Larson.”
“Café Juliet?”
“Yes, as a matter a fact, I am café Juliet.”
“Well, it’s nice to finally have a face with the name. I don’t know if you are aware of this, miss, but the good doctor here can’t stop talking about you. You have wrecked his world.”
Stanley once again showed signs of growing discomfort.
“Is that so? I am not sure I deserve the credit for wrecking someone’s world.”
“Take my word for it, miss, you are all he can think about. Besides, you know, being a doctor.”
Ben smiled a devilish grin at Stanley, then nudged him toward me. “My apologies for my colleague’s behavior, Miss Foster. He’s a bit of a goon.”
“Ouch, Stan! I’m just trying to help you out. God knows you will never get up the nerve to help yourself.”
Stanley was genuinely annoyed with his friend, which I found endearing. Maybe he wasn’t the type my mother had warned me about. I guess you could say that this was the first time that I became interested in Stanley Epstein.
Ben had made his way across the room and was standing with a tall pretty blonde woman. He motioned to Stanley to join them. Stanley turned to me, grasped my hand, bowed, and bid me farewell. I watched him walk away. Part of me was sorry to see him go.
* * * * *
Stanley was beautiful. He came into my life gently. Always the gentleman. I am sure that he put a lot of thought into asking me to have coffee with him that day in the café. I was so quick to turn him down. But Stanley had made up his mind about me, so I was later told. He would not be deterred. He would simply sit and order his coffee and bagel. Then give his attention over to whatever book he was reading or paper he was writing. I couldn’t help but stare and wonder about him. Occasionally, our eyes would meet. He would smile and give a friendly nod and continue with his routine. I did notice, however, the pink in his cheeks. Which told me he still had an interest in me. And although I didn’t want to have an interest in him, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Wanting, even hoping, he would invite me to sit with him for coffee again. But he didn’t. Day after day, he didn’t. I was surprisingly frustrated by this. I tried to put him out of my mind, but I couldn’t stop thinking about this man. When I could stand it no longer, I requested the day off and went to the café. I knew Stanley would be there at his usual time, sitting at his usual table. I arrived early and sat down at his table. I ordered his usual, times two. Then I waited. He walked in at exactly eight fifteen, just like I knew he would. He started toward his table, and there I was.
“Hello, Juliet. Looks like you have acquired my table. Does this mean I should find another?”
“Now that would really be a shame, considering I have already ordered you coffee and a bagel. I think maybe you should sit here and have breakfast with me.”
“That would be delightful. I would enjoy that.”
Stanley’s face lit up with excitement and relaxed with relief. I couldn’t help but reciprocate his reaction. From that day forward, we met for coffee every morning. If I was working, I would save my break time so that I could take it with Stanley.
Stanley said what he meant and meant what he said. He was very honest and straightforward. Serious and to the point. I never had to ask him what was on his mind because he shared his thoughts readily. I, on the other hand, liked to keep him guessing. I teased him playfully just to see his cheeks turn red.
I told him all about my dreams to be a famous actress. He listened intently, showing real interest in what I had to say.
“If anyone can do it, it will be you, Juliet,” he said sincerely.
Stanley decided that he wanted to be a doctor when he was nine. His interest began with the fascination of how his own body worked. Observing how injuries healed and the process from illness to recovery. He began going to the library, and instead of checking out comic books or adventure stories, he went for anatomy and physiology books. He became especially interested in the dynamics of the immune system. So, after he graduated high school, he began the long arduous process of becoming a doctor. He was intelligent, kind, and handsome with wavy black hair and some premature gray, soft brown eyes, dominant cheekbones, and a smart straight nose. He had a very manly look. Nothing pretty boy about him. Just refined male handsomeness which fit his personality. He was quiet and laid-back. This could easily be mistaken for being shy or weak. But Stanley was neither.
We both shared an enthusiastic interest in the great outdoors. We began planning hiking trips together when time could be found between us. He was quite skilled at everything outdoorsy. And because I lived alone in LA, he insisted on teaching me how to defend myself. This was how I found out that beneath all those button-up shirts and khaki pants was a strong capable body as well. I caught myself staring at him during our lessons and not minding the holds he would place me in while teaching me to get out of them. I began daydreaming about Stanley. Soon my thoughts and my days were consumed with being with him or thinking about being with him. I felt safe with him, trusted him. I loved him…
That’s when it happened. The breakthrough I was waiting for! I received a call from a producer out of New York City. He had seen me at an audition in LA and felt I would be perfect for the role of Sandy in the stage production of Grease. My answer was an emphatic yes! This would require me to move to New York. I would have to give up my job, my apartment. I would have to give up Stanley. The thought of that conjured up emotions that I preferred not to feel. But I was not going to let all my dreams go for him.
My mother was apprehensive but supportive about New York. She pulled together enough money for my airfare. Liam and Angela felt I was too young to be going off to New York alone and, once again, offered to send me to college. After much debate, Liam came through for me. He contacted a former colleague who now lived in Manhattan with his wife and kids. They were happy to have me come stay and be their live-in nanny. I would tend to their kids during the day. Which would leave my nights free to pursue my own interests. So it was settled. I was moving to New York.
Stanley arrived at eight fifteen, as usual. I was already at our table, coffee and warm bagels waiting.
“Good morning, Juliet.”
“Good morning.”
“I have something really important to address with you.”
My stomach did a flip. “Sounds serious.”
“Well, it is.”
“Okay, Stanley, what’s up? What is so serious?”
“You and I have been seeing each other now for three months. I have really enjoyed your company and want to continue to enjoy your company. I think very highly of you, Juliet. And because of this, I would like for you to meet my parents.”
I felt a wave of relief. “That would be great, Stanley. I’d love to meet your parents.”
“Dinner then, Saturday evening?”
“Okay, great. What time?”
“Seven good for you?”
“Seven sounds great.”
“Good, then it’s a date.”
“What should I wear?”
“I trust your sense of style, Juliet. You choose.”
“Okay, Stanley, my best leather and chains it is.”
He laughed, genuinely delighted by my sense of humor.
“So is that it? Is that what was so important?”
“Uh, yes, Juliet. I have to tell you, you are the first girl I have ever wanted my parents to meet. You are very important to me, Juliet.”
My stomach flipped again. Stanley must have picked up on it. His face was suddenly