Dinner With Richie

Richie, Nonnie, Libby & Frank

Richie helped Nonnie carry in the groceries she’d shopped for at Braddock’s. Peering into bags as he set them on the kitchen counter.

“What are you cooking?”

“If I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise,” she smiled moving by him with another bag from Andy’s.

“Ah, you’ve been to Andy’s.” Richie looked at her suspiciously.

“For bread only. I wanted some of March’s bread for the meal I have planned. You know I don’t cook very often, in fact hardly at all, so I had to download a recipie I hope it turns out like I want it to.” Nonnie fished in her purse for the paper she’d printed out.

“Can I help?” Richie asked.

Nonnie glanced at him, “can you make a salad?”

“Um, not sure,” he grinned, “just tear up some lettuce?”

“Go…go watch a ball game or something.” Nonnie laughed and began assembling the ingredients on the counter. She hadn’t met the man coming to dinner tonight and he was bringing Libby Tyler…that should be interesting she thought, and wondered how Richie felt about that.

Richie wasn’t thinking about anything in particular. He found his ball game to watch and settled back in his recliner. Soon a familiar smell began wafting in from the kitchen and he smiled and lay his head back on the chair. Pasta fazool…the way to a man’s heart.

Sitting beside Frank Parker in his car, Libby was still mentally preparing herself for the upcoming dinner. She hadn't really been sure whether or not to come. Seeing Richie with Nonnie would not be easy. She HAD wanted to see his house, though. And she'd told herself that she might as well get used to seeing him with another woman. When she'd first discovered that she loved him, she'd thought to herself that, even if their friendship still had benefits attached from time to time, Richie would still end up being with other women. It was part of who he was and she had certainly never set out to change him. So she'd accepted Frank's invitation and here she was, on her way to Richie's new house.

Frank was looking over at her curiously every once in awhile. Richie and Libby could say the word 'friends' all they wanted, but he knew something else was going on there. At least, he thought it was for Richie and he was damned positive that it was for Libby. He could see it in the way her face lit up every time she talked about him, and in the way she tried so hard to keep her face FROM lighting up when she was around him.

Frank himself liked Libby a lot. She was a good kid and, since she'd turned him down that night at the tavern, he had begun to develop almost a fatherly interest in her. As he'd told Richie, she was only a little older than the daughter he'd lost back in LA would have been now. And he thought she would be the kind of daughter he'd like to have--smart, curious, strong-willed--even if she was hung up on the wrong man to be hung up on. Not that he had anything against Richie, but any woman who got hung up on him was always in for a big disappointment.

His thought had been that, if Libby saw Richie and Nonnie together, she might just start to get over him. Now, he grinned at her as they got out of the car. "So this is Richie's money pit! Looks pretty good! If a man's interested in buyin' a house, that is!"

"Honestly, Frank," Libby said, as she rang the doorbell. "Can't you say something nice without qualifying it?"

"Not about Richie," Frank answered. "If I didn't give him a hard time, he'd think I was an imposter!" Just then, Richie opened the door.

Richie grinned and turned and called over his shoulder, “rag man is here got anything to donate,” He giggled at his own joke, “come in da house, Frank.”

“Libby,” Richie gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek.

Nonnie wiped her hands and walked into the lounge area, “Hello there,” she smiled, “I’m Nonnie Scott.”

"Hi." Libby was the first to speak, eying Nonnie curiously. "Libby Tyler."

Frank, meanwhile, was getting Richie back for his 'rag man' comment. "That stuff you've got on looks like it's about ready to be donated, Richie," he said with a grin. Frank, as usual, was impeccably dressed.

Then he turned to Nonnie, took her hand in his and lifted it, holding onto it for a moment. "A beautiful woman like you with a guy like this is a crying shame, Miss Scott. You must have better prospects."

Nonnie looked at Frank a moment, “Have you come to rescue me?”

“Ignore him, Nonnie. He likes that,” Richie placed an hand in the middle of her back and glanced at Libby. “I know you can do better than this Lib.”

Libby thought to herself, I WAS doing better, but now-

Out loud she said, "Oh, Frank's not so bad. Once you get past all the bull he dishes out, he can be a pretty good guy."

Looking at Nonnie, Frank was saying, "The minute you want rescued, sweetheart, all you gotta do is say the word."

Nonnie smiled sweetly at him, “I’ll keep that in mind…do come in the house…Richie?”

“Yeah, come in. Um, I don’t have an official bar set up yet, so drinks are on the kitchen counter, beer cooler on the back deck.” He moved aside.

“The thing with Frank, Libby is that he never stops with the bullshit.” Richie closed the door behind her.

