuckled.
Galina sighed, and wiped a hand over her mouth in annoyance. How was she supposed to get through a dinner date, when she couldn't recall a time in her life she had ever been on a proper date? Dmitri had never taken her out. He'd just popped into her world one day like a rash she couldn't shake. She could feel both her son and daughter's eyes on her and bit her lip in frustration when she heard the front door open, and the wheels of Lida's cosmetology kit roll over her hard wood floors as she re-entered the dining room.
"Are you ready?" Lida asked, excitedly gripping to the handle bar of her kit.
Galina licked her lips, seeming to weigh up her options as her eyes darted from back and forth between Nicky's and her daughter-in-law. Even though every bone and nerve ending in her body, told her that this night was going to be a disaster, she found herself nodding in compliance.
Who knows, she thought to herself. Maybe I'll meet Mr. Right after all.
…
"Hello, my name is Piper, can I go ahead and get you started on drinks and appetizers this evening?
"I'm sorry?" Galina asked in confusion, her brows knitted together as she looked up at the blonde waitress that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
"Can I get you a drink?" Piper asked. "Water, wine, soda?"
"No, I don't drink soda," Galina said with a stiff shake of her head. "I'll take a water, please."
"No problem, were you alone or are you still waiting for someone?" Piper gestured to the empty seat and menu across from her.
"Waiting for someone," Galina said quietly.
"Did you want me to bring a water for them as well?"
"That's fine," Galina murmured distractedly. She watched as Piper turned to walk away, and she refocused her attention on the front of the restaurant. A balding, thin man entered, meeting her eyes for only half a second before disappearing. Pursing her lips together in thought, she picked up her menu and tried to force herself to relax.
She'd told the hostess at the front she was meeting someone for a date and to send them to her table when they arrived, but she still couldn't shake the coiling feeling in her gut that some how she'd miss him, or that he'd change his mind about coming, and she didn't think there would be anything more embarrassing than being stood up and having to make the walk of shame out of the restaurant alone.
In a matter of moments, Piper returned, distracting her from her thoughts. "Here are those waters," she said as she placed a glass down in front of her. "Do you want to order an appetizer or wait a little longer?"
Galina shrugged unknowingly. "I guess I'll wait." She didn't eat out often, and she had no clue what Sam would like. It frustrated her that something so simple as ordering food seemed so hard. She felt completely out of her element. It had never been this hard when she was with Dmitri. She hadn't had to try with him-it was simple and easy, albeit very boring.
"Here she is ma'am."
Galina looked up from her menu, her eyes widening in surprise. The young hostess she'd checked in with when she arrived stood before her now with an older, Hispanic woman at her side.
"Wa-" Galina stuttered, her brows knitting together in confusion.
"Your server will be with you shortly," the hostess told the Hispanic woman. "Enjoy your meal."
Meeting the woman's eyes, Galina could tell she was just as confused, but unlike herself, she wasn't gawking at her. She was sure her face was as red as her hair, and her skin only grew hotter and clammier as her eyes traced up and down the woman's figure. She knew how she was coming across; she knew how rude her expression probably seemed, but she couldn't get herself to say anything. She was frozen in her seat.
Nicky had never mentioned anything about Sam being a woman, but now, in hindsight, it all seemed to make a twisted kind of sense. Her girl had been way too adamant about getting her out of the house, convincingly reassuring her that this would be a night she'd remember forever.
Was this what her darling girl had meant by that? Had she intentionally set out to embarrass her? Galina had half a mind to grab her purse, walk out, find Nicky and kick her to death.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Sam said softly, breaking the thick silence between them. "I'm just getting off of work and got lost getting here."
"Oh." The word was nothing more than a quiet mumble as Galina's eyes swept over the woman's figure.
