Ripples in the Rain

Chapter Three

After a nice dinner at a small Italian restaurant, Oscar and I took a walk at a park nearby. It was a balmy summer evening and even though it was 8 pm, it was still bright outside. Due to my maladroit tendencies, I almost fell down after I stumbled upon a rock. Oscar held my hand to steady me and didn't let it go. I usually cursed my clumsiness, but this time, I was immensely grateful for it. I missed having my hand held by a man, and to have someone like Oscar holding my hand, it felt really nice. His hand was large, but not huge. It was warm, but not sweaty. It was perfect.

"I hope you enjoyed the food as much as I did," Oscar said. "When you asked me to pick a restaurant, that was the only place I could think of."

"The pasta was al dente and the sauce was amazing," I said. "You couldn't have picked a better place."

He squeezed my hand and said, "You are so sweet. I really enjoy our time together."

I could feel my cheeks turning red as he squeezed my hand again and said, "Thank you. I haven't been this happy in a long while."

Suddenly, I felt a flash of light in front of me. Oscar groaned. "Damn those photographers. They're still hounding me."

The photographer came in front of us and said, "Oscar, give me a good smiling shot, please. And could you say a few words about why you haven't been in any movies the past few years."

He shook his head and said politely ,"No comment. Please respect our privacy and leave us alone."

The photographer said, "Who is your new lady friend, Oscar?"

"She is none of your business," he said firmly. "I'm asking you again nicely to leave us alone. Otherwise, I will take action."

"Okay man, sorry, " he said as he moved away from us.

Oscar grabbed both my hands and said, "I'm so sorry. It's been a while since I've had something like this happen to me. Tonight of all nights..."

"It's not a big deal," I said. "Let's sit on a bench over there."

Oscar buried his head in his hands soon after we sat down. I rubbed his shoulder and said,"Really Oscar, please don't stress over this."

He formed a fist with his right hand and punched the empty bench space beside him. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Nothing is wrong with you," I said. "We had a lovely dinner and we were distracted by the paparazzi. But now we're alone again."

I felt a drop of rain on my cheek. And then another one. And another one.

"Is it starting to rain, or is it just me?"

Oscar grabbed my hand and said, "Let's get out of here before we're soaked."

"Why don't we go to my place?" I asked, regretting my offer immediately after I said it. "It's just a few blocks down." I hardly knew this man and I was bringing him home already?

"You really don't mind me coming over? I'd really love to meet your daughters."

After what he just said, it would be impossible for me to retract my offer.

"I'm sure they'd love to meet you as well."

Sophie requested to stay the night at her father's place so Lucie was left alone at our apartment. When Oscar and I arrived, she was watching something about the human body on the Discovery Channel. Always pursuing greater knowledge, that's my girl.

"Lucie, " I said as I sat beside her, "This is my friend, Oscar."

"Oh," Lucie said, "He's the actor you met yesterday."