Chapter 45: Funny, You Don't Look Like a Jewish Princess

January 10, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

On Monday, as soon as work ended, I headed for University Village to have dinner with Violet. She'd offered to cook, and it made sense, and would be a heck of a lot cheaper than eating at the diner three times a week.

"I'm sorry if I messed up your plans with Lily," Violet said when we sat down to eat. "She mentioned she had planned to hang out at your house when I asked about a ride."

"It's OK," I replied. "No harm done at all, and I'm happy you were at the house, and happy you could get home in a way that makes you feel safe."

Not to mention the fact that Lily had returned so that we could fool around for a few hours, and that in my mind, the delay was worth it to help Violet.

"You guys aren't a couple, though, right?"

"No. We're just dating," I said. "I promise to tell you if I have a steady girlfriend. But that's not likely anytime soon."

Mainly because of Bev, I thought, but didn't say. Of course, Violet simply cut right to the point, as she often did.

"Because you and Bev haven't decided and won't until all the stuff with her ex is settled."

"Pretty much," I agreed. "And right now, I can't tell you which way that would go."

"If I were in her shoes, there is no way I'd let you go!"

I thought about making a flip comment about it being a bad idea to get pregnant, but jokes about sex with Violet were completely out of line.

"Good to know," I replied with a friendly smile.

"Do you like me that way?" Violet asked casually.

"It's difficult to answer that question," I replied. "You're a great friend and I would never, ever even think of doing or saying anything to make you uncomfortable."

"You do make me feel safe! Always! I guess I just wondered because I've kissed your cheek dozens of times and hugged you more, and you haven't."

"For what I think are good and obvious reasons," I replied carefully. "Is that something you want me to do?"

"Uhm ... I ... uhm ... don't know because it would ... well you know."

"Perfectly well. As I said, the very last thing I'd do is something that would make you feel unsafe. From everything I've learned about you, the only reasonable approach is to stay within the bounds of your comfort zone. It's expanded to the point where you do hug me and kiss my cheek, and invite me into your house."

"And you think I might freak out if you tried to hug me or kiss my cheek?"

"I think you think you'll freak out if I do."

Violet nodded, "You do know me. It's just ... well, everything that happened."

"I know," I replied. "And I have a very limited understanding, but what I do understand is that the most important things I can do are to be your friend, respect your boundaries, and do my best to keep you safe."

"Including putting my chewed gum in your mouth?" Violet asked.

"A miscalculation because I didn't know anything about you."

"But a normal girl would have been OK with it, right?"

"First, you are not abnormal. You are a normal girl who had a traumatic upbringing. Second, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would think what I did was gross."

"I don't think it was gross, just ... well, what it implied."

"I know that now."

"I'm glad you're my friend."

"And I'm glad to be your friend!"

We finished our meal, I helped Violet clean up, and then offered her some money to cover the food. She protested, but I insisted, and eventually we agreed on what I considered a token amount, which was much less than what I'd pay at the restaurant. I felt it was only right, given we'd have dinner at her house three times a week for the entire semester.

We walked to campus, and I walked with Violet to her classroom, then went to the lecture hall where the math class was being held. As usual, I chose a seat about halfway back. About two minutes later, a pair of redheads, a guy and a girl, stopped by my seat.

"Mind if we sit here?" the guy asked, pointing to the two contiguous seats just to my right.

There were few options for them to sit together except close to the front of the room, and it didn't bug me, so I agreed.

"Sure. Jonathan."

"Troy and my twin sister Teri."

"Nice to meet you."

They sat down with Troy sitting next to me and his sister sitting to his right.

"Full time or part time?" Troy asked.

"Part time. I work full time. You?"

"We're both Seniors in High School. We're taking this class because the math class we need at the High School conflicts with concert band and music lessons. It's cool 'cause we get the college credit, too."

"Do you plan to go to Circle?" I asked.

"No. UofI," he replied. "Music majors."

"What do you play?"

"Piano and keyboards, Teri plays violin."

"I almost expected you to say 'the same'!"

Troy laughed, "We get that a lot because we mostly do everything together. That's like our major difference. Well, besides her being a girl and all."

"The better twin!" Teri declared. "And the eldest!"

"By like eight minutes!" Troy protested. "And she never lets me forget!"

We had to stop talking because the professor walked up to the lectern to begin class. He checked attendance first, then went over the outline of the class. That completed, he began lecturing on principles of algebra. I opened my notebook and began taking notes.

When class ended, I copied down the homework assignment from the board, said 'goodbye' to my classmates, then went to let the professor know I might miss class the following Wednesday, but I'd make sure I got the assignment. He reminded me that missing too many classes would make it difficult to pass, something I acknowledged, but promised this was a one-off thing. Once we finished our conversation, I left the lecture hall and went to meet Violet at the diner for coffee and pie.

January 11, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

"Date number two!" Haley declared when we left the office on Tuesday afternoon.

"Is this like Nightline?" I asked.

"You're comparing a date with me to being taken hostage?"

"I was just asking," I chuckled. "YOU went straight to hostages!"

"Oh, please!" Haley exclaimed. "That's how Nightline started! Day whatever in captivity."

