Gerry wore his "new" blue suit that he picked up from his tailor a week earlier. Gerry couldn't remember the last time he actually bought a brand new suit. His tailor, Tony Grazia, had a small shop on Los Angeles Street near Eighth Street in the heart of L.A.'s fashion district. Tony called Gerry a few times a year, whenever he bought a good-looking used suit he thought Gerry would like. Then, if Gerry approved, Tony would tailor it to fit Gerry like a glove. Gerry always looked sharp and it didn't cost him too much to do so. He usually paid Tony about $300, including alterations, for a suit that sold new for $1,500-$2,000. Gerry wore a white Oxford cloth button-down shirt and a black knit tie.
Just before seven, Gerry left his car, walked to the front door, and pressed Renata's doorbell. She spoke to him on the intercom and buzzed him in.
He noticed Renata's landlady peering out her door. "Good evening!" Gerry said to her. She smiled and closed her door.
Renata was standing at the top of the stairs. "She looks radiant," Gerry thought. Renata wore a midnight blue evening dress that clung to her, revealing curves Gerry hadn't seen so clearly before.
"You look stunning, Renata, absolutely stunning."
Renata kissed him on his cheek. "And you look handsome, absolutely handsome, Gerry. New suit?"
"As a matter of fact, it is," he said. "Only the best for Professor Renata Thomas!"
She showed Gerry around her apartment. She had a large living room and dining area. Just off the living room was a bathroom and two large bedrooms. "I sleep here and work in the other one," she said. "But let me show you my favorite room, Gerry!" She walked him to her enclosed back porch. It was furnished in old wicker, the kind Gerry's family had on their back and front porches many years ago. "Oh, this is great, Renata! I love this room!"
Renata hugged him and kissed him again. "Gerry, you are welcome here anytime," Renata whispered.
"Do you think I'll need a coat tonight?" she asked.
"Actually, not unless we do some walking later," Gerry said. "We'll park in Matteo's lot next to the restaurant."
"Well, I'll take my coat just in case we take a walk," Renata said. "You never know!"
As they left, Gerry noticed Renata's landlady smiling at them through her doorway. "You take good care of her," she said to Gerry. "I will," he smiled.
"Nice car!" Renata said. "That's mine right there." She pointed to a black Mercedes four-door sedan. "I bought it from someone on the faculty a couple of years ago. It runs well, but repairs cost a fortune. It was built in 1980."
"Looks classy," Gerry said. "What a cool car!"
"Give me a minute to put it in the garage," she said. Gerry followed her back to the garage. Renata locked everything up. Then they walked back to Gerry's car.
Gerry opened the passenger door and help Renata into his car. He walked around and climbed in. "Off to Matteo's," he said. He headed down La Cienega to Wilshire and turned west. "I like driving down Wilshire," he said. "It reminds me of driving in Chicago or New York." When they reached Westwood Boulevard, Gerry turned left. A few minutes later, they parked next to Matteo's.
Mattie Matteo greeted them as they entered. "Hi, Gerry!" Mattie said. "Nice to see you again." Gerry introduced Renata to Mattie. "It's nice to meet you," Mattie said. I hope you enjoy your dinner tonight and will come back often." Then he walked them back to a quiet booth near the rear.
When they were seated, Renata noticed the trains running around the room beneath the ceiling. "Oh, aren't those trains cute?" she asked Gerry. "I love trains!"
"So do I," he said. "Do you know why Mattie has them here?"
"Because he likes them," I suppose.
"Well, yes, that's right. But so does this man walking toward us.... Hi, Frank!"
"Hi, Gerry!" he smiled. "What a lovely date you have tonight!"
"Renata Thomas, I'd like you to meet Frank Sinatra!"
She was flabbergasted. Gerry invited him to join them. Mattie asked them what they would like to drink. They ordered wine.
Gerry mentioned that Renata's parents owned a music store in Bloomington. "We've sold many of your albums over the years."
"That's always nice to hear," he said. "I visited Bloomington a few times when I sang with Tommy Dorsey. I remember having lunch in a student hangout that had a booth with a plaque saying Hoagy Carmichael wrote Stardust in that booth. I thought that was great!"
"It's still there," Renata said.
Frank asked Gerry if he was keeping busy. "Oh, yes. Still playing with the NightHawks, still working in the studios. I worked with Elmer Bernstein yesterday and have sessions with him again tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday."
