The Trinket

This was the third concrete box Liz had inhabited in the last seventeen days. The smell of eye-burning cleaning solutions and bare, bland walls were pushing her to her limits. Claustrophobia was beginning to set in. Taking Hudson for walks in the park was losing its attraction. A permanent change needed to occur and soon. She pranced anxiously over to the bed where she had unpacked her clothes consisting mainly of her drab work wardrobe. Liz sat down heavily on the edge of the bed and made a decision.

She had not seen or heard from Red in as many days. Usually Red would have initiated some type of contact before now, but she had heard nothing from him since the night he departed her motel room leaving a cold, gaping void with his absence. Liz decided it was time to find him. She was sure he had been embroiled in his passionate pursuit of Berlin and had ignored his promise to keep her informed once again.

Red answered the call with a relaxed, languid tone. "Lizzie, I've been expecting your call. What took you so long?"

"Good grief, Red. And to think I was expecting you to keep me informed of your latest shenanigans and whereabouts."

Red could tell she was exasperated with him. "How am I supposed to keep you informed when you just keep falling off of the grid? You never stay in one place long enough for me to find you."

"Oh hell, Red. Don't give me that! Who do you think I learned it from; the master of deception, of course. As for me being off of the grid…I'm sure you have someone tracking my every move even though I've asked you not to do that. You know exactly where I am; knowing you, you probably anticipate my every move even before I do."

"Lizzie, you need a break from mediocrity. I'm just about to enjoy my dinner. Dembe and I have prepared a feast of quail this evening. We have more than enough to share. I'm sending my car for you right now."

"Red, I…" Liz began to decline the invitation, but now realized that she had reached out to Red as a means of seeking comfort and company. Spending time alone was wearing very thin.

"O K. I'll be waiting." Liz knew that the call had been ended even before she could give him an answer. Some things would never change, nor would she want them to. Red would never take no for an answer once he made up his mind. She had to admit that she had always been lured in by his decisiveness; a trait she had decided she needed more of.

Liz quickly made up her mind to change her clothes. She decided to change from her slouchy jeans and t-shirt to a casual dress. She smirked at the idea of showing off her shapely legs. She selected the dress from the two she had kept when she left the brownstone she and Tom had shared. Liz needed to be very honest here. She liked the idea of gaining Red's attention and approval even if it was in a flirty, physical manner. She missed the attention of the male gender and Red was beginning to weigh heavily on her mind these days.

While searching in the small ivory box for the earrings she wanted to wear, her eyes were drawn to the colorful child's bracelet the young girl, Beth, had given her when she was working her very first case with Red. As Liz gently fingered the plastic bracelet, she recalled Harold Cooper giving it to her as a reminder of the good she had accomplished during her time with the task force. Suddenly she knew she had to wear it. It had become a symbol of success and a reminder of her commitment to Red and their search for answers. Surprisingly she and Red had indeed formed a compatible working relationship. Tonight she needed that small, not insignificant reminder.

Just as Liz finished brushing her long chestnut hair and securing it over her shoulder she heard a knock on the door of her room. She looked through the peep hole and spotted Dembe waiting there. While opening the door and greeting Dembe, Liz finished applying her favorite lipstick and then dotted on some of the Chanel perfume Red had given her last Christmas.

She took one last approving look at herself in the mirror, stepped into her red heels, picked up her small clutch, flashed a huge smile at Dembe and walked confidently beside him to the waiting car. She was ready, ready to leave the stifling concrete walls, ready to move forward. Her next stop was dinner with Red.

A large smile appeared on Lizzie's face as Dembe studied her in the rear view mirror. He grinned to himself and thought, "She's a woman on a mission! Oh Raymond, my friend,…"

~XX~

As Dembe escorted her through the front door of the Tudor style house Red was currently residing in, Liz stopped to reign in her excitement and nerves. She wanted to appear with confidence, a woman worthy of Red's attention.

"Hello Red," Liz called from the doorway.

"Lizzie, so glad you could make it. The tantalizing smell of the roasting quail is making my mouth water."

Red turned from the stove to face Liz as she entered the kitchen. He stopped in his movement when his eyes locked on the confident woman that stood before him. Liz was stunning in the classic dress she had chosen to wear. Her eyes were bright and alive; the large expectant smile that greeted him was radiant. This was a different woman! Red was intrigued. He exhaled the breath of air he had been holding and swallowed hard.

What was that flash of color he saw on her arm just as she placed her arm behind her back? He was sure it looked familiar. Red continued to peruse Liz from top to bottom as she strolled over to the counter and laid her clutch down. She then pivoted to face him. That was when he got a good look at the plastic bracelet. Yes, he remembered the very day that bracelet had appeared; a visible reminder of the first case he had worked with this woman. They had certainly come a long way and Liz was now standing before him with a glow of confidence emanating from her very being.

