Chapter 7
Author's Note: I must give you my most heartfelt apologies for making you all wait so long for this installment. I've been studying for boards, and while I haven't taken them yet, I need a bit of a break, so you all get the next chapter. Special shout out and thanks to 2NYwlove for all of her encouragement, support and being a sounding board, to When I Make It Shine for all of the support and great reviews, and everyone else who reads and reviews. I cannot thank you enough.
Buffy stared at the Cubs tickets sitting in front of her. Earlier that day, she received a phone call from St. Ignacious that she has won the monthly raffle. Julian had brought the tickets home from school that afternoon. Ordinarily, she would have been thrilled with the prize. The dilemma was the game was for Friday night—her date with Antonio.
"Hey, Sis," Marco greeted as he entered the kitchen through the back door. He placed a kiss on her cheek and walked over to the coffee pot. "What's going on?"
"Nothing much. You working Friday night?"
Marco poured his coffee and opened the fridge for cream. He poured the liquid Coffee Mate into the cup. "No, but I thought you wanted me to babysit?"
"I asked Mom, but if you want to, I guess I can let her know."
"No biggie. Mom can sit. What's up?"
She held up the Cubs tickets.
"Ahhh.. You won the monthly raffle," he observed.
"Yep."
"And let me guess. The tickets are for Friday night, and you have a date with Antonio."
"You've got it."
Marco opened the fridge again and looked inside. He moved a couple of containers around. "Buff, how come you never have anything good in your fridge?"
Buffy rolled her eyes. There were plenty of leftovers in her fridge, but as usual, Marco wanted something he could just grab and eat. "There are some fajitas in there, but if you planned on staying for dinner, it's another hour to cook."
"So you're asking me to stay for dinner?"
"If you don't have a date."
"No date. Taking tonight off." He sipped his coffee. "You know, I'm sure if you call Antonio and explain about the tickets, he might be willing to change his plans."
"You think?" she asked.
"Never hurts to ask. What's the worst think he could do?"
"Say no."
"And I'm sure you've been told no before."
"Only about a billion times."
"So give him a call."
"Can't."
"Why not?"
"Don't have his number."
Marco gave her a confused look. "You don't have his cell?"
"He didn't give it to me."
"And of course, you didn't ask either."
She shook her head.
"No problem." He pulled his out his cell and started to dial. He handed Buffy his phone.
"Hey, Marco, what's up?" she heard Antonio ask.
"It's—It's—It's Buffy," she stammered. "Marco's letting me borrow his phone."
Antonio's face brightened when he heard her voice, but he quickly sobered. He was in the IU office, and he didn't want to give anything away to his coworkers.
"So what's going on?" he asked as he left the office so he couldn't be overheard.
"Friday night," she started.
"We still have a date, right?" he asked. His heart was pounding, unsure of what she was going to say.
"Well, that's why I'm calling." She glanced over at Marco who was waving his hands around and mouthing 'Tell him'. She dropped her head and stared down at the tickets. "Would you mind terribly if we went to the Cubs game instead of dinner?"
"No, I wouldn't mind at all. But why the change?"
"I won the raffle and the tickets are for Friday night."
He smiled. "That's cool. Nice to know someone I know won the raffle."
"First time ever. Julian brought the tickets home from school this afternoon."
"So what time should I pick you up?"
"How about if I meet you there?"
"That'll be okay. About 6?"
"Fine with me. I'll see you then."
"Ok, Buffy. I'll see you Friday night."
Buffy clicked off the call and handed Marco his phone back. "Now I suppose I really owe you dinner?"
"Nah, but I'll stay anyway. So, when's Julian's next game?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"I'll be there."
"He'll like that."
"So, what did Antonio say?"
"He said that the game is fine."
"I knew he would." He made a funny face as his phone buzzed. He looked at the screen.
Buffy got up from the table and started over to the stove. She opened the oven and checked the casserole. She pulled it from the oven and set it on top of the stove. She wrapped the top with foil. She pulled plates out of the cupboard and carried them over to the table.
"Hey, I gotta go," Marco said into the phone as he hurriedly disconnected the call. "Time to eat?"
"As soon as I set the table. Can you call Julian for me?"
"Of course." He walked over to the back door and yelled Julian's name.