Post 'Running Mates'
CJ leaned back against her apartment door, letting her weight close it firmly behind her. Her day-end sigh of relief was interrupted by the phone ringing. She dropped her bag on the floor and strode to the sideboard, lifting the phone from its cradle. "Hello."
"Hey CJ."
"Danny?"
"How you doing?"
"I'm – well, I'm pretty tired actually. You back?"
"Yeah, I've been back a couple of weeks now."
"No way."
"Yep."
"No big entry this time."
"You'd rather I show up in costume?"
"Of course."
"I'll try to remember that for next time."
"You do that."
"So I called to ask you to dinner."
Silence. The kind of silence that seems a lot longer than it is. "Okay."
"You understand this is not a work thing?"
"Okay."
"Okay."
"Did you have a place in mind?"
He gave the name and location of restaurant.
"I know the one; I'll meet you there."
"Is eight o'clock totally unrealistic. I've heard your job can be a little demanding."
She laughed, "Occasionally, but only ever unpredictably and dramatically."
"So I'll see you around ten?"
"Eight is fine."
"Okay."
"Right. Sleep well then."
"Bye."
She listened to the dial tone for a moment before hanging up. Unbidden, a smile came to her lips. Danny was home. In a few months she'd be free. She didn't let her mind wander down that path any further but she had seen the path, knew it was there, hoped to return and take her time exploring it properly.