Chapter 25

Late Wednesday afternoon AJ realized that he had no idea of where to take Taya for their dinner. Since Callisto's had burned down two years ago and the family had taken the opportunity to retire instead of reopening, and he had been to nothing else but children's restaurants since then. He thought about calling Mac for a suggestion, but he didn't want it getting back to Clay so decided to call Harriett Galindez instead. Once he had her on the line, he stumbled a bit in his request, "Harriett, I hate to bother you when you are always so busy, but I have a problem…well not really a problem, but a request….or rather I need a suggestion from you…"

"What is it you need, AJ," she interrupted with a laugh.

She couldn't see his sheepish grin, but it was there when he said, "I have a date tonight and…."

"A DATE?! Finally! Who is it? Do I know her? How long have you known her? Is it serious…"

This time AJ interrupted her, laughing out loud, "Harriett! Slow down! Yes. Taya Macintyre. I don't think so. We just met. And it's too soon to tell."

"Taya Macintyre…I don't think I know anyone by that name. Where did you meet her? How did you decide that she was the one that would get you started dating again after all these years? Does this mean that you are done mourning Thea? How does Allison feel about you starting to date again?"

"I actually met her at Mackenzie Webb's birthday party and found out she does home security systems and since I have been thinking about getting one for years now, I hired her to come out and install one. We got to talking and I asked her out. I'll never be over the loss of Thea, but life does go on and I figured that it was time I did too. Allison doesn't know yet, we are going out tonight because Allison has a Brownie meeting. I thought that I should be sure that this is something I want to continue doing before I told her about it."

"I didn't know you had wanted a security system, I could have given you the name of the company where we got ours, AJ!"

"I guess I just hadn't really made up my mind till that moment…" he trailed off hating to lie to someone he cared for so much.

"Oh! You saw her and thought that it would be a good way to get her out to the house! You sly seadog! I think it is a good idea that you are going out with her once before telling Allison about it. I know how much you love that child and this will be a big adjustment for her, if you are going to bring someone new into your lives."

"Thus brings this old seadog back to the reason I called you…."

"AJ Chegwidden! I did NOT call you old!" Harriett protested.

Laughing again, he really had missed his daily conversations with Harriett since his retirement, he said, "I know, I added that myself since I feel like an old fool even thinking about starting to date again at my age, but I have no idea where to take her. I somehow doubt Chucky Cheese or McDonalds would not be first date appropriate."

Giggling, Harriett responded, "Well, not unless she is quite a bit younger than you…."

"She is, but she is NOT that much younger!" he protested.

"How old is she?"

"For…for some reason I didn't ask. Must have been the gentleman in me."

"From seadog to gentleman in one leap, you are impressive….SIR…"

"Harriett!"

"I know, I know…don't call you 'sir'!" she giggled again.

"Now about restaurants…"

"If you want somewhere really romantic there is the Starlight Room, at the Imperial Gardens Hotel out on Jefferson Drive, or for just good food there's Jerry's Steakhouse, and for somewhere in between I would recommend the Hidden Troll."

"The Hidden Troll?" he asked with a gasping laugh.

To be continued…..