Andy knew a little about the symphony from watching Nicole play through high school. That wasn't saying a lot; he didn't attend all of her performances. Often, he wasn't told about them in time, and at least once, he knew he missed it from work. As he glanced around, he tried to remember the names of all the instruments. He saw some odd ones, things he should know, but didn't. He looked back toward the door, wondering if the captain, Sharon, as she'd said to call him outside of work, had arrived. His glances all came back empty-handed or really, without recognition of anyone. Instruments warming up on stage had him turn his attention back to the symphony. He was excited and looking forward to this evening. It was nice to get out and do something different. He would be lying if he didn't admit that it would be nice to see Sharon too. He'd enjoyed their chats lately. It was an odd friendship, one he hadn't predicted, but she was a classy, caring, and funny woman.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he heard and almost jumped. Andy had resigned himself to the idea that she wasn't going to make it. He'd seen her in the hallway, arms crossed, talking to Pope earlier. He knew it didn't look good, and he hadn't even caught her attention. He turned to her, as he'd been studying the program, and he smiled.

"Evening, really glad you could make it," he nodded to her. He noted she still had on her suit from work, a dark black skirt suit with a dark gray blouse. She let out a long breath and nodded.

"Chief Pope tried his best to keep me busy," she leaned toward him and whispered. The symphony was about to start, and as she said that, he got a whiff of her perfume. It was a sweet smell, a smell he liked. Sandra had always worn a strong, overpowering scent, and he much preferred something sweet.

"Not a problem" he said quietly, nodding to the stage. "You didn't miss anything, but I have to say, these are fantastic seats." Andy gestured around them. The seats were excellent, front center. They were only 10 rows back, but they were on the aisle. He'd left that seat for Sharon, but with their location, he could see perfectly and almost hear the musicians talking on stage as they prepared for the concert.

She leaned in again, "Gavin. These seats are all Gavin. He is a season ticket holder to the symphony. It's something he loves, always has. Gavin always has two tickets, and I'm usually his plus one. There are times, like this," she gestured with her hand, "he can't go. Sometimes, I come alone."

"Well, thanks again for thinking of me," he whispered. The two turned their attention to the podium, as things were about to start. Before long, he was lost in the music, almost unaware anyone else was there.

"One of the songs they played was 16 minutes!" Andy exclaimed, shocked and surprised. He was sitting sideways in his seat during intermission talking to Sharon. She was smiling at his enthusiasm. "I'm sorry," he shook his head. "I know I sound like an idiot. I truly just never had any real interaction with the arts. Even the little I saw with Nicole playing, it was nothing like this."

Sharon grinned, "You really are enjoying yourself. I have to say that you remind me of a kid in a candy store."

"I'm insane," he waved his hand. "I guess you just have no idea how much I've enjoyed this evening. It has been really good for me to get out, to experience something outside of murders and alcoholics," he rolled his eyes and sighed. "Really, thank you. I'll definitely come again and will have to bring Nicole."

"Ricky hates coming to the symphony," Sharon explained, gesturing with her hands. "Emily doesn't mind, but she's rarely free to go. Even when she was in high school, she danced every evening after school for hours at a time. Ricky played baseball, and if I wasn't watching one of their events, I was usually working. Going to the symphony has been a treat these last few years with Gavin. He loves going out, often pushing me when I'm exhausted, but usually, after a lovely evening, I'm reminded why he pushes. I'm having a nice time too."

"Did you play an instrument in school?" Andy asked. "Obviously, I didn't. I played baseball and well," he chuckled, "the field," he winked. "I was more interested in girls back then."

"No," Sharon pursed her lips. "I mean, I did take piano lessons for four or five years, but I hated them. I started when I was five and was done with those around 10. I just couldn't stand the piano. I tried dancing, but I'm nothing like my daughter. I never really had that one thing that was just mine, something that I was really good at while in school. I suppose that's why I take such pride in my job now. I love it, and I really believe I'm good at it."

"You are good at it," Andy complimented her. "I'm sure you aren't giving yourself credit for things you were good at as a kid. I think we all forget those years."

"Hmm, perhaps," she nodded, clearing her throat. "So, baseball? Ricky was a pitcher. What did you play?"

"Second base," he smiled and chuckled, winking at her, "both on the field and off the field."

Sharon looked a little confused for a moment, and then, she dropped her head and chuckled, "Everything with you goes back to chasing girls, hmm?"

"It's what I did best, or at least, what I was most interested in doing during high school," he admitted. "I can't deny it."

Sharon nodded, "I'm going to just tell myself Ricky stuck to pitching in high school. I'm not aware of him playing second base," she grinned. The two chuckled at their odd jokes, and they turned their attention back to the stage as everyone started to take their seats.

Just as things were about to start again, Andy leaned over to Sharon, "At least let me thank you for the tickets with a cup of coffee after? Please? I know you didn't eat because you were stuck at work, and if you're hungry, I'll be glad to get something to eat. It's the least I can do. You've really given me a great evening."

Sharon glanced toward him and quietly said, "Gavin and I often go for drinks after the symphony. Perhaps that can be amended."