Still Waiting For The Call
1273 Words
Theo picked at the food on his plate while staring at his phone. Helena, his mother, watched him from across the table.
“Something on your mind, hun?”
Theo looked up, “Huh?”
“I said, is there something on your mind?”
“Uh no,” Theo flipped his phone over and absentmindedly stuffed a green item into his mouth. He chewed and made a face. Ugh! Broccoli! He hates broccoli.
Helena flashed him a knowing smile, “Something is definitely bothering you. What is it?”
Theo sighed, “It’s… nothing.”
“Son, I am your mother. If you can’t tell me, who are you going to tell? You have no wife and no friends…”
“Ouch, Mom! I have friends!”
“I don’t see you inviting them to brunch. So spill it! What’s going on?”
Theo sighed, “I met this girl…”
“Oooooo bring her home!”
“Mom!!!”
“Oh, sorry, go ahead…”
Theo sighed, “She’s not my usual type. I heard someone annulled his marriage with her over something health-related. Anyways, she reminded me of myself, betrayed and alone. And she has the most soulful voice I have ever heard. If only her body wasn’t so…”
Helena scowled, as Theo faltered to put it nicely.
“Stout…,” he finally mustered.
Helena’s frown deepened, “What is wrong with sturdy women!?”
Theo raised his arms defensively, “Nothing! They are just not my type.”
“Why are you bugging her if you aren’t interested? I didn't raise a Casanova.”
“Mom, I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.”
“Is she nice?”
“I have no idea. I didn’t get to talk to her but I gave her friend my business card. I was hoping she would call me. I just want to sort out my feelings; see if it goes anywhere.”
Helena frowned, leaning back in the cushy booth. “Son, let me remind you, no son of mine will ever hurt a good girl. If I ever catch wind of you playing around with her feelings I will…”
Theo groaned, “Mom! I know! I won’t lead her on.”
“You better not! I didn’t pass on my good looks for you to tempt women. Heaven knows what sin I have committed letting you go into acting. All those poor female fans… tsk.”
Theo scoffed lightly. If only she knew the extent of his sins. Thank heavens his mother didn’t know that acting was only his side gig. His real work starts at night as an underworld boss of Venom’s Western Branch. Venom, a worldwide affiliation of the top criminal organizations, is the pinnacle of immorality.
Theo sighed and tapped the table softly. “Alright. Let me take you home. Dad’s probably wondering where you are.”
“No thank you! I saw a local park on my way over and I wanted to take a quick stroll before heading back. Your sister-in-law is due any day now and I just know once her little boy is out, the house is going to be chaos.”
Theo chuckled, “How is Amelia?”
“Oh, she’s fine. It’s just that everyone is on edge. I swear, all the Farley men are simps to their wives. First your father and now Chris. If she so much as groans in her sleep, he’s got one foot out the door with her maternity bag.” Helena shook her head, “I wonder if you would be the same.”
Theo chuckled, “Nah, I’m nothing like Dad or Chris.”
Helena smiled sweetly, he could lie as much as he wanted but Mothers know best.
***
“Down by the baaaay!! Where the watermelons grooooow! Back to my hoooome, I dare not gooooo! For if I doooo my mother will say…”
“Ooh do monkey now!”
Tania frowned, “Uh… monkey monkey… oh. Have you ever seen a monkey dancing with a bunny down by the bay!”
Tania took a swig of lemonade to wet her parched throat. Lora’s children went full throttle non-stop; it was hard to keep up with them. She glanced at Lora who was struggling with her youngest son.
“Eat your veggies, darling!”
“Nooooooooo”
“Eat it before I…”
“Moom, guest…” her eldest son pointed to Tania.
Lora took a deep breath and looked up to the sky. “Patience is a virtue… that I don’t have.”
“Henry, darling~~… say Aaaaahh!!” Lora opened her eyes wide and Henry caught a glint of madness in them.
Henry opened his mouth. “Aah…”
“Oh, my baby is such a good boy. Mm! Nom nom!”
Tania inhaled her food before the kids asked her to sing again, she was so tired from all the running and singing she started to regret joining the family picnic. Still, it was a breath of fresh air. All the physical chaos pulled her out of her dark thoughts.
“You are cool Ms. Tania. You should live with us.”
Tania laughed nervously, “Hahaha, ah, I have to go home tonight. I work tomorrow.”
The second son spoke up with a mouthful of apple. “Too bad… Mom’s more patient when there are others around. Can you sing us something else?”
Tania groaned but gave in and sang something upbeat.
***
Helena walked into the park and found a bench. There were a few families out but her eyes kept going back to the two women and three boys on an oversized towel. They looked so happy. One of the women she could only describe as a cheerful chubby gal was playing with the kids and singing. Helena smiled and closed her eyes enjoying the music.
It would be nice if Theo married a girl like that. She smiled softly, got up, and went home.
***
The drive back to Tania’s apartment was quiet. Tania looked at the three sleeping boys in the back.
“How do you do it?” Tania whispered.
Lora chuckled, “Low expectations. I tell ya some days we pat our backs for just managing to survive another day.”
Tania laughed, isn’t that the truth?
When they arrived at the front of Tania’s apartment, Lora looked long and hard at Tania.
“See you bright and early tomorrow. Go home and rest. Don’t think about anything else but work.”
Tania chuckled, “Thanks for everything, Lora.”
Just as she turned to leave, Lora rolled down the window and hissed. “Tania!! I totally forgot! Here! This is Theo Jones’ business card. He asked me to hand it to you. Something about talking to you about being a singer at his club or something.”
Tania leaned through the open window to take the business card. “Thanks, Lora. See you tomorrow.”
“Don’t quit your day job now! We need you!”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Thanks again.”
Tania waved after Lora’s car as it pulled away and zoomed down the road. She held the name card with two hands as she stared at it in wonder.
Theo Jones.
THE Theo Jones gave her HIS name card. She had played it cool in front of Lora earlier but she was a huge HUGE fan of Theo. She clasped the business card to her chest as she rushed into her apartment. She had a feeling she wouldn’t get much sleep tonight.
- Writer
