Ratty and Natty

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Susannah Bianchi

There are two men, on the periphery of my life, peering in.

One is a beat-up musician I should run from, the other, a well-heeled Englishman I should run towards.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the natty type that looks as if he was just polished with a fresh shammy, but the earthier one with that bad boy veneer is the one who beckons.

Hair to his waist, gray and ratty, falling over big blue eyes that haven’t properly shut since 1985, thanks to the hours that he keeps….and if those tattoos could only talk.

Natty of course smells like sun-dried sheets, not a hair out of place, with glimmering Gucci loafers you could see your reflection in.

I called my friend Camille, who since I’ve stopped drinking, don’t see much of. Over lunch at the 3 Guys Coffee Shop across the street from The Carlyle that seemed to call both our names, I asked what she thought.

“Well, you know what I do when I can’t decide what to have on the buffet table…have a little of each.”

“Yeah Camille, I understand that reasoning, but you forget, my taste buds are rusty, my store being closed for so long and all.”

“Don’t you think it’s about time for a reopening?”

“Yeah, but I’m nervous.”

“Romance and sex, or the other way around, is like riding a bike. One good spin around the block, and you’ll be doing wheelies.”

I thought about this as we ate our club sandwiches, no bacon on mine, extra on hers, as we stared at the Carlyle’s canopy.

“Don’t you miss Bemelmans, just a little?’

“I miss it, just a lot, but I’m not going over there. The last time, well, I had a little reunion with another Brit who shall remain nameless.”

“Like I don’t know who it is.”

“It’s just that, every time he’s mentioned, he pops up, like a fairy coming in for a landing.”

“You said it, I didn’t.”

“HE’S NOT GAY.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Well, that accent is very alluring which is why Welles is a candidate yet, Elvis, I’ll call him, he’s ya know…so, so…

“Smelly?”

“Earthy.”

After we had coffee and split apple pie, Camille said, “So what’s it gonna be, pizza or Beef Wellington?”

I just smiled, but since I don’t eat meat and love pizza, well…hope my leather jeans with the fringe still fit. 

SB

🙂

About Susannah Bianchi

I'm just a girl who likes to write slightly on slant. I've had a career in fashion, dabbled in film and to be honest, I don't like talking about myself. Now my posts are another matter so I will let them speak for themselves. My eBooks, A New York Diary, Model Behavior: Friends For Life and Notes From A Working Cat can be found on Amazon.com. Thanks.
This entry was posted in alcohol, creative writing, Fashion, food, friendship, humor, Love, men, New York City, sex, Women and men and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

65 Responses to Ratty and Natty

  1. skinnyuz2b says:
    November 7, 2019 at 6:15 am

    Susannah, it’s not our fault that naughty boys are so magnetic. Think about the songs we grew up with. The boys were always from the wrong side of the track, drove fast cars or motorcycles, and usually left the girl crying. We were brainwashed.I completely understand your leanings.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Vasca says:
    November 7, 2019 at 7:05 am

    If I were you (far cry from you, I know…but) earthy seems longer lasting and probably best all the way around…and could be back again. Earthy Pizza…voluptuous roll in the park…or anyplace!

    Like

    Reply
  3. Sorryless says:
    November 7, 2019 at 9:15 am

    Imma have to side with your pal Camille on this one. When your naughty and nice list is giving you this much angst, the answer is simple.

    Both.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. Eilene Lyon says:
    November 7, 2019 at 9:48 am

    Too much polish and things tend to slide off.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. John W. Howell says:
    November 7, 2019 at 10:17 am

    I enjoyed the look into the selection process. I also miss Bemelmans. Not for the drinks but just knowing it was there on a chilly night and I was welcome. Yeah, and the Martinis. Okay, Bobby Short while he was there. Thanks for the memories.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. kindredspirit23 says:
    November 7, 2019 at 2:33 pm

    I say Earthy wins; I always find the well-groomed ones to have an agenda. But, you gotta watch for another agenda with Earthy. Just sayin…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Clever Girl says:
    November 7, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    Maybe try both and see how it goes. If you kiss and tell, I’m sure your audience would love some details on how it plays out (meaning, me).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Anne Mehrling says:
    November 7, 2019 at 6:56 pm

    What a quandary!! Everyone will want to know what happens. You are a novelist, dangling some spin-offs in front of our eyes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Dale says:
    November 8, 2019 at 1:26 am

    Ya know. Susannah… I kinda wish I was in your shoes coz mine are friggen empty right now…

    That said, why must it be either / or? It’s not like you are looking for Mr. Forever, right? (Unless I have misread previous posts.) So why not a little taste of both worlds… Just sayin’

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. aFrankAngle says:
    November 8, 2019 at 8:05 am

    Love the description and Camille’s buffet line. I’ll second Marc’s thoughts … but damn … given the descriptive preferences, I wouldn’t be in the running.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. David Stewart says:
    November 12, 2019 at 8:42 pm

    Great title for this. 🙂 I like hearing about Camille again.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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