Chapter Five

A Different Kind Of Night

He returns within minutes. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes I would. Thank you"

"Would you like a glass of wine?"

"Definitely."

He pours her a glass of Merlot and he takes a beer out of the frig for himself.

"What kind of potatoes would you like?"

"Baked is good." He says as he opens up the beer bottle.

Alex begins to clean the potatoes.

"I'll take two of those." He says as Alex opens the bag of potatoes. "Oh damn."

"What? What's the matter?"

"I wanted to buy fries for the boys and I forgot."

"It's alright I have them." He opens the freezer and takes out a bag of Ore-Ida fries. "They love these things."

He preheats the oven and then arranges the fries on a cookie sheet.

"Should I put these potatoes in the oven?"

"Microwave them first Alex and then I'll put them on the grill while the meat is cooking the skin gets crunchy that way"

"You missed your calling. You know that?" Alex says as she uses a fork to poke some holes in the potatoes.

"Yeah. I know people have been telling me that all my life."

"No." She turns to look at him. "I meant you would have made a hell of an interrogator." She catches his eye and waits for him to say something. He just nods his head. "What no nasty remark about cops?"

"I don't have anything against cops. Hell there's one in my kitchen preparing my dinner. Besides, they were just doing their job and I was doing something stupid. Why would you think that I had something against cops?"

"They way you acted the first time we meet."

"You guys started it with the attitude and I had to do something about it. I couldn't think of anything to say to you so I went after him."

She smiles. "He was pissed."

"I know." He smiles as he takes a sip of beer. "He seems like an okay kind of guy. At the time, I couldn't resist. But you," He points his finger at her and shaking his head. "When you tried to suppress your laughter," He pauses. "You look so……………beautiful."

She can feel her face flush. Men have said that to her before but it's usually right before they try to get her into bed with them.

"This morning I thought of so many things to say to you at the station but they sounded so corny. I thought to myself you say that and she'll think you're just a big dork. So I kept my mouth shut."

She laughs. "I was going to ask you to dinner when you were leaving this morning, but the thought of us sitting in a restaurant." She shakes her head. "I decided against it. But after tonight, I could see that it would have been an enjoyable evening."

"To be honest, I probably would have said no. I haven't been on a date since before I got married. Do they still call it a date?"

She laughs. God you're adorable.

"Yeah they still do."

"But this is nice, I'm enjoying this. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised to see you."

"Do your friends try to fix you up?"

He shakes his head. "They know better. Your friends?"

"No I manage to find the losers all by myself." He laughs and then she grabs his hand. "Gees, Bobby are we pathetic or just picky."

They look in each other's eyes and at the same time, they say "Picky."

They suddenly hear noise coming from the other room. Four young boys are coming toward the kitchen. They walk out on to the deck and the taller one says. "See you guys tomorrow."

His sons walk back into the kitchen. "What's for dinner?"

"Food."

"You're not funny Dad."

Chris the oldest one looks at Alex. "You were in the driveway this afternoon."

"Yes I was."

"Alex this is Chris and this is Tommy. Guys this is Alex, she's a cop."

Tommy walks closer to her. "Cool. Can I see your gun?"

Chris hits his brother on the arm. "They don't carry their guns with them when they're off duty."

"Really?"

"Chris is right Tommy. I left it home."

"Aw."

The microwave timer goes off. Bobby removes the potatoes from the oven and places them on the top rack of the grill.

He walks back into the house.

"What do you guys want to eat a burger or a hot dog?"

"I'll take both." Chris says.

Tommy answers. "Me too."

"No. Pick one Tommy, you won't be able to eat both."

"Yes I will."

"No it's too much besides we've got fries and a salad."

"Oh alright, I'll have a hot dog."

Bobby picks up the steak, burgers and dogs and places them on the grill. As he walks back into the kitchen, he points to his sons. "Guys set the table, outside."

"You did that on purpose."

"What?"

"Telling them I was a cop."

"Yeah I knew if they found out you were a cop you'd have something to talk about. Be prepared to tell a few stories."

"Not a problem."

He lightly touches her arm. "They don't know anything. I plan on keeping it that way."

She touches the side of his face. "I understand."

