SHE LOVES ME?
"White Girl, I need your help."
"Sure, Lula. It's not like I have a lot going on in my personal life right now."
"There is this shy nerdy guy who I've been teaching how to romance a girl. I'm relying on my ex-Ho experience here to help him. He has had a crush on a librarian since high school but is too shy to do anything about it. If I set up a meeting for maybe coffee, would you be a pretend date? He needs to work out the kinks before I send him after the librarian."
"What!"
"Come on, Skinny White Girl. It's just coffee. He get's so tongue tied around Ezra, I think he could faint. Al needs to get comfortable. Build his confidence with his romantic self. Besides, I want his tongue to tie the book girl in knots down under not while he's talking. That's a lesson down the road. Once he gets the girl, I'm finding you a man. Batman had his chance."
"All right, I'll do it. It would be nice for some male company. I might as well brush up on my dating skills. Joe's in love with Shelly Bungle. She has a safe job at the button factory. She baked Joe brownies and a loaf of bread just like his mother Joe told me when I saw him at the station. And, Ranger is back to his distant self since his last 'in the wind'. I could use some distraction."
"Good Girl. I'll set it up."
A few days later:
Tank looked up from his desk when Ranger strolled into his office, "Need something?"
"Has Lula said anything about Stephanie seeing someone?"
"What's it to you? Ranger, you don't want her. Stephanie's waited for you to make up your mind. Life's too short."
"Who is he?"
"Someone in my Sweetie's building. He seems nice, but quiet. I'm heading over to Vinnie's for some files."
"Ill ride along."
Tank was laughing on the inside, Ranger was a little bent out of shape with the idea of Stephanie seeing Lula's romance student. Maybe this crazy plan of hers just might work to get two couples together.
They walked into Vinnie's. Lula was sitting on the battered sofa with Al, her romance trainee. Connie was talking with them.
"Hi, Sweetie," Tank said before he kissed Lula. "Hey, Al, this is my boss, Ranger Manoso. Ranger, Al lives in Lula's building."
He nodded at a man probably slightly shorter than Stephanie; wire rimmed glasses, skinny, clothes loose on his under-developed body, sandy hair short with pasty white skin. All he needed was a pocket protector. Nerd written all over him. This was who Stephanie was dating. What did he have that Ranger didn't.? His ego was bruised.
"He in?" Ranger nodded in the direction of Vinnie's door.
Connie was filing her nails, "Yep."
He walked past and closed the door.
Vinnie was behind his desk, slimy glee on his face "Is it really true? That crazy cousin of mine passed you over for the skinny nerd out there."
"What's going on?"
"Nothing much. Just a little on his dates with Stephanie."
"Boy, I bet he doesn't have any trouble with women," Al said. They heard his comments from the planted bug.
"Batman WAS the shit, but he's more like Batboy now in pull up training pants. Scared he may mess those tight cargos if he let My Girl into his life. He just dragged her along. Al, you're more of a man. You're willing to do something for love. Now let's get to the next part."
"Wow, your stock went way down." Vinnie chuckled.
"Now, Al," Lula's voice came over the speaker in Vinnie's office, "the next thing you want to do is call that Skinny White Girl just to say 'Hi' so she knows your thinking about her. You want your lady to feel she's the only one. Here, call."
"Hi, Stephanie. I enjoyed our coffee dates, too. Yes, that was delicious cheesecake. I'll see you soon. Thanks."
Lula and Connie clapped their hands, "That was good, Nerdy Man."
"It seemed easy," Al told them.
"Youre doing good, Student. Make her feel special. What do you know about Stephanie? You've listened to her."
"Well, Lula, she's fun. Love's Pino's pizza and caramel lattes. She has a hamster named Rex. Loves to watch Ghostbusters. Has the prettiest blue eyes. Her favorite desserts are pineapple-upside down cake and Boston creams. Hates to exercise. Favorite color is blue. 'How Do I Love thee?' is her favorite poem from college. Point Pleasant is her favorite place in the world. Stephanie always wanted a Golden Retriever since she was little. She enjoys dancing."
Ranger said to himself, "I knew that. I didn't know that."
"You need to be spontaneous. Buy her something special. Nothing expensive. Something small so when she sees it, she'll think of you."
"I've never been very spontaneous, Lula? I'm not sure if I know how?"
