The Second Chance Ch. 07

Yet despite his changed appearance, Robert's natural attractiveness remained undeniable. His strong jawline and well-defined facial features continue to captivate my attention. However, I detected a subtle change in his countenance--an underlying weakness and vulnerability.

Immediately Robert took in my image. Then his piercing black eyes stared into my eyes with no hint of emotion. He peered into my eyes a second before he forced himself to glance away towards Jake. I could see his face struggling to remain neutral after seeing my appearance. The struggle was unlike my husband who would have ordinarily greeted a new friend with a smile.

Upon seeing his stone cold poker face my own pain welled up inside me. I could not help but feel a pang of nostalgia as I observed the man I still loved. I wanted to go up and hug him and erase his suffering, change him back to the optimist he once was. But as my gaze lingered on him, I recognized that Robert had seeme to have undergone a transformation, both internally and externally. The wounds inflicted by our separation and my my betrayal had left their mark and had given rise to a weary, more reserved, introverted version of the man who had loved me and who was trying to move past the hurt.

"Looks like your friend is here. " Said Robert as Jake turned and his jaw dropped. Robert stood and pulled Jake by the shirt indicating he should not forget his manners and stand up for his date. Stacy was shocked at my beauty. She never expected Jake to catch such a hottie. She was just looking at me with a blank expression. Then, it soon turned into a green-eyed look of envy!

Robert immediately spoke up, "My name is Robert, so pleased to meet you. Jake here was telling us you share interest in the Philharmonic."

No sooner had Robert begun a conversation than Stacy interrupted, "I am Stacy, Robert's girlfriend. I am so pleased to meet you. Jake told us what an attractive woman you are indeed, but I must say he underestimated you in every respect. Stacey scooted over closer to Robert to make room for me on the other side of her, "Come sit beside me and let us chat."

She cleverly made sure that she would be between me and Robert protecting her investment. Jake was on the other side of the table, which was fine with me. I didn't want his body so close to me. I knew Stacy was going to probe me for weakness and then estimate how attracted I was to Jake. I at once saw the jealousy in her eyes and realized that she was worried about me because she did not want to lose control over her lapdog Jake to his new girlfriend who was hotter than she was.

"So, Jean, I understand you are a nurse looking to work here in New York City?"

"Well, yes, I love the Big Apple. I think it would be nice to continue my career here. I have been a floor nurse but also have experience in the CCU and the cardiac catheterization lab."

Robert who had been staring at me immediately spoke up, "My wife Anne O'Callaghan is a nurse practitioner at Columbia and I'm a hospitalist there."

"Darling, you mean your soon to be ex-wife," exclaimed Stacy.

Robert looked embarrassed, "Well yes, my ex-wife was working there."

Stacy interrupted him again, "Yes, his ex-wife is recovering from a car accident. We just found out that she was discharged two weeks ago. So now the divorce proceedings can get underway. I called the process server and gave him the go ahead. She should be served soon."

"You did what? I told you that we would wait until she is recovered from her accident." Said an upset Robert.

I smiled to myself knowing full well that in my new body, I could evade the process server easily. He would have a difficult task trying to find Anne O'Callaghan. Robert looked at me with an embarrassing smile.

Stacy went on, "Robert, she is out of the hospital and therefore must be fine. Well, perhaps she has more than a few scars on her face and is walking around with a cane, but I don't think what she looks like should matter to you anymore. She is just going to have to work harder on picking up guys to hook up with, "she said with venom.

I just chuckled to myself, "If only she knew that nothing could be further from the truth."

"If you don't mind me asking Robert what happened between you and your wife to end your marriage?" I asked innocently.

"It is a long story, but we are separated, and I must sue for divorce. I thought she was a wonderful woman, but she was deceitful, and she was unfaithful," Robert said this with a look of remorse.

"She was never a wonderful woman, Robert! She is a slut, and my Robert here does not deserve a cheating slut wife who was cheating with multiple men and even having orgies!" Stacy said crudely while patting Robert's arm.

"How dreadful," I said feigning a look of disbelief. There was a moment of awkward silence before anyone spoke.

