Lane Residence…
"Hello," Jane spoke into the phone.
"Jane?" Tom's slightly nervous voice made Jane straighten.
"The one and only." Her voice betrayed none of her own jitters that she was suddenly feeling.
"It's me- uh, Tom."
Well DUH…..
"I wanted to thank you again for what you did getting Elise to cover for me and everything."
"You're welcome."
Silence.
"Was there something else?"
Yeah …you're a great gal. Why have you been so super nice to me?
"Do you think you might want to hang out with me today?"
Jane closed her eyes thinking and took a deep breath.
I hope you don't mean mooning over my best friend all day….
"…okay."
"If you don't want to-"
"What did you have in mind Tom?"
"We can do whatever you like. I just want to get out of the house for a while."
"Country club not doing it for you?"
"Didn't want to deal with them… needed something real."
Jane smiled at that. He'd always said that he could count on her to be real cause everyone in his world seemed to thrive on wearing masks. She remember thinking he sounded so lonely, but he'd moved on with another joke.
"Okay then. We will go to the most for real place I know, Dega Street."
Whatever, all I know is I feel better when I'm near you.
"I'll pick you up around six?"
Not date time, nice…
"Okay, see you then."
Later….
Jane looked at her reflection. She had made a point to not wear anything special, because this wasn't a date. She'd opted for a scoop neck scarlet tee and her fitted skinny jeans in a medium soft denim finish and her black combat boots. She had applied her signature scarlet lipstick just as she heard Tom calling her name from the door.
"Be there in a sec."
Okay Jane, let's do this.
What am I doing? She clearly didn't want to go out. Why do I keep insinuating myself…
She entered the room and was relieved to see that he was in his khakis and brown Henley with matching brown boots.
Glad we're on the same page.
Wow, she looks…..really good…
They smiled at each other and headed out.
Morgendorffer residence…
"How was your date?" Jake's casual question didn't exactly catch her by surprise. She was relieved it was him instead of Helen. He was stirring the stir fry that he was making, and she was setting the table. Quinn was upstairs on the phone and Helen was washing up for dinner after coming in with the phone glued to her ear in an intense conversation over a case.
"It was nice." It felt good to share a happy moment with someone.
"Where'd you go?"
"Italian restaurant. We had the baked Ziti."
"Ahhhhh, sounds good." Jake's expression took on a nostalgic look as though he were imagining eating it.
"It was."
A glance over his shoulder revealed a sight that Jake had not seen in a while, Daria wore a dreamy smile on her face. He felt his heart swell.
God, she looks happy. Trent, you'd better be worthy of her.
Jake cleared his throat turning back to the pan.
"He's a nice young man."
Daria silently agreed.
"Go put a rush on your sister and mom will you, kiddo?"
"Okay dad." Daria turned to go get the missing duo but turned back and went to where her dad was at the stove. Jake turned to look down at his daughter. "Thanks dad." She gave him an awkward brief hug and hurried to get her mother and sister. At the stove Jake was very still and very happy.
My baby girl is growing up…
Dega Street
Jane and Tom walked down the street with no particular direction.
"Hey, wanna get a piercing?" Jane's playful question got Tom to thinking. He stopped in front of Axl's place and looked in the window. Jane had continued walking but turned back when she realized that Tom was not following her. "I was joking Tom."
"Mmmm…" Tom glanced at her and entered the shop. Jane followed curiously.
"Must be 18 or have parental consent." The green haired young lady spoke after giving Tom a once over when he entered. She brightened up when she saw Jane enter behind him. "Hi Jane, sup?"
"Not sure yet. My friend here seems to be looking for something." Jane nodded towards Tom.
"Oh, okay. We're doing half off on tat- first three pages only; specialty designs cost extra."
"We'll keep that in mind. Thanks Wanda."
"No prob."
The clerk resumed looking at her magazine and Jane went to see what was fascinating to Tom.
Tom was thumbing through the book of tattoos and was lingering on a page. Jane peeked over his shoulder.
Don't let it be a broken heart or anything like that! Geesh!
"What do you think?"
"It's your body."
He looked at the Woody Woodpecker and gave consideration.
"Make sure that it's something you can live with long-term." Jane studied his form as Tom continued to look at the cartoon. "Plus you know, your mom and dad will probably flip."
He gave a shrug.
Bet it would look cool on my arm.
"Think it over and if you still want it, I'll come back with you to get it okay?"
Tom put the book down and left the store with Jane. They walked a few steps before Tom spoke.
"Why'd you get cold feet back there?"
Because you just had a breakup and shouldn't be making permanent decisions.
"Sleep on it Tom, besides your fathers corporate America would frown on a tattooed executive."
You're so certain I'll follow in their paths… I probably will, but your certainty is…unsettling…
"Sure. Hungry?"
"I could eat."
Tom looked around and saw a Chinese place across the street.
"What about there?"
"Sure."
The duo headed to the restaurant to enjoy a good meal.