"Be back here later. She quits at Rangeman at 5. Go search for that something special and I'll pack a picnic for the two of you in the park. I'll teach you how to show your lady she's special. When you progress to the point when you MAKE LOVE," Lula stressed the last two words knowing Ranger was listening, "take her to a very romantic inn or hotel. Not at you place or hers if you can afford it. Shower her with your love. Give her flowers. Not a dozen roses, but simple daisies or a hand picked bouquet. It shows thought.
"OK, Teach," Al said and they heard the front door close. Tank scampered silently out of the bonds office to the Rangeman SUV before Ranger came out of Vinnie's office.
"Ladies," Ranger nodded exiting the office and walked almost past the vehicle.
Tank yelled out the window, "Where you going?"
"Tasty Pastry."
He came back with a small white bag.
Tank inquired, "Did you bring me anything?"
"No," taking out his cell phone. "Hi, Babe. No, I just wanted to see how you were. I'm good. Do you need any help? Call if you do. Bye, Babe."
Looking at his Boss, "Since when do you call just to say Hi?"
"Just felt like it."
Tank got the location of Rangers GPS when he disappeared after Stephanie left for the day. He found him lying on his stomach in tall grass on a hill with high powered binoculars aimed at two people below in the park.
"What are you doing?" Tank could barely control his laughter.
A strong Cuban hand pulled him down beside him, "Do you want to be seen? Surveillance."
"We dont have any jobs tonight."
"Side job."
Tank grabbed the binoculars to see Stephanie and Al eating the picnic Lula had packed on a blanket. "That's Stephanie and Al. Why are you stalking her? You didn't want a relationship, so let her find someone who does. Al eventually wants to have a dog and kids, too."
"He's a Nerd."
"Well, what good did you and Morelli do for her! He argued about her job and her life. You just played with her heart. She loved you, Man, but you disappeared after they broke it off for good. You couldn't put out the effort. Let Stephanie be happy!"
"With him? She could have all of me."
"Have you told her that? Have you showed her? No, youre lurking about in high grass. That could be you down there with Stephanie enjoying a quiet evening in the park."
"Give me those," Ranger reached for the binoculars. "He gave My Babe something." He readjusted the binoculars. "A stuffed puppy."
Tank saw Rangers body stiffen when Stephanie leaned over and kissed Als cheek.
LATER THAT EVENING:
Letting himself into Stephanies apartment, she was sitting on the sofa watching Ghostbusters. Her new puppy sitting beside her.
"Hey, Ranger. What brings you here?" Stephanie asked as he sat down next to her.
"Wanted to see you, Babe. We haven't seen too much of each other since I got back."
"Thanks for the Boston creams. I assume you left them for me."
"I thought you might like them."
Stephanie turned to look at him, "Thanks."
As the credits for the movie were running, Ranger handed Stephanie a package.
"For me? Why?"
"I saw that and thought of you," he told her quietly.
Stephanie unwrapped a photo frame that read 'I (HEART) MY HAMSTER' with a picture of Rex. His head and chubby cheeks sticking out of his soup can. .
"Ranger, I love it!" Ste[hanie was running her fingers around the white frame. "He's my baby. How did you get a picture of Rex?"
"He posed when I told him to do it."
"You speak hamster?" She kissed his Cuban cheek, "I can't believe you did this. That is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever given me. I'll treasure it always."
Ranger picked up Stephanies hand playing with her fingers, "Would you like to have dinner tomorrow, Babe?"
"I have plans, Ranger." Stephanie said but saw a flash of what she thought was disappointment across his face. He was acting very un-Ranger like all day. "It's Daddy's birthday tomorrow. We always do this big grill thing in the backyard with a canopy set up, steaks, and a huge picnic dinner. I hope Daddy likes the big screen TV I'm having delivered tomorrow."
"I know he will," tucking a curl behind her ear. "We'll do dinner another night, soon."
Ranger was at her door to leave. Stephanie had the feeling he was delaying it as long as possible. Stalling. "I'll see you tomorrow, Babe," kissing her lips with the lightest touch.
"Thank you for Rex's picture."
"Babe, anything for you." His dark chocolate eyes were soft Stephanie noticed.
Without thinking the words came out, " Ranger, would you like to go to Daddy's birthday with me?"
"OK," giving her 200 watts. He kissed Stephanie gently again and was out the door.
He was sitting in his apartment looking at the bouquet of flowers in a simple vase he purchased for her desk tomorrow. He pulled a daisy out and started pulling the petals
"She loves me. She loves me not."
It took him three daisies to end it with "She loves me" with the last petal.