I could see the pain on Robert's face. I could see how Jake was desperate to change the subject. I could tell Jake was uncomfortable talking about Anne. Probably because he felt guilty about telling Robert all those lies about me in high school, none of what he told Robert about Anne O'Callaghan sex life was true. He certainly played a key role in my betrayal.

Finally, Stacy's voice broke the silence, "Well, it will all be over soon and then Robert and I can plan our future together." Stacy said with finality.

Robert struggled to compose himself. Then, turning towards Stacy, he spoke softly, "Stacy honey I don't think now is the time to discuss it. Let us not bother Miss Sutton with the sordid details of my life."

Then he looked at me, Miss Sutton I am acquainted with Arnold Wells, the nurse recruiter for the New York Presbyterian hospital system. I could introduce you to Arnold. He is always looking for talented nurses!" Robert said with a glint in his eyes.

I recognized that look in his eyes because he had given Anne O'Callaghan that same look of love at first sight that he was now giving Jean Sutton. I did not know whether to be hurt or flattered. My husband was looking at another woman star struck and yet the other woman was me!

"That would be great Robert!" I said gleefully. I noticed Stacy was eyeing me with suspicion.

"When might you be available?" I asked to make an extra effort to contain my enthusiasm.

"I have a day off Thursday. You could swing by the hospital. I could meet you in the lobby. I would have to check with Arnold schedule of course." He said beaming.

I could see the look of worry on Stacy's face. She spoke up,"Robert, I thought we could do something together Thursday." She said questioning.

"Oh Stacy, I just want to introduce her to the hospital. We can have the whole afternoon to ourselves." He retorted.

"Please don't let me interfere with your day off Robert. I could go by myself really," I offered.

"Oh, don't be silly. We will work something out." He said.

Jake then spoke up, "Stacy we should all help our nurse friend here get a job in the Columbia Presbyterian hospital."

After seeing how both Jake and Robert were supporting me, Stacy relented. "I did not mean to say not to help her, of course I want you to help her find a position on the staff at Columbia. I just thought Robert that you might do it a different day."

"Thank you all," I said, "you are all being genuinely nice to me. Please do not go out of your way on my behalf. I do not want to be any trouble, really."

"Nonsense Jean, my friends will help you. Robert will introduce you to the nurse recruiter." Said Jake.

"Thank you so much. I do not know how to thank you for your kindness."

Then, Jake smiled and reached into his pocket and pulled out two tickets. "You can thank me by coming to the theater tonight with me. I bought us two tickets to see South Pacific tonight after dinner. I wanted to surprise you with the tickets." He spoke.

"Oh, you're going to love it darling," said Stacy. "Robert and I went to see it last month and it was really awesome."

"Why Jake, I. do not know what to say. That is so kind of you, thank you. Of course, I would be delighted to go with you tonight."

Robert said, "What a pleasant surprise Jake. Jean you are going to love it. I love the theater, Lincoln Center, especially the opera. Anne and I used to go regularly," Robert said in a wistful tone.

When my Robert said that I remembered all the good times we had together. I spoke up," Oh I adore the opera, I blurted out, "I love Verdi and Puccini most of all. "Nessun Dorma" is my favorite aria," I said without thinking.

Robert's eyes glowed with enthusiasm when I mentioned Calaf and his famous aria from Puccini's Turandot.

"That was Anne's favorite aria as well!" Robert said looking into my eyes. His gaze seemed to ignite recognition, something in my eyes had triggered something in his memory. His eyes said he was thinking he knew me from somewhere. I could tell.

In a panic, before he could ask me, I turned my head to avert his gaze and said, "Sounds like your ex-wife is a romantic." I offered.

"She was a romantic all right, just for too many different guys!" Interrupted Stacy wanting to change the subject from the opera which she knew nothing about and away from Anne O'Callaghan.

Robert shot Stacy a look of disdain. Maybe Robert was having second thoughts about Stacy. I got a sense that he felt his current situation was all wrong.

After our discussion about the opera, the mood at the table seemed to improve. Robert's seemed happier than before as he chatted pleasantly with everyone at the table. Stacy tried to dominate the conversation, but Robert would frequently include me in the discussion. Jake engaged me in conversation as well competing for my attention, but Robert never let Jake talk with me alone. Neither of them was giving much attention to Stacy who was becoming increasingly hot under the collar.

