“A Date…” (sigh)💦 ©2010

(There are a million stories in “The Big Apple” …this is one)

Look who is in our building’s gym, again!

Instinctively, I & the others brace the howling, cussing, & sobbing (without tears), which will begin. 👵

I had heard from a neighbor, that the troublemaker has been widowed in the past year, or so.

She is childless, left with only a niece, who lives in Seattle, Washington, (clear across the country), from New York. Also, sadly the lady suffers from, (not so early onset), of Alzheimer Disease.

I never knew this woman, except in passing, although we reside in the same Manhattan apartment building.

Now she is guided…leaning on a walker into my gym, with this strange looking, much younger man.

He tall thin, dressed like a cowboy. Complete urban getup…denim shirt, worn jeans and leather spurred boots. His shoulder length, straggly hair has a red bandanna holding it together.

His very petite companion’s stature and attire is hard to miss…too.

The 80+ old woman, is in a skirted vintage “Chanel suit” complete, with a silk -bow blouse. Underneath this ensemble’s skirt, much too long Bermuda shorts that hung out. On her short legs are rumpled bobby -sox that rose to her knees. Her clunky black sneakers made her feet, appear much too big, for her small body. (It is obvious someone doesn’t know how to dress this lady).

What a figure they cut in this cold, narcissistic atmosphere of “Yuppies ", that use this gym, in their designer togs.

… (The Pair…Receive Company) …

Their visitor noticed that I smiled at this person.

So she felt it okay to introduce herself… and the odd twosome to me.

“Hi, I’m Joan Sims, this is Bianca, my auntie, wrapped her arm around her, &… this is Jim”.

Now that she had my attention, she unloaded this history to me…whispering.

“Bianca had been a beautiful Viennese actress in her youth. She had been arrested, & nearly murdered by the Nazis, during an anti-artist purge.

Jimmy was once a boyfriend of mine”, Joan explained…smiling at him.

“He’s a writer & an unemployed friend, so I pay him generously, to watch over my aunt. She also has a part -time housekeeper”.

Did I detect guilt…?

Her niece left the next day.

Realistically she was here to just check on her aunt, and… her inheritance.

A HA!

So that explained Jim & Biancha’s relationship…

When Joan Sims returned to her life in Seattle, Jim continued with his unscientific exercise program…for poor little Bianca. This was the cause of her screaming and cussing.

I developed affection for this tiny, “Pixie like Cuppie-Doll”, Bianca.

For the most part, patrons in the busy place, ignored this bizarre scene, except… to shutter at one of her outbursts.

On one Friday, as they entered, Bianca is clinging, & oh- so slowly moving on her child size walker.

She had the sweetest, girlish smile on her face. Maybe it’s called a glow…

The woman is not howling, nor spewing foul language thru her “red bow of a mouth”.

Something’s up I surmised!

She is obeying Jim while he puts her thru his routine. “1–2–3–4, keep going, 5–6–7–8–9–10, higher, faster, now breathe on & on”. He barked like a drill sergeant.

This tough manner made me want to punch him out!

Suddenly he was purposely making eye contact with me, (in the gym’s mirrors). A minute later he’s in my face…but first he instructed Bianca to rest, a minute… sit on her walker seat.

“Dee-Dee what’s your favorite restaurant in Manhattan”? he asks me with glee.

The cowboy blurts out a list of the priciest, celebrity spots…straight out the society columns, (in the newspaper), for my approval. (He’s done his homework…no doubt).

I am puzzled by his question, and his annoying familiarity with me. Can’t he feel my disgust with him! Then he brags, “I’m going to Sardi’s tomorrow night” as he adds, "I bought me new suits, shirts, ties, shoes and overcoat, too”.

“Who are you going with”? I asked.

“Bianca”, He senses my suspicious attitude, so he elaborates, “Why she is used to these kinda places. That where her late husband, Felix would take her”.

Now I understood!

Bianca has some money. Jimmy would escort to the finest restaurants in the city, if she behaved in the gym…he promised.

Bianca has a date with this young man on Saturday nights, just like the old days with Felix and… she was happy! 🎈🎈🎈