Brianna’s, and walked to the
door. Tony and Brianna watched him go. When he was out of the restaurant they sat back down at the table.
“Can he be as simple as he seems?” Brianna said.
“He probably is,” Tony said.
“But even if he isn’t, what
difference does it make. He’s simpler than we are.”
“You’re so sure,” Brianna said.
“You can’t seriously think that some small-town cop is as smart
as we are.”
“He didn’t say he wasn’t from
Los Angeles,” Brianna
said.
“I don’t care if he’s from
Mars,” Tony said. “People don’t
become policemen because they are great thinkers.”
“Are we great thinkers,” Brianna said.
“We’re not ordinary, Brianna. Never forget that we are not
ordinary.”
She leaned toward him and kissed him on the mouth and let the kiss linger.
“I’ll try to remember,” she said.
60
Jesse drove up Summer Street with Candace in the front seat beside him.
“I don’t even know what a vizsla
is,” she said.
“It’s a Hungarian pointer,”
Jesse said. “Sort of like a smallish weimaraner, only gold.”
“Do they bite?”
“I don’t think so,” Jesse said.
“Are you having second
thoughts?”
“No. I want him. I’m just
nervous.”
“Your parents are okay with this,” Jesse said.
“I don’t think my mother likes it too much,” Candace said. “But
my father said yes.”
“So it’s yes.”
“My mother does what Daddy says.”
“And why do you want the dog?”
“I want somebody I can love,” Candace said.
“Right answer,” Jesse said. “But
loving isn’t enough, you know.
You have to take care.”
“I know. Feed him. Walk him.” She wrinkled her nose. “Clean up
after him. I went over all this with my mother and father.”
“How is it at home?” Jesse said.
“My mother is kind of, like …
sulky.”
“And your father?”
“Daddy’s great.”
“Your mother will get over it,” Jesse said.
Like I know.