Despite the amazing job Lida had done with her hair and make-up, and the nice blue dress Nicky had picked out for her to wear, she suddenly felt completely inadequate and underdressed compared to Sam, who donned a tight, pink dress that hugged her like a glove. Self-consciously touching her hair, Galina couldn't help but appreciate Sam's short, cropped hair which framed and livened up her features. Briefly, she wondered if she'd be able to pull off a style that short.
Sam took a seat across from her and reached for the glass of water. She took three, large, nervous gulps, licking her lips as she set the glass back down. Forcing herself to smile, she said, "You seem a little shocked. Are you okay?"
"Well," Galina reached for her own glass of water and took a drink. "I-ugh… I don't..."
"Yea, me, too," Sam chuckled nervously. "I thought my daughter was just kidding when she said I was meeting a woman tonight." She smoothed down her hair where it tapered off at the nape of her neck. "Not that you don't look great," she amended herself quickly.
"I don't know what to say," Galina wrung her hands together. "I'm not… I don't," she gestured between the two them, hoping that Sam would understand her meaning without forcing her to say it out loud.
"You don't date women."
"I'm sorry," Galina apologized. She continued to rub her hand together, the diamond of her wedding band cutting into the palm of her hand. She felt a pang in her chest as she dropped her eyes to the ring. She didn't know why she was still wearing it, but it seemed to be yet another omen that she wasn't ready for this, and that this night was a mistake.
Galina rubbed at her forehead in frustration. "I'm not making a good impression," she said quietly. "I don't mean to be rude or offend you. I'm not you know… against it. My daughter is gay, I'm okay with it. I just don't think… I- she didn't tell me you were a woman. I'm just… I'm going through a lot right now and you were the last thing I was expecting."
While offending her was the last thing Galina wanted to do, she could tell that she had. She cursed herself silently at the look of disbelief and hurt she could see in pooling in Sam's eyes.
"You weren't really what I was expecting either," Sam told her truthfully, a hard edge tilting her tone. She shook her head and reached for the glass of water. She gulped it down quickly and used her thumb and pointer finger to clean up the damp spots around the side of her mouth.
"But I understand," she said finally. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I was just told to be here at seven-thirty. I've never been on a blind date before. My daughter set this up. Had I known she wasn't joking, I wouldn't have come. Trust me, I'd much rather be at home in my pajamas, not here being squeezed to death by my spanks."
Unknowing of what else to say, Galina reached beneath her chair for her purse and rose up to her feet. "I'm sorry," she said awkwardly. "I really didn't mean…" she shook her head in defeat. There was really nothing that could be said to salvage this, and if she were being honest, she didn't really care all that much to put in the effort.
"Oh, great!" Piper exclaimed as she approached their table. She was completely unaware of the situation she had just happened upon. "You're here. Can I get you ladies started on an appetizer?"
"No," Galina said as quickly. "We're leaving." She wanted to get as far away from this entire situation as fast as she could.
"It'll just be me," Sam said. "Can I just get some rolls, and a glass of wine?"
Piper looked back and forth between them in confusion, but other than "I'll be back," she didn't say anything.
"You're staying?" Galina asked in surprise "By yourself?"
Sam nodded and opened up her menu, not bothering to meet her gaze. "I haven't eaten all day," she explained.
"Well, I don't want to leave you here by yourself," Galina whispered. She didn't know why she felt so much sympathy for the woman, but she did. It wasn't her fault their daughters were idiots. She couldn't in good conscience walkout, when only minutes before she'd been worried about being stood up herself.
"I'll stay," she said quietly. "if you want me to," she added. If Sam rejected her, at least she could say that she tried.
The hopeful look in Sam's eyes instantly over powered the agitation and hurt and Galina felt the tension in her back dissipate slightly. She didn't think anyone had ever looked at her like that before.
"Really?" Sam asked in disbelief.
"It's not your fault," Galina said gently. "I know you said you came all this way from work. I wouldn't feel right leaving you here alone. I know wouldn't like that," she admitted as she sat back down across from her. "Besides, it's just dinner, right?"
