The Blind Date

Chapter Two

The excited barks that reach my ears from the front porch pull a smile from my lips. When the driver parks, I make my way to Peanut who is barking on the porch, and his whole body trembles under my touch.

"Who's a good boy? Mommy missed you!" I kneel beside him and hug his furry body close, and he stops shaking almost immediately. We have an unspoken understanding, and the fact that he remembers everyday makes me happy. He's been with me for five years and understands that I'm disabled after he jumped on me and I fell over, twisting my ankle.

My phone rings in my bag that's halfway on the ground, breaking the comfortable moment I have going on with my dog. I stand up and head inside, entering through the kitchen. My heels get kicked off; bag is thrown on the table and the phone is found in the few minutes that I spend rummaging.

"Hey Siri. Who called me?" The phone dangles from my hand as I walk the familiar hallway to my bedroom. The hairband that holds my Marley twists hostage is removed and they cascade over my shoulders.

"Michael Wesley."

I strip off my clothes and wear a big orange tee shirt and boxers. All my clothes are color coordinated, courtesy of my nurse. She is such a sweetheart. I'm not sure why I wear something orange again. I don't want to admit it. Michael is not messing with my head. "Okay. Play my Ella Mai playlist through the speakers in the kitchen."

"Playing Ella Mai." The faint sounds of a song starting floats into the room and I close my eyes to rest them a little. I hear the sound of Peanut walking in, and my sandals get placed near my feet.

"Thank you, Peanut. Who's a good dog?" He licks my leg while his tail thumps against the bed. I spare him a pat and stand up, leaving my room. A lot of random thoughts run through my head, most of them reminders of things I have to do as soon as possible.

When my stomach growls from lack of food, I head to the kitchen and start to open bowls and pots. There is Bolognese sauce on the stove, but she left the spaghetti uncooked. Like everyone else who is connected to me, Theresa-my nurse-understands that I need to have a certain level of normalcy in my life. She never makes rice or pasta for me unless I ask her to. I cook it myself and feel fulfilled afterwards; knowing that I've done something for myself without help really boosts my confidence levels.

The phone vibrates on the kitchen table and I go to pick it up. "Hello?"

"I'm coming over. I hope you remember our date."

I just roll my eyes. "One, it's not a date and two, I didn't agree to you coming over. I want to be alone."

"Come on, Viv please? It's been so long since I last saw you."

"Good."

"Viviannn." his pleading voice that always works came through my speakers and I roll my eyes. Still manipulative.

"Sunday. I have too much to do. Take it or leave it."

"What about tomorrow? I know you don't have work."

Of course he knows that. "I always have work, Michael, and that's really none of your business."

"Ouch. You're really mad at me, huh?"

I just sigh and place a small pot under the pump over the kitchen sink, turning on the tap. "I have a charity ball that I have to attend."

"Right! I completely forgot about that. I'm going too, so I guess I'll see you there."

"Please don't stalk me, it's not attractive."

"I'm not a stalker, baby. I, however, am a man who goes after what he wants. A good evening to you. Maybe I'll call you later, I've gotta go now."