Chapter 3 – Back to 'Nola

"Hey Percy you ready?" Tammy asks

"Yes. Can you help me with this bracelet?"

"Woah, look at you! You look like a model. Who are you really dressed for?" Tammy smirked.

"What?" I responded

"Maybe for a guy named Chris LaSalle?"

"Oh give it up Gregorio. Thanks. Let's go."

The wedding was beautiful. It is nice to see old friends and acquaintances. Oh well, here comes the moment that I was dreading

"Hello Christopher" I said with my kindest smile.

"Hello Sonja. You look beautiful. I'm not sure that I remembered what your legs looked like."

"Well, thank you, I think."

"Can I get you a drink?"

"Sure Chris."

"So how is everything going for you Sonja?" He asked as he returns with my drink. "I thought I might hear something from you." Chris says.

Oh crap, look at those blue eyes I think as I fidget. "I didn't know if you would want to hear from me given how I kind of ran out on you all."

"Sonja we were partners, friends. Of course I would have wanted to know how you were doing."

The more we talked, the more comfortable the conversation became. I had forgotten how LaSalle could be both serious and humorous at the same time. Tammy caught my eye and I looked around to see that there was only a handful of guest left. "Looks like I'm being paged" I said.

"So do you think you might make your way over to King's bar. LaSalle asks.

"I might be able to late tonight" I say. "Bye Chris" I say as he hugs me.

"So long Sonja" he responds.

"So how did that go?" Tammy asks.

"He asked if I was going to be at Pride's bar. Maybe after we have dinner." Tammy says.

Later at the condo

"That smells good Tammy. You must have been practicing while I was gone."

"Just a little."

"What's wrong you look like you lost something. Yeah, I needed some lettuce. Let me run around the corner real quick. I'll be right back. The chicken has about 30 more minutes to cook. The timer is on."

About ten minutes later there's a knock at the door

"What? Did you forget your key" I asked as I open the door.

To my surprise there stood Chris LaSalle.

"Hey Sonja? I was looking for Tammy."

"She ran to the store I replied. I wonder why this envelope is on the door with your name on it?"

Chris opens the envelope and reads the enclosed note out loud.

"Dear Mouse Twins. You need to talk. Enjoy your dinner". It was signed by Tammy.

"Well, it looks like we've been had" Chris responds. "What does she have to drink?"

"She baked a chicken so I guess the Chardonnay would work unless you want a beer."

"I'll start with a beer" he responds.

"Hey, the sound system is over there." I say as I point across the room. Chris found an old Nat King Cole CD and put in on to play.

Dinner was quiet. We continually snuck shy looks at each like two school kids.

I rinsed the dishes off and turned to find Chris in my space. We were both uncomfortable and embarrassed he spoke first. "This is me. The same man who sat by you for two years in my truck."

"I know Chris but the closer I got to New Orleans the more I found that I wanted to turn around and fly back to D.C."

"I missed you Sonja" he says not moving an inch.

I managed to mumble out "I missed you too Chris."

At that he takes my hand and guides me to the front room. "Dance with me?"

"Sure." There surrounded by the crooning of Nat King Cole we danced. I can't even say for how long. For the second time in my life I just melted into the arms of Christopher LaSalle.

Later we sat and talked. The noise outside the condo grew quieter. The next thing I remember is hearing water. I woke up to find myself lying across Christopher's lap on the sofa. I tried to move his hand off my shoulder only to succeed in waking him up.

"I guess we fell asleep" I said.

"I guess so. He replied. "Hey I'm going to leave. Did I hear you say that you were flying out tonight? Why don't you let me drop you at the airport?"

"That sounds good. My flight leaves at 8 p.m."

"Why don't I pick you up at 4:00 and we can go eat dinner on the way to the airport?

"That sounds fine. Bye Chris." He leans over to kiss me on cheek and for some reason my mind went back to the last time he left me standing alone in a room.

After a quick shower I repacked my bags and called the car service. There were several old friends that I wanted to check in with. LaSalle was waiting in the condo when I got back with just minutes to spare.

"Hope you haven't been here long" I said as I stepped back into my old bedroom.

"No, I just sat down" Chris replied.

I decided to change my shoes and then proceed to lock my bag.

I hugged Tammy's neck and then turn around and said "I'm ready Chris" as I pull my suitcase to the front door.

"Is there any place special that you want to eat" he asked as he takes my suitcase?

"How about Trilly Cheesesteaks, we can both eat there" I respond.

The conversation flowed much better this time. In fact there was a lot of laughter as we recounted some of our old missions, experiences and colorful individuals that we had encountered in our time as partners. After eating we found our way to Malcom X park where the conversation became a little more intimate.

"So are you happy Percy?"

"Well, I'm busy. The job is exciting. I have been able to make a few new friends. I enjoy going to the football games and concerts. I spend a lot of evenings at Howard University events."

"But are you happy Sonja? You didn't answer that question."

"As much as I can be I guess" I respond.

Quietly I hear the words that I really didn't want to hear. "I miss you Percy. I miss your smile, your warped sense of humor, your spot on comments, your fussing with Tammy. I miss your quiet, thoughtful comments. So do you have regrets Sonja?"

"About what?"

"About us?"

"Us?"

"I was never going to tell you that I didn't want you to leave."

"So why are you saying it now?"

"Because it's true. Triple P cautioned me to let you go. He said that you needed to find your own way. So I simply hugged you and held onto my tears and let you walk away."

I found myself moving a few inches over until our thighs were touching. Then I felt Chris put his arm around me. We sat there for a long time in silence. While my mouth was not moving my brain was engaged. This was stupid Percy I thought. I shouldn't have come. How could I not know that this was a big mistake?

We walked back to Chris' truck hand in hand still in silence. Once at the airport, I checked my bag and then walked over to the security desk to check in my weapon. There I was met by an airline security officer. Agent Percy we are short an air marshal on this flight. Would you mind keeping your weapon with you just in case." "Sure" I replied. The agreement came with an upgrade to a first class seat.

I ended up being the last one to board. As we stood off to the side, Chris leaned in to kiss me this time on the lips. We had already decided that I would take a look at my schedule and see when it would possible for him to come to D. C. I had my doubts but I rarely let my head overrule my heart. As I sat on the tarmac with the tears flowing, I was wondering what in the world I was thinking to agree to him coming. I saw one of the flight attendants give me a "what the hell" look. He certainly was doubting if I was the right person identified as the federal agent with the mascara running down my face.