Old Windows

Date Night

* Continuing

Before the night had began, Claire was anticipating Mort to be a complete psycho and end up in a ditch at 3 a.m., but to her astonishment, he was a completely different man. He was kind, generous, welcoming. 'What happened to the creep I knew earlier?' She questioned to herself while becoming immersed in his stories he was describing over the table in the small run-down diner.

" 'Who would steal your love when your love was really all you had, wasn't much of a woman'", He recited from his latest book as she smiled in approval, "So what about you? What career are you into?" he asked while taking a sip of his iced Mountain Dew.

"Well, I've always had a shtick for justice and crime, so they offered me an amazing job here at the police department," she smiled as she watched the light in his eyes dim.

He nodded his head unemotionally and snapped back into character, "Have you heard any good cases yet?"

"No, not yet, I haven't started. I start tomorrow."

"Oh, okay, well if you hear any good ones let me know. I love a good mystery," he smiled with his straw in his mouth, "You wanna come back to my place after? I can show you my work station?"

She debated in her head with careful thought, but not careful enough, "I'd love to," they smiled in unison.

He picked up the check and they made their way back to Mort's house. It seemed like they were driving forever and Claire couldn't help but think this was all a grand façade. The presumed kindness was just a performance so he could coax her out of her shell and at the right moment, kidnap her and dump her in the supposed ditch.

He drove into the dirt road of what was intended as a driveway, "Here we are," he commented while turning off the engine.

She took notice of the outside, no wonder this man is a writer. His house is the exact reason someone like him moves out here. They walked inside and she was greeted by the scenery of a quaint and quiet lakeside home.

"I love your house, it's adorable," she said softly.

"Thanks, it gets a little lonely but I'm content with it."

"I do have to ask though, you shop in New London, but you live all the way out here?"

He chuckled to himself, "A little run in with the cops. Some petty theft and the cops around here take it very seriously so they didn't want me shopping in town anymore. It was a long time ago though," she took his word for it and continued her survey, "Let me show you the upstairs," he motioned for her to follow behind him.

"I apologize for the walls, I'm still in the process of getting them done."

"What happened to them?"

"A raccoon made its way in and scratched up all the wood walls, so I had to get it fixed. But anyways, heres where the magic happens. My old faithful desk," he presented.

"It must be so therapeutic to write up here, huh?"

"It is really very nice. I still get writer's block but, it happens."

Claire caught sight of a small window on the right side of the wall, "What a cute window," she awed as she walked over to look outside of it. She crouched down and lied her hand on the dusty lukewarm window.

With it being 7 p.m. in summer, there was just enough day light out to display Mort's garden below the window.

"Is that your garden?" she asked, keeping her eyes on the outside.

"Mhm," he hummed pleasantly, appreciative she took notice of his hard work.

"Wow, you sure do have a lot of corn growing. You must have an amazing fertilizer," she laughed.

"I definitely do," he assured.

"I'm guessing this is what inspired you to write that 'Secret Window, Secret Garden'?"

"It did actually, my ex wife had called it a secret window when we had first moved in here."

"Ex?" she asked, while placing her hands on her thighs to stand up, "I'm sorry to hear that," she apologized.

"It's okay, she cheated on me after a 14 year marriage, so I'm better off without her."

"Do you still keep in contact or anything? I'm sure you must've needed some sort of closure."

"Oh no, I'm fine now. We worked out a little agreement and I have all the closure I need," Mort insisted with a smile.

"Good, glad to hear that. I should be getting home soon though, my first day is tomorrow."

"No problem, let's get you home," he offered a small smile and they walked to his car and drove to her house.

"I had a lot of fun today, Mort, thank you," she looked over to him in the driver's seat.

"Of course, I had fun too. We need to do this again," he smiled over at her.

She felt butterflies rumbling in her stomach, knowing what a complete 180 Mr.Rainey had taken today. He walked her to her front door, and she turned to face him.

"Thanks again," she held her arms open for a hug that Mort walked into.

"No problem, Ms.Brown. You have a good night, and feel free to call if anything happens," he winked as he walked back to his car.

She made sure he got into his car safely and waved from her front door as he drove off. Closing the door in front of her, she emitted a squeal full of excitement. Prancing around her living room, and replaying moments over and over in her head.

Claire picked up her cell phone and subconsciously went to call Mort. Her excitement wore off as she realized it would've sounded too easy and desperate to call already, 'He wouldn't even be home yet you idiot" She spoke aloud. Her next thought was to call Elise, but she knew Elise would most likely be disgruntled if she found out Claire had already gotten herself involved in men her 3rd day here. A little disappointed that she had no one to call, she plopped down on her couch and let out one more jolt of energy before she could later on pass out on the couch.