Incoming Calls

I was standing in my bedroom, fumbling mindlessly with my buttons. This week. This week. It was proving to be far too much. My poor little heart was about to burst from the never-ending shock that seemed to follow me everywhere I went this week.

Giving up on my shirt, I dropped onto my bed and stared at a blank spot on the wall. My mind reeled from the possibilities. From the implications. I had pretty much made up my mind that I wasn't going to be pursuing a relationship with Mathias. He'd called me after I got home from the studio. Just wanted to chat, he said. But, as it was wont to do, the conversation veered off to a discussion of possible future dates. I told him I'd think about it. In my heart, I knew that the only thing I had to think about was exactly how to tell him that the relationship wouldn't be continuing. I just wasn't interested in him. Maybe I could have followed through with it, just to see if more time would make a difference. But, I've never done that before. So why start now?

A few minutes after getting off the phone with Mathias, it rang again. Grabbing the kitchen phone, I announced my name, expecting it to be my sister or somebody from work. The voice that greeted me surprised me.

"Tag, Kirsten. Er ist Andreas."

"Tag, Andreas. Wie geht's?"

"I'm glad you're home. I considered speaking to you while you were at the studio, but I wanted to talk to you without Dero and Robert hearing."

"Alright. What can I do for you?"

His response damn near made me drop the phone.

"I'm calling to ask you out on a date."

Choking into the receiver, I tightened my grip on the receiver.

"You are?"

My brain refused to come up with any kind of logical response.

"Yes."

He seemed to be waiting patiently for a response.

"Can I think about it?"

"Of course, take all the time you need."

He gave me his phone number and we hung up. After that, I wandered drunkenly into my bedroom.

Falling back on the bed, I stared without seeing at the ceiling. The doorbell rang, but I didn't hear it. The sound reached me the second time that it rang. Shoving off the bed, I skidded down the hall and stubbed my toe when I tripped over the throw rug. Cursing at myself for not moving it, I answered the door.

Valeria was standing there, a casserole in her hands. I moved out of the her way and she entered, as I asked her about the casserole.

"Made too much," she said simply. "It's vegetarian, but I'm sure you could guess that."
"Oh. Well, thanks." I carried it to the kitchen and stuck it into the fridge next to the milk.

Valeria was twiddling her thumbs on the couch when I returned to the front room. One eyebrow rose involuntarily, but I sat next to her. She clearly had something to say, if her furrowed brow was any kind of indication. Not knowing how to lead into the conversation for her, I just waited silently.

"How was the session today?"

"It was good. It was fun. They're great guys. I'm learning a lot about music from them."

Sensing that this was not the heart of the issue, I waited again.

"What about your date with Mathias?"

Concerned parents. Eesh. "It was very nice. Mathias is really quite nice."

Valeria's gaze, as she peered at me through her lashes, gave me the feeling of being thoroughly x-rayed. I grew uncomfortably and fidgety under her piercing stare.

"That's what I thought."
"What?"
"Mathias is a good boy. And you're a good girl. But you don't mesh. He's not your type."

A small, singular laugh escaped me.

"You already suspected?"

"Yes. You're the type of girl that listens to my husband's music. You wear dark eyeliner and you like motorcycles. You're talented and intelligent, a lover of books. Mathias isn't your type. Truth be told, Dero's probably more your type. But, he's taken."

Valeria winked and I laughed uncomfortably.

"Nothing to be ashamed of. You're hardly the first girl to be attracted to him, and you won't be the last."

Valeria patted my hand with a motherly air. Then, she flipped her hair and her whole manner changed.

"So. Has Andreas asked you out yet?"

"How'd you know that?"

"Dero mentioned it."

"Oh. Well, yes. I just got off the phone with him not too long ago."

"And did you say yes?"

"I didn't say no…"

"Say yes. Andreas might actually be your type."

"O-okay. Thank you."

Valeria stood up, smiling like a schoolgirl.

"Time for me to head out. And don't worry about Mathias. I'll take care of it. You just enjoy your date with Andreas."

She winked and walked with me muttering a quiet thanks.