Goober had been floating on Cloud 9 the last two days, ever since Andy had told him that Louise had agreed to go with him to the picnic. He hadn't thought the day would ever get here, but it was finally Saturday, and he wanted to make sure he looked his best. He took his favorite jacket out of the closet before slicking his hair down one more time, then made his way to the church, eager for the introductions to be made.

xXxXx

Louise came downstairs wearing a pale blue dress she'd gotten at Weaver's the day before. This picnic had her so nervous that she hadn't been sure she had a decent thing to wear.

She helped Helen pack the picnic basket and sat it on the backseat next to her when Andy picked them up. She spent the entire car ride wringing her hands, almost anxious for the day to simply end.

Andy drove the car alongside the curb in front of the church, and as Louise waited for Andy to open the door for her, she looked out her window and saw a young man rise from the church steps and walk toward the car. She needed no introduction to tell her that this was Goober Pyle.

xXxXx

Goober stopped a few feet from the squad car and waited for Andy and the girls to exit the car. He couldn't help but smile as Louise stepped out from the backseat. She was prettier than the dim street lights had shown a few nights earlier. Her blue eyes sparkled, and when she smiled at him, it was shy but sincere. Suddenly he was nervous, and he returned her shy smile.

xXxXx

Andy made the introductions, and as the foursome made its way to an empty spot to spread out the blanket, Goober hurriedly pulled him to one side.

"Andy, you and Helen ain't gonna leave or nothing, are you?" he asked. "You'll be there the whole time, right?"

Andy smiled to himself. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea, after all, setting Louise up with Goober. They sounded just like each other.

He answered as he patted Goober on the shoulder. "Don't worry; we're not going anywhere."

xXxXx

Louise slowly felt herself growing more comfortable around Goober, even going so far as to chuckle a little at his impressions of Cary Grant and Edward G. Robinson. Even when the expected questions about her background started, she found that she didn't really mind.

"What do you do, Louise? Where are you from?"

"I'm a writer from South Carolina."

"What do you write?"

"Mostly short stories, a little poetry."

"What about your family? Any of them writers?"

Louise smiled at the way the question was worded. "No. My sister lives over in Greensboro; she works in a bank. My father lives there too; he just retired from working for the county."

"What about your mama?"

xXxXx

Louise went silent for a few moments before answering. "She passed away about a year ago."

Goober immediately regretted asking that last question. He quickly apologized before changing the subject. "So…South Carolina, huh? Well, what brings you here?"

xXxXx

Louise bit her lip briefly as she glanced at Helen and Andy. This was one question they hadn't expected.

"Well…I just felt like taking a trip…wanted a change of scenery. So I called Helen and asked if I could visit her for a few days."

xXxXx

Helen let out a silent sigh of relief. For having to come up with an answer on the spot, Louise had done a good job of keeping it as vague as the others. But she was now worried that Goober might start asking questions that didn't have such ready answers. She decided that it was time to intervene.

"Well, as much as I hate to see this afternoon end, I do have some papers to finish grading. Louise, didn't you say something about some sewing you wanted to get done?"

She watched as Louise glanced at her, then at Goober, then back at her.

"I did say that, didn't I? I suppose if we stay much longer, I'll be too tired to work on it tonight."

xXxXx

Goober walked with the others back to the squad car, not ready for the day to be over.

"I had a good time today, Louise. I'm glad you came."

She smiled at him. "I enjoyed it too, Goober. Thanks for asking me."

As he opened the car door for her, he asked one more question. "Would you like to go for a walk tomorrow?"

xXxXx

She hated having to turn him down. "I'm sorry, I can't tomorrow. Helen and I are going to the Taylors' after church."

Louise watched his shoulders droop, and she hurried to continue. "If you're free, I can make it Monday night."

He smiled. "I'll pick you up at seven."

She returned his grin with a shy smile of her own. "I can't wait. Will I see you at church in the morning?"

After hearing Goober say he'd be there, Louise finally climbed in the car, and he closed the door behind her. She offered one last smile through the window, turning away from the glass only after she saw him wave goodbye.