Jack & Tammy: I'm Asking You Out

Finley, the foster kitten, was picked up earlier in the afternoon by a couple. It was, they explained to Tammy, their Christmas gift to one another. While Tammy was relieved that Mr. Finley was getting a permanent home, she was sad to see him and his little white socks go. Who would she listen to records with now? She nursed her loss with a vigorous workout and tacked on an hour and a half yoga sequence to distract her mind from slipping into a pity-party. Finally she achieved some soreness, and a pulled muscle in her right thigh. The physical strain was a welcome change.

She ran a bath and sat on the edge of the tub as water filled, scrolling through her phone.

The water was slick with essential oils and coconut milk, courtesy of a bath bomb leftover from an office Christmas party. Once inside, she kicked her feet out so that she had enough room to slink down into the tub, water saturating her shoulders and neck.

Someday. One day. I’ll be able to afford a place with a decent bathtub. A real bathtub. I’ll be able to fully submerge.

She let a yawn escape her mouth and closed her eyes, losing herself in this future fantasy. Her mind drifted to the weekend where she thoroughly enjoyed meeting Jack. Her mouth curled into a gentle smile.

Her phone rattled along the tile of the bathroom floor. She sat up and leaned over the edge to read the display.

BANANA DANA

She dried a hand on her rumpled discarded jeans and answered the call, swiping to put Dana on speaker.

“Hey babe.” she sighed.

“Hey hey, how are you holding up?”

“Are you seriously calling to check in on me?”

“Of course I am. I know how damn close you and that cat were.”

“Mr. Finley and I were more than friends.”

“That’s a little bit gross.” Dana laughed.

Tammy splashed some water with her fingers.

“You know what I mean.”

“Of course I do. But also, if you liked the damn thing so much, why didn’t you keep it? Wait...are you in the bathtub?”

“Well by the time I really bonded with him, it was two weeks too late. I’d already found that couple...Megan and Melissa or something. I dunno. These basic girls. I can’t argue though, Finley liked them right away. And yes, I am in the bathtub.”

“Well. All the same, just wanted to check in and make sure you were doing alright. I’ll be up for the next few hours if you need anything. Just don’t stay in the bath too long, you fell asleep last time.”

“I won’t.”

“And don’t torture yourself with workouts! You’ll pull a muscle or something. I know you.”

“I won’t, I promise.” Tammy touched the tender part of her thigh with a pruned finger. Still sensitive.

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“Night Dana.”

“Night Tim-Tam.”

During the course of the call, the water had begun to cool slightly and Tammy’s exposed shoulders trembled. She sank back into her half-in half-out position, using her lower body strength to turn the faucet on with her left toe. Jets of sharp hot water shot through, straight to the bottom. Deposits of hot water flowed against the porcelain and quickly heated her hips and lower back. She sighed, calibrating to the newer warmer temperature.

Her mind drifted back to the party and for a moment she felt silly for approaching someone while a little bit tipsy, but decided ultimately it had been worth it. Even if they never arranged a first or second date, or spoke beyond that first engagement or shared a kiss, it had been worth the risk.

The tile rattled under the vibrations of her phone for the second time.

“Sheesh, Dana, codependent much?” she said aloud, leaning over the edge of the tub. Water dripped from her fingers as she reached for her phone.

JACK HANDSOME

She dried her hands again on the discarded blue jeans and swiped to answer the call.

“Hey. I have you on speakerphone by the way.”

“Oh no, I’d better clean up my act.”

“Yeah you’d better.” Tammy smiled ear to ear, rolling from side to side in the water and making baby waves.

“That’s too bad, I had national secrets to share.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Tammy chuckled. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Jack’s car door could be heard slamming in the background. “How is your week shaping up?”

“Uhh, not bad. A little of this, a little of that.”

“Oh yeah? A little of that, huh? You sound a little bit--”

“A little submerged?”

“I was gonna say down, yeah, but I guess that’s the same thing.”

“Damn, I was hoping that wouldn’t come through in my voice. No, it’s just that little foster kitten I told you about, she got picked up today.”

“Aww, that’s nice that she has a new home but it’s also kind of like you lost a little friend.”

“Yeah. She was my buddy for sure.”

“Well then, can I cheer you up by inviting you to breakfast with me? This Wednesday?”

Tammy sat up in the bath, the water splashing up against the lip of the tub.

“You know what, I can’t, I have an Uno tournament Wednesday morning--I’m kidding, of course I’ll have breakfast with you.”

Jack laughed heartily. She hadn’t heard his full laugh beyond a chuckle since the party and imagined his pointy canines being exposed as he smiled.

“Well, thanks for setting that aside for me. You know, it’s funny as you were saying that, I had a flashback to this sleepaway camp I went to in junior high and for the last day we were there we had a 15hour War tournament.”

“You’re shitting me.” Tammy cupped handfuls of bath water and ran them over her shoulders.

“I am not shitting you. It was truly of epic proportions. Guess who came out the winner?”

“Ohh, was it you?”

“Ah. To be continued. Do you know that place, what’s it called, Grimaldi’s? They do really cool weird breakfasts. Great coffee.”

“Yeah, I spent an entire summer there when I was writing freelance. You’re right they have the best coffee.” The flame of Tammy’s scented candle danced in the glass.

“Great. I can meet you there around 10? Is that too early?”

“No, 10 is perfect for me. I’m usually up after my run.”

“Cool, cool.” Jack trailed off. Tammy shifted uncomfortably in the silence. And then, “Hey, this is a weird question, but I’m hearing a lot of echo and splashing…”

“And…?”

“Are you talking to me from the bathtub?”

“To be continued. I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

“Fair enough,” Jack’s delightfully gravelly voice conceded. “Wednesday. Take care, Tammy.”

“You too, Jack.”

The call ended and Hanna raised her wet palms in front of her to inspect her fingers. Soft dimples and early wrinkles of pruning had taken hold at her skin. She studied them until they became chilly and then let them settle back into the water.