Libby turned to look at him with a grin. "Surprisingly enough, Richie- He actually does every once in awhile. You have to be quick to catch it, though, 'cause he goes right back to it!" Richie looked good. She missed him.

"What you want to drink, Libby?" Frank was asking her from the kitchen counter, where he'd already made it to the drinks.

"Oh, I think I'll just have a cold beer," Libby told him. "It still seems kinda weird to me, you know. Christmas in the summer."

“Yeah, last year was my first. It was hard to get in the mood.” Richie moved out of his door onto the deck for the beers.

“Depends on what you’re used to, I’ve never had a cold Christmas,” Nonnie smiled, freshening her cook's drink. “We always cooked our dinner on the barbie.” She gave the pot a stir on the stove and turned it down a little.

Richie brought Libby a beer and turned to Frank, “you should come out on the deck, see what a man of property has now,” he grinned a little proud of himself.

"Oh, damn! He's gonna turn all homeowner on me now!" Frank rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. "If we're not back in fifteen minutes, you women come out and rescue me!" He followed Richie out to the deck.

Taking a drink from her bottle of beer, Libby found herself left alone with Nonnie Scott. It was a rather awkward moment for her. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" she asked the other woman.

Nonnie sipped her drink, “No, I’ve got it all ready actually, I just have to warm the bread. Funny we haven’t met and you living right across the street from my shop all this time.” She looked down. Pippin wanted to go out on the deck and she went over and opened the door and let him out and turned back to Libby, “I have a dog and a cat has me,” she smiled, not really knowing what to talk about with Libby.

"Cats are like that." Libby smiled at her.

"I've actually been meaning to come into your shop," she went on. "I need to find a gift for a friend." She was thinking of Abby.

“I have gifts, lots of goodies. I think most of the women in The Glen have been in. It’s a little noisy right now and I keep my music a little louder than usual. I’m having a flat finished upstairs over the shop. Richie says you’re moving, bought a house and everything.”

"Yeah, I did!" Libby liked talking about her new house. "It's not too far from here. It needs work and I'm finding out I like doing things like that. I'm doing some painting and, right after Christmas, I need to have a little work done on the plumbing."

Taking another drink from her bottle of beer, Libby said, "So you're doing a flat over your store? That'll be convenient."

“It might be too convenient but I need to get out on my own, can’t live with Uncle Stephen all my life.” She sipped her drink. “I like Richie’s house. It’s a good layout for him. It’s nice out here and you’re nearby you said?”

"Not too far down the road," Libby answered. Looking around her she said, "Yeah, this does seem to be a good layout for Richie. The television and the refrigerator very close to each other!" Laughing, she said, "Puts his beer and his ballgames almost side by side! Just the way he likes things!" She did know Richie.

“Yes, just the way he likes things. We’re fixing up a room for Michael. He has bedroom furniture from his old house, and I’ve bought linens for it. Have you met his son?”

"No," Libby told her. "Michael hasn't been here since Richie and I became friends. We've talked about him, though. I'm so happy that Richie's finally getting him over here to visit. He and I have talked about that several times. I hope I'll get to meet him while he's here."

“I’m sure you will. He’s coming Christmas Day and staying for a week. Shall we walk out on the deck? Not good to leave men alone for too long.” She smiled and picked up her drink and led the way to the deck.

“Hey, just in time. I’m about to talk Frank into homeownership, “ Richie slipped an arm around Nonnie.

That arm of Richie's around the other woman hurt. Libby looked away quickly.

"Liar!" Frank exclaimed with a grin. "It'd take a helluva lot more than you to get me into that!"

He saw the pained look in Libby's eyes, felt sorry for her. Moving quickly to her side, he put his arm around her. "You already talked this poor girl into it."

"Me,” Richie touched his chest, “She has plans, Frank that include a house. I was a little hesitant at first, but there aren’t any apartments around here, so it was a house or Millie’s and I got tired of living in one room.”

“So now you live in three,” Nonnie interjected, “lounge, kitchen and bedroom.”

“I got my weights set up downstairs, I’m branching out,” he grinned.

"It's nice you'll get to use those again." Libby managed to smile at him. "I know you were missing them. And Nonnie says Michael's coming to visit. I'm so glad, Richie. It'll be so good for you to have him here."

“Yeah, he’ll be here a week. Now that I’ve got a place for him to come to, I intend to have him over more often. He’s excited about it…me too,” he grinned at Libby. “Of course I’ve got to find things for him to do.”

"You can send him over to help me paint," she told him teasingly.

"Seriously, though- He's welcome to come over to my house. How does he feel about video games? I've got some and he can play them any time. And I heard something about an exhibition rugby match a couple of days after Christmas. A charity match, I think, for the off-season. I can probably get some tickets through the paper, if you're interested."

