“I remember Claudine Ryan. We were in the same grade. She was always a …”
“She still is.”
Clark smiled and ordered the wine.
“Let’s change the subject. What would you like to eat? They have steak and lobster.”
I shuddered.
“Something else wrong,” he asked.
“Seafood, I don’t like any of it.”
“You live on a lake and don’t like fish, Annie?” He watched me out of the corner of his eye while glancing at the menu.
“My first fishing trip with my dad was memorable. I was three. He caught a fish and it flipped out of his hands. It landed on my feet and flopped around looking at me with those big, dark eyes. I screamed so loud that mom and grandma could hear me back on shore. Dad had to take me back after he threw the fish in the lake. I had nightmares. I also stayed out of the lake the entire summer.”
I took a large gulp of water trying to wet my dry throat. The memory still gets to me.
Clark nodded trying to frown and show concern. I could see his lips struggle against a smile forming. He looked down at his menu. The movement in his shoulders let him know he was fighting laughter.
“Okay, I won’t order it. A steak is perfect on its own.” He looked at me over the top of the menu.
I began to relax and was about to tell Clark I love the Italian grilled chicken breast when a shrill voice stabbed into my brain.
“Why Clark Cavanaugh, I haven’t seen you in years. Hmm, hello Annie. How are you doing, Clark?” Claudine’s sing-song screechy voice traveled through half the restaurant.
“I’m doing fine, thanks, Claudine. How have you been?”
“Lots of things change over the years. Why don’t you and Annie join my husband and me for dinner and we can all have a nice chat.” Claudine smiled her evil cat smile.
Oh no, no, no. She’s going to spoil my evening. I hid behind my menu wishing I was still home safe and sound and alone. This dating stuff was going to kill me.
I heard Clark’s strong voice. “Thanks for the invite, Claudine, but Annie and I planned for a quiet dinner this evening. Maybe some other time.”
My hero.
I heard Claudine snort and walk away and I peeked out from behind my menu.
Clark whispered, “It’s okay to come out. She’s gone.”
I breathed a sigh of relief but knew the gossip in town was going to run wild tomorrow. For once, I didn’t care. Dinner was lovely, and I forgot about Claudine and whether or not I was on a date. I even forgot how low-cut my dress was and whether or not it made me look easy. I had fun.
Chapter Seven
I woke Sunday morning to Yummy’s yips near my ear. He was still laying on my pillow but awake and apparently trying to decide if he needed to go out or stay asleep. I decided to take him out rather than have a mess to clean. It wasn’t chilly, and I decided to let him play in his puppy run while I got ready for church. I saw Aunt Irene waving from her kitchen window.
I turned on the coffee and waited for Yummy to get tired of chasing bugs, leaves, or anything else that entered his domain. Both finished at about the same time, and I brought Yummy back inside and sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee. Noticing the time, I hurried to shower and dress before Aunt Irene knocked on the patio door. Since mom and dad moved, I take Aunt Irene to church each Sunday. She’s more like a second mom, and I love having her around. It makes me miss mom a little bit less.
Maybe I should visit them, I thought, but Arizona is hot in the summer. If I wait until fall, Laci will be back in school. Maybe next Christmas we would both go during her semester break. Great idea Annie, now get in the shower.
#######
I saw Georgie and Paul when we entered the church. They sat across the church which was good because Georgie would be full of questions about last night. Church was not the place to discuss them. Pastor Sorlin delivered a lovely sermon about brotherly love, and I was grateful there was no mention of sin or lust or wicked thoughts. I already felt doomed after thinking about how I dressed last night.
Georgie and Paul caught up with us after church, and I could tell by Georgie’s face that she was bursting with questions.
Paul, ever the gentleman, said, “I know Georgie needs to speak with you, Annie. I’ll take Aunt Irene home on my way to the grill. Would that work?”
Aunt Irene slipped her arm around Paul’s and said, “That sounds perfect. See you later, Annie.”
I looked at Georgie and said, “You need to go back to where you saw Paul the first time and bottle the air. I think you could bring chivalry back.” I smiled at her.
Georgie’s eyes grew big, and she blurted, “The ninth-grade science room. I would kill people.”
I bit my lip hard to keep from laughing out loud in the church vestibule, turned, and strode to the parking lot before I couldn’t hold it in.
I felt my face flush as I continued to laugh.
Georgie was right behind me and said, “Should I tell men, ‘here, smell this Formaldehyde.’ Yup, I’d be arrested pretty quickly. Chivalry would be dead literally.”
I didn’t think I could laugh as hard as I was, and I whispered, “Stop it, or I’m going to pee my pants. Let’s go have coffee.” I took a deep breath, wiped the tears that ran down my cheeks, and climbed into my car. I needed to get under control if I was going to drive.
#######
We settled into a booth at the Heavenly Diner and ordered two mocha lattes.
Georgie wrapped
