Then I Saw Your Face

Linda

I smoothed my skirt out, did a teeny dance, then opened the door. Smiling, I greeted the cop. "Hi, Danny."
"Whoa." His eyes looked down— maybe at my shoes or legs?
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Come on in," I stepped aside so he could walk through. Thank goodness I thought, not seeing Jimmy on the couch.
"Nice dress."
"Thanks. You look nice, too." He wore khakis and a deep burgundy shirt. "So... catch any perps today?"
"Uh, yeah. Junkies mostly. And you? Whatcha do today?"
"I went to work. It was a pretty slow day. Two spiked fevers and a really bad concussion."
"Linda, you're outta dip." Jimmy came waltzing out of the kitchenette, causing me to hang my head. "This your date?" He plopped on the couch, "what about me?"
Danny looked at me questioningly as I growled softly. Sighing, I held my hand towards Jimmy, "Danny, this is Jimmy. My brother. Jimmy, my friend Danny."
"Sup?" Jimmy held a dip covered chip.
Danny only nodded, confusion still on his face.
"Okay! Ready to go?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Uh, Jimmy. Don't have the tv on too loud, clean up after yourself. Don't... don't have any friends over, this is my place. Uh..."
"Don't go in the medicine cabinet, masterbate in the shower, wear pants. Got it!" Jimmy rattled off.
I covered my eyes with my hand as I blushed. "Let's go." Once we got out the door, I told Danny, "please don't think about Jimmy. He's my brother, I love him, but he is more washed out than the high tide on the beach."
Danny chuckled, "he's okay, though, right? I mean.. we shouldn't be worried about him?"
"He'll be fine. The last time he set fire to something was a long time ago." We walked up to Danny's car, "nice car." I reached for the door handle, but Danny beat me to it. He opened the door and I smiled broadly. "Thanks.... So, what kinda car is this?"
"'71 Chevelle."
"What the hell is a Chevelle?"
"This. Manufactured by Ford."
I looked at him, not remembering any other Ford beside the president.
"Henry Ford."
"I knew that." Cause I really did, it just wasn't coming to me.... Most of my knowledge wasn't coming to me that night. It was really bad...
*********
"I gotta tell ya I was surprised to hear you say we were eating at your place. But I'm glad we are." I pointed to my pasta with my fork, "this is delicious."
"I'm glad you like it."
"I mean, this is, like, restaurant quality."
"No, it's not." Danny's ears were slightly red, which was so cute!
"Yeah, it is! Can I get the recipe?"
"Yeah. Um, I'll write it down and give it to you tomorrow during lunch?"
"Sure. I'm gonna be making this, like, all the time! Where'd ya learn to cook like this?"
"My Mom. My Dad always said my brothers and I had to learn to make a nice pasta and garlic bread with a light salad for our future girlfriends."
I choked on my bread. Did he say girlfriend? Did he want me to be his girlfriend?