Stranger Things Have Happened, I Know

Ch 13 & 14

Chapter 13

                Over the next few months, Dave and I settled into a routine of seeing each other basically every other weekend. Because it was so cold in Massachusetts, I would often fly out to LA, but he did come east a few times, to give me a break from traveling. We grew closer and closer and our good-byes became more and more difficult.

                Finally, in late March, we were thawing out in Massachusetts and Dave offered to fly out to me. I found myself parked on the curb outside BradleyInternationalAirport, waiting for him to walk through the sliding doors. Finally, there he was. He flashed me a huge smile as soon as he spotted my car. He tossed his carry on in the back seat and climbed into the passenger’s seat next to me.

                “Hey handsome!” I squealed.

                “Hey, baby,” he said, leaning across the center console to hug and kiss me.

                “I’m starving!” I said as I pulled away from the airport. “Want to go grab a drink and something to eat on the way home?”

                “Absolutely!” Dave said, squeezing my hand. We caught up as I headed over to one of my favorite restaurants. We arrived in no time and I parked the car. We hopped out and Dave took my hand as we walked in. “It is really starting to warm up out here,” he marveled.

                “Finally! Spring is coming,” I said with a sigh of relief. The hostess greeted us and took our name.

                “There is a little bit of a wait, but you can enjoy a drink at the bar until you table becomes available,” She suggested. We agreed and went to find a seat at the bar.

We wiggled out of our coats and hung them on the back of the bar stools. I ordered a martini and Dave ordered a whisky and water. We sat and sipped our drinks, chatting and laughing until his cell phone started to ring. He looked down at the screen and frowned.

                “I’d better take this,” he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek before he excused himself to take the call out in the lobby. I looked down at my drink and smiled. I was thinking about how much I couldn’t wait for him to return when I heard my name being called.

                “Kate?!” I turned to see Heidi happily bouncing across the bar towards me. My heart almost stopped. She was about to meet Dave.

                “Heidi? What are you doing here?” I said, climbing off my bar stool to hug her.

                “I am meeting my sister for dinner,” She said, her eyes traveling to the bar stool next to me, with Dave’s jacket slung over the back of it. Her eyes widened. “Oh my god, are you where with Dave?” I nodded.

                “Yes, but Heidi, here is the thing...” Over her shoulder I saw Dave re-enter the bar and hesitate for a moment, seeing me talking to someone. I took a deep breath and I hurried on, grabbing a hold of her arm. “I didn’t exactly tell you everything. You are going to recognize him, he is… famous and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, just don’t freak out… please, PLEASE, just be cool,” I begged as Dave step up beside us. I took a deep breath as both Heidi and I turned to face him.

                “Dave, this is my very good friend Heidi,” I said nervously. Heidi began to extend her hand for a handshake and froze, recognition registering on her face.

                “Hi,” Dave said, “I’m-”

                “Dave Grohl…” She said, momentarily stunned but then she managed to recover. “Kate’s told me so much about you…” she said, finally shaking his hand.