Sam smiled at her, relief coursing through her veins. "You really don't have to," she said, giving her one last chance to change her mind. "I appreciate it, but I understand that this has caught you off guard. I didn't mean anything by snapping at you. It's just been a really long day."
"How about we just start over?" Galina asked her as she picked up her menu.
"I'd like that," Sam smiled at her.
Piper returned with her wine and the rolls. "Are you staying after all?" She asked Galina.
"Yes, and umm… can I get a glass of wine too?" She asked.
"Maybe you should just bring the bottle," Sam joked. "I think we're going to need it."
...
Halfway through their meal and two glasses of wine, Galina didn't think she had ever laughed so much in her entire life. She'd really underestimated this woman and the time she'd have coming out tonight. Sam was a lot easier to talk to than she had expected, and after getting over the initial shock, they'd been able converse like old friends, which was nice, because Galina didn't have a lot of friends, or, really, any friends for that matter.
"So where is your dance studio at?" She asked curiously. Much like herself, Sam was a businesswoman and a mother of four. Her days revolved around her children and keeping her family afloat, which was something Galina greatly respected. "My daughter-in-law has been looking for ballet classes for my granddaughter. Do you teach those kinds of classes?"
"No, I don't," Sam frowned. "I can probably find you some numbers of affordable instructors though."
"What do teach? Jazz, hip-hop?"
"No, I teach Zumba and I also teach a belly dancing class, and then I bring in another woman to teacher yoga three days a week. You should come check it out sometime."
"I don't know," Galina chuckled with a shake of her head. "I don't think dancing is really my thing."
"There's nothing sexier than a woman who can dance. You should give it a go at least once."
Galina shook her head no and Sam chuckled. "I used to think I was out of my element when I first started taking the classes myself. My daughter, Selena, invited me to go with her one night and after my first class, I just never stopped going. I got my certificate to teach and then from there it just kind of grew into my own thing. Now I'm making money doing something I love, and I've never been happier."
"I love that," Galina said sincerely. "I used to clean houses and for a while I was even a cook for this one family. I used to plan their weekly meals and cater their charity events, and eventually from there I started getting hired by other families and I ended up earning a steady clientele. I still get booked to work their events and I was looking to expand and open another store, but since my divorce I just haven't really had the means or energy to do it."
"I think you should go for it," Sam said as she reclined back into her seat, crossing her left leg over her right.
"You think so?"
"Yea. I mean, seriously, why not? Anything is possible if you want it bad enough, right?"
"Are you a motivational speaker now, too?" Galina asked in amusement.
"Don't let me fool you," Sam chuckled. "I'm trying to convince myself that I'm not too old to take up pole dancing."
"Pole dancing?" Galina questioned. "Why would you want to do a thing like that?"
"Oh, so you think I'm too old?"
"No, I didn't say that," Galina shook her head.
Sam sighed dramatically. "My sons' aren't fans of the idea either. I told them I was thinking about hiring an instructor to teach the class, and bring in some extra income, and that they were okay with that."
"They thought they were going to get a free show or something," Galina joked.
"Probably," Sam rolled her eyes. "Because as soon as I said I was going to take the class and that I wanted to get certified to teach, they told me no."
"Well, I never said you were too old to take it, or that you wouldn't look great. I'm sure you would, but can you blame them? I would die if my children ever saw me even attempt to dance in that manner. Seeing me dance at all would probably freight them. I'm really not all that coordinated." Galina stuck her foot out and wiggled the low heel shoe she was wearing as an example. "Anything higher then this and I would probably break my neck."
"Everyone I talked to said that pole dancing was a good core workout. I used to make costumes for dancers, back when my girls were little, and they had some of tiniest waists I had ever seen."
"For stripers?" Galina questioned. You used to make costumes for strippers? I didn't even think those girls wore costumes. Isn't that the whole point of their profession?"
