“As far as I know they have. And what about you?”
“Oh, at least a few generations.”
We reached the Chesapeake Bay. It is an impressive site I don’t care how many times you see it. Tonight, the moon was full and reflecting on the water.
“So, you’re a photojournalist and home for family business, where are you working right now?”
“The Middle East,”
“That must be tough,”
“It’s the job.” She shrugged.
“Wanna sit?” I pointed to a bench.
“What’s your favorite thing about the city?” I looked back over my shoulder I was determined to get her to open up to me. I had to know more about her. She smiled a little and I congratulated myself.
“I love the music.”
I nodded. “Do you play?” I asked.
“I play a little guitar now and then.”
I had a feeling she was being modest.
“What do you play, Ethan?”
“I play the piano from time to time and sometimes the harmonica.”
“I bet you’re good. I’d like to hear you play sometime.”
I wanted to take her back to my place and play something for her, it might be hard to explain to Diane. It was weird though, I should feel more guilty about going for a walk in the moonlight with a beautiful woman, I didn’t.
“I’d like that.” We both smiled. I felt like we had a bit of a breakthrough.
“Tell me a little more about you.” I leaned in a little. “Do you have siblings?”
“No, and that’s okay. I don’t mind it. Big families seem to be too complicated. I like things simple.”
I smiled. “How’s that working out for you?”
She laughed a little. “Not so well, the rest of the world seems to like things complicated.”
“You are not wrong, there.” I agreed.
I watched her eyes crinkle into a genuine smile. I wondered what she looked like with her hair down instead of pulled back. I had the urge to reach out and loosen the clip that was holding hair and watch it cascade over her shoulders. We talked about music some more, debating the best live performances and the best albums.
“It’s getting late.” She said looking sad.
“Can I walk you home?”
“It’s an awfully long walk. I’ll catch a cab.”
“Are you sure. I’d like to know you made it home safely.”
She smiled a soft warm smile. “How about I text you when I get in.”
“Deal.” I smiled and gave her my phone number.
“I’ll text you and then you will have mine.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
We walked back to the street and she whistled for a cab and waved to me as it pulled away from the curb. I felt deflated and walked to my car and drove home. About thirty minute later my phone buzzed.
“Home safe. Thank you.”
“Glad you’re safe.”
I wanted to say more but didn’t know how to say it or if I should, so I left it at that.
◆◆◆
The next day, I felt more alive than I had felt in a long time. Even Diane noticed.
“You look like you finally got some sleep,” she said as she poured coffee.
“Yeah, I did. I’m sorry I didn’t wait up.”
I actually hadn’t thought about what time Diane had gotten in. It had to have been past midnight. I wondered if she had the same kind of evening I did. I smiled to myself because I genuinely hoped that she had.
“That’s okay. We sort of got sidetracked from the book and drank more wine than we read.” She laughed.
My daughter bounced into the kitchen. Madelyn was a morning person. I have no idea where she got that from, it certainly wasn’t from me or her mother.
“Morning, don’t forget Mom, you said I could spend the day with Angie.”
“I didn’t forget, just check in with me or your dad once in a while so we know you’re okay.”
“Wait,” I interrupted, don’t you have school today?”
“No, it’s a teacher workday so, Angie and I were going to hang out.” Madelyn smiled and popped bread into the toaster.
“Hang out where?”
“Oh dad!” She sighed.
“I’m serious.”
“At her house, mostly her mom doesn’t work so we’ll probably get a ride to the mall or something.”
Diane touched my shoulder sensing I was about to ask more questions.
“That’s fine, I’ve already talked to Ms. Harper, you still keep in touch today, okay?” Diane instructed as she moved about the kitchen putting necessities into her briefcase.
“Okay.” Madelyn smiled plucking the toast out of the toaster and plopping it onto a plate.”
“Careful, don’t burn yourself,” I said.
Madelyn just rolled her eyes at me and started to add jelly to the toast.
“Okay, okay.” I said putting my hands up in the air. I concentrated on my coffee and the headlines in the paper.
Just as Madelyn was finishing her toast the doorbell rang.
“Oh, that’s Angie.”
“Wait.” I said putting my hand up. “Finish your toast and put the plate in the sink. I’ll get the door.”
Diane nodded to her and she took the last bite of her breakfast.
“Good Morning Mr. Craddock.” Angie was standing on the porch beaming at me.
“Morning, Angie.” I said stepping aside to let her in. I waved to her mother sitting out in the car.
“Okay, see you later!” Madelyn said as she and Angie headed back out the door.
I bent down and Madelyn kissed my cheek. It made me smile.
“Have a good time and behave yourself.”
“I always do.” She said and ran to catch up to Angie.
I shut the door behind her and walked back into the kitchen. Diane had her keys in her hand.
“Where are you off to?”
“Work.” She looked at me with concern. “Aren’t you working today?”
“Yes.” I was actually looking forward to it. I’d even considered walking to work and enjoying the fresh air.
“Okay, have a good day.”
I watched as the women in my life left the house each with their own independent lives to lead. I turned off the coffee pot and headed to work. I knew Charlie Pickens was playing a second night at the Ironclad and I thought about going after work just to see if Kay would be there.
It was another long day and nearly midnight when I
