Help Me Heal

Chapter 8

The next morning, Hank awoke feeling fresher than usual, more upbeat than usual. Maybe even happy. He couldn't remember the last time that had happened. Waking up feeling determined to get to work and do a good job was familiar to him. He was used to feeling driven, or even angry depending on the case he was working on. But not happy.

Kalinda Rai was having a big effect on his life, in such a short period of time. He contemplated that as he got up and took his morning wash in the bathroom. The dinner date had been a very pleasant, enjoyable time. On the way to drop Kalinda off at home, he hadn't wanted the night to end. It had ended though, with a peck on the cheek. After all, they weren't sex-deprived teenagers who were going to jump into bed at the first opportunity. But Hank was definitely interested in her, and to hell with whether he was her boss or not. For once, it was time to pursue something for himself instead of the job.

Also unfamiliar to Hank was a desire to be impulsive. When an idea came to him, he decided to roll with it and see what happened. After washing up and brushing his teeth, he went back to his bedroom and picked up his phone. For a moment, he second-guessed himself.

"Just do it," he muttered, and began typing out a text message to Kalinda.

Would you like to meet me for coffee before work?

With the message sent, Hank got on with getting dressed. A couple of minutes went by without a sound from his phone. But then his message tone sounded.

Kalinda Rai: That would be nice. When and where?

Hank thought for a moment about where would be the right place to suggest. There was a coffee shop called Bean and Gone which he had visited before, and it was located sort of between his place and Kalinda's. It was always busy, so he figured it was good. He sent another message, suggesting the coffee shop and letting her know the time to meet him. Her reply came almost immediately.

Kalinda Rai: See you there.

For once there was something pleasant and drama-free happening in Hank's life. It made him happy, and he felt that way the whole time until he parked up at the coffee shop twenty minutes later. Then he was hit with a weird, almost nervous feeling. Why, when all he was doing was having a coffee with someone?

But he wasn't just having coffee with someone. He was having a date, kind of, with a woman he was interested in. Very interested in. And who was possibly interested in him also. The whole situation with him and Kalinda made little sense in his mind, but that was one of the things he liked about it.

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Later, when he parked up at the coffee shop, Hank felt glad that he had been able to put the nervous feeling behind him. He wasn't that kind of person at all, and it was unpleasant to feel so out of character.

He got out of his SUV, noting that the small parking lot was almost full. If Kalinda was far behind him, she might struggle to get a spot. The level of popularity was as he had expected, showing that Bean and Gone served good coffee and breakfast food. He hoped Kalinda would agree.

"Morning," a male staff member said to Hank when he walked in. He had to talk loudly over the chatter of customers and the sound of a percolating machine. The smell of fresh coffee was amazing. "We're a little busy I'm afraid. Are you looking to get something to go, or were you looking for a table?"

"A table," Hank said. Looking around, it seemed like he would be lucky. From here by the door, they all appeared to be occupied.

"For one, sir?"

"Two," Hank replied, feeling happy to be able to say that.

"Give me a second, please."

The staff member went to have a look around to see what was available. When he returned, he was smiling. A bearer of good news.