Hurry Up and Wait

Nathan Turner again tried to tie his gray tie. His reflection showed growing frustration on his face.

“I’ve done this a hundred times,” Nathan said to himself. “Why is it so difficult now?”

Nathan knew the answer; he was nervous.

Examining himself in the mirror, he said, “I’m good without it.”

A light gray jacket and matching slacks went along with a blue dress shirt and black boots. Nathan selected this outfit expressly because it set off his dark brown skin.

“I'd better get going.”

Nathan grabbed his phone, keys, and wallet from his dresser, then walked out of his bedroom. He picked up a brown wool coat from the back of the couch and slipped it on. Just before walking out the door, Nathan pressed a button on his key fob, and his truck’s engine came to life. Glancing at his watch, Nathan saw that he had plenty of time. The cold November air hit him as he stepped outside.

“I moved back to Georgia to get away from this,” he said as he locked the door.

As Nathan got into his truck and closed the door, he put his hands on the steering wheel and took a deep breath. His nerves had settled a little, but he was far from relaxed.

I can walk into potentially hostile situations and active war zones and not blink, but I am as tight as a drum about seeing someone who may or may not even show up at this thing.

The thought made him smile, and Nathan felt a little tension drain away.

Jackie Reynolds leaned close to the mirror and checked her makeup one last time. She then stepped back and looked at herself. She wore one of her favorite outfits: a white blouse accompanied by a sky blue skirt suit and matching high heels. Her black hair hung loosely around her shoulders. Satisfied with what she saw, Jackie picked up her purse and hurried out of her bedroom. Jackie lifted a black leather coat from a hook and slipped it on. Jackie dug in her purse and pulled out her keys as she walked out the door. She locked her front door and then made her way to her SUV. Once inside, Jackie started the vehicle and checked her mirrors before pulling out of her driveway. Her green eyes looked back at her, and she saw the worry in them.

How long has it been? Ten years, twelve, she thought. Will I even see him?

Jackie felt doubt creeping into her mind, and she looked away.

“I’m already dressed and in my car,” she said aloud. “I am not backing out now.”

Jackie put the vehicle in gear and pulled out of the driveway.

Nathan mingled in the throng of well-dressed guests, greeting those he knew and making new acquaintances. As he moved towards the bar, he saw a flash of blue near the entrance of the reception hall.

Nathan turned and saw Jackie as she came in.

“Wow,” he said softly.

As Jackie greeted a woman in a formal gown, he took in the sight of her.

Jackie saw Nathan across the room and felt heat blossom across her chest and into her face.

It’s been so long. I would bet that someone snapped him up while I was sitting on my hands.

Nathan and Jackie met near the center of the room. Nathan was not sure whether he should offer Jackie his hand or hug her.

It’s been years, he thought. I don’t know if a hug would be appropriate, even though it’s very tempting.

He decided on the safest option and stuck out his hand.

“It’s great to see you again,” he said.

Jackie focused on Nathan’s face.

He is still as handsome as I remember.

Jackie took his hand and said, “Same here. You haven’t changed at all.”

Nathan laughed.

He then said, “I don’t know about that. I have some gray hairs and creaking joints that would disagree with you.”

Jackie looked around at the other people in the room and said, “I should have known you would be here. You are an entrepreneur like the rest of us, after all.”

Nathan smiled.

“That’s true. One of the major downsides about running your own business is that you don't have anyone to complain to.”

Jackie motioned to the bar.

“Want to grab a drink?”

“I was thinking the same thing,” Nathan replied.

They made their way to the bar, and after a short wait, they both ordered a glass of Merlot.

Jackie lifted her glass and smiled as she said, “A toast to friends reuniting after far too long.”

Nathan returned the smile and touched his glass to hers

Jackie sipped her wine and closed her eyes in pleasure. She held it in her mouth as she remembered the last time she and Nathan shared this vintage.

It tastes even better somehow, she thought.

Blackberries and plums danced on her tongue, and when she swallowed, she could taste cloves and vanilla.

Jackie opened her eyes and saw Nathan watching her.

Jackie noticed him looking at her and said, “I did not expect them to have Elk Grove.”

Nathan sipped his wine, then said, “I might have put in a request for it.”

Jackie smiled and placed her hand on Nathan’s arm.

“That was so sweet. You know I love this wine.”

“I seem to remember both of us liking this particular vintage a little too much.”

Jackie laughed aloud, saying, “We did nearly give ourselves alcohol poisoning with this stuff.”

Nathan led her over to a table, and after they were seated, he said, “It’s so good to see you. It’s been forever.”

Jackie smiled and took his hand.

“It has. What have you been up to?”

For the better part of the next hour, Nathan and Jackie caught up on one another’s lives.

Both had been married and divorced, and each had one child from those unions.

Nathan owned a security firm, and Jackie was a partner in an interior design company.

They spoke without pause until dinner was served. After dinner and two more glasses of wine, Nathan sat back in his chair.

Jackie stretched in her chair, then suddenly had to catch herself. The wine had hit her harder than she realized. Nathan seemed no worse for wear, even though he had drunk just as much wine as she had. Nathan felt the wine’s effects, but they were muted since he had been drinking a glass of water with each glass of wine.

