Overcast Skies

Among the universal events recognized as difficult to endure, the nervous “first date” transcends culture, geography, epoch and sexual orientation. We all know that the truth is somewhat grim when it comes to first dates. Even for couples that start off as friends and grow into love there is still a moment when a “first date” occurs. In reality there is no such thing as a great first date because nerves and anticipation are common to us all.


Jack Grade picked up the telephone and called Leesa Mitzvah one rainy morning and asked her out on a date. In a confident manner he reminded her about their conversation at Ardie’s and their mutual admiration of Miss Adelaide Cousins and her artistic output and then he asked her to join him for supper on Friday night. After a truly delicious meal at a truly remarkable restaurant—a quiet bistro known to local foodies—he would be thrilled to offer coffee and dessert at home and reveal his Adelaides in glorious, personal detail.


Leesa only increased his ardor and determination when she politely declined his invitation because she didn’t like to miss Friday night supper with her family. Jack was wounded but by no means off the battlefield. A born charmer he counter offered a Saturday night date with a movie tossed in for good measure; she accepted the supper but thought a movie would be too much on top of the dessert and art expo already planned.


Jack spent the rest of the afternoon in a happy state of mind that was improved when he received a text message from Leesa with her cell phone number; she didn’t think he had it. She was nobody’s fool.


The news of this impending rendezvous quietly became known as one person and then another learned of it. Jack Grade called the office to ask a question about the provenance of one of his paintings and during the call admitted that he had to know by Saturday night; he was entertaining.


I followed up with Miss Cousins directly who immediately suspected that Jack was about to sell a painting and wanted to know who was “in the market” for some of her works. I was instructed to place a call to Jack and connect him—pronto—to Miss Cousins.


The conversation itself was as pleasant as a weekend away. Naturally interested in discussing art at any time it was only natural that Miss Cousins would call Jack personally to discuss the particulars of his art. She had an almost photographic memory when it came to her artistic efforts and Miss Cousins could answer any questions he had.


Jack confessed that he had invited Leesa Mitzvah to view his small art collection but was—how embarrassing to admit to Adelaide Cousins—vaguely ignorant of the history and story of his paintings; anything for art.


Adelaide Cousins was happy to tell him everything.


Jack was learning about art while Ardie and Beebe were supervising the now frantic remodeling taking place at 12B. With the workmen gone it was an empty apartment that they wandered through discussing the placement of furniture—with the increased living space Ardie was able to raid his showroom and display antiques long hidden from view—as well as the generous size of the rooms. The foyer was singled out for special treatment.


Ardie had commissioned a new floor of inlaid marble in a diamond pattern with a vaguely trompe l’oeil effect that Beebe admired. Ardie passed the torch to Beebe who took a long pull.


I arrived home to find a note from Ardie slipped under my door. 7A was becoming more like home to me every day. Delighting in my new digs I had become something of a recluse, content to enjoy the space and dream big. It was mine, after all.


Ardie's note invited me up to 12B for a drink and to take "pot luck" with him on a cold autumn night--if I didn't have plans.


I had a shower and called Ardie to accept; getting to 12B meant taking the elevator to the lobby and then calling upstairs so that Ardie could "buzz" me up and the elevator would then deposit me right inside his apartment.


The smell of marijuana was strong as I stepped off the elevator to see Ardie and his sister--she was stoned, too--sifting through moving boxes from Ardie's previous home. Beebe wasn't staying for supper but she did seem genuinely happy to see me again, recalling our previous introductions at work and Miss Cousins' apartment.


"I spoke with your son today, Mrs Grade," I said.

"Everyone calls me Beebe; you should too," she replied. "How is my Jack today? He didn't call his mother so I'll get my news from you."

"Hosting an art exhibit, I gather, and he wanted to ask Miss Cousins about a specific painting. I recently edited a new catalogue and we had the information at our fingertips. Someone will be getting an earful about it this Saturday," I said.

Ardie smiled and announced that it was time for a drink. "Art is for lovers, Beebe, I am always telling you that," he said.

Beebe said nothing.