Then I Saw Your Face

Danny

I drove Linda home, listening to her talk about her job change.
"Sorry...." she shook her head, her braids swinging. "I think out loud sometimes."
"That's okay. It's kinda—" I stopped myself from saying 'cute'.
"Weird? I know."
I decided to say it, maybe she'd like me more. "I, uh, I was gonna say, uh, cute."
"Thanks."
I could tell she was blushing, even in the dark car. Out of curiosity, I asked about Jimmy. She told me he was okay, just had some money problems. I was still going to look him up in the system....
I parked in front of her building. She thanked me and got out and closed the door.
"Lemme walk you to your room." Did I just say that?
"I can walk... it's only a few steps then some stairs."
"Then humor me. Please?"
"Um..." Linda figures with her fingers. What did she think I'd do? Take advantage of her?
"Look, it's not that this isn't a bad neighborhood... it's just..."
"Your cop conscience won't let me go alone?" She smirked, sunglasses in her hand.
"Yeah..."
"If it'll settle your conscience..."
I walked her up to her apartment, and we talked awkwardly for a bit. Man, I wanted to kiss her. I should've kissed her. But I guess it was better that I didn't... at least I was seeing her tomorrow.
"Bye, Linda."
"Bye," she opened the door, and looked at me almost longingly.
I waited till I heard the lock fall into place, then I went to the car.
I parked it outside my apartment building, and slowly took the stairs up to my floor. I unlocked my door and dropped the keys in the tray. Why did I feel so low? So alone?
I fell asleep that night, Linda on my brain and in my dreams.
********
During my lunch break, I drove to King General's to give Linda the pasta recipe. It wasn't hard at all: pasta, pre-made fettuccine sauce, add garlic or whatnot to taste. I walked up to a black lady at the desk. "Hi. I'm looking for Linda O'Shea."
She raised her eyebrows, "She in trouble?"
"What? No, I just came but to give her a recipe." I held up piece of paper. Forgot I was in uniform for a few moments.
"Um... think she's on the roof. Eating lunch. She likes it up there. There or in the park across the street."
"Thanks." I walked to the door that had stairs on it. I pushed it open, and took the 18 flights of stairs. Probably should've stopped and walked out to the elevator, but it was good exercise. I shoulder my way through the door to the roof, and I saw multiple nurses and doctors up there. I guess it was a nice place to catch a breather.
"That's my problem!" I heard Linda say. I looked in her direction; her back was to me, her hair in a messy bun. "I really, really like this guy."
"So tell him that." The girl who sat with Linda shrugged.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I told him I wasn't looking for a relationship. That I'm focusing on me."
"So what? Who the hell is this guy anyways?"
"His name's Danny Reagan." She sighed, and I raised my eyebrows.
She likes me? And wants a relationship?