THE INBESTIGATORS (EZRA'S LOVE STORY)

(14) ICE CREAM DATE?

I'm at the front of Maudie's house at around 10:00 a.m.

I wore my best casual looking clothes for today.

I was going over the plan I typed into my phone when Maudie walked out the door, looking super cute.

Her fashion sense has improved over the years, thanks to Ava, but she still has that unique Maudie style that I love.

Maudie: Hey Ezra. Shall we go?

Me: Sure, thing.

I tried my best to act cool and natural since this is my first "date" with Maudie.

We reached the crowded ice cream shop in a couple of minutes.

The line to the register was rather long, so we got our coupons ready.

We waited for a few minutes before our turn to order.

Waiter: Hello, may I take your order?

Me: We're here for the special two-person ice cream.

Maudie and I gave him the coupons.

Waiter: Is that all?

Me: Yes.

Waiter: Take this number card and go to Table 4B.

We walked to Table 4B, and it was a small table with the two chairs facing each other.

It's one of those tables you would often see in the cafés of romance movies.

I'm kind of glad I had to experience something like this with Maudie.

Maudie: Isn't it weird how there are no images of the special ice cream anywhere in the shop? Although it is kind of exciting not knowing what it's like.

Me: Well, it's mysterious, and you do love a good mystery.

Maudie: True, but I prefer solving mysteries over waiting for the mystery to be revealed.

Me: I guess that's one thing we have in common.

Maudie and I both laughed.

This "date" is going really well.

Maudie: Do you ever wonder what our lives would be like if we hadn't formed the Inbestigators?

Her question, although it was asked with a smile it had a certain intent to it.

Me: I never thought about that before.

I looked over all my memories with the Inbestigators.

Ava's positive energy would always make everyone around her happy.

Kyle would grab everyone's attention like a loud train.

I cherish all the time I've spent with them, but the most painful thing would be the thought of Maudie not in my life.

My mouth is open, ready to speak, yet I do not know the words I wish to say.

What seemed like endless silence was broken with Maudie's voice.

Maudie: I would sometimes think about all the different things the four of us would be doing without each other, but there's no use in dwelling on about 'what would be' because even if I knew what the future would be like back then I would have still chosen to spend it together.

I smiled.

She's right. There's no use thinking about those things since it did happen, and I've never been happier.

I also know that by together, she means the Inbestigators group, not just the two of us.

However, that didn't stop my heart from beating faster.

The waiter came to give our order before I could say anything I might regret.

He gave us a single large sundae with an assortment of flavors in a spiral pattern and two small spoons.

Waiter: Enjoy

Maudie looked at the sundae and then looked at me.

She quickly turned her head away, but her face couldn't hide a subtle blush in her cheeks.

I kind of expected something like this since the coupons came from Ava, but it looks like it's taken Maudie by surprise.

Although it might seem childish and embarrassing, this is a rare opportunity to tease Maudie.

Me: The ice cream will melt soon. We better eat this quickly.

She looked conflicted between eating it or not.

I figured that she needed a bigger nudge before she gave in.

Me: Ava would be sad if she knew that you didn't accept her kindness in giving us a free sundae.

Maudie: Okay, fine. I'll have some. But we're splitting it down the middle, okay?

Her cute, blushing face as she slowly ate the ice cream was the highlight of this "date."

I have never felt more glad than I am right now to be Ava's friend.

To be continued