Chapter 2
Ten A.M. The alarm went off and Walter slowly got out of bed. He showered, picked out what he would wear and ate a quick breakfast. Duncan got up a few minutes later from his room and followed his morning routine of putting on moderately clean clothes.
“Ready to go?” Duncan asked heading for the door. “Yep.” Walter replied getting up from the couch and following him out the door and down the stairs.
It was sunny outside and a little warm like Grace had predicted. They went down to the subway station and soon arrived at Grace's. It was eleven o'clock precisely when they saw a black SUV park in front of the apartment.
“Must be Grace's friend.” Duncan remarked walking closer to the car.
“Yeah must be.” Walter said nervously, his voice cracked a little.
“As your wingman, have I ever let you down?” Duncan asked seriously.
“Yes, frequently.” Walter replied honestly.
“There's Grace.” he said as she came outside. Her friend then got out of the car and greeted her. She was an average height, with black hair. She was attractive and slightly tan.
“Hey guys, this is Catherine. Catherine, this is Walter and Duncan.” Grace announced their name and pointed to them when she said them.
“Hi, it's nice to meet you both.” she said waving at both of the guys. Her voice was normal, not deep or raspy and not too high-pitched. She spoke elegantly.
“A pleasure to meet you.” Walter said softly going way over the top; he took her hand and kissed it. Grace quickly walked in between them, “Ready to go?” she asked.
“My thoughts exactly.” Catherine said getting into the driver's seat. Duncan rolled his eyes at Walter, “What? I thought girls liked that kind of stuff.” Walter said innocently.
“Not when you've only said one sentence to them.” whispered Duncan.
“I'm trying to make an impression.” Walter raised his whispering voice a little.
“Yeah, an impression of a creep.” said Duncan.
“Are you guys ready or what?” Grace called from the passenger side.
“Yeah.” they both said getting in the back. The ride to the beach was about a half hour. It was moderately quiet, Catherine and Grace talked while Walter and Duncan tried to listen to the radio from the back speakers. From time to time, Catherine and Walter made eye contact through the rear view mirror. It was very subtle and they just smiled at each other.
There was some attraction between the two of them and Walter looked forward to getting to know her more. They finally made it to the beach, it was slightly crowded. That day was the mad dash to be at the beach before it got too cold. They got out, stretched a bit, and unloaded the car: Blankets, a cooler, and a couple of chairs. “Did you do this by yourself?” Walter asked Catherine curiously.
“Yes, I've been up since six.” she replied smiling.
“You’re a morning person.” Walter assumed.
“Oh yeah a big one.” Catherine said, grabbing a blanket.
“Oh me too and I even stay up really late.” Walter said.
“Wow, that's like me.” Catherine replied laughing at their similarities. Duncan and Grace laughed about it as Walter and Catherine walked onto the beach together.
“Think they'll get along?” Duncan asked while watching Walter help Catherine with the stuff she dropped.
“I think so.” Grace said still not yet sure but hopeful. They picked a good spot considering the crowd, a good view of the ocean and not a lot of people around them. The group sat down in unison and Catherine began to serve the lunch from the cooler.
“Thank you so much.” Walter said appreciating her generosity.
“My pleasure.” Catherine said with a perfect smile. “White teeth. You don't see that anymore.” he thought.
“So Walter, Grace tells me you’re a writer.” Catherine said, starting conversation.
“Uh, yes, I've done a few short stories for magazines and newspapers.” he said it nervously for some reason which he couldn't seem to figure out.
“Well, I think you’re a fantastic writer. I read the one about the Polish man who fought against the Germans to try to keep his farm during World War II. I've never cried so hard in my life.” Catherine said, recalling the story. She made Walter blush a little, but he was humble and just smiled and nodded. “Yes, I really like that one as well.” he finally said. They all continued their lunches and had casual conversations. Time passed and they carried on chatting about movies, music and all various subjects.