He grabs a hold of her hand and kisses it. "Dad."

"Yeah," He says not turning his head away. She is looking at him looking at her. He gently runs his fingers through her hair.

"The grill is smoking."

He slowly moves away from her. "I'll be right there."

Dinner was enjoyable and Alex did indeed have to tell a few stories. She didn't mind at all. Her audience was very interested.

The boys get up from the table. "Where are you going?"

"Back downstairs," Chris says.

"No. No more of that today, do something else."

"Like what?" His oldest son asks.

He hesitates. "I don't know. How about……………read a book? You both have summer reading to do and neither of you have started. Go on."

They can hear the grumbling but the words are not distinct.

They work together cleaning up the kitchen as if they have done this many times.

"Bobby. Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure."

"Would you take me for a ride of one of the motorcycles? It's been years since I've been on one."

"Where do you want to go?"

"No place in particular."

"Sure, which one?"

"The blue one."

He smiles and takes her hand. "The blue one."

"Alright I don't know exactly what it's called."

"I have to make a phone call. Be right back."

"Sure. Which way is the bathroom?"

"Right down the hall." He points to his right.

As she walks down the little hallway, she peeks into a room that looks like a den. She opens the door, she notices a computer on a large desk, and an entire wall covered with books. She scans the titles, there are books about World History, and she notices classic novels plus many books about psychology. One of the psychology books is lying face down on the desk. She checks the copyright date.

This was published this year, these are his?

She replaces the book and smiles at the thought.

They probably are.

As she turns to leave the room she notices a portrait of him, his wife, she assumes and children. She walks closer to see the name.

Cathy

She touches the painting very gently

Wow what a beautiful painting.

None of them looks as if they are posing.

As she walks back to the kitchen, she hears the end of his conversation. "Yes. I'll set up the DVD player. Ok, thanks Mom. See you in about ten minutes."

"Your Mom lives close?"

"No she lives in upstate New York with…………………friends."

"Who were you talking to?"

"My in-laws, they live down the street."

"Oh, that's where the boys went last night?"

"Yeah."

Great, I have to meet his dead wife's mother. Talk about awkward. Well I'll just smile and be pleasant.

Eileen Casey arrives about ten minutes later. Very attractive woman in her mid seventies, he grabs her hand as he escorts her into the living room. "Mom, I'd like you to meet Alex."

The older woman extends her hand and smiles at her. Alex is very surprised. "It's very nice to meet you Alex."

"Very nice to meet you."

"Bobby is it all ready?"

"Yeah, give me the DVD." He sets up the DVD player for her, hands her the remote and shows her which button to push to start the movie. Alex can't help but smile. Eileen sits down in the large recliner. She waves her hand in the air. "Enjoy yourselves and don't worry about the time."

Bobby yells for his sons. "Chris, Tommy. Come down here." The boys run down the stairs. "Alex and I are going out for a little while. Behave yourselves. No going outside and no going in the pool, understand."

"Yeah, yeah they say."

"Thanks Mom."

"It's no trouble."

He follows her out of the house toward the garage. Bobby hands her a helmet. "Unfortunately it does some nasty things to your hair." She slips it on her head. "How do I look?"

"Cute very cute," He gets on the bike first. "Tell me again." She says as she gets on the bike. "That was your mother-in-law?"

"Yeah, she's something special."

"I'll say. She made me feel so welcome. I have to admit I was a little scared about meeting her so soon."

"I know the feeling."

There is a feeling of freedom when you ride a motorcycle. The confines of doors are gone but you cannot have a conversation. He is stopped at a red light, he yells over his shoulder. "Want to get a beer?"

"Sure."

After about ten minutes, he pulls into a parking lot. Alex notices all the motorcycles parked in front of the bar. She looks up at the sign "Louie's". He parks the bike and gets off. "Bobby this is a biker bar."

He looks around. "No it's a bar with bikes parked in front. You're stereo typing again. Bedsides I can't go into a biker bar."

She asks very seriously. "Jesus why not?"

He points to his arms. "I don't have any tattoos."

"Funny, very funny."

He holds out his hand. "Come on." She hops off the bike. She takes his hand and bending down close to her ear he whispers. "Don't tell anyone you're a cop."