Finally, the time arrived to go to the theater and Jake told me we should get started if we didn't want to miss the first act. Stacy was elated.

"Enjoy the evening you two," she said as we stood to go. Robert rose to his feet as well, "Thank you Jean for a pleasant evening and a interesting conversation. I am looking forward to our meeting at the hospital on Thursday morning," he added.

Stacy quickly asked, "Mind if I tagged along Robert? I would love a tour of the hospital as well. That is if you do not mind?" she said looking at me.

"Of course not Stacy," I reassured her. I would love seeing you again with Robert."

I sensed that Robert was reluctant to invite her along, but he responded politely. "Of course, you may come Stacy. Then maybe afterwards we could take a walk around the area and get some lunch together."

I was disappointed to hear the bitch invite herself, but at least I was getting another encounter with my husband and a second chance to interact with him and gain his trust. Somehow, I had to find a way to prove to Robert the evil scheme that Stacy and Jake had plotted to destroy our marriage. Their actions had thrown me into depression and nearly killed me.

Jake is a tall, muscular man with short brown hair and a warm smile. He was always a good-looking guy to be seen with. He started out as a gentleman as we walked out to grab a cab to the Vivian Beaumont Theater of the Performing Arts at Lincoln center, he held the door open for me.

In the cab he was all smiles and he talked about how many people neglected their bodies for family and work. It was important to maintain good fitness He told me how he liked jogging, hiking and biking. I told him I liked to go hiking and he immediately suggested he could come up to Westchester to go hiking with me. He was trying to secure a second date with me before we had a chance to finish our first. I really was not relishing the thought of going out into the middle of a forest alone with Jake. But I pretended to be interested to keep up my game.

The musical was stupendous. I was enjoying it until Jake was no longer acting the perfect gentleman. During the concert, he put his hand on my thigh. It was only our first date, and he was being way too bold. I immediately felt a flashback to when I was on the bed with Stacy and that swinger Joe was making out with me. I remembered how I let Joe caress me and his lips on mine as he heavily petted my boobs, ass and then... oh God Robert, my face flushed, and I began to sweat.

I whispered to him, "Please Jake, you're making me feel very uncomfortable!"

Jake feeling embarrassed removed his hand with an apology so loud that caused the people in the audience around us to say a loud "Shush!"

During the intermission he left me for a minute to buy me a drink. I forgot the incident with his hands on my thigh and tried to be pleasant. No sooner had Jake left me to buy drinks, I was approached by two good looking men. One was wearing khaki pants, an open dress shirt and light blue jacket and the other had a light grey suit. They were both tall and ruggedly handsome men.

"Good evening, miss. We couldn't help but notice your radiant beauty from across the room. We were wondering if we could have the pleasure of your company and make your intermission even more delightful."

"Indeed, we're quite taken aback by your elegance and grace. We thought we'd seize this opportunity to introduce ourselves. I'm Bruce and this is my mate, Michael.

"And who might you be, lovely lady?"

Flattered by their attention, I return their warm smiles and reply confidently.

"Thank you for your kind words. I'm Jean, It's a pleasure to meet you both.

Michael and I are here from Sydney. It's our first trip to New York and we are both on the Australia national rugby union team. We are both looking forward to a pint after the show and we would love to have you join us." he said confidently.

As they were trying to convince me to go out with them, I spotted Jake walking towards us maneuvering two fluted glasses of champagne through the crowd, I timed my next remark so Jake could hear it.

"Bruce, this nightclub you mentioned sounds exciting, but I am on a date with a really handsome man who deserves my undivided attention."

Jake heard what I just said. He smiled and said to them, "Yes gentlemen this woman is taken. Enjoy the rest of the show."

Jake quickly ushered me away from them to a secluded spot with our drinks. Those guys eyed Jake with envy as we left for the balcony overlooking the theater's lobby.

"Are you enjoying the show Jean?"

"Why yes, I am. It is actually a very good performance. South Pacific has so many memorable songs. Everyone knows "Some Enchanted Evening," but there is also "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," and "There is Nuthin' Like A Dame" that you forget are associated with the musical," I said.

"Yes, I like a lot of different music genres, but there is something timeless about these songs.' Jake commented.