Frank noticed that Libby was talking mostly to Richie, even though Nonnie was right there. In an aside to Nonnie, he said, "Just look at these two! Homeowners and sports nuts! What are you supposed to do with 'em?"

It wasn’t lost on Nonnie. She looked up at Frank with a little smile, “Separate them.” She took Richie by the hand, “I need your help, darling, to dish out dinner.”

Richie quickly glanced at her not sure what he’d done. She never called him darling. Arm back around her waist, “Sure, is it ready?”

“It will be by the time we get to the kitchen.” She smiled sweetly up at him.

"That was rude," Frank told Libby, as they followed the other two in off the deck.

"What?" She looked at him, puzzled.

"You were talkin' to Richie and leaving Nonnie out." Frank took a sip from his drink. "Shouldn't do that, Libby. Even if the two of you ARE friends."

"I'm sorry," Libby said quietly. "I didn't realize I was doing it. I'm just so used to talking and joking with Richie."

"Just watch it, little lady," Frank told her in a mock fatherly tone.

Richie was handing down bowls and plates for the pasta fazool and bread. Nonnie pulled the salad out of the fridge and put it on the plates. “Richie, the cheese please,” she smiled.

They worked well together getting the meal on the table, Richie remembering the olive oil for bread dipping, Nonnie the bread basket.

“You know,” he said smiling, “This is the kind of meal that says home to me, I’m a long way from being Italian but you know, Frank, where I grew up. Thank you Nonnie,” he gave her a kiss on the forehead before they sat down at the table.

"Yeah, you're about as Italian as I am, Richie." Frank laughed. "It looks good, Nonnie." He smiled at her.

"It does," Libby told her, remembering the night she'd made lasagna for Richie. "I've always loved Italian."

“Well I hope you love this, Richie shared something with me about this meal onetime and I remembered it. I thought, for the first meal cooked in his house, this would be the thing to do.”

Richie looked at Nonnie, his eyes soft, “It’s officially home now.”

Frank, watching Libby, could tell that this was genuinely painful for her, but she was putting on a good front. He was proud of her for it.

Changing the subject for her sake, he asked Richie with a twinkle in his eye, "Remember the first time I got invited to your house up in Jersey?" He was talking about the police precinct and he knew Richie would catch on to that.

Richie had a little grin. He dipped his bread in his bowl and looked up, “Yeah I remember, you had a problem with the coffee.”

"Never met a cop yet could make decent coffee." Frank returned the grin. "Includin' me, back when I was a cop. Minute I got off the force, my coffee-makin' improved."

"Not that much," Libby remarked, with a grin at both of them. "I've tasted it."

Richie heard that. Taking a drink from his glass he looked over at Libby a moment and then at Frank a light in his eye, “You making Libby’s coffee now?”

Libby almost choked with laughter, while Frank grinned back at Richie. "What's it to you if I am?"

“Nothing,” he smiled and took the bread basket from Nonnie.

“I think he’s wondering if you two are a couple or not,” Nonnie looked over at Libby.

“Hey, it’s none of my business one way or another.” Richie passed the basket to Libby, a little embarrassed.

"Oh, we're a couple all right." Frank's grin had grown wider. Leaning over, he put his arm around Libby, gazing down at her with a fond expression on his face. "Right, honey?" Wouldn't hurt Richie Roberts none to think they were, Frank thought to himself.

"Oh, right." Libby put down her fork and slid both arms around Frank, leaning against him, playing along with what he was doing. "We are." Her gaze went from Nonnie to Richie.

Nonnie grinned and dipped her bread in the olive oil, she caught it.

“Oh yeah,” Richie tilted his head a little, “You make a nice looking couple too. Good luck to ya.” He forked a mouthful.

"I don't think they buy it, Libby," Frank said.

"That's the impression I got too," Libby answered. Leaning over, she gave Frank Parker a long, passionate kiss that seemed to surprise everyone at the table.

It got very quiet at the table.

“Would you like some salad Libby?” Nonnie passed the bowl over.

Richie didn’t say anything. He just stared at Frank. What was he trying to prove here tonight? Libby could do whatever she wanted to…but Frank?

"No salad, thanks," Libby told Nonnie. "I'm not too fond of salad. Richie can tell you that I never much like eating healthy."

Frank smiled over at Richie, rather enjoying the look on his face. Surprised the solicitor, had he?

Nonnie had had enough of this, “I’m sure he knows a lot about your eating habits, Libby and other habits as well. I, however, am still learning, since we’ve only really been dating for a short time. I’m quite aware that you and Richie were more than just friends. Would anyone care for dessert?”

“I would.” Richie said, meeting her eyes.

