Mary stood in front of her closet trying to decide what to wear for her date with Andy. He was due to pick her up in about an hour. Rhoda sat on the bed watching as she tried on almost everything. She hadn't been this nervous since her job interview at WJM.
"Mare, I don't know why you always go through this. Everything you have looks sensational." Rhoda told her
"Thanks." She told her as she pulled a blue dress out of the closet, "I can't believe I'm so nervous. I feel like I'm back in high school."
"You must think he's pretty special, you've only had one date." She observed
Mary settled on the blue dress and put it on, "He's very nice and like I said before, I like him a lot but we don't know each other that well yet."
"But you'd like to know him better?" She asked
Mary smiled, "I think so. He seems like a good father and was very relaxed around my kids…"
"But?" Rhoda interjected
Mary sat next to Rhoda on the bed, "I haven't been on a real date in years. Bill and I met in college. I dropped out after two years when we got married so he could go to med school and I worked. I haven't dated since I was twenty years old. I think I've forgotten how."
"But you said yesterday was great." Rhoda reminded her
"Yeah, it was. But we'll be moving past the 'getting to know each other' phase soon, I think and then what?"
"It'll come back to you, kid. I promise. You'll find other things to talk about." She assured her
"I know that but what about the 'where is this going' phase?" She wondered
"Worry about that when it happens, just relax and enjoy yourself."
She looked at her watch, "He'll be here soon. Let's get the kids fed and ready for bed huh?"
"Alright." Rhoda said following her out of the bedroom.
They fed the kids and got them in their pajamas by the time Andy arrived. Mary nervously smoothed her dress and answered the door.
"Hi." She said smiling
"Hi," Andy smiled back, "You look terrific." He told her
"Thanks," She said momentarily forgetting Rhoda and the kids were there, "Oh, I'm sorry. Andy, this is my best friend Rhoda Morgenstern. She lives next door and is graciously watching the kids tonight."
"Well, I guess I should find a way to properly thank you for babysitting tonight." Andy said, "It's nice to meet you, Rhoda."
"Nice to meet you, Andy." It was easy to see why Mary was so nervous. He was incredibly handsome
"We're not babies!" Jake piped up from where he and Emily sat on the floor playing with their toys.
"Hey, Jake your right buddy. I mean you're a big boy." Andy apologized
Mary crossed the room to where her children sat and knelt down to them, "Okay, you two mind your Aunt Rhoda and don't give her a hassle about going to bed, alright."
"Okay Mommy." Emily said playing with her Barbie, "We'll be good."
"That's my girl." She said kissing Emily on the forehead, "Jake, can I get a hug?"
"Yes, Mommy." He put his truck down and came over to her and wrapped his little arms around her neck, "I love you, Mommy."
She squeezed him tight, "I love you too." She stood up and crossed the room again, "Ready?" She asked Andy
"You're chariot awaits." He quipped taking her arm
Mary turned to Rhoda, "You've got the number of the restaurant if anything happens."
"Yeah, go on and have a good time." She told her
"Thanks, Rhoda." She said and they walked out the door
They decided to eat at a little Italian place that Andy had heard had terrific food. They found an out of the way table so it would be quiet for them to talk. The waiter came and took their drink order and they looked over the menu.
"So did your friend recommend anything specific on the menu?" Mary asked
"He said the spinach ravioli was really good." Andy told her, "I think that's what I'm getting."
"Yeah that does sound good." She said, "I think I'll get that too."
"Good." He said, "Now that we made our dinner selection we can talk about other things."
"Here is your wine sir." The waiter appeared with two glasses of red wine, "Are you ready to order?"
"Yes, we'll both have the spinach ravioli." Andy told him
"An excellent choice." The waiter said taking their menus
"Now, where we're we?" Andy said as the waiter walked away
Mary smiled, "I believe you were saying we could talk about other things."
"Ah, yes. Well, since we've covered our sad tales of death and divorce, why don't we move on to the meaningless things like our tastes in music, movies and food?"
Mary laughed, "What if we're hopelessly incompatible?"
He took a drink of wine, "I doubt that but you go first and we'll find out." He told her, "Start with music."
"Hmmm, let's see." She said, "I enjoy classical music, some jazz and I must admit I also enjoy Motown. Any of that strike your fancy?"
