A Mile Walked…
By T.L. Lawrence
The evening sparkled in the just-fading light, from the glitter of the damp streets to the first bright star appearing on the horizon where the clouds were finally clearing. Even the sequins on her bag seemed brighter.
She was very glad Lucy had already left on her date. The explanation for tonight would have taken far too long, and left her far too stressed to enjoy it.
Why am I nervous? If anything, he's walking into MY world tonight. Sue Thomas toyed with the fringe on her shawl as she watched from the window. Though the rain had stopped, the evening breeze was a bit chill for July. Who would have ever thought…?
Her mind wandered back three months, to a fraud case, an impromptu storytelling event among the Deaf patients at the nursing home they were investigating, and a surprising conversation back at the Bullpen.
…He smiled again. "You know, I've heard Evelyn Glennie perform several times, both in Boston and here in DC. I didn't know all that about her, though, and I didn't realize you followed the arts. Or, if you don't mind my asking, is it more because she's deaf?"
"No, I follow the arts, more deaf art then anything. It's easier for me to understand. Evelyn being deaf is more of an inspiration than anything."
"Deaf art? Would you explain that to me?" He looked puzzled, but genuinely interested. …
The conversation had been one of the most enjoyable she'd had with him in the two years she'd known him. She'd have brought it up long ago, since she'd known he was a patron of the arts, but she wasn't sure if his passion would extend into her world as well. As it turned out, he'd been intrigued.
… They worked in silence for a several minutes. Then he reached over and flicked the desk light again, a little more hesitantly this time. When she looked up, she saw the same hesitation in his eyes.
"What is it, Myles?" she asked gently. "Whatever it is, go ahead and ask it. It's okay."
"What about...well, you mentioned Evelyn Glennie, who is a musician. How—" He paused. "Please don't take this wrong. How, if you can't hear the music...?" He trailed off, not knowing how to phrase his question. …
She'd not realized how deep his love of music went until the conversation turned in that direction. Explaining the different "senses" of music to him, watching the expression on his face, had shocked her. Perhaps he wasn't the only one who had come into the working relationship with preconceptions.
… Myles thought about that, hard. "I never thought of that. I do know when I go to the symphony and sit closer to the stage, I can usually feel the music in my feet, through the floor, but I never really thought of it as its own...sense, I suppose." He looked at her again, smiling. "So if I were to find out when Evelyn Glennie is going to be with the National Symphony this season...and I believe she is on the schedule, by the way...?"
She raised a brow at him, but her eyes twinkled. "She is. Mid-July, I think." She grinned mischievously, pretending she didn't know what he was asking. "What was your question?"
He laughed, and teased her right back. "Would you be interested in going? Or would that get me in trouble with either David or Jack?" …
The most surprising part was that two days ago she'd gotten to her desk and found a plain white envelope lying there, no writing on it at all. She'd looked around, but everyone seemed completely engrossed in their work. Dimitrius had come in with an assignment for Myles and Bobby, and neither had done more than nod to her on their way out.
She'd sat down and started to open the envelope when Lucy tapped her shoulder. "What's that?"
"I don't know. You didn't see anyone put it here?"
NO, Lucy had signed. BIG MYSTERY, YESQQ
BEGIN DAY, BEST WAY, Sue smiled as she'd slipped open the envelope and pulled out a narrow piece of heavy paper. Her eyes had widened, and it was all she could do to bury the gasp in her throat. I figured he'd forgotten all about it.
"Wow." Lucy took the ticket from her. "Fifth row center for the National Symphony on Friday. Pricey. Somebody sure has their signals crossed, though. Isn't this pretty much insulting for you?"
"Why?" Sue asked. You know I love music. And fifth row is perfect for feeling it. I'd forgotten I asked a friend of mine to get a ticket for me the next time they were going."
"Well, now I don't feel so bad about going out with Ron and leaving you home by yourself," the dark-skinned woman had teased. "Does Levi get to go, too?"
Sue had frowned a bit. "I hadn't thought of that. He doesn't care for the drums. I'll ask Charlie to take him for the evening. Levi can have a popcorn spree."
Lucy had walked away, chuckling. Sue glanced around to make sure everyone was still busy, then pulled out her Blackberry and sent a quick text message: You're on. Can I talk you into letting me spring for dinner?
Five minutes later, the Blackberry vibrated against her hip, and she'd smiled as she read the reply: Not on your life. My idea, my treat. I will pick you up Friday at 7.
Sue took a deep breath, watching the cars pass on the street below. Lucy had been remarkably good about believing every vague answer given to her persistent questions about who was going to the symphony with her. She'd never actually lied to Lucy, but "a good friend I found at the retirement home" did seem to be stretching the truth a bit. Still, it was infinitely better than the grilling she'd have gotten if she'd admitted she was going to dinner and the symphony with Myles Leland III.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't see the car pull up; only when her Blackberry buzzed and she read Levi has the night off as doorman? did she run to the door.
"Myles, I'm so sorry," she stammered. "I—"
He held up a hand. "Not necessary." A blond brow popped up as he got a good look at her. YOU BEAUTIFUL, he signed, but there was something uncomfortable in his face as he did. "I… I'm sorry. I was going to say 'very nice,' since this is by no means a 'real' date, but… I don't know how."
Now Sue smiled. "Glad to know I'm not the only one who's wondering if we'll have to keep this evening a secret from the rest of the team, or face endless teasing for the next year." She pointed at him, then pushed a "v" handshape forward from next to her eyes, as if pointing where she was looking. Then she brought the fingertips of both "v" hands together in front of her and drew them apart about shoulder width. Then she slid her right hand, palm-down, forward over her upturned left hand. "You look very nice, too." She finished it off with the SAME-SAME sign he was familiar with.
He copied the signs, breathing a sigh of relief when she nodded, smiling. Then he grinned. "Teasing? I'm afraid I'm going to get shot when Jack finds out."
She blushed clear to her toes, and he laughed as he offered her his arm. "Shall we?"