Charlie stood in the tiny bathroom of the apartment he shared with his wife Caroline & one of his best friend’s widow. “What’s the matter with you, Hailey,” he chided himself.
On his way home from work he made a stop in Brandstaetters for some tooth powder, it was the excuse he gave himself anyway. He had just heard Ginger, his Ginger, was dating Mutt. He needed to see for himself if she was happy or not. He stood outside for a second or two watching her hum to herself as she waited on customers. She walked into the backroom as the last customer stood to leave. She seems awful happy, Hailey. You would have thought it would have taken her longer to get over losing you, the man she had her heart set on marrying for as long as anyone in River Run could remember, an inner voice teased.
His inner voice sang:
Someday, when I'm awfully low
When the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight
“Shut up” Charlie muttered to himself. He pushed the door to Brandstaetter’s. Hearing the familiar bell alerting a new customers arrival, Ginger walked out of the backroom. Gosh she was even more beautiful than he remembered, Charlie thought. He always loved her in yellow, even though he told her he preferred blue.
The inner voice continued to sing:
Oh but you're lovely
With your smile so warm
And your cheek so soft
There is nothing for me but to love you
Just the way you look tonight
“We’re closing,” said Ginger when she saw Charlie.
Charlie replied, “I need some tooth powder.”
“It’s over there”
“Thanks.” Charlie couldn’t help look at her, how could he have been so foolish to fall under Caroline’s spell & leave his sweet Ginger. “So how are you?”
Ginger was standing at the cash register like she couldn’t wait to have Charlie out of her site. “Fine, thanks. How are you?”
The inner voice just kept on singing:
With each word your tenderness grows
Tearing my fears apart
And that laugh that wrinkles your nose
Touches my foolish heart.
Charlie tried to ignore the music in his head & continue his conversation with his beautiful Ginger. “Fine. I hear you’re sweet on Jeff.”
Ginger couldn’t believe her ears. “We’ve been keeping company, socially speaking, if that’s what you refer to,” she replied in a short tone.
“I guess,” Charlie said.
“That’ll be 20 cents”
Charlie reached in his pocket for a quarter. “So I think it’s swell you’re dating.”
Ginger was now thoroughly annoyed, “Well you’ll understand if your opinion of my social life is of little importance to me.” How dare he, Ginger thought.
The singing continued:
Lovely, never, never change
Keep that breathless charm
Won't you please arrange it
For I love you
Just the way you look tonight,.
“I’m just surprised it’s a ballplayer is all,” Charlie kept prodding.
Ginger reached up to give Charlie a nickel. “Here’s your change. Thank you for your patronage.”
Charlie felt a bit of electricity as her hand brushed his. He was heartbroken that she pulled away so quickly. “What’s it mean when a pitcher throws three & two.” Maybe if I point this out she will realize how mis-matched her & Jeff are, thought Charlie.
“Jealousy does not become you.”
Charlie was taken aback that she was reading him so transparently. “I’m not jealous.”
“We are now officially closed. Goodnight!”
Charlie wasn’t ready to give up yet. “I’m just surpr…”
Ginger wasn’t sure what Charlie was after but she was tired of his games. “GOODNIGHT,” she said again, more forcefully.
“Goodnight,” Charlie turned & walked out of Brandstaetter’s.
He had just returned home & went straight to the bathroom to wash up for dinner with Caroline, the thought made him lose his appetite, but he made his bed. He smoothed his hair into place, took one last look, “Goodbye, sweet Ginger,” Charlie muttered sadly.
The inner voice completed the last verse:
Just the way you look tonight.
He walked out of the bathroom, turning off the light |