Safe Haven

Taco Night

Alex could drive well and she kept the speed reasonable. She drove one-handed, holding my hand on the seat. She turned the radio to an oldies station and she sang along with a song I'd never heard. She knew every line.

"You like fifties music?" I asked.

"Music in the fifties was good. Much better than the sixties, or the seventies, ugh!" She shuddered. "The eighties were bearable ".

She is an old soul, I thought to my self. Now for the first time I'd finally gotten my first real glimpse into her. The mystery of the person hiding inside this quiet mind began to thin a little. I've never met anybody like her.

I invited Alex over to my place.
We were almost at my apartment and It has taken less than time for Alex to drive. When we reach my apartment I saw the red car parked in my driveway. Olivia and Jacob are home.

"They're back". I mumbled

"Who's back?". She asked confused.

"Jacob and the baby sitter."

"Your son is there?" I hear the slight alarm in her voice.

"Are you afraid of a seven year old?" I teased.

"A little bit", She admitted with a shrug.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you", I grinned playfully.

"Geeze! Thanks." She smiled.
"I'm not afraid of him, I'm afraid he won't like me." She explained.
"Are you going to tell him that I'm your girlfriend or not?" She demanded.

"Is that what you are?" I winced a little at the thought of Jacob and Alex and the word girlfriend all in the same room at the same time.

"Well, I don't know. But he will need some explanation for why I'm around here so much." She reached over and gently touched my cheek.
"Or we can take it slowly and just tell him that I am your friend".
She probably took in my changed expression, and it made her thoughtful.

Alex followed me silently around to my side while I took the keys in my bag and opened the front door. Olivia is sitting on the couch her laptop on her lap. But I don't see Jacob anywhere.

"I'm home!" I called out.

"Oh, Hi Piper!", Olivia looked up from the couch. "Jake's in his bedroom doing his homework."

I briefly introduced Alex to Olivia. I just don't think I am ready or I'm not willing to share her when I just so recently acquired her.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?". I asked.

"Yeah" She said. "I would like that very much."

"Don't expect too much. It's only tacos."

"Taco sounds really good."

While I pull out the ingredients from the fridge, Alex is casually leaning against the counter and took in the kitchen.

From the refrigerator I pull out some lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers and a block of cheddar cheese and place them on the counter.

"Need a hand?" Alex offered and I gave her a skeptical look.

"Hey! Don't give me that look. I know my way around the kitchen. I make dinner every night".

"Oh yeah? What did you have last night?".

"Grilled chicken sandwich on a bun. With tomatoes".

"And the night before?"

"Grilled chicken sandwich on a bun. Without tomatoes".