A NIGHT OUT AT THE MOVIES - NOT!

"Such a coincidence meeting you two!" Estelle exclaimed, making herself comfortable in the empty seat next to Jean-Paul. "I've been dying to see this movie for a long time."

"Would that it could be arranged…"

"Sorry?" Estelle commented at Sheila's remark.

"I meant, of course, isn't everyone? Even more of a fluke since the film is playing in theatres all across town, and you just happen to pick this one! Will coincidences never cease?" Sheila added sarcastically.

"Go figure!" Estelle laughed, shrugging her shoulders.

"But Estelle – you phoned me twenty minutes ago from this theatre begging me to meet you. Remember?" Rhoda suggested.

"Didn't somebody offer to get popcorn? Estelle asked, attempting to diffuse an increasingly uncomfortable situation. "I like mine with lots of butter."

"Me too. Even though it makes my fingers yucky. I can't stand the feel of grease on my hands!" Rhoda said, staring at her hands and rubbing them together.

"Oh I wouldn't knock grease. It does have a place in the right situation," Estelle said, throwing her head back and laughing, while staring brazenly at Jean-Paul.

"Now that we've settled the popcorn issue. Just a drink for me, Jean-Paul," Sheila offered. "No ice."

There was limited conversation between them while they waited for Jean-Paul's return.

"It got great reviews," Estelle remarked, clearing her throat nervously. "Did you read that, too, Rhoda?"

"I heard that too," Rhoda agreed. "Yup – great review…"

"Full theatre," Estelle continued, glancing around. "Hey - isn't that Al over there?"

"I can't tell. Maybe."

"You forgot your glasses again, didn't you, Rhoda?"

"Duh, I can see a big screen without them," Rhoda answered sarcastically.

"It is Al and that's Moliz with him," Estelle said. "Shoot! He's coming over here. Pretend you don't see him."

"I'm not pretending. I can't," Rhoda answered. "Why? You broke off with him last year."

"Just do it, okay?"

"Hello there, ladies!" a well-built male wearing an Australian outback hat stopped at their aisle. "Haven't seen you since…"

"…a long time," Estelle quickly jumped in. "Time does fly when you're having fun. Still broadcasting the oldies-but-goodies on the radio?"

"That I am, m'dear. Of all people to meet. D'ya still have that Australian whip I gave you? Remember when we…"

"…so, are you alone?" Estelle jumped in quickly.

"I'm here with Moliz. You remember Moliz?"

"We met her before. Who's that seated on her right?" Estelle asked, stretching her neck to get a good look and waving at Moliz.

"Me and Sharky are sharin' her tonight."

"Not surprised. Moliz always did believe in the more, the merrier."

"Hey-hey! We're just friends out for a nice evenin' at the movies," Al winked in response to the remark. "Better get back over there. Don't wanna give Sharky an unfair advantage. Why don't you give me a ring and we can re-live old times? We were always good together."

"Look at that! The movie is gonna start in two minutes! Always an experience seeing you, Al!"

As they watched him make his way back to his seat, Jean-Paul returned, his arms filled with their popcorn and drinks.

"Sorry to take so long but there was a long line up," Jean-Paul said, as Sheila stood up and grabbed a container of popcorn and drink.

"Here – let me help you with that," Estelle offered taking two boxes of popcorn and handing one to Rhoda. "You do have such…manly hands, Jean-Paul. So strong yet so smooth to the touch."

Estelle rubbed her hand across Jean-Paul's palm and he didn't make any move to remove his hand.

Sheila found herself unable to focus on the screen and instead watched Estelle at the corner of her eye. She debated whether or not she should take a chance and make a move to hold Jean-Paul's hand and as she gently reached over, she saw Estelle holding Jean-Paul's right hand.

"Just looking for a napkin," Sheila stammered, taken aback with Estelle's brazen forwardness.

"Here – I have some extras," Rhoda stretched and handed them to Sheila. "A person can't have enough napkins when you eat buttered popcorn."

Anger seethed through Sheila's body and then her eyes welled up with tears.

"Um…you know, Jean Paul – I suddenly have this terrible migraine. Whenever I get one, the best thing to do is to go home and sleep it off," Sheila said while sniffing and wiping her now dripping nose with the back of her hand.

"I know where you're coming from. Of course we understand. Go back to the apartment and nurse your migraine, sweety. We can manage on our own, can't we Jean-Paul?" Estelle said, excitedly.

"I am very sorry for you, that you have a headache," Jean-Paul responded removing his hand from Estelle's, genuine concern in his voice. "Don't forget our breakfast with Moliz. You will be there, yes?"

Estelle had a triumphant look of a conqueror as Jean-Paul waited for a response.

"Count on it. Of course I'll be there – wouldn't miss it for the world! See you back at the apartment, Estelle?"