Truly shocked, Libby had a hurt expression on her face. "I- I'm sorry, Nonnie. I didn't mean anything by that. I'm- I'm just so used to talking with Richie. Joking around with him." She didn't know what else to say.

“You aren’t just talking to me tonight, Libby.” Richie said, taking a drink from his glass. He wasn’t sure if Libby and Frank were working together to get a rise out of him or what. He didn’t like it.

Nonnie went to the kitchen and cut the cheesecake, picked up the plates and brought them to the table. She ignored Libby.

Fighting back tears, Libby quietly pushed her chair away from the table. "This was a mistake," she said, looking at Richie. "I'm very sorry, Richie. I told Frank I didn't think it was a good idea for me to come here with him. I truly didn't mean to cause you any problems." Her eyes asked him to understand.

Glancing at Nonnie, who was very busily ignoring her, Libby went on, "If I said anything to upset you, Nonnie, I apologize."

Frank was pushing back his own chair, but Libby laid a hand on his shoulder. "No, Frank. You stay. You and Richie are friends. There's never any problems with men being friends with other men. Just with men being friends with women. I can walk home from here. It's not very far for me now."

Feeling sad and slightly sick, Libby went on, "Richie, you have a present under my Christmas tree. I really want you to have it, so, when you're ready..."

Falling silent, she headed for the front door.

Richie looked at Nonnie and pushed his chair back. He gave her a wink and got up and followed Libby to the door.

“What are you doing? You know you’re welcome here anytime. Nonnie’s not upset with you, but Frank’s got a few things to answer for. Come on, back inside.”

Nonnie sat quietly in her chair, but she flashed a look at Frank. She wondered if they were deliberately trying to embarrass her. She looked down at her plate. She’d tried so hard to make Richie’s first meal in his house something he’d want to remember. Of course she knew about Libby, but she didn’t want it thrown in her face. She wasn’t a fool. She got up from the table and went in the kitchen and fixed herself another drink.

Frank caught Nonnie's look at him. He had merely been playing around with Libby. Giving his friend Richie the same hell he'd always given him. Libby had been doing the same, because that was the kind of person she was. Both she and Richie had told Frank that they'd always played around, insulted each other, baited each other. Libby treated Frank the same way. It wasn't in her to be deliberately hurtful. Frank liked that sense of humor and the way she was straightforward. He'd thought Richie did too. Was Richie gonna let this woman tell him who he could be friends with?

Libby stopped walking, but she kept her eyes on the floor for a moment. Finally, she raised them to look at Richie. "Of course she's upset with me, Richie." She'd thought he knew women better than that. "I've slept with you. And she seems to take everything I say to you as a reminder of that, even when I don't mean it that way."

She shrugged her shoulders helplessly. "Like a few minutes ago. When I said you knew I didn't like to eat healthy. You mostly found out about my eating habits all that time after my accident when you were bringing me dinner. We didn't even sleep together then. But she took it as me trying to needle her. It wasn't meant that way at all."

“Look it’s early days with me and Nonnie right now. She’s a little sensitive and she knows about you. I care a lot about her. I ain’t gonna screw it up, Libby.”

Nonnie stood at the sink with her drink, maybe she was reading more into…no she wasn’t. These people had a history with Richie, a history she had no part of. She sipped her drink. What she wanted…was a future with him. She took a breath and turned and went back to the table and spoke to Frank.

“Sorry if I was rude. I didn’t mean to be. I know Libby’s history with Richie. It’s not so easy to sit across the table from a woman who’s been to bed with the man you love.” There she’d said it out loud. She’d never even said it to him. She glanced over where he stood at the door with Libby…when had she decided she loved him?

"I didn't take offense," Frank said quietly. "It was Libby's throat you jumped down. Maybe you oughta say sorry to her."

At the doorway, Libby was saying to Richie, "Maybe me being here screws it up for you. Maybe our being friends isn't something she can live with."

“Maybe I should,” Nonnie got up and walked to the door by Richie. She slipped an arm around his waist.

“Libby, I apologize if I have upset you. I didn’t mean to be rude. Please come and sit back down. There’s cheesecake and you could never call that healthy food.” She smiled and felt Richie’s arm slide around her too.

Libby looked at her curiously. Did Nonnie mean it? Or was she just apologizing to please Richie?

Either way, Libby thought there'd been enough upsetting things going on for one night. "Apology accepted." She gave Nonnie a little smile. "Cheesecake's one of my favorite junk foods."

“Lucy might be offended calling her cheesecake junk food,” she smiled and they all went back to the table.

Richie breathed a sigh of relief. He pulled his chair out and sat down to his slice of cheesecake.

Frank grinned over at Libby. Disaster had been averted. For now.