“But this is my big opportunity.”
“If it was a big opportunity wouldn’t you be more excited?”
“I don’t know. I’m just tired.”
“What about your job?”
“I think they’ll let me take a leave of absence. If not, I was thinking I would quit and start my own design company after the show is over. It’s always been a dream of mine.”
“But you’re doing so well where you’re at. Isn’t that a little risky?”
“You don’t think I could start my own company?”
“Of course I do, Emma, but why do it already when you’re off to such a great start where you’re at?”
“It’s not a great start. I’ve been there for three and a half years. Thirty percent of the business is brought in by me, yet my name isn’t on the door. It probably never will be.”
“Okay,” he said.
“Haven’t you ever wanted an adventure? This is going to be mine.”
“This isn’t your only option for an adventure.”
“You’re being so serious. I count on you to help me chill out. I thought you’d think this was fun.”
“Really?” he said. Then he opened his mouth like he had more to say, but instead he shook his head and said nothing.
“What?” I asked him.
He turned on the TV and we sat there in silence watching an old episode of Cheers. After about five minutes he turned off the television and stood up. “You do know that I thought we were going out tonight. On a date. To dinner. Someplace nice. You know that, right?”
“I’m tired,” I said. “I had an exhausting weekend and I have to work first thing in the morning. And I have a ton of catching up to do. Think about how much work I’ve missed lately.”
“I want you to go back to your apartment and put on a dress. I’ll be over in five minutes. I’m taking you out.”
“But Pete…”
“Don’t argue with me. You’re going to quit your job anyway, so who cares? If you want to be adventurous, start right now. Tonight. With me.”
“Don’t you want to watch the end of the show?” I asked, burrowing further beneath the blanket. He pulled it off me and chucked it across the room. It landed in a dusty corner.
“Now it’s contaminated,” I whined.
“I did that on purpose.” He pointed at the door. “Five minutes. I will be over there to pick you up, and if you aren’t dressed up, we’re going to go out with you looking like that.” I had on a Batman t-shirt and holey yoga pants.
“Fine,” I said. I rose from the couch and sighed. “See you in a few.” I shuffled next door to my own apartment.
After spending a couple of days in California, the Chicago night seemed colder and bleaker than ever. I pulled on a tight, clingy black sweater dress, tights, and some brown leather boots. I brushed my teeth and twisted my hair into a French knot. I still had two minutes to spare so I spritzed on some perfume and put on some makeup. There was a knock on my door.
“Hi Pete,” I said. He was wearing a suit.
“You look beautiful,” he said. “It took my last girlfriend an hour to look that good. No, actually, it took her an hour to try to look that good.”
“You’re wearing a suit,” I said.
“Do you like it?”
“Well, sure. You look great. I just wasn’t expecting you to get so dressed up.”