Sam smiled playfully as she brought her wineglass up to her lips. "Well, someone's got to sew all those jewels onto the underwear before they take them off," she said with a laugh, as she licked her lips. "Besides, It was easy money."
"How do you get into doing something like that?" Galina asked curiously. "Did you used to dance?"
While it was never something she would have considered doing, Galina was no stranger to the grave sacrifices that a lot of women had to make in order to provide for themselves and for their children. She, herself, had been a penniless immigrant with a new baby to feed, when she'd arrived in America, and she couldn't imagine how much harder her life would have been had she not had Dmitri and his family, as unhelpful as they often were, it was better than nothing. A lot of women that she knew who had come over hadn't been so lucky. Many of them had been bought by men; forced to marry and abused, and others had been forced into prostitution in order to repay their debts for being smuggled in.
"No, I never danced," Sam touched the pad of her index finger to the rim of her wine glass. "My best friend, Aleida, she used to dance, and I waitressed at the club she worked at. I had to lie about my age, and I lied to aunt about where I was really working, and when she found out the truth she lost it. She walked into the club and pulled me out by my air, threatened to call the cops… it was so bad."
"I don't blame her!" Galina exclaimed in laughter. "Sixteen? Come on now! I wouldn't be okay with my daughter working in a place like that either. Nicky, though, she has a mouth on her that would eventually mellow out even the most conservative soul, or at least put them in an early grave."
"My options were limited," Sam chuckled. "I had a new baby to take care of and I was basically a single mother. Even when Chris and I were together and getting along, he never really helped me financially, so I was on my own. I made great money in tips though, after about an hour, those guys didn't even know their own name, let alone the difference between a five and fifty."
Galina sighed as she pushed her plate away. "You know the more I think about it, the more I'm starting to realize just how little my ex-husband really did, and the more I realize, the more angry and bitter I get because I can't believe I put up with it all for as long as I did."
"How long were you married?"
"Almost forty years," Galina answered. "We just signed the divorce papers a few months ago."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"He left me in a voicemail."
"He left you in a voicemail?" Sam questioned in confusion.
"A minute and fifteen second voicemail, telling me that he wasn't coming home and that he'd meet someone else. He'd gone and filed for divorce that morning and didn't want me to be blindsided when someone showed up serving me with the paperwork."
Sam's eyes bulged, nearly popping out of her head. "Because getting a phone call like that wouldn't have blindsided you?"
"Mm-hmm," Galina said as she downed the last of her wine. "Men…You know maybe I really would have better luck with a woman," she joked.
"Well, I have actually had a really great night with you," Sam told her honestly. "I didn't think it was going to go this well after the way things had started, but I know that wasn't your fault. I don't really like that our girls did this, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to see you again. Maybe we could hang out sometime, just as friends?"
"Yea?" Galina asked her, a smile pulling across her lips. "Yes," she said a little more confidently. "I'd love that."
Downing the last of her own wine, Sam raised her glass when she saw Piper walk by their table.
"Another refill?" Piper asked.
"No," Sam shook her head. "I think I've had enough, unless you wanted another glass?" She gestured to Galina.
"I'm fine."
"We'll just take the check," Sam said.
"Make sure you split it," Galina reminded her.
"No, don't do that," Sam argued as she opened her purse. "I got." She handed her card to Piper.
"I don't want you to do that," Galina objected as she reached for her own purse.
"Seriously, I got it. Please take my card."
"Are you sure?" Galina asked her in disbelief. "I wasn't expecting you to pay."
"It's okay. Really. I really appreciate you staying and keeping me company. I don't get out too often and this was really nice. Thank you."
"Maybe I can take you out for coffee this weekend?" Galina suggested. "Weekdays are usually my busiest, just because I have so much prep work to do with food to get ready for the next morning when I open up my store."
"I'm out of work by one on Saturday," Sam told her. "Except that I'll have my granddaughter with me. I watch her while her mom runs the studio for the rest of the afternoon. How old is your granddaughter? Maybe you could bring her, and we can go to the park or something and let them run around."
