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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>1613 words<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter 16<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A second Look<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>After meeting with Veronica at the diner for breakfast, I arrived at Claudia’s apartment shortly before noon for lunch. Claudia was wearing a pretty blue sweater and a cute denim skirt, cut well-above her knees. Her athletic legs drew my eyes down, but I heard Veronica’s warning in my head and forced myself to look up at her smiling face. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Aren’t you off today?” she asked, wondering why I was wearing my uniform on a Sunday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I had to meet someone this morning and take a statement,” I replied.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Well, come on in,” she said, welcoming me with a warm smile. “I’m glad you accepted my invitation for lunch.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I removed my gun belt and draped it over the back of her kitchen chair before following Claudia into the living room. Hitching up my pant legs, I settled into the well-worn nubby couch. Claudia hesitated, so I patted the green cushion beside me. She assumed a seat near enough for me to cup her hand, but not close enough for our legs to touch.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Perched stiffly on the couch, Claudia said, “Can you forgive me, Robbie, for writing such an insensitive editorial about Doe Lake? I know that I haven’t been your favorite person since then …” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Funny,” I said. “You’re the second one who said that to me today.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Who was that?” Claudia looked puzzled. Don’t you get along with most everyone in town but me?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Actually, it seems that I’ve got a lot to learn about women,” I said. “Sorry we got off to a bad start. I’m not used to someone who speaks her minds so freely, you know, especially a liberated woman like you who’s not from around here.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Sorry, but I’m accustomed to speaking my mind,” Claudia said. “Moving to Doe Lake feels like I’ve traveled back to a time when women weren’t allowed to vote or pursue a career, unless it was nursing or teaching,” she added. “Maybe we can compromise,” she suggested. “I could acknowledge that Doe Lake should cherish its traditions and small town ways, while you could consider that moving forward isn’t all bad.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I am interested in moving forward with you,” I said, toying with Claudia’s slender fingers, “but I can’t promise to understand the women’s lib movement. Most country boys are simple when it comes to the ladies,” I added. “We’re used to wearing the pants, you know, being the protector and provider.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Oh, please. Life isn’t like the television show, ‘Father Knows Best,’ Claudia said. “It’s the 1970s. Men and women can work together as equal partners these days. You know, men benefit when women are permitted to pull their weight.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I’m learning,” I said. “But old-fashioned guys like me feel threatened by self-reliant girls like you who can take care of themselves. What would happen to the traditional family if all the women want to work instead of raising children?” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Claudia answered my question with two questions of her own. “Why can’t women have their cake and eat it, too? Men have it both ways, don’t they?” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Okay then,” I countered, “if women want it both ways, why do men always have to pick up the dinner bill?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“You’re hopeless,” she replied. “Let’s table this discussion until after lunch.” Claudia rose from the couch and I sheepishly followed her into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Her hands trembled as she laid out a simple menu of grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna salad, and potato chips on the table. After sitting, she folded and refolded her napkin. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ever so smoothly, I changed the subject. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Has Mr. K asked you to cover Doe Lake’s ice fishing competition next week?” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I’m planning to ski around the lake that day and take pictures of the event for The Messenger,” she said. “Are you competing?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Yes. In fact, I can offer you a front row seat,” I said. “I’ve got a shelter big enough for two. You can even dip a line through the hole yourself and see if you come up with a nice pan perch or pike.” Spreading my arms wide, I bragged, “Last year, I caught a two-foot Pike but only came in second place.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“How do you keep from freezing sitting on the ice all day?” Claudia asked.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I have a little propane heater, and I sit on a cooler while enjoying a six-pack of beer. We could keep each other warm in the shanty,” I suggested.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Why do you need a cooler to keep the beer cold if it’s freezing outside?” Claudia asked evasively.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“The cooler’s not for the beer. It’s for the fish,” I chuckled.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Let me think about it,” Claudia said. “It certainly would be a new experience for me. By the way, are women allowed to compete in the contest?