Revenge Of A Band Geek Gone Bad (35 page)

"Which is a lot," I pointed out.

"Maybe you're right.  Then again, this will be the perfect opportunity to pass on my legacy on to those kids."  He winked.  "Don't be surprised if you hear stories about Mr. Francis waking up to find frogs in his bed or his underwear on the flagpole."

"I wouldn't expect any less of you," I said.  I stopped smiling.  "Josh, I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks."  Josh again blushed.  "Melinda ... there's something else that I've been wanting to say for a while ...
"  He
took a deep breath.  "I love you, okay?  And I'm sorry that it's taken me so long to say it -- unless you want to count when I said it at you during our argument.  But I really don't want to."  He smiled.  "I
love
you so much.  And I hope you still love me."
             
I was so thrilled to hear him say that to me, I couldn't speak for a second.  Our fight seemed like it had been a lifetime ago.  "I do love you," I told him.  "I've never stopped." 

He breathed a sigh of relief.   "So we both love each other."  He laughed.  "That is just so cool!" 

"It is," I hedged. "But let's face it, whenever we hook up, things get out of hand.  How can we be sure that if we get together everything won't fall apart again?"

"I guess we can't," he said, shrugging.  "But would it make you feel any better if I assure you that I'm capable of being as boring as the next guy?"

"I don't want that," I said.  "I like that you're crazy.  I just don't want all the
schemes and the lies.  I want to be able to be with you without having to look over my shoulder to see what trouble we're in all the time."

"Well, would you give me a second chance?  Would you be willing to start over, pretend none of this happened?"

"I'm willing to see what happens," I said.

"Well, then, how about this?  Why don't you let me take you on that date I promised for Valentine's Day?  A
normal
date --dinner, a movie, a nice walk by the lake under the stars..."

He didn't get to finish because I leaned in and pressed my lips to his.  He took me in his arms, and I melted against him.  I relished the familiar feel of his hands sliding up my back and his fingers in my hair. I tightened my grip around him and kissed him even more intensely.

For a few minutes, the world stood still.  Finally, he pulled back in surprise, his blue eyes wide.  "Whoa, Mel, what are you doing?" he asked, his lopsided grin spreading across his face.

I took his face in my hands, kissed him again, and smiled. 
"Creating a diversion."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Naomi
Rabinowitz
has always loved being creative. Raised in Nesconset, NY –- a suburb on Long Island –- she was introduced to the arts at an early age. Her mother, Joyce, is a pianist; her father, Melvin, plays piano and guitar; her grandmother, Esther, was a talented knitter; her late grandfather, Morris, was a violinist; her late great uncle, Sid Robin, was a well-known jazz musician, who penned the lyrics to the popular big band hit, “Undecided.”

Naomi’s parents, who were both teachers, frequently took her to museums and concerts. During their summers off, her family traveled. By the time she was 15, Naomi had been to several European countries, as well as China, Japan, Israel, Egypt, Russia and Mexico.

Naomi’s love for writing emerged when she was in the second grade and her poem, “The Four Seasons,” won first prize in a local literary competition. She became interested in journalism in junior high when her English class was selected to write for Newsday’s “
Kidsday
” column.

She had as much passion for music. Though she began playing piano when she was three, she switched to her “true” instrument, the flute, when she was nine and eventually added tenor sax and clarinet to her list so that she could play in jazz band. She performed in almost every musical group from wind ensemble to orchestra (but never marching band!). In 2008, she released her jazz album FLUTE PATH.

Naomi received a B.A. in English from Binghamton University and an M.A. in magazine journalism from Syracuse University. From 1998-2012, she worked as a reporter/editor for national TV magazine
Soap Opera Digest
.

These days, Naomi writes, plays jazz flute and designs jewelry for her businesses Naomi’s Designs and
MayaGirl
Creations. She lives in Queens, NY with her husband, Jonathan, and their cat, Maya. You can find her at:

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/NaomiRabinowitzAuthor

Twitter: @
NaomiRDesigns

Blog: handmadewirejewelry.blogspot.com

Etsy
:
www.etsy.com/shop/naomirabinowitz

Www.etsy.com/shop/
mayagirlcreations

CD Baby:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/naomirabinowitz

iTunes
:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/flute
-
path/id28986353
4

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I have so many people to
thank,
I’m not sure where to begin. First, there’s Marybeth
Luczak
, who’s edited several versions of BAND GEEK for me over the years. I appreciate you sticking by me from my draft to its later inceptions! Then there are those many friends who’ve done reads for me and have shared valuable opinions, including Amy Greenhouse, Kristin
Bruton
, Ellen Barton and Randy McDonald. Thank you to Dr. Marianna
Strakhan
for your comments and help on the medical scenes and a big GRACIAS to my cousin Rachael Rifkin, who edited this final version. I’m so glad that you tracked me down on Facebook!

To Scott Muller, my favorite former band geek from way back, thanks for pushing me to get up on stage and play that jazz flute solo during our high school concert. Your friendship means the world to me.
To Isabel Rivera, thanks for inviting me to play with your band and for encouraging me in my musical endeavors.
To
Ilayna
“
Lani
”
Kootz
, I can’t begin to express how honored and lucky I am to have you as a lifelong friend. I hope that you like your literary inspiration, Lana.  And to my wonderful girlfriends: Suzanne Bagley, Karen Greenberg, Michele
Rosow
, Teri Cohen,
Tali
Maron
and Marina
Strizhevsky
, thanks for all of your encouragement in my writing and other pursuits.

I’d be nothing without my family, who’s been there for me every step of the way and has always encouraged me to follow my dreams.
A big, loving thank you to Mel and Joyce
Rabinowitz
, Esther
Rabinowitz
, Martin and Sharon Edelstein, Deborah, Joseph and Annika
Tomaras
, Judy Edelstein and Fran
Bellin
, Anna Sanders, Morris and Mildred
Slutzker
.
Though some of you are no longer with us, you’re still near and dear to me.

A special thank you to my amazing husband, Jonathan Edelstein, who was there to comfort me when I received rejection letters and was eager to celebrate with me when I finished each chapter.
I love you and am grateful to have you in my life.

Finally, thanks to all of those band and orchestra members who were a part of my life in Sachem, Binghamton and Syracuse. I’ll always cherish our time together. Band geeks forever!