"All right Lane, I'll think about it."
"Sure thing boy. Take your time."
"Thanks man."
"You going to be all right? Want me to take you home or something?"
"No I'm going to call Terrence to come get me."
"All right I'll see you soon Robbie. Take care."
"Bye Lane."
Lane got up from the bench and walked inside the hospital leaving Robbie at the bench, taking in the crisp late afternoon air and letting go of some stress from his mind. His thoughts were immediately interrupted by a soft voice.
"Uh, excuse me?"
"Yes?" Robbie asked trying to figure out where the voice came from. It's to my right, he figured out.
"Hi… um. I'm the doctor you talked to about an hour ago. You know, the one who yelled at you," Cat said embarrassed and covering her face, even though she knew he wouldn't have seen.
"Oh, hello miss. Please, sit." Robbie patted the side of the bench Lane had previously sat moments ago. Cat didn't argue, she sat next to him. She took in a breath and turned to Robbie.
"I'm really sorry for yelling at you, sir."
"Robbie. Call me Robbie," he smiled.
Cat noticed he had a warm smile. Tori was right, she didn't know Robbie but from his smile she could tell he was a nice guy.
"Robbie. Hi, I'm Cat."
"Hello Cat," he held out his hand. She held her hand out to shake his. His hand was so warm, she thought.
"Why didn't you tell me you were…?"
"Were what?"
"Um.. blind?" she answered quietly.
"What?! I'M BLIND?!" He got up and slapped his hands to either side of his face. Cat was bemused. "Doc, how did this happen? I could have sworn I wasn't five seconds ago," Robbie joked. Cat caught on and giggled a little.
"Wow you must be really pretty," Robbie commented and sat back down.
"I beg your pardon?" Cat was taken aback.
"Well, only a pretty lady would have a cute giggle," Robbie said smoothly.
Cat blushed. She turned away from him, again not needing to because he couldn't see, but she was still shy around him.
"No seriously, Robbie. Why didn't you tell me?"
"It's not something I usually tell someone the first time I meet them. imagine what a Debby downer I'd be."
"Look Robbie, if I'd have known-"
"Cat it's ok."
"Well if there's anything I can do to make it up to you…"
"Actually, there is. Have you had dinner yet?"
"Uh well no I just got off of my shift."
"Well then would you like to accompany me to an early dinner?"
"Robbie…"
"It's the only way I'll accept your apology. And I need someone to be my eyes. I have no idea where to go if I get off this bench," Robbie sarcastically sounded desperate.
Cat giggled again.
"And besides, with a pretty lady accompanying me for dinner, no one will notice the goofball," he said.
"Well how can I say no to an offer like that! But only if I pay. It's the least I can do."
Robbie thought for a moment.
"Whatever gets you to have dinner with me," He finally replied.
"Let's go!" Cat helped him up.
She took a good look at Robbie. He wasn't a goofball. He looked really smart that's for sure. And he was a tad handsome in an awkward cute kind of way.
Cat and Robbie walked to the Italian restaurant about two blocks down from the hospital. Robbie remembered the place from when he used to visit Lane with his parents as a child and gave her the directions to guide her there. After they sat and ordered their food, the two engaged in a nice conversation, something both of them haven't had in a while.
"So Cat, where are you from?"
"Originally I'm from Chicago."
"The windy city!"
"Hehe, yeah. My mom and I moved to LA when I was five. She divorced my dad and wanted to go as far away as him so LA was a start. But she met a guy and got remarried so we stayed here. You?"
"I was born in San Fernando Valley. I studied at UCLA and moved to Venice Beach about two years ago."
"Yeah? What did you study?"
"Photography."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah ironic huh? A blind photographer. I haven't really done much since my accident anyways."
"Well look at Stevie Wonder. He's a blind musician; and Beethoven, deaf. Life isn't about being perfect to create perfection, it's about expressing your imperfections out loud. I mean, that's what art is all about, right?"
Robbie was speechless.
"Wow. That was… just… Amazing. Really," he smiled.
"Thanks," Cat smiled too.
"What about you, Cat? I know you're a doctor, but what do you like to do?"
"Oh I'm into that art stuff too. I go to the Getty a lot. My brother plays guitar, he taught me a few things and I would sing along. I like being out doors and taking in the moment, not really a live the moment kind of gal."
"I completely agree. Everything's so fast paced nowadays, especially in LA. It's always nice to just take in the beauty around me. I guess that's why I got into photography. To capture moments that you wish you can freeze and hold on to for as long as you can."
"Nice," Cat smiled.
"So, do you have a boyfriend?" He abruptly asked.
"Uh, no. Do you?"
"No, I like girls," he joked. This made Cat laugh.
"But I do have a girlfriend. Her names Donna."
"Oh," was all she could say. Figures, she thought to herself, all the decent guys are always taken. It's not that she liked him or anything, she just hasn't met a nice guy in a long time.
"And where's Donna right now?"
"Milan for fashion week. So it's just me and Terrence."
"Who's Terrence?"
"Oh he's my boss. He's watching me while Donna's gone for a month."
"I see. So how'd you meet Donna?"
"Photography. She's an aspiring model. I don't usually take photographs of people, I'm usually the nature and scenic guy. Sometimes I'll take a motion shot of just people naturally part of the scene, but for backdrops and stuff, I don't know. I've done it before, but it's not as fun in my opinion. Donna thinks that means I'm boring, but I'm about enjoying the view."
"There's nothing wrong with that."
"No of course not. And there's always a middle ground. I don't mind doing on location shots of people. That they use the hill or a tree as a part of their shot. That's creative to me."
Cat listened to Robbie's fascination in photography for the remainder of the dinner. She couldn't help but notice the passion and glow he had when he talked about art and photography. She visited galleries her whole life, admiring the work artists and photographers displayed. Robbie's thoughts on things were almost parallel to what she thought about certain artists, forms, and landscapes. She was glad to know she wasn't the only one who thought that way.
"You know Robbie, we're so alike when it comes to art."
"Well I hope that's not the only thing we have in common," He commented.
"Me too," Cat remarked. She looked at her watch and realized she's been talking to Robbie for 3 hours. "Oh crud, I have to get going soon, we've got some stuff to read for tomorrow. Where's our waiter?" Cat waived her hand and flagged their waiter down.
"Hi can we get our check please."
"Already taken care of," The waiter smiled and walked away.
"But how?" she was befuddled.
"I know the guy who owns this place. He owes me a favor," Robbie said nonchalantly sipping his drink.
"Robbie I said I was paying, not you!"
"I didn't pay, Cat. Like I said, he owes me. Plus you've been forgiven, you had dinner with me."
Cat knew he wouldn't win with him, and a part of her was ok with that. "Ok fine, but next time I'm paying."
"Good."
"Huh?"
"That means there will be a next time."