She stops short. "What?" he turns and smiles at her. "Kidding, I'm kidding. Everyone in here has a day job. Believe me. It's just that they all love to ride."

Many people greet him and he introduces her. "Hey Bobby, When are you going to sell me that 52 Harley?" Bobby takes a sip of beer. "Never."

Looking at Alex, "You're not from the neighborhood. Where did you two meet?"

"At my front door."

"He sits down. "What?"

"Alex Eames, Scott Wilson. Alex is a cop she was looking for Stewart Rollings."

"Stewart Rollings?"

"Yeah you remember the guy with the red hair always looks like he afraid of something."

"Oh yeah, yeah, what precinct do you work out of?"

"Major case."

"Wow. I work for with the Brooklyn DA."

Bobby looks at her. "See I told you."

"Ok, ok."

They leave the bar a little after eleven thirty. He holds her hand as he escorts her out the door. Scott follows them. "One of these days Bobby."

"I told you before Scott, never. See ya."

"Night, nice meeting you Alex."

"Nice meeting you Scott. Goodnight." Alex puts on her helmet. "He certainly is persistent."

"Persistent maybe, a pain in the ass defiantly."

Eileen Casey is asleep when they return. Bobby whispers to Alex. "Sometimes I think they watch her." She smiles. He walks over and gently taps her shoulder. "Mom."

She wakes. "Oh Bobby, Hi, did you have a good time."

"Yes I did. Did you get to watch your movie?"

"Yes it was very good, I enjoyed it. What time is it?"

"A little after midnight," He reaches down and grabs her hands as he gently lifts her out of the chair. "Come on I'll walk you home."

She follows him and as she passes Alex. "It was nice to meet you. Alex."

"It was nice to meet you Mrs. Casey." Eileen grabs her hand. "Eileen. Call me Eileen."

"Good night Eileen."

He turns to face Alex. "Can you stay here with the boys for a few minutes?"

"Of course."

Alex sits down on the big comfy couch.

I can't believe this. What a night. I didn't really do anything but I had the best time. What an amazing man.

He returns within ten minutes. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

As he walks toward her, he extends his arms. "I had a good time tonight." She takes hold of his hands as he kisses her cheek.

"So did I."

"Not exactly what you're use too, huh?"

"Yes, but I had fun."

He lightly touches the side of her face and leans down to meet her lips. "You can be a little reckless."

Alex releases his hands and wraps her arms around his neck.

He smiles as he raises his eyebrows. "You keep talking about my smile." Alex says as she runs her fingers through his hair. "Your smile shows through your eyes."

She reaches up and kisses him deeply. The kiss ends as his strong but gentle arms are holding her in place. He lays kisses on her neck then takes a nibble on her ear. He steps back and his dark eyes are studying her face.

"Well that certainly satisfied my curiosity."

She pulls him closer. "Oh really."

"Yeah," He frames her face in his hands. "I would love for you to stay but………….."

"I know." She touches his face. "You're a very special guy Bobby Goren and I have a feeling that there are only a hand full of people who know that and I am so glad that I'm one of them."

She looks in his eyes waiting for him to say something. "You mean I finally found a way to shut you up?"

He laughs. "Looks that way," He pulls her toward him and she wraps her arms around him. She looks up at him and he bends down. Their lips meet for a brief moment. "I'd better go." She let's go and as she turns around to leave. "Next time it's your turn."

"Sure."

She gets to the door. "Oh by the way, what are you doing tomorrow?"

He laughs. "My afternoon will be spent at a Yankee game, which I happen to have and extra ticket. Would you like to join us?"

"Yes, yes I would."

"My night is free."

"Good. Then you're taking me out to dinner."

"I can do that. I'll pick you up around eleven. Where do you live?"

She writes down her address and hands it to him.

"Goodnight Alex."

"Goodnight Bobby."

Alex's Apartment

The Next Morning

Her phone rings and she takes a quick sip of coffee and then answers.

"Hello."

"Hey it's me. How did it go last night?"

"I had the best time he's something special and he's so damn smart…………."

Laurie cuts her off. "A waste right?

"No not at all."

TBC