"Remember those sessions at Capitol, Gerry?" Frank asked. "Those were great times, weren't they?" Frank asked. "You were so young then, but you sure knew how to play."
"Renata, be good to Gerry." Frank said. "He's one of the good guys, one of my favorites."
"Well, I better return to my own table. My wife and I dine here often. Mattie and I grew up together in Hoboken."
Gerry stood up, shaking Frank's hand as he left. "Good to see you again, Frank. Take care of yourself."
Renata looked at Gerry for a minute. "I can't believe that just happened. Do you know how long I've been a fan of his? Did you see how blue his eyes are? And you know him! Amazing!"
Their waiter began serving them. "But we haven't even ordered," she whispered to Gerry.
"Well, that's not quite how it works here," Gerry explained. "If you're a friend of Mattie's, he serves you his special for the evening. It is Sicilian cuisine at its finest. If for any reason you want something else, you can always ask. But most people are delighted by Mattie's specials."
"By the way, Renata, I have to tell you about Lorii," Gerry began. He told her about the stalker and that Lorii would be staying with him for a few days."
"I'm happy she has a friend like you to help her, Gerry," Renata said. "She told me you were a great guy. And she was right."
"Wow! That's a relief!" Gerry said. "I was worried all day that you'd be jealous and mad at me."
"Jealous! You bet I'm jealous," Renata said, "because I know Lorii like I know myself. But I don't think you would ever do anything to hurt me, Gerry. Would you?"
"No, I wouldn't, Renata. You're absolutely right."
"Relax, Gerry," Renata said. "I'm glad you're helping Lorii. I'll call her tomorrow and tell her myself. Now, let's talk about us. The night is so young."
“In fact, tell me about that recording session Frank mentioned. How old were you at the time?”
“It was in 1956, not long after I turned 16 and joined the Musicians’ Union. My sax teacher, Manny Katz, was a friend of Billy May, who was the musical director at Capital Records. He mentioned me in passing to Billy. “Say,” I could use a good sax player on some upcoming sessions,” Billy said to him. “Could he cut it?”
"Yes," Jerry said. "No doubt about it." I auditioned with Billy the next day, a Friday. He had me rehearse with the sax section for about an hour. Then he asked the sax players how well I played. They said well enough. So I got the job. I started the following Monday. "Show up half an hour early," Billy said.
That Monday turned out to be a recording session with Sinatra. I had no idea he knew so much about arranging and conducting. Billy introduced me to him a few minutes after I arrived.
"Just how old are you," Sinatra asked me. "Sixteen," I said. "OK, kid, we'll find out if you have any chops today. Good luck!"
"Man, was I nervous!" Gerry told Renata. "I just did my best. Billy and Frank told me I played beautifully. "Book him for all of the upcoming albums," Frank told Billy.
"We've worked together many times since then," Gerry said. "Frank has always treated me well, like a kid brother."
"You were very lucky to have someone like him in your corner," Renata said.
"I know," Gerry said. "He's helped me get work many times. And whenever I thank him, he simply says, "That's what it all about, Gerry."
Renata smiled. "What a great story, Gerry."
The main course arrived, a feast if there ever was one. "Mannie is outdoing himself tonight!" Gerry said. They talked about music for the rest of the evening. "You know so much about music," Gerry said to her. "I'm surprised and humbled."
"My parents have always lived and breathed music, so it's no wonder that I do, too," she said. "At first, I studied English as a diversion from music. Then before I knew it, I loved literature as much as I did music. Eastern European literature was a big unknown to me, but for awhile it became an all-consuming passion. I learned to read and write in Romanian, Hungarian, and Russian. That was an exciting time for me."
"Can you speak those languages, too?" he asked.
"Oh, yes!" Renata answered. "At least pretty well. When I don't do it for awhile, I tend to forget some things, but I can always look them up. I guess that's natural. It's when I visit those countries and have to speak Romanian, Hungarian, or Russian all the time that they come back to me right away."
They talked for along time after dessert and a few drinks. Renata broke the ice. "Gerry, let's go back to my place. Why don't you call Renata from here and tell her you won't be coming home until morning!"
Next Chapter: Witchcraft
It's Always You
by Frank Sinatra with Sy Oliver and His Orchestra