"Well Vera just turned four on valentine's day and her brother, Koyla, is six. I'm sure they'd love to come, and I know Lida would be so thankful. They've been driving her up the wall for the last few weeks."
"I understand that," Sam chuckled. "How many grandkids do you have? I just have Annabella and she'll be three on March 8."
"I actually have four," Galina smiled. "Yuri, my oldest, has twins who are ten and Vasily and his wife, Lida, have Koyla and Vera."
Sam had just pulled her phone out of her purse when it had started to ring. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said. "This is my daughter, she always calls me before Bella goes to sleep so that I can say goodnight If she comes back with my card, sign for me and leave her a ten-dollar tip."
"I have cash," Galina said with a dismissive wave.
"So stubborn," Sam grumbled as she swiped her finger across the answer button on her cell phone. "Hi, baby," she spoke into the receiver as she excused herself from the table. "Give me just a second."
Pulling her own phone from her purse, Galina frowned as she scrolled along the lock screen to see several messages and over ten missed calls from Nicky. Worried, she hurriedly unlocked her phone and went to her messaging app.
7:50pm- Answer your phone!
7:55pm- Ma! WTF! Are you serious right now?
8:00pm- I get you're mad but this is childish. I can't believe this. Where the fuck are you?
8:05pm- This is fucking ridiculous. ANSWER YOUR FUCKING PHONE!
The messages continued. On and on. Every five minutes. As Galina worked to comprehend what Nicky was so mad about, another message came through her phone.
9:30pm- Forget it. Whatever. It's my fault. I shouldn't have made you go out on this stupid date. Please, call me, I'm getting worried. Are you hiding in a grocery store or something? Don't do that. Just come home… don't be weird. Love you.
Just as she was typing out a reply, Piper reappeared with the check. "Thank you," she said politely as Galina handed her a ten-dollar bill. "You ladies have a good night."
"Wait," Galina said as studied the ticket and the debit card side by side. "I think this is the wrong card."
Piper frowned taking the card and ticket from her. "No," she said confidently, reaching her hand into the pocket of her apron for the black receipt book she had another tables ticket in. "This is your ticket, and the card she gave me," she said as she opened the book. "I only have one other ticket and it belongs to that couple of there," Piper explained, gesturing to a table a few feet away. "Mr. Caputo and his wife Natalie are regulars."
"But this says Gloria Mendoza," Galina ran her hand over her mouth. "Her name is Samantha Healy."
"That's the card she gave me," Piper shrugged. "Give me a second to drop this off at their table and I'll be back."
Galina gritted as she held the card tightly in her hands. Did this woman just buy their dinner with a stolen card? Her cell phone began to vibrate in her hand and when she saw Nicky's name flash across the screen, she quickly answered it.
"Nicky,"
"It's about fucking time you answered!" Nicky shouted into the receiver. "Where the hell are you? What you doing? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, what are you freaking out about?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm at dinner, trying to figure out this bill. I didn't hear my phone going off. It's on silent. What are all your messages about?" Galina asked tensely. "Oh, and when I get home you and I are going to have a serious talk."
"What are you talking about? Who are you at dinner with?"
"Sam," Galina answered. "Samantha… or Gloria... Whatever the fuck this woman's name is. Nicky, why did you set me up with a woman? This night… I don't even know what to think about it."
"A woman? What are you talking about?" Nicky asked in disbelief. "Who is Gloria?"
"She's the real Sam!"
"Have you been smoking crack?" Nicky exclaimed. "Sam isn't a woman. What the hell have you been doing for the last two hours?"
"What?"
"Sam… Sam Healy is a man, Ma. Why would I set you up with a woman? He's the counselor for my office. I was hoping he'd offer me a job when I finished my rotations for school, but now since you blew him off, I'm probably going to have to find a new preceptor so that I can finish my hours. He waited for you at that restaurant for over an hour, Ma. What the fuck?"