"And you said 'Date number two'!"

"But I didn't ... never mind! I'm not going to win this argument no matter what I say!"

"Now you sound like my friend's dad back home talking about his wife!"

Haley laughed, "As it should be!"

"Or not," I replied.

"You know I'm kidding!" Haley protested.

"And you know I'm kidding!" I retorted. "Where are we going?"

"How about Greek Town?" she asked.

"Which place?"

"Acropolis, if that's cool. It's a bit more expensive than the Chinese restaurant, but not crazy."

"Sure. I've been to Diana's, and I've also eaten at Mr. Greek."

"The gyro place?"

"Yes. It's great food, reasonably priced, and they serve huge portions."

"I've never been."

We reached the garage, walked to my car, I opened the door for Haley, then got in myself and headed for Greek Town.

"How was your class last night?" Haley asked.

"Fine. I basically remembered everything the professor went over last night. Basic principles of Algebra. This week will mostly be review, but I can use it. Next week is basic trigonometry, then we start on principles of calculus, which is basically the rest of the class."

"Did you sort out the problem with the new equipment?"

"It's scheduled for the 17th now, and I'm supposed to have confirmation tomorrow that they actually have the equipment in their office. If they don't, I'll let Mr. Spurgeon know so he can bust some heads."

"But everything else is set, right?"

"Yes. Phil and his team are setting up the phones and the new IBM terminals, and the company that provides trading terminals and quotation machines will be in on Thursday."

"I saw your time off request for next Wednesday. What's up?"

"I'm going to Ohio to support my best friend in a custody hearing," I replied.

"Divorce?"

"No. Single mom. I'm flying down on Tuesday evening, so I'll miss our date next week."

"Your best friend is a girl?"

"Yes. I'm a thoroughly modern man!"

"I wasn't implying that was wrong, just that it's odd."

"We grew up together, from the time I was three and she was two. We were pretty much inseparable."

"Well, obviously not, if she had some other guy's baby!"

"After I left to come here," I replied.

"You and Jack are pretty tight, right?"

"Yes. There's a good chance he'll be a housemate when I buy a house."

"Soon, right? I mean, from what you said."

"I saw one house back in December, but I suspect it may have sold. I'm going to look at houses this weekend with my current housemates. If the one we saw is still on the market and I don't like other ones I see better, I'll put in a contingent offer."

"Just come see me when you're ready, and we'll fill out the paperwork. It's mostly just data from the payroll system, plus your past work history. It's pro forma though because barring a recent bankruptcy, Mr. Spurgeon always approves."

"Has that ever happened?"

"No. The only bankruptcy of which I'm aware happened before I started. A trader made a series of bad bets and ended up with almost no commission and no bonus, which put him in a world of hurt financially."

"I bet. Do you know what the trades were?"

"No, but I'm sure Murray Matheson could tell you, because he's been here since the beginning."

"Those kinds of losses would be my nightmare scenario, but it's also why I plan to keep my expenses low enough that I can cover them with just my paycheck."

"Live like a pauper?" she asked lightly.

"Hardly!" I chuckled. "$45K is serious money. But it would be foolish to have monthly outflow greater than that inflow, especially given bonuses are discretionary, meaning even in a good year, Mr. Spurgeon could choose not to pay them."

"And risk a revolt!" Haley declared.

"OK, but they were lower a year ago when the layoffs happened."

"True."

"So the wise man does not overspend," I replied. "That's not to say I won't use some of the bonus or commission money, but I'll keep my recurring expenses below my salary."

"Pretty smart, but definitely not the norm for upstairs."

"Well, pretty Personnel lady, would you have wanted to date me if I followed that norm?"

"No."

"So I have that much going for me, at least!"

Haley laughed, "You're a real card, as my grandma would say."

"I try!"

I found a parking spot on Halsted, and after I parked, I opened the door for Haley and we went into the restaurant. We were seated about ten minutes later, perused the menus, and placed our orders when the waiter came to the table.

"If Tuesday is out, then what?"

"I think it'll have to be Tuesday of the following week because I have class Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and the next two weekends are booked because of a dinner party and the move."

"I suppose," Haley said with a theatrical sigh.

"The only thing I have on my calendar for next month besides class is a Hawks game on Sunday the 6th. A Friday or Saturday date will work then, assuming you'll want Date Number Four."

"So far, I think that's a safe bet. You still have plenty of time to screw up!"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence!"

"Well, you are a guy!"

"Why do I sense there's a story there?"

"Because literally every girl who has ever dated has had the guy mess up! You guys can't help but screw up!"

She actually had a point, given some of the errors I'd made, but the key was to learn from them and not repeat them.

"I can learn without having my nose whacked with a rolled-up newspaper!"

"You're housebroken?" Haley asked with a smirk.

"I can cook, do laundry, and clean. I'm also reasonably handy with a screwdriver and hammer."

"And other household chores?" Haley asked impishly.

"The day that becomes a chore, I'm going to check myself into a mental hospital because I'll have lost my mind!"

"You've never had sex with someone just because they wanted to, even if you didn't really feel like it?"

