“Silas?”
“Yeah?”
“I like youtoo.”
* * *
The second Istep into the shower, I realize Ebie’s plan has merit. I work out the knots in my shoulder in the hot water and I know there's no chance I'm going anywhere tonight. I'm too tired to be polite to a waitress. I'm too tired to drive safely in this rain. We’ll eat. I’ll try not to say anything too stupid oroffensive.
When I get out of the shower, Ebie has already fixed up the T.V. room to look like I’ve used it more than once since last football season. The coffee table is cleaned off and there are lit candles in the center. She found my JETS beanbag chair and a few large pillows from upstairs and set them on either side of the table. She even found some of Mom’s candles. I have no clue where she found that box of matches, but the candlelight does set a certain mood. I look up at her. She’s in a small pair of plaid shorts and a tattered Miami Flames shirt that’s hanging off one shoulder. I like the way her hair looks, wavy and hanging right at herchin.
“You always look like a model,” I tellher.
“Is that your way of saying that you think I’mpretty?”
“I think you’re beautiful. I told you that when I first metyou.”
“You did, but you know…” she gestures around us and I know she means that I can’t forget how and why we were together that firstnight.
“Yeah. For someone who isn’t a huge fan of dogs, they sure like you.” I gesture aroundthe
room in the sameway.
She looks around. Honeycrisp is curled up in my mom’s armchair. Morty and Gala are back on the dog beds by the fireplace, which I know they haven’t touched in months. Hank is on the floor next to Ebie’s feet and Joe Namath has half his body in the hallway and his other half in the room. He doesn’t lift his head when I look over at him, but he starts wagging histail.
“They’re just bored. They think I’m going to put on a show forthem.”
“They should be used to that kind of disappoint by now. I’m the shittiest dog owner. Idon’t
even have time to play fetch with them. You want to me toorder?”
“Oh.” She leans over the couch and grabs her laptop off the leather cushions. “Apparentlyyou
can order online. I pulled it up already. Just add what you want and other important information, like youraddress.”
I take the laptop from her and check out what she ordered. Then I hand her back her laptop and go back to my bedroom to get my phone. I have Andeloni’s number saved in my favorites. My buddy Mark answers as I walk back into the TV room. I give him ourorder.
“If I placed an online order for this address, they’d think squatters had killed me. I always call in,” I tell her after I set my phone on the coffeetable.
“Ah. Makes sense. Well I think our evening has officially started. Should wesit?”
“Yes. After you.” I wait for her to sit on the stack of pillows before I make myself comfort in the beanbag chair. “I haven’t sat in this thing inages.”
“Yeah, the rooms upstairs look prettyuntouched.”
I shrug and reach for the box of matches. “It’s just me and the dogs. Didn’t see much point inredecorating.”
“So,” she says folding her hands in her lap. I think this is the first time she’s actually smiled for me. “What would you like to talk about on our firstdate?”
“You,” Isay.
“Me?”
“I've been talking all day. I want hear youtalk.”
“Where should Istart?”
“Wherever you want? All I know is that you’re alawyer.”