She understood what Nicky was saying, but Galina couldn't quite get her head around it. She looked up just as she saw the woman, she'd been dining with walk toward her, her own cell phone still pressed against her ear, she looked every bit as confused as Galina felt.
"What do you mean you don't know who I'm talking about?" The woman asked into the phone. "I'm looking right at her. Don't tell me I'm crazy, I've been with her for the last two hours. She's got red hair, blue eyes, and a Russian accent."
The two women stared at one another, their daughters shouting in their ear. Piper reappeared and tapped the younger of the two women on the shoulder.
"Ma'am," she whispered, "Can I see your ID?"
"Reina, hold on," the Hispanic woman put her daughter on speak and set the phone down on the table. She opened her purse, pulled out her purple wallet and quickly handed over her ID. She looked across the table at the red head. "What the hell is going on?" She asked.
Galina handed Piper the debit card and shook her head. "Nicky, let me call you back." She didn't bother to wait for a response as she tossed her phone carelessly into her purse. Galina pointed at the cards in Piper's hand. "What is your name?" She asked.
"Gloria Mendoza," Gloria said thickly. "Why? What is your name?"
"Galina," she answered. "Reznikov. I thought your name was Sam Healy?"
"Why would my name be Sam?" Gloria asked in exasperation. "Do I look like a Sam Healy?"
"I thought Sam was short for Samantha. How am I supposed to know who you are?" Galina asked.
"You sat through a two-hour dinner and you didn't know each other's name?" Gloria's daughter voice boomed from the speaker. She erupted into a fit of laughter. "That's just fucking great."
"Reina, it is not funny," Gloria said as she took her off speaker and held the phone to her ear. "Who was I supposed to meet tonight?" She asked as she took back her debit card and ID from Piper. "You made jokes all week about it being a woman."
"His name was Arturo. I thought I told you that." Reina couldn't help but laugh again. "Anyway, you probably dodged a bullet. He got arrested this afternoon for robbing some bodega. I meant to call you, but Bella and I ended up taking a nap and I overslept. I didn't want you waiting around for him all night."
"This is not funny," Gloria shook her head as she heard her daughter start laughing once more. "I bet he robbed that place because he didn't have money to take me out tonight."
"Aww, Mami," Reina cooed. "Be nice."
"Broke bum," Gloria muttered under her breath. She met Galina's eyes and shook her head at the smile she was gifted in return. "Okay, mija. I'm going to let you go. I should be home soon." Making sure the call was disconnected before she threw the phone in her purse, she looked at Galina with an exhausted expression.
"So, this Sam Healy person you were supposed to meet tonight?"
"Apparently he is my daughter's preceptor. She is finishing up her degree in counseling and he's basically her boss." Galina shook her head in annoyance. "Who were you supposed to meet?"
"Some guy who was never going to show. He got busted today robbing a bodega."
"Our girls," Galina sighed. "Where do they find these people and think, that's a good idea, mom, you should go on a date with this person." She rubbed her hand through the top of her hair in frustration. "I should make Nicky open my store at six-thirty tomorrow while I sleep in as punishment."
"Oh," Gloria sighed. "That sounds nice. I have to be up early in the morning too and I'm already dreading it."
"For work?" Galina asked as she rose up on her feet.
"Yea, there's some stuff I didn't finish tonight that I need to knock out before I start teaching class." Gloria followed her out of the restaurant, and they stood together on the sidewalk for a time, talking, putting off goodbye.
"I guess I better get going," Galina said. She nodded behind her and said, "I live that way."
"Me too," Gloria said, but she gestured in the opposite direction. "Let me get your number so that I can call you this weekend."
"I look forward to hearing from you, Mendoza," Galina said as she typed her number into the phone before handing it back. "And, it really was nice meeting you tonight. I had a great time."
"You too, Reznikov," Gloria winked. "I'll see you this weekend?"
"I'm counting on it."