“Would you like to walk along the beach?” Walter asked suddenly, staring at Catherine.
“Yes, I would love to.” she replied sweetly and smiling from ear to ear.
“So what do you do?” Walter began.
“I’m a photographer.” she said.
“Oh that's great.” Walter replied.
“Yeah I just freelance because it's not really what I want to be doing.” she hesitated at the sentence.
“What do you really want to do?” Walter asked seeing if he could get it out of her.
“I really want to act.” Catherine said revealing her dream.
“Have you acted before?” Walter asked, wondering.
“Only a few times, in high school.”
“Well you should definitely go for it. You’re beautiful and I'm sure you have great talent.” Walter said encouraging her.
“Aw thanks. Yeah, I'm really planning on working to get there. But I get stage fright when I act, that's why I only did supporting roles.”
“I get that too.” Walter said.
“Really so you know how it is?” Catherine asked confiding in him.
“Yeah I get stage fright all the time. All my life I've constantly pictured people in their underwear. But don't think I'm a pervert.” he joked, trying to cheer her up.
Catherine laughed hard; she never heard the joke told that way before. Then she wondered if Walter was joking. He then said, “And you know you just overlook the ones who don't wear underwear.” Catherine laughed so hard she started to cry; it was a moderately attractive laugh. Nothing to boast about. Walter shrugged to himself not thinking it was that funny. “LOL!” she then said. Then it happened, it was like he was hit with a meteor. Walter gasped softly, “LOL?” he thought to himself. “Really? She says it in public?”
He coughed and said, “Um, I'm going to go get some water.” He then quickly walked back to where his friends were still sitting.
“How's it going? You got her laughing, that's a good sign.” Duncan said.
“Is her nose the right size for you?” Grace mocked.
“It's very well structured, she probably got Best Nose in every superlative.” Walter said losing his current thoughts. Duncan and Grace laughed but Walter had a strange look of shock upon his face.
“Then why the strange face?” Grace asked, noticing it.
“She said, 'LOL.' Out loud. In public.” Walter complained.
“So, what's wrong with that?” Duncan asked.
“What if we were out somewhere and she says, 'BRB, guys I'm going to the bathroom. Or, 'Alright, TTYL, see you tomorrow.' She'll be a laughing stock and I'll be the guy with the laughing stock.” Walter was clearly annoyed and making a big deal out of it. “You’re saying this as if you’re already going out.” Grace remarked.
“I was just giving an example of my future if I continue to talk to her.” Walter said defending his complaint.
“I've never heard her use it before.” Grace said, thinking.
“How did you two meet?” Duncan asked.”
“Facebook.” Grace said quickly, oblivious to what was just said.
“Oh wait...” Grace then said thinking harder.
“Yeah, there you go.” Duncan said.
“Yeah, it's your fault.” Walter said.
“How is it my fault?” Grace asked getting defensive.
“It’s common Internet lingo, when something is funny you say, 'LOL'. You should of used ha ha! Now she'll forever sound like a freak, poor soul.” Walter complained. “Well that's it. I can't see her now.”
“Really?” Duncan and Grace said in unison.
“Yeah stuff like that can be passed onto kids.” Walter said.
“You think bad breath can be passed onto kids.” Duncan said.
“I’m telling you for the hundredth time that article was true!” Walter said recalling the time he read about hereditary bad breath. About that time Catherine came back, “It'll be getting dark soon. Should we head back?” she asked the group.
“Yeah, let's go.” Walter said, more to Duncan and Grace than Catherine. “Would you like to help me put the stuff back in the car, Walter?” Catherine asked sweetly.
“I have to go use the restroom actually.” Walter said making a lame excuse. Grace and Duncan sighed to themselves and helped Catherine.
“What did I do? He doesn't like me does he?” Catherine was panicking.
“He ate a lot and that was a while ago.” Duncan suggested covering for Walter but it made Catherine uncomfortable.
