is probably expecting too much.”
He seems offended at this. “That’s very cynical.”
“It is what it is,” I reply with a shrug.
For the rest of the day, Nate alternates between moping and yawning. At lunchtime, I head outside with my cell phone to call back the recruiter. It’s another stiflingly hot day, and I try to locate a bench outside our office building that’s shielded from the sun and the street noise. Once I get her on the phone, we talk about my salary and distance requirements. I do not want to spend hours each day in my car. Despite the terrible economy, Maryanne seems optimistic that she can get me some interviews soon.
When I go back inside, I finish the last of the white papers for which I actually have technical information, and I email them to Rob. He has to approve them and post them on the internal web site so that the sales people can grab them.
I find myself checking my cell phone throughout the day. Since Ryan has previously called me during the work day, I think that he might have tried reaching me today. But he hasn’t. Instead, Laura calls at the end of the day as I’m packing up to go home.
“I need a big favor,” she begins.
“You never say hello to me when I answer. You always just jump right in,” I complain.
“Hello, Andrea,” she says formally.
“Hello, Laura. How are you?”
“Terrible. That’s why I need a favor.”
I smile at my cell phone. “Okay, what is it?”
“I need you to go see a band with Mom and Dad on Thursday night.”
“You mean one of the bands you’re checking out for the wedding?”
“Yes. I can’t make it, and it’s the only time we can see them play in the next few months. I need you to be my ears for me. I don’t trust Mom and Dad when it comes to the music. They would resurrect Lawrence Welk if they could.”
She’s probably right about that. “Why can’t you go?”
“I have a late afternoon closing in the Berkshires. I’ll never make it back in time.”
“The Berkshires? Since when do you drive hours to closings?”
“It’s for Jonathan’s great aunt. She bought a place near Tanglewood with some friends. He asked me to do it as a favor.”
“That’s some favor.”
“I know.”
“Why doesn’t Jonathan go? He must care about the music.”
“Andy, they’re wedding bands. If our choices were Stone Sour or Godsmack, he’d be there like a shot. But our choices are Starry Night or J.B. And The Enthusiasts.”
“Who?”
“Exactly. Can you help me out here?”
“Okay, I’ll go. Oh, wait. I can’t. I think I have a date.”
“You do? Did that Jason guy call you?”
“He did, but it’s not with him. It’s with Ryan. The guy that hit me with his car.”
“The one you went to the beach with?”
“Yeah, but maybe I can change the day. I’ll ask him when he calls and let you know.”
“Thanks. That would be great. But don’t cancel or anything for me.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
“You’re not looking for an excuse to cancel? You must like him then.”
“Maybe. We’ll see.”
By Wednesday afternoon, I’m weighing the rudeness of Ryan not having called yet, despite our imminent Thursday plans. I feel sure that I’ll hear from him tonight, but in my opinion, he really should have called earlier in the week to finalize our plans. Calling him is not an option. He said he would call, and he should do as he says.
By nine that evening I still haven’t heard from Ryan, and I find myself calling my parents to see what time they want to meet on Thursday to see the wedding band. I actually feel foolish for having expected Ryan to call just because he said he would. I let my guard down. I always maintain a healthy skepticism when the words “I’ll call you” spill out of a guy’s mouth, and this time should not have been any different. Perhaps something unexpected came up and he’s no longer free? Even so, he should have called to let me know.
I mope around for the rest of the night. In addition to feeling disappointed for myself, I continue to mull over Katie’s situation. I haven’t heard from Bryn, and I’m debating contacting her. She hasn’t done anything directly to me. If I were being a good friend, I would check up on her, right? I sigh with frustration. Maybe I’m just too judgmental. Can I really hold a grudge against everyone whom I judge to be inconsiderate? If