Following my Valentine’s Day dating epiphany, I decided a girls’ night out was necessary, so last Friday I called on Nigella, who is one of my partners in crime and headed out with only one mission to accomplish–have a fantastic time sans romantic expectations (the best-laid plans of women and their friends, often go awry). Nigella and I became friends during college and immediately discovered a common bond based on a love of Latin men and affinity for dark sarcasm.
I also invited Ruby, though she had dinner reservations with her new mystery man. They had met recently though she was already walking around with that dopey, new romance grin on her face and I wanted to meet the guy who was responsible for making her smile in that way; however, Ruby was being extremely secretive…perhaps she didn’t want to place a jinx on the relationship at this early stage.
Nigella and I began our evening at the W Hotel, located on Lexington in Midtown. Cosmopolitan in hand, Nigella professed, to me, her love for the bouncer and swore that she would one day marry him…well, at least hook up with, if not marry. He was tall, dark, handsome and well…as protector of the gate, which led to Happy Hour bliss, he was built like a crazy bull; Nigella thought this was incredibly attractive and continued to swoon. I found this entertaining as I sipped a gin and tonic while suggesting Caribbean sites for Nigella’s and ”Raging Bull’s” nuptials.
Suddenly, a young man appeared to my right and asked if he could buy me a drink and we began chatting. He seemed fairly intelligent and creative, as he told me about his career as a chef working in Murray Hill. My conversation with Terry was going well; we laughed, joked and consumed many drinks. And where did Nigella go? Oh, there she is–SCORE! She is flirting with the bouncer.
Terry was about to ask to be excused so he could bum a cigarette outside the bar, though didn’t leave before picking my brain regarding the topic of smoking.
He asked, “Do you smoke?”
“No”, I replied, “Though I did until quitting two years ago.”
He replied, “Oh, are you going to hate me if I leave you here for a moment to get a quick nicotine fix?”
I laughed and said,”No worries, I understand the temptation to smoke when drinking; I won’t castigate you.”
Terry looked at me, with a look of sudden disgust, horror and confusion, turned on his heel, left me sitting at the bar, and never returned. I didn’t understand; what was his problem?? Was it something I said…oh yes, it must have been. I suddenly realized he didn’t recognize the word castigate, as in to scold severely…he interpreted the comment as “No worries, I understand the temptation to smoke when drinking; I won’t CASTRATE you.”
Yes, intelligent indeed.–Frankie
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