“Are you ok to drive?” he asked.

Jackie thought about the question, then replied, “I should be as long as we don’t have any more wine.”

Nathan shook his head.

“We won’t be revisiting Elk Grove tonight.

Jackie sighed with a mix of relief and regret.

Nathan raised an eyebrow.

“Was that a happy or sad sigh?”

Jackie smiled.

“Both. Please excuse me. I am heading to the ladies’ room.”

“Of course,” Nathan said, half rising from his chair.

Jackie checked her makeup in the mirror. She saw that her face was a little flushed from the wine, and she smiled at the effect.

Satisfied, Jackie walked back to the table.

Nathan said, “That water is for you.”

Jackie nodded her thanks and drank half of it in a few gulps.

Nathan looked at her for a few seconds, then said, “Tonight has been great.”

“Yes, it has,” Jackie replied. “We will have to do this again very soon.”

“We will, especially now that we are both living in town.”

Nathan reached across the table.

Jackie looked at his hand and, after a moment, took it in her own.

Nathan gripped her hand lightly, saying, “I don’t want another decade going by before we see each other again.”

Jackie, emboldened by the wine, asked, “So how do we do that?”

Nathan smiled as he stood up.

“We can talk about it over another bottle of Elk Grove.”

Jackie blinked, then smiled.

“As much as I would like to take you up on that, I can’t.”

Nathan was surprised at her answer, but tried not to let it show on his face as he returned to his seat.

“If I’m not being too forward, why not?”

Jackie sighed.

“I should have told you before. I just started seeing someone.”

Nathan was stunned but forced a smile.

“Oh, well, that’s great, Jackie. I am happy for you.”

Jackie shook her head.

“You don’t have to do that. I know you probably had expectations for tonight.”

Nathan shrugged.

“I won’t lie,” he said. “There was a shred of hope, but just a shred.”

Jackie fiddled with her dessert fork, then said, “I’m sorry, Nathan. I should have told you about this when we talked last week.”

Nathan laughed, then said, “Jackie, you are one of my oldest and closest friends. That would not have mattered. There is nothing I would not have done to see you after so long.”

He took her hand again.

“A little disappointment is a small price to pay to keep that friendship alive.”

Despite herself, Jackie smiled.

“This is why I treasure you, Nathan.”

“So who is the lucky guy?” Nathan asked as he sipped his wine.

Jackie took a sip and said, “His name is Derrick. I met him a couple of months ago at a conference. He lives in Jacksonville, but he has regular business in Savannah and Atlanta.”

The server returned Jackie’s card, and once he left, she continued.

“He’s divorced, has two kids, and is a good guy from what I’ve seen.”

Nathan nodded his head.

“What’s his last name?”

Jackie laughed.

“That's not happening. I don’t need you doing a background check on him.”

“You already did one, didn’t you?”

Jackie smiled.

“Maybe.”

“That’s my girl,” Nathan said.

If only, Jackie thought.

“Derrick will be here soon. He’s staying with me for the weekend.”

Nathan sat back in his chair.

“Don't do anything I wouldn’t do,” he said with a sly smile.

Jackie laughed.

“That’s a damn short list.”

Nathan joined in her laughter as her phone rang.

“Excuse me for a second,” Jackie said as she answered the call.

Nathan finished his wine and waited for Jackie to finish.

Jackie turned to him and slipped her phone into her purse.

“Derrick is here, and he wants to meet you.”

Nathan’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

Jackie nodded.

“I may have mentioned you a few times, and he wants to put a face to the name.”

Nathan stood and extended his hand to Jackie, who took it.

“Well, let’s not keep him waiting,” he said.

They moved toward the door, with Jackie grabbing her coat from the host.

As they reached the entrance, a tall blonde man smiled and embraced Jackie.

He kissed her lightly on the lips, then said, “Hey, beautiful.”

Turning to Nathan, he extended his hand and said, “You must be Nathan. Jackie has told me so much about you.”

Nathan shook Derrick’s hand.

“I am Nathan, and you must be Derrick. She has told me a little about you.”

Derrick lifted an eyebrow.

“Only a little?”

Nathan laughed.

“To her credit,” he said. “Jackie doesn't kiss and tell.”

Derrick smiled.

“Well, you must be the exception to that rule. I am a little jealous that she has said so much about you, but doesn't talk about me.”

“It has been a long time since we talked face to face,” Nathan said. We had a lot to catch up on, and there wasn't a whole lot of time to do so.”

Derrick nodded.

“Of course.”

Turning to face Jackie, he asked, “Are you ready to go?”

Jackie glanced at Nathan, who winked at her.

She smiled and said, “Yes, we can go.”

Jackie hugged Nathan, whispering in his ear, “Thank you for this.”

“I’m always here for you,” Nathan whispered in return.

They parted, and Nathan offered his hand to Derrick.

“It was nice to meet you, Derrick. Hopefully we can hang out, get to know each other better.”

Derrick smiled and said, “You can count on it.”

They turned to the door and left.

Nathan sighed with relief and regret.

“Timing is everything,” he said to himself as he headed to the bar. “And it’s not my time.”