Page 21 of You Spin Me

JESS

I’ve decided that Cal and I need to get to know each other. Part of me wishes I knew what he looks like, but at the same time it’s nice that he can’t see me. Like, right now, my makeup’s gone, my hair’s in a messy bun and I’m in my rattiest sweats—the ones I can’t wear in public because of the mysterious stains on the backside. On the phone with Cal, I can stretch on the floor in comfort while we chat instead of pretending to look interested while a guy talks endlessly about himself. I can be myself.

I play so many roles these days, both on and offstage, that I’m actually not sure I know how to be that girl, but on the phone with Cal feels like a safe place to try.

Cal seemed wary when I suggested we play twenty questions, but I’m going to do my best to make it fun. “Okay, I’ll start. Nothing huge. Just the basics, like what’s your favorite TV show? Do you watch TV? Maybe you don’t since you work nights.”

“I watch sports on weekend afternoons.”

“Ugh, sports. Such a guy.” I make sure I put a tease in my voice because I know how guys are about their teams. “What about Sunday night? I’m guessingMacGyver.”

“Actually, I’m kind of aMoonlightingfan.”

“Really? That is interesting.”

“What’s so interesting about that?

“It’s, you know, romantic.” I’d never admit it, but I love a guy with a romantic side.

“Romantic? It’s a mystery show.”

“Uh-huh. You keep telling yourself that.”

“I most certainly will. What about you?” I’ve always loved how you can hear emotion in a person’s voice, but with Cal, I depend on it even more since I can’t picture him. Right now, I’m getting a flirty color from him that makes me want more.

Not only is it distracting, I’m stumped for an answer. “I don’t know why I asked this question. I barely watch TV because of my schedule. I get home too late.”

“Can’t you tape shows you want to watch?”

“I could if my VCR wasn’t broken. Now I have to wait for my brother to decide he needs the latest model so he’ll give me his old one. Meanwhile, I’m stuck watching whatever’s on if I want to watch anything.”

“What would you be watching if you weren’t talking to me?”

“Um, tonight, probablyThirtysomething, but I would’ve missed the first fifteen minutes, so maybe not. I’ll have to catch up on the reruns this summer. Otherwise, I’ll never know if Hope has another baby or if Nancy and Elliot go through with their divorce, or?—”

After his snort of laughter, I go for playful defensiveness. “Are you laughing at me?”

“Of course not.”

“Yes, you are.”

“I’m not. I have no idea who those people are.”

“They’re my TV friends. Don’t you have TV friends?”

“Yes, but…” Trailing off, he clears his throat.

“Oh, ho. Cal has TV friends he’s ashamed of.”

When he doesn’t say anything, it’s my turn to laugh.

Joining me he asks, “Who’s laughing at who now?”

“Come on, you have to tell. Is it Big Bird? Oscar the Grouch? I could totally see that.”

I have to wait for the answer while he puts me on hold to do his actual job, but when he returns, he jumps right back in. “When I was little, I definitely identified with both of those guys, but I have managed to move on fromSesame Streetsince then.”

There’s still a smile in his tone, so I press on. “Then are your TV friends game show people or soap opera people?”

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