"Love Motown, I can never pass up a good Smokey Robinson song." He admitted, "What about movies? I bet you're into foreign films with subtitles."
"Well…yes." She said, "But I'll see just about anything except really violent movies." She took a sip of wine, "But with the kids I haven't seen a movie just for me in a while unless I catch one on TV after they're in bed."
"We're going to have to do something about that." He assured her
She smiled again, "I'd like that." She said, "So now we move on to food, right?"
"Right, I'll start," He said, "I like anything." He joked, "My mother is Italian so I growing up every meal was a feast in my house."
"I don't know that I'm much of a cook. Bill never complained and my kids eat just about anything." She told him, "But maybe when we see that movie I can make you dinner afterwards."
"I think I could suffer through that." He assured her
Their dinner came and they spent the rest of the evening laughing and talking. The ease with which they connected surprised Mary. Rhoda was right, it would all come back. He dropped her off and didn't press to come in since it was getting late and the next day was the beginning of the work week. He did walk her to the door and kissed her goodnight, gently on the cheek.
"I had a great time." He told her
"So did I." She said, "So I'll see you tomorrow."
"I sure hope so." He said, "Good night, Mary."
"Good night, Andy. She said as he walked back to his car. She unlocked her door and walked in to find Rhoda asleep on the couch. She nudged her awake.
"Sorry, Kid." She apologized, "The kids are sound asleep. They were perfect little angles."
"Good." Mary said sitting next to her on the sofa.
"So, how did it go?" Rhoda asked her
"It was wonderful." She said, "He's funny, smart, and we talked so easily."
"See, I told you." Rhoda said, "So you'll go out again?"
"Yeah," Mary said, "I hope so."
WJM NEWSROOM MONDAY MORNING
Mary found herself smiling and humming on her way into work. She was always in a good mood but it was more than that. She also found herself thinking about seeing Andy and having an imaginary conversation with him. He hadn't said anything definite about going out again but she was sure he would. All the indirect talk about a movie and such, she felt sure he would suggest something definite. She was still humming and smiling as she entered the newsroom and hung up her coat.
"Good Morning, Murray." She said walking over to her desk and putting her purse in her drawer
"Hey, Mare," He responded, "How was your weekend?"
"Umm…it was very nice." She didn't want to say too much, "How about yours? Didn't you go over to Mr. Grant's and watch the game?"
"Yeah, and Andy missed a good one. The Rams cleaned the Eagles clock." Murray told her
"Oh no, please tell me you and Mr. Grant didn't bet on that game." She said getting up to get a cup of coffee
"Good Morning." Lou said walking into the newsroom looking positively morose
"There's your answer." Murray said getting up and going over to the newsfeed
"Good Morning, Mr. Grant." Mary said, "So I take it you lost the bet on the football game."
"Oh, yeah I lost." He said, "I should never listen to that little voice in my head. The last time I did that, I ended up in Iwa Jima."
"Tough experience during the war, huh?" Mary asked handing him his mail
"No, I was there in 1958." He said, "Have you ever tried to keep someone interested in stories about being in Iwa Jima in 1958?" He said walking into his office and closing the door
"Hi, Mary." Andy said walking into the newsroom he made his way over to her desk
She smiled, "Hi, Andy."
Murray walked back to desk, "Hey Andy, you missed some game on Saturday."
Andy turned to Murray, "Yeah, I'm almost sorry I missed it." He said then sat on the edge of Mary's desk, "Mary, I was thinking, I get together with some friends a couple of times a month and play touch football. Their wives or girlfriends usually come and cheer us on. Afterwards we get together at one of our places for a cookout. Would you like to come this weekend? You can bring the kids if you want. The others usually bring theirs too."
"I'd like that, very much." She said, "I really did have a great time with you last night." She told him again, "And Saturday too."
"Ahem." Murray said self consciously
"Yeah, I better get back to work before Mr. Grant comes out. You know how he doesn't like people standing around talking." She said to Andy
"Maybe we could have lunch today?" He asked
"Sure." She said as he got up and headed into the studio
Murray waited a minute, "So are you going to tell me about it or not?"
Mary smiled, "Maybe."