Song: Angel by Sarah Mclachlan
Olivia was going to meet Tom at a cafe for lunch. A casual atmosphere seemed more appropriate than going to his office. Also much closer to her apartment. Noah ended up sleeping over at Jack's so Olivia was able to sleep in for a few more hours. As Olivia got ready she couldn't figure out what to wear. She was nervous, unaware of what to expect from the meeting. She was tired of her normal business clothes and instead decided on a pretty dusty pink floral wrap dress. Her hair would be in a loose bun with just a little eyeshadow and lip gloss.
Olivia arrived a few minutes before noon at the cafe. "Hi, I am here to meet Tom Johnson. Can you please tell me if he has arrived?" Olivia asked at the front counter. After a few minutes the waitress came back and led her to a back table where a man was sitting.
"Olivia, thank you for coming." Tom said as he stood up and shook her hand. Tom was dressed in a black dress shirt with jeans. He seemed to be in his forties with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes. A resemblance to the actor Bradley Cooper with a boyish charm.
"Yes, I am happy to meet you." Olivia said as she sat down.
"Would you like to order lunch?" Tom asked as he handed her his menu.
"I have off today. So I have time for lunch. Hmm. Can I please have a chicken alfredo, side salad and garlic bread. And a glass of red wine and water. Thank you" Olivia said as she handed the waitress back the menu.
"Please add her order to mine," Tom asked the waitress. "I have never been here before. I like how you can come for coffee or have a meal." Tom said as he turned back looking at Olivia.
"Agree, I always like finding a new spot. A few friends have come here before but this is the first time I have been here." Olivia said as she looked around.
"So, Captain of SVU is very impressive. How long have you worked in that department?" Tom asked as he took a sip of his drink.
"I have been there all but one year of my career as a police officer. I worked my way up the ranks and I am proud to say I am the first woman to be captain of SVU. Every day I feel like we are making a difference by helping victims and helping them get justice." Olivia said as she smiled.
"Very impressive. Simon always talked very highly of you. We were best friends from elementary school all the way through when we graduated high school together. Then as life happens we lost touch with each other. Oddly, one day a few years back we ran into each other again at the gym and stayed close." Tom said as he looked at Olivia.
"Nice to meet one of Simon's friends. I can't believe he passed away a year ago today. We always think we have so much time and then someone passes away so young. And we are reminded how precious life is." Olivia said as her eyes teared up.
"Agree, Simon had a hard life. But he did make a difference to those who knew him. I'm glad I was able to meet you today." Tom said as he handed Olivia a tissue.
Just then the lunch order arrived. Olivia and Tom ate and shared stories of Simon. Quickly the time passed as an hour flew by. Olivia was surprised how much fun she was having.
As Olivia looked up she saw Maureen by the front counter. She smiled and waved. Maureen came over after paying an employee. "Liv, small world. Dad and I were just picking up a lunch order to eat at his apartment." Maureen said as she walked up to the table.
"Hi, sweetheart. Tom, this is Maureen. She and her family are close friends of mine." Olivia said as she stood and gave Maureen a hug. "Your dad is here? I don't see him anywhere?"
"I'm not sure. I know he saw you. When I said I was going to say hi dad said he would take the food to the car." Maureen said as she sighed.
"Ok, I'm happy I am able to see you today. Today is the first anniversary of my brother Simon who died. It has been a hard day." Olivia said as she looked at Maureen.
"I'm sorry Liv. You are in my prayers." Maureen leaned over giving Olivia another hug. She whispered "He's cute. Good for you Liv." Maureen teased. "I need to get going. I hope you have a nice lunch. I will call you in a few days." Maureen said as she smiled and walked away.
"Bye, Maureen." Olivia said as she laughed. "Tom, you said you had something you had to give me?" Olivia asked as she sat back down.
"Yes, sorry I was having such a good time I nearly forgot. When Simon died I was his emergency contact at his apartment. So when his wife didn't take all his stuff I was called to pick up the remaining items. One of the items I apologize I didn't see right away as it was tucked in his book Gulliver Travels. Simon wrote you a letter." Tom said as he reached down and opened a black duffel bag.
Tom handed Olivia the book and letter. "I also have one more thing for you. I put together a photo book of pictures of Simon from when he was a kid to present. I know you grew up apart and I thought you may like some more memories of his life. I loved him like a brother. I really miss him." Tom said as his eyes teared up.
"Thank you Tom. I had a really nice time meeting you. It was nice talking about Simon and learning things I didn't know." Olivia said as she got up from the table.
"Here is my card with my cell phone number. Please call if I can help you in any way. Or if you just like to talk. I'm sorry we had to meet this way." Tom said as he and Olivia hugged goodbye.
On Olivia's way to her car she called Don Cragen, her former boss and more important someone she considered and loved like a father. Noah even called him Grandpa. "Don, hey it Liv. Can we have dinner this week? I just got some things from a friend of Simon's and I don't want to open it up alone. Talk soon." Olivia said as she finished her voice mail.
