Surprise Part 6

Taking over from K. K. Weil is Rebecca Grace

As the phone rang a third time, and then went to voice mail on the fourth ring, Greg sighed deeply. He wasn’t really surprised that Rachel didn’t want to answer his phone call. He could understand what she might be thinking. She probably regretted his having her number, knowing he could continue calling her. Perhaps a text was the answer. He hit the “End Call” button and started to tap in an apology but then stopped again. Why bother? She could ignore that too.

Looking down the crowded street forlornly, Greg considered his next move. He should have paid better attention when she walked out the door and when he left the café. With the streets so crowded it was impossible to see where she might have gone. Maybe he needed to get in touch with Marni again. His cousin could either arrange a meeting or she might even be willing to act as a go-between and set up a dinner party that included the two of them. He’d been uncertain about meeting Rachel before, but now, after that angry discussion with Justine, he no longer doubted that he was more than ready to move on. And he had enjoyed his brief encounter with Rachel. He definitely wanted the opportunity to get to know her better. He tapped the phone to attempt another call to her.  

This time on the second ring he heard Rachel’s voice in a tentative, “Hello?”

“Rachel! Thanks for answering.” Damn, that sounded stupid. He craned his neck looking up and down the street as he neared the next corner, hoping he had gone in the same direction. With his damn luck she had probably gone in the opposite direction.

“I can’t talk long,” she said in a breathless tone. “These dogs are really wacky today.”

“Where are you?” he asked, continuing to glancing around the area, hoping to catch sight of her distinctive chestnut hair. “I can meet you. I do still owe you coffee.” He tried to laugh, but it came out as more of a choking cackle.

“I wouldn’t want to take you away from your date,” she said in a slightly sarcastic tone.

He exhaled sharply, not at all surprised by her cool attitude. He could imagine what she might be thinking about the scene at the café. “I really would like the chance to explain what happened. That wasn’t a date or anything like that. I didn’t even know she was in town. I was as surprised to see her as you were. Or should I say as surprised as your dogs were.” He again tried to chuckle, but this time his breath caught in his throat and he almost choked and began coughing. 

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Gregory took a deep breath and cleared his throat. “Would you be sad if I wasn’t?” he replied, sensing a slight change in attitude.

Rachel laughed slightly, a sound he found he was starting to enjoy. “Well, …maybe a little. You are Marni’s cousin, and I’d hate to have to explain to her that I made you choke. Alison would probably choke me.”

“How are the dogs?” he asked, his eyes scanning the crowded street, still trying to possibly spot her if she had gone this way. She couldn’t have gotten too far away from the cafe, especially with the rambunctious dogs to contend with, and with each wanting to go in their own direction. “They look like a lively group. I really wanted to get to know them better.”

Now Rachel laughed gently. “Oh, they’re lively all right. They were more excited by your friend’s shoes,” she said with a sarcastic laugh. “I don’t think she appreciated them.”

“Well, yeah, she’s not a big dog fan. Unlike me.” His gaze continued to scan the area, searching for some sign of her. “Where are you? I’ll meet you. I’ll even spring for a few dog biscuits to keep the puppies happy while we talk.”

For a few anxious seconds there was no answer and he actually feared she had hung up.

“Rachel?” he finally asked to break the silence. “I really would like the opportunity to explain things to you … The truth is Justine has been out of my life for a while. She didn’t come to Chicago with me, and I’m not going back to New York with her.” 

There was no still answer and he glanced down at his phone screen. Damn, the call had dropped. His heart skipped. Had she hung up or had the connection been broken again. How much of that explanation had she heard?

The phone buzzed, but as he glanced down at it, he saw the text was from Marni.

How goes it? Don’t answer. Just have fun with Rachel. Enjoy! She could be verrrry good for you. You deserve some fun and a great woman! 

The message was followed by an emoji with a huge smiling face.

He sighed. Maybe he should call her and ask her to arrange a meeting.  One thing he had decided, he did want to see Rachel again. But as he debated with himself, he heard an anxious bark. His head jerked up. Across the street, Rachel was staring at her phone as the dogs yapped and tried to strain toward a man sitting on a bench with a hot dog.

She didn’t look happy and he found himself smiling.  But then again Rachel didn’t appear to be looking around for him. But it didn’t matter. He now knew where she was, and she hadn’t gone very far. He could easily intercept her. He walked to the corner and waited for the light to change. She was now occupied with the dogs who were leading her in another direction toward a small nearby park.

He watched her for a few seconds, finding himself enjoying the scene he was witnessing. She appeared to apologize as the dogs sniffed first at a woman’s purse and then once again at a man's newspaper and then they managed to wind their straps around a bench. Rachel was unfazed through it all, giving the beagles their leash and then apologizing as they yapped and continued along their merry way, exploring the area and trying to greet anyone who came near them.  

Gregory had once considered getting a dog, but Justine had quickly given a negative reaction. “Are you kidding? They’ll tear up the sofa! Do you know how much it will cost to keep getting the rugs cleaned? And the dog hair? It’ll be all over. And I hope you know I’m not walking him. Ever! Or feeding him!” In the end Gregory had given in and let her make the final decision.

Across the street Rachel appeared to be enjoying her pets, and as he approached the corner, he started to cross but the light changed and he had to stop. At the same time one of her dogs broke free and dashed away from her. Rachel shouted and ran toward the park, again disappearing from view.

“Gregory, I didn’t come all this way just to let you walk out on me!” Justine’s voice came from behind him as she grabbed his arm. 

What happens next?

1. Gregory breaks free and goes after Rachel and the dog
2. Rachel grabs the dog and disappears again
3. They both reach the dog at the same time

Please vote in the Comment section, choosing A, B or C by Tuesday at midnight.