"Yes, every single song was a hit in our parents' days." I spoke.

"Try our grandparents' days, "laughed Jake.

We stopped talking for a moment as I looked at the people below. I remembered the last time Rob took me here. It seemed ages ago. He had been working all day until late in the hospital but he insisted on going like he had planned. I remember how he struggled to stay awake for the show. He was so loving. He couldn't bear to disappoint me and cancel our date. When we went out for drinks afterwards I remembered how he ordered a coffee for himself so that he could stay awake and enjoy the evening with me.

Jake interrupted my train of thought. "Yes, the music is timeless, but the story is so bizarre. Imagine Nellie Forbush not wanting to marry Emile de Becque because his children are a mix of Polynesian and French."

"Oh my God, "I said. "The attitude towards race was so different back then and it was only 75 years ago."

"Who do you think is the best singer thus far?" He asked me.

"Of course, I like Nellie, after all she is a nurse and Kelli O'Hara is a stunning actress with a beautiful voice, "I said smiling.

"Yes, she is extraordinarily talented, and she looks pretty even from where we are sitting. She could have dated anyone of the men in the show," replied Jake.

"Do you think that sailor Joe Cable was attracted to Nellie in the musical?" I asked.

Jake raised his eyebrows in surprise before responding, "That's an interesting question. I'm not sure, what makes you think that?"

I shrugged. "Well, I couldn't help but notice that he seemed to get pretty upset when he found out she was dating Emile. And he seemed to be very protective of her, even though they didn't have much interaction on stage."

Jake nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I can see where you're coming from. But I think it's also possible that he was just upset about the idea of cute American woman being in a relationship with a Frenchman and not necessarily romantically inclined towards her. Besides, he had his island woman.

I nodded in agreement. "That's a good point.

"But if I were writing it, I think she should have stuck with Joe Cable." Jake said smiling.

"Why do you think that?" I asked.

"Well, Emile de Beque has baggage from another marriage, and a young, beautiful nurse, like that, well, you know, she should have a fresh start with a man. I kind of like Joe Cable because he is daring and adventurous..."

"And he is handsome like you," I blurted out with a chuckle.

"And you are more beautiful than Kelli O'Hara," he replied.

Then he added, "I would not be surprised if people started asking for your autograph after the show is over." He chuckled.

"Why thank you Jake. But aren't you forgetting one thing?"

"And what is that, Jean?"

"That Joe lost everything. He loses his Tonkinese girlfriend because of his own prejudice and then running away from her he loses his life."

"Well, if Joe had seen that he would be better off with the pretty Nellie everything would have worked out differently for him. I can see plainly who my dame should be, I am not blind," he joked looking into my eyes.

"My father always told me that real beauty runs deep Jake." I replied, returning his gaze.

I don't think he caught my meaning because he just said, "Jean why don't we go for a drink before I take you back to the station.

"Alright Jake but just one, it's getting late," I said.

So, after the show we went for a drink at "La Aria" a wine bar not too far from Lincoln Center. As we walked past Cafe Fiorello, I remembered it as the Italian restaurant where Robert first proposed marriage to me. I felt my eyes tearing up as I recalled how happy I had been that night.

Now here I was wondering around Lincoln Center with another man. I felt so sad to be walking past that restaurant with Jake as my date, a man who I had dumped in high school because he was so vain and shallow. A man who I was forced to pretend to like so I could spy on him under cover.

The wine bar had dark wooden paneling and candlelit tables. We settled into a table secluded in the corner and started chatting. I tried to be charming and engaging.

If he thought he was getting somewhere with me, I felt confident that I could get him to give me more information.

"So, Jake, what did you think of the show?"

Jake took a sip of his wine before answering. "I thought it was great. The actors were really talented, and the music was fantastic."

I nodded in agreement. "Yes, the music was definitely a highlight for me. I love how they incorporated so many different styles, from traditional Polynesian music to classic Broadway tunes."

Jake raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You really do know a lot about music, don't you?"he said while giving me a look of admiration.

I chuckled. "Well, I'm a nurse, not a music critic, but I do love to listen to different kinds of music in my free time."

Jake smiled. "That's great. It's nice to meet someone who has the same interests as I do. And by the way, I think you would make a formidable movie critic." he said smiling.