"As you pointed out, I'm a guy! What do you think?"

Haley rolled her eyes, "So, in that way, you're like every 'swinging dick' upstairs?"

That was a phrase used by the traders who had worked in London and referred to successful traders.

"Except I don't cheat and I don't fish from the company pier. Well, with one exception, obviously."

"And I told you how we'd resolve that if it came down to it."

"You did," I agreed.

The waiter brought our drinks and our salads and we began eating.

"You can refuse to answer," I said a minute later, "but do you have a vision for the future?"

"You mean for us?"

"No, for the Pope!" I teased.

"Brat! I guess the possible destination is obvious, right? Though it's down the road far enough that we can't see it yet, and might never even see it, let alone reach it. I think 'one day at a time' is the best principle to live by."

"I agree on that one, though I do like to have an outline of a plan, even if it's flexible."

"Well, I think for now, once-a-week dates and see where things might lead. Cool?"

"Cool."

January 12, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

Wednesday evening was a repeat of Monday evening, though the conversation with Violet wasn't nearly so serious. I had been a bit concerned about Monday's chat, but she seemed to have put it all behind her, and had greeted me with her usual hug and kiss on my cheek. We'd had a nice dinner, then walked to Circle for class.

"Evening!" Troy said when he and Teri sat down next to me.

"Evening!"

"Where do you work, if it's OK to ask," Troy inquired.

"I work for Spurgeon Capital. I'm an analyst."

Technically, I wasn't for another few days, but close enough.

"What's that?" Teri asked.

"My job is to gather information and turn it into recommendations for brokers, traders, and money managers."

"You aren't much older than we are and don't have a degree, right?"

"I'm guessing you're both eighteen and I'm twenty, and no, I don't have a degree. It's not required for the job. I started in the mailroom, moved up to supervisor, and from there moved to an analyst position."

"How does that happen?"

"Hard work, determination, and studying for my securities license. Getting the license was the key. I took the test for a second license, and I should hear next week."

"You seem like a cool guy," Troy said. "How about grabbing Cokes or coffee after class?"

"I usually meet a friend after class, and she's a bit of a loner. Let me check with her, and if she's cool with it, then tomorrow? OK?"

"Sure. Do you live around here?"

"I used to live just down the street, but now I live in Rogers Park. How about you two?"

"Bridgeport Irish! The red hair and green eyes ought to give that away!"

"The Irish part I got; Bridgeport would have been a good guess!"

"You aren't originally from around here, are you?" Teri asked.

"No. I'm from a town called Goshen, just east of Cincinnati. I moved here for the job."

"How'd you find it?" Troy asked.

"Through my uncle," I replied.

The professor walked to the lectern, and we had to stop talking. After class, I promised Troy I'd check with Violet and then went to meet her.

"I met two kids in my class who seem cool and who asked about getting Cokes or coffee after class. I thought about asking them to join us, but then I thought better of it and decided to ask you first."

"Who are they?"

"Twins, a guy and a girl, who are High School Seniors. They're both eighteen, and taking the math class for High School credit because they couldn't work the math class into their schedule due to music lessons and concert band."

"If I said 'no', would it upset you?"

"Not at all. Don't say 'yes' because you think it's what I want because I can ask them to get together another time."

"I know what I just said, but do you think I should?"

"How are things with Lily?"

"Really good, I think. I mean, she drove me home instead of ... whatever you two do together."

"Lily and I are friends," I replied. "I don't know these two well yet, but they seem nice. And you wouldn't be committing to anything other than once."

"Thursday?"

"Yes."

"OK."

January 13, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

On Thursday, after dinner with Violet and class, Troy and Teri walked with me to meet Violet at the diner.

"Violet Clemmons, please meet Troy and Teri Maguire. Troy and Teri, my friend Violet."

They all said 'hi' to each other, and we asked for a booth, and the twins sat side-by-side across from Violet and me. We spent about thirty minutes together, then Violet and I said 'good night' and left the diner so I could walk her home.

"What did you think?" I asked.

"They're nice," Violet replied. "And I'd be OK having them join us occasionally, but I really like the time we spend together."

"That's what I expected," I replied. "I'm happy you took the risk of meeting them."

"You were there to keep me safe," Violet replied. "It's like I have my own personal bodyguard! I can do lots of things if you're there."

"I noticed you talked to more people than just Lily, Bianca, Shelly, and me on Sunday."

"Kristy is really nice, and Jack is your best guy friend, even more than Tom or Costas. And you said he's probably going to move in when you buy your new house."

"Again, I'm happy with the progress," I said. "The Violet I met just over a year ago couldn't have done any of that. But by taking one extreme risk, which I almost messed up, you've created opportunities for yourself to be the person you were meant to be."

"But who is that?"

"I think, ever so slowly, it's being revealed."

"You seem like you have everything together."

"And you're putting things back together after experiencing something I can't even begin to fathom."

We reached Violet's house, and she hugged me and kissed my cheek. After she'd gone into the house, I walked to my car and drove home.

January 14, 1983, Chicago, Illinois

On Friday morning, just after 10:00am, the security guard called me to let me know that I had a delivery from the computer store.