"Red, it smells wonderful in here. When are we eating?"

Red slowly approached Liz as he held out a glass of wine to her, all the while locking his gaze on her eyes. He noticed that she didn't flinch nor break the contact. She took the wine and sought out a place to sit at the counter.

"Lizzie, we will eat as soon as the salad has been put together. You can help. Here, slice some cucumbers, carrots and green peppers."

Red handed her a basket of fresh vegetables. She walked over to the small preparation sink and began to wash each vegetable. She was intent on her task, but soon realized that Red had walked up behind her. She felt her muscles tighten as she acknowledged his close proximity and anticipated his touch. She was disappointed when he didn't touch her, but draped a kitchen towel over her shoulder instead.

"I thought you might need this before your work is done."

Liz replied in a quiet, almost whisper-like voice, "Thank you."

Why was she so disappointed? She could feel a flush creeping up her neck and face. She kept her attention focused on the vegetables in the sink; all the while hoping Red had not noticed her reaction.

After Liz finished washing the vegetables she returned to the counter where Red had placed a cutting board.

"Red, I need a knife to slice the vegetables. Where can I find one?"

Red walked over to a drawer and pulled out a knife for her to use. He then walked over to her and carefully set it on the counter. She looked up at him with beseeching eyes that seemed to ask, "When are you going to touch me?"

The tension in the room was suddenly palpable. Both recognized the feeling, yet neither wanted to be the first to physically or verbally acknowledge it. The moment was lost when Dembe entered the kitchen and asked if he could help.

Liz spoke first, "Please get a knife and help me cut up these vegetables for the salad while Red finishes preparing the rest of the meal."

Dembe noticed a slight quiver in Liz's voice as she spoke and immediately realized he had interrupted a private moment.

"Raymond, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I know you've been anxious to eat the quail. I will help Ms Keen."

~XX~

Dembe filled his plate with food and began leaving the room as Liz said, "Dembe, you don't have to leave. You're welcome to eat with us."

"Thanks, Ms Keen, but I don't want to miss my favorite TV show which is starting about now." He then grinned and left the room.

Liz took a bite of the roasted quail. "Mmmm…this is really good. Where did you get these quail?"

"They were given to me by one of my acquaintances who recently returned from a hunting trip. I'm so glad you like it. This is the way my grandmother used to prepare quail. The bird is basted with a mixture made from melted butter, honey and soy sauce with a little white wine thrown in for good measure."

As Liz continued to savor the dinner, Red again noticed the colorful plastic bracelet on her wrist. "Lizzie, that's an eye-catching piece of jewelry you're wearing on your arm. It looks familiar to me. Isn't it the trinket the young girl gave you when we were working on our first case together?"

Liz stopped and looked at the bracelet, "Yes."

"Why did you choose to wear it tonight?" Red was sure he knew the answer, but he wanted to hear her tell the story.

Liz let out an audible sigh as her muscles tensed up. Of course he would ask about the trinket, she knew he would. She knew she had worn the bracelet as a conversation starter. She wanted this conversation with Red; she needed this conversation with him. She needed a sounding board; she was seeking assurance that she was on the right track, on track to healing her life. She was looking toward a brighter future.

She took a deep breath and stepped right into the crux of the matter. "It's hard for me to explain, but I'll try. It reminds me of a time when I felt that I had been successful at my job. I had done something worthwhile. Life was still bright and hopeful. My life had not yet gone to hell, nor been totally consumed by anger." Liz paused…then, she made the choice to be decisive, truthful. "And it reminds me of you. Our first case together, I was green, inexperienced. You were patient with me, taught me to think like a criminal, think outside of the box. I needed that reminder today."

Red listened intently as Liz continued to explain why she was wearing the bracelet. He tilted his head slightly to the side and got lost in her earnest eyes and her steady, lilting voice. He nodded his head in agreement of every word she spoke.

He had guessed correctly…Lizzie wore that plastic bracelet as a symbol of a less painful and peaceful time in her life. Like a toddler carries a comforting security blanket to soothe himself; Lizzie wore the plastic bracelet to soothe the confusion and pain she had encountered in life.

Red was pulled into the dross. He wanted to lighten her load, but only Lizzie could do that for herself. Red was drawn to her as she continued to talk. He raised his hand and then pulled it back on second thought.

When he raised his eyes and looked directly into the depths of her blue eyes, he was lost. He slowly reached across the table and placed his soothing hand over the hand that had been lying in wait for his touch.

Liz could hardly breathe. She had longed for his touch, the touch that told her she was not alone; the touch that brought comfort, security and hope back to her life. The cool plastic bracelet had been replaced by his warm caring hand.

AN: Please leave a comment before you move on with your day. All comments are appreciated.