"I hope you feel better," Rhoda said, stuffing her mouth full of popcorn.

As she walked back to the apartment, she realized that she and Estelle could be sharing more than just a place to live.


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A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES TIMES FOUR

Arriving at the Multiplex, Sheila spotted Jean-Paul standing near the ticket booth, hands buried in his jean pockets. Walking slowly towards him she noted his cool dressing style with a short leather jacket worn collar up and jeans that hugged in the right places.As she approached she saw traces of white powder on the jacket sleeves.

"Bad dandruff problem?" she asked, her voice flirtatious, brushing some of the powder away with her hand.

He greeted her with a broad smile that displayed perfectly white teeth.

"Oh mon Dieu! Pastry flour! That is one of the bad things when one is a baker," he responded, his voice a mix of concern and embarrassment. "You sometimes take the work home with you!"

They both laughed as Sheila helped him brush the flour off his jacket sleeves, noting the firm muscles beneath.

"Don't stop now," Jean-Paul laughed, taking her hand into his.

She felt her face get warm, an indication that she was blushing. His deep blue eyes seemed to penetrate her soul, seemingly amused at his ability to unnerve her. She reacted by quickly removing her hand.

"I make you nervous, yes?" he asked, his voice expressing genuine puzzlement. "It was not what I desired."

"Just want to clean the flour off my hands," Sheila quickly jumped in, rubbing her hands together and blowing on the palms. She felt embarrassed and frantically searched for something to say to defuse the uncomfortable situation.

"Wow – almost time to go in," was the best she could come up with. Glancing down at his hands, she recalled how warm and soft they felt covering hers.

"I bought tickets for us," he said holding them up and then quickly returned his hands into his pockets, "to save time. Is okay with you?"

"You didn't have to. I mean – you didn't have to pay for the two of us… I'll pay half…"

She could see by the surprised expression on his face that this was the wrong thing to say.

"I ask you to accompany me so it is I who should pay. No?" his voice taking on a slight edge. The silence between them that lasted ten seconds but felt like an eternity ended suddenly with the mention of her name.

"Sheila Fraser as I live and breathe. Haven't seen you in must be…"

"…a long time," Sheila added, thankful that someone interrupted the awkwardness. "What in the world are you doing here? I heard you were living in Georgia!"

"I was but we d-i-v-o-r-c-e-d last year and I figured there was probably more a-c-t-i-o-n back here, if you get my drift. Who is this delightful guy standin' by your side?"

"Jean-Paul – this is my friend, Moliz. We went to school together…"

"…a long time ago," her friend Moliz laughed. "Jean-Paul. Isn't that a f-r-e-n-c-h name?"

"That is because I was born in France," he answered. "Have you ever visited France?"

"Honey – the closest I ever got to anything French was when Billy Joe Stuckey stuck his tongue down my throat at the Tuckerville picnic. As if that wasn't bad enough, the j-e-r-k had just finished competing in the garlic eating competition."

"Too much information! Moliz was our school spelling champion for four years running," Sheila added. "Um…we better go in now. The movie is going to start in 5 minutes."

"We really gotta get together, girl. Wanna do lunch tomorrow – and bring along Jean-Pauly here."

"Why don't I call you," Sheila said grabbing Jean-Paul's arm leading him into the theatre.

"I have a wonderful idea. Why don't we all of us meet at my bakery tomorrow for croissants and coffee? There are a few tables and we can get to know each other better," Jean-Paul suggested, handing Moliz a card. "Should we say…ten o'clock?"

"You own a bakery, JP honey? How lucky can you get, Sheila? All that delicious french pastry if you get my drift. I just can't wait to taste those – um – whad'ya call them – cross-ants?"

"And I shall make many varieties. Good bye sweet lady."

"Oh you charmer! Au reev-are! I learned that in French class along with…"

"Good bye, Moliz."

"I am looking forward to our breakfast tomorrow," Jean-Paul said, lifting her hand and gently kissing it.

"I think I've died and gone to heaven!" Moliz responded before disappearing into the crowd again.

"She is a funny person, your friend, Moliz! I like funny people!"

"She's…just…the best," Sheila said. This evening was definitely not going as she had hoped.

There wasn't much conversation between them as they waited for the movie to start.

"I will go get us some popcorn" Jean-Paul said, standing up.

She felt a poke in her shoulder.

"Go figure that I would meet you two here! I mean, what are the chances?"

"Yeah. What are the chances, huh?" Sheila repeated, glaring at Estelle.

"Me and Rhoda here just had to see this movie. Didn't we Rhoda?"

"Yeah… I guess so," Estelle's friend Rhoda said, a puzzled look on her face.

"So? What's new? Hey – two empty seats! D'ya mind if we sit next to you guys? Scoot on in Rhoda! Who's buying the popcorn? I like mine with butter."

Sheila had not counted on a date-for-four on their first outing together.


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