The Catch Of Texas

So they searched out what was available. She put the things aside that she wanted. Then she heard Frank’s car door slam. And he was walking up the stairs to her apartment!

She told Paul, “I’ve got to hurry. I didn’t realize he could be here so fast.”

“I’ll bring the other things over. Be sure to set me a place at the very table you’re fixing.”

“Done.” And she grinned as she left.

Geri got to her door as Frank got there, grinning widely and his eyes sparkling with anticipation. That was for food, but Geri thought he was anticipating something romantic—and Paul would be there! She laughed. How hilarious.

Frank thought she was delighted to see him and his grin widened.

Geri looked over at the approaching Paul. Paul was serious and his head was down like a bull’s as he watched the intruder.

Now Paul knew she was having a guest. What was the matter with him? Geri took a deep breath and looked at Paul with some hostility.

Paul didn’t notice. He was watching Frank.

Understanding the males’ hostility to each other, Geri sighed and said, “I’ve a terrible headache. I’m sure you both will excuse me.”

That old, tattered excuse came right out of the blue. Think of that.

Frank was startled that he’d taken the time to be there when she’d just discarded him.

Paul told Geri quietly, “I’ll see he gets out right away.”

She looked at Paul and said, “Thank you. I’ll see you around, no doubt.” Then she closed the front door.

Paul gasped.

Geri turned and went into the back of the apartment to her bedroom, and she closed that door, too.

All that in just no time at all?

A little while later, Geri came from the back room to check out who was left. Since no one was there, Geri drew a deep breath and hummed as she gathered what was left for her own supper.

The fact that the two men had carried away most of the meal was no problem for her.

As Geri ate, she sat looking out over the beautiful trees to the river. It was a wonderful view. She smiled at the scene, though her thoughts kept returning to Frank.

Time passed. Several days. The phone rang.

Should she or shouldn’t she answer the silly thing? Geri wondered.

But she considered that as she got up and went to the phone. She lifted it, not saying anything, and it was Frank who asked, “You okay?”

“Yeah.”

Then Frank asked as if the thought had just occurred, “Hey, you wanna go to a movie?”

Geri asked carefully, “What movie?”

And he said, “Twilight. It’s supposed to be good.”

“I’ve heard it’s scary.”

He told her, “Naw. It’s just like all the others. You’ve probably seen ’em on TV. Try this one. I’ve seen it, and it’s okay.”

“If you’ve seen it, why are you willing to go?”

And Frank told her, “This way I can watch you and how you take the movie.”

“That would be boring for you.”

In a smoky voice, he told her, “I can watch you.”

That made Geri feel naked. She considered all the other people who’d be there so she’d be okay. She said, “You’ll watch the screen. Behave.”

Frank complained, “Oh, hell. That again.”

“Yeah.”

He sighed with such endurance and said, “Okay.”

“Well, I’ll see if my headache takes care.”

Frank exclaimed, “That still around? I thought you were through it.”

Geri told him, “It comes and goes... depending.” What a lie.

So Frank said, “Maybe you ought to see a doctor?”

“It’s the season. I’m one who stops up with colds at summer’s tip.”

“Ahhhh.”

They talked a few moments longer, making plans for the evening. And when Geri hung up, she was oddly warmed by Frank’s concern for her.

So that evening, the two did go to the movie, Twilight. Geri looked around to see who else was there and did not see one single. person she knew. When had that ever happened?

Geri settled down and adjusted to being in a strange place.

The movie was odd and caught Geri’s attention quite easily. She watched the screen and was drawn into the plot. She felt the people were real, and their problems were just like everybody’s! She blinked and listened. She never shouted what they could have done! But she was restless and appalled they weren’t a little more aware of what all was happening.

When it was finished and they were on their way to her place, she told Frank what the actors should have done right away and not allowed it all to pile up.

Frank said, “It’s a movie.”

Now that was logical. The film wasn’t real. So she settled down and still it waggled in her mind.