“He'll be back soon. If you want I can sit in the back and Walter can sit upfront.” Grace offered knowing Walter would hate the idea. “OK sounds great.” Catherine was somewhat reassured. They packed up quickly and got situated inside the car. Walter came walking out and Catherine drove the car up to get him. His heart sank when he saw the empty passenger seat. The back seat window went down slowly. Grace looked at Walter and gave a stare of humorous villainy. She chuckled softly in an evil way. Walter's eyes were wide open and he shook his head in disbelief. “Ready to go?” Catherine asked. Walter gulped, “Yeah.” he then slowing and painfully got in the car. He looked behind him, “So did you guys enjoy the day?” Grace asked tormenting Walter.
“Pure joy.” he replied sarcastically, hoping Catherine wouldn't notice. She didn't and she turned on the radio and focused on her driving. They drove for a while until Catherine spoke, “So this morning, why did you kiss my hand?”
“Common courtesy.” Walter said fast, trying to avoid any meaningful conversation. “Well, I thought it was very gentlemen-like, Victorian Age even.” Catherine said appreciative.
“Well thank you.” Walter said, staring back at Duncan in victory. Duncan chuckled like he didn't care. Walter turned around and stared out the window. He was still creeped out by the 'LOL' incident. He tried any way he could to avoid contact with Catherine. But she was very persistent. She asked all sorts of questions: education, hometown, family, and hobbies. Walter gave simple and quick answers. “Well.... aren’t you going to ask anything about me?” Catherine said shockingly but with a hint of sarcasm. “Um...” Walter thought. He didn't want to talk to her anymore.
“Do you have any pets?” he finally asked.
“Yes, I do. I have this cute little fishy named, Mr. Gills.” Catherine replied in a baby talk voice, while pinching invisible cheeks. Walter laughed to himself out of pity. One pinch of a tiny pet fish and you would have the catch of the day.
So Catherine said Internet words out loud, and she pinches her fish's cheeks. Walter officially labeled her as insane. From that point on it was a silent ride back into the city. They parked at Grace's apartment. “You want to come in for some coffee, guys?” Grace asked.
“No thanks.” Walter said getting out of the car. “Duncan you should stay. I'll just go home.”
“Nah, come one man let's go in for a bit.” Duncan said waving him towards Grace's place. Walter shook his head violently and mouthed shouted, “NO!”
“Actually I have to be going. Photo shoots.” Catherine said still in the car. “Good night everyone...I had a great time.” She said her last words and looked at Walter then drove off. The three friends stood outside not saying anything for a bit.
“I have a friend in abstract art. Her gallery exhibit is Tuesday. You guys can come along with me.” Duncan said, planning ahead.
“Alright sounds cool.” Grace nodded with her arms folded.
“Abstract?” Walter said annoyed. “A toddler could do abstract art.”
“It's actually really cool and they have other art there if abstract isn’t your thing.” Duncan said overlooking Walter's skepticism.
“Fine.” replied Walter, giving up and sighing. “You want to hang out in the park on Monday, Grace?”
“Sure, I'll meet you after work then after the park we'll go the cafe.” she said.
“And I'll meet you guys there after I'm done at the studio.” Duncan said. Walter nodded and he and Duncan began to walk away.
“TTYL, guys!” Grace said.
“Don't even go there!” Walter called from over his shoulder. They heard Grace laugh as she went inside.
“Well that was fun.” Duncan remarked.
“Catherine was nice, but she's a basket case.” Walter said.
“Well I'll take her out.” Duncan said with joking arrogance.
“Don't mess with my woman!” Walter joked.
“Bring it on!” Duncan said getting in his fighting stance. They mocked fought till two attractive women came walking by, clearly older than them by a bit and way out of their league. They coughed nervously and began walking like they owned the sidewalk. The two women pointed and laughed as they walked away fast. “We got to stop doing that.” Duncan said disappointed in himself.