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Well,” I hedged. “Women play an important role at the event. They keep the men warm, and they can help clean the catch.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Oh, please.” Claudia launched back into her women’s lib lecture. “Only men can compete for the prizes?” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Well, maybe I could ask the contest organizers to consider a special category for females next year,” I mumbled, stuffing potato chips into my mouth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Claudia stood and carried her half-empty plate to the sink. “Don’t do me any favors, Robbie,” she said, confronting me with arms crossed across her pretty chest. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Now, Claudia, be fair,” I said, standing up for myself. “No one has complained about the rules before now. It takes time to change traditions in a small town.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Some traditions are outdated,” she argued. “Do you think women in Doe Lake are mindless robots like the Stepford Wives? Tell me, Robbie. What exactly are you looking for in a woman, anyway?” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Well, the usual, you know,” I coughed into my fist to disguise my discomfort.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Someone to cook and clean and massage your ego?” she said. “Sorry, that’s not me.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Naw, that’s not what I mean,” I struggled to explain. “It’s just that good old boys like me are comfortable with things the way they are.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Just because a woman has her own opinions and ideas doesn’t mean she’s a man-hater, you know,” Claudia retorted. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“So, you don’t hate me?” I advanced and pressed Claudia into my arms, moaning with satisfaction. For one sweet moment, she melted into my embrace, but then, abruptly she pushed me away.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Don’t tell me you were with Gloria Vanderbilt this morning,” Claudia shouted, her face as red as a lobster.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Gloria Vanderbilt?” I asked, confused.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“I would recognize the aroma of Ronnie’s trademark perfume anywhere. You were with Veronica this morning, weren’t you?” Claudia accused.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Wait, I can explain,” I protested. “Veronica didn’t want anyone to know that I was with her earlier. She asked me to keep our meeting a secret.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Of course she did,” Claudia persisted. “She wouldn’t want me to know that the two of you were together.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“That’s not it,” I said, reaching for her again. “It was strictly business,” I tried to explain.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Business?” Claudia stepped away. “I know all about Veronica’s interest in funny business. This must have been the news she wanted to tell me about. Why did I think I could trust either one of you? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I tried to object, but Claudia was having none of it. Ready to escape the heat of her kitchen, I grabbed my gun belt from the chair.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Please leave,” she fumed, “and feel free to tell Veronica that her little secret is out.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Claudia pushed me out the door and the lock clicked behind me. Retreating down the stairs, I was disturbed by the sound of her muffled tears.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Damn it. I had blown it again, although I wasn’t quite sure what I’d done wrong. I had honored my promise to Veronica, but I had pissed off Claudia in the process. Sometimes, a guy couldn’t win, no matter how hard he tried. Should I have exposed Veronica’s secret to Claudia, or should I have refused to make a promise to Veronica. Women sure were complicated. If only men could get along without them, I thought. Perhaps local girls were easier to be around, after all. A simple woman like Chicky would be happy to keep me warm in a cold hut during the ice fishing festival, I thought.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph>* * *<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Claudia had fussed all night over what to wear after Robbie accepted her invitation to stop by for lunch the next day. She wanted to look attractive without looking like she was trying too hard. She was working to update her casual college clothes, but she couldn’t begin to compete with Veronica’s trendy wardrobe. At the last minute, she settled on a short denim skirt with a periwinkle wool sweater and matching knee socks.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It had been a bumpy road – moving alone across the country to a small town where she didn’t belong, vying against Veronica’s allure for Robbie’s attention, and then losing the town’s trust because of her offensive editorial. Her confidence was shaken. Unlike her mother who had sacrificed her dreams for marriage, or the women in Doe Lake who protected and preserved traditional family values, Claudia was hoping to find some kind of middle ground. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For a brief moment, Claudia felt cherished when Robbie cradled her hand on the couch. What a fool she’d been, Claudia thought, believing in friendship and love. Hadn’t she already learned the hard way that the fantasy of happily ever after was only true in fairy tales? In real life, there was only hurt and disappointment. Like a child gripping a magical balloon, she wanted to believe in love, but she knew all too well that dreams, like balloons, could burst.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal># # #<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>