8 - Chapter Eight "The Thirty Percent Solution"

 

"The Thirty Percent Solution"

Chapter Eight 

      The room was dark and crowded, but the four of them got good seats at the bar. It was a Ramen bar, Samurai Papa, on Lafayette Avenue, not far from their apartment in Bed-Stuy. Ermira’s three roommates were feeling claustrophobic after spending the day in the apartment, and they were able to convince her it would be fun to dine out at a new restaurant.   

      After some discussion about how disappointed they were that the popular place didn’t serve alcohol, depriving them of cocktails, they ordered and started examining their surroundings. The crowd was mostly young and represented just about every ethnic group present in Brooklyn, certainly a majority of Caucasians and African-Americans, but with a good number of Asians. 

      Most were dressed casually in what was popularly called high-grunge. The girls didn’t follow the majority; they wanted to show off their new purchases from Macy’s – basic black tights, with tops of bright colors. Samurai Papa’s interior was Spartan, but that didn’t bother the other diners, who ate with enthusiasm. 

      Always the observant one, Ermira noticed that a young man on the other side of the bar kept staring at Tereza. “Honey, I think someone’s trying to catch your eye, no kidding,” Ermira said, pretending to elbow Tereza with a giggle. 

      “Oh, yeah, you got that right,” Ariana agreed. “He’s sure cute, and look at those eyes.”

      Luli shouted in agreement. “And you know, he’s the best dressed in the place. Tell you what, Reza. You, don’t look at him. Whatever you do, don’t look at him. Then I’ll give him my glamour smile, and you’ll see what happens.”

      “Hey, wait just one second,” Tereza said. “Who says I’m outta the running. Just one second. I’m gettin’ to like him a lot. I’ll tell ya, I’m gettin’ tired of old and white, the Winshire crowd, I’d like something with a little more energy.” 

      All four of the roommates started out giggling, and that turned into full-throated laughter. 

      The barman delivered their drinks, fresh lemonade, and they all took sips, showing mock-disappointment. 

      Luli wanted to get her two cents in. “For me, old and white has its advantages. It’s easier to put some of those old farts off. Some of ‘em, honest, some of ‘em like the chase better than the capture, so if you can make the chase last a long time  . . . You get the drift, huh?”  

      Restraint fell away, and all four roommates laughed out loud. 

      Then Ermira turned suddenly silent. 

      Her three friends turned toward her. “What’s the matter honey? These girls, they showin’ bad manners, or something?” Tereza said with a caring voice.  

      Ermira examined one caring face after another. “Can all of you make me a promise? Can you promise to keep a secret, and not tell anyone what I’m going to tell you?”

       With a shower of “Oh sure’s” and “You can count on us’s,” there was complete agreement. Then they all looked back at Ermira. 

      “I’m trying to go back home, back to Tirana,” Ermira said. “I’m doing things, like I got a lawyer and stuff. I don’t know what I can do, but I’m gonna try. I just can’t do this. I just made a bunch of mistakes.” 

      There was a chorus of “Oh, no. You can’t leave us.” And then, all three roommates gathered around Ermira and hugged her. 

      Then it was Tereza who held up her hand, and said: “Hey, wait a minute, all of you. Look across the bar! You see Mr. Charming over there. He’s startin’ to get a strange look. On his face, look. He’s thinkin’ something. Like we all love each other. Yes, that way.” She stopped. “Gimme a second.” 

      Tereza pushed her way around the bar, and her friends watched her in deep conversation with the young man, the focus of their interest. In surprise, all three young women kept staring. They saw the restraint, then the gestures, the nodding, and the hands beginning to touch arms, the conversation seemed to go on forever.

      So long that, in the meantime, their dinner orders were served. 

      But finally, Tereza appeared to give the young man a quick hug, and her friends welcomed the sight of her returning to her place at the bar. 

      “He’s so sweet, so nice, you wouldn’t believe it,” she began. “We got a lot in common, no kidding.”

      Another chorus, “Careful, careful. That’s the way it always starts out.” 

      “And guess what! He’s just so sweet, sincere, really. He even gave me his card.” Then Tereza stopped and turned to Ermira. “But Mira, why? Honey, you don’t have to. Our contract, it’s up in, what is it, just three months. How many of those little-boy parties can they have in three months? You could do what you want in maybe three months. No?” 

      Ermira turned toward her friends. “Can we trust them? I can’t. I just wanna leave. It’s not right. You remember? We weren’t told the truth. And these mostly old men, these white men, these men are used to getting their way. Who’s helping us? Think about it, and if you want to meet this lawyer, let me know.” She stopped for just a few seconds. “But remember, not a word. I don’t know what these white, old men of Winshire would do.” 

      The four friends started to slowly eat their Ramen, already not as hot as it was when it was delivered. The conversation became subdued. It almost turned to Winshire.  

      Until Tereza decided the four of them went out to enjoy themselves. “You know what?” she asked. “You girls, we’re not here to talk about a bunch of old farts with creepy fingers. Not me. Now, I’m gonna tell all of you a secret. Yes, I’m gonna tell you my secret. I’m gonna tell you why I have so much success. With guys. Okay?” 

      They agreed. 

       “There’s one secret,” Tereza began. “It’s not makeup here or mascara there. No, it’s got nothing to do with all that stuff. It has to do with fantasy; it’s that simple. Guys, you know they never grew up. They’re still dreamin’. They got all these crazy ideas. They got these fantasies. They’re just boys. They don’t wanna see all your stuff. No, not that. So, you just give ‘em a hint, and they’ll just dream away. They’ll start seein’ all those fantasies. And then, it’s you they want.”   

       Luli, Ariana and Ermira were completely silent. The three of them breathed in four or five times. And they gave Tereza a good round of applause. Then, a scattering of women nearby, who had been eavesdropping, joined in with their clapping.  

      The Ramen bar emptied out a bit. The young man remained at the bar the entire time. Just when the four of them were preparing to leave the restaurant, he circled the bar, and he introduced himself to the four of them. His name was Eric. He shook the hands of three of the girls, and then he gallantly clasped Tereza’s hand and kissed it.  

      On the walk back to the apartment, Ermira was silent. She watched the street lights through the trees lining the sidewalks. She watched the cars pass by in the street, with their bright headlights, with people packed inside, and they seemed so happy, with no cares, so much a part of their world, their world of money and influence. 

      And Ermira wondered, she asked herself, Where’s my world? Could it be here, in New York, in America? Or, is it really back in Albania? Do I really want to go back? And find what I left? But at least I did something, I talked to that lawyer. He was nice, he said if I’m not sure, think it over. There’s no rush. But he doesn’t know. Those old men, those lost old men. And there’s that big sweaty body! He’s like  . . . Who knows? And his grunting, why? 

      When they arrived at the apartment, the four of them hugged again. They hugged before entering each of their separate worlds.