Chapter 7: Messing Up A Good Thing

Grim stood in front of Crutchy and waited for his reaction to her dress. For her date with David, she decided to wear her white dress with the pink sash that she usually wore when waiting for the parents-to-be. It was also her favorite dress. She wanted to look nice for David and she wanted to feel like a lady.

"Well?" she finally asked.

"I like the dress. I think Davey will like it." Crutchy answered cheerfully. "Are you nervous about the date?"

"Sort of." she said then she sat down next to him and sighed, "I don't know about this."

"What's wrong? Don't you want to go out with David?"

"I do but…I don't know." she sighed. "It's going to be different. It's not going to be like when we sell newspapers."

"Well, of course not. If it was, then it wouldn't be a date."

"Does he really like me?"

"I've known Davey for a while now and he has never asked a girl out on a date. This is big for him."

"Grim!" Kloppman called from downstairs, "Come down here!"

"Good luck!" Crutchy called as Grim left the room.

Grim tried to take her time going downstairs so that it wouldn't seem like she was in a big rush. When she got downstairs, she found David leaning against the counter talking to Kloppman. David was very cleaned up and he was even wearing a tie and a vest. David turned and smiled at her as she came up to them. Kloppman shook his head as he walked into the backroom.

"You look nice." David said.

"So do you." she said back.

"Thank you." he said then they stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before he said, "I want to take you to this great diner."

"It's not Tibby's because we already been there." she answered.

"No, it's not Tibby's." he laughed, "I use to eat at this diner for lunch when I use to go to school. They have great food."

"Well, I'm all for great food." Grim said, trying to sound happy but it only made David laugh harder.

"Good try." he said after he was done.

"I really am happy about this." she assured him.

"I know," he said seriously, "and so and I. Let's go."

The date was wonderful. David wasn't lying about the food at the other diner which was a few blocks away from Tibby's. Most of the people who was there were probably over the age of fifty and the women thought the sight of Grim and David together was the sweetest thing they ever saw. David thought that was nice but Grim thought differently. She still wasn't sure if the date was a good idea. As they talked, Grim found herself relaxing and truly enjoying David's company. After dinner, they decided to take a nice walk in the park since Grim never been there.

"Are you having fun?" David asked while they rested on a bench in the park.

"Actually, I'm having a great time. I honestly didn't think I would but I am." she answered.

"That's good to hear. I'm having a great time too."

Grim didn't say anything after that. She looked around the park instead. There were many young couples out tonight and they were having fun. They were laughing with each other and holding hands and being close with each other. Why can't I be like that?, Grim thought. She's having a good time with David. He's completely different when he's not working. He's not thinking about his problems at home and he's truly having a good time. Grim just wishes she could be like the other women at the park and truly have fun with David. She wanted to laugh with him and hold his hand and be close to him. What the hell is wrong with me?, she yelled at herself.

"Are you okay?" David asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"I'm just swell." Grim said as she got up then she began walking away.

"Grim, wait. What's wrong?" David asked once he caught up to her.

"Look around, David. Do you see something wrong with this situation?" she demanded. David looked at the people.

"I'm sorry, Grim." he said, confused, "I don't see anything wrong. What am I missing?"

"I'm not like them. Through out this whole date, I haven't once acted like that. I couldn't bring myself to sit next to you or hold your hand. I couldn't even smile. Don't think just because I don't show anything doesn't mean I don't see how I act. This is pathetic, David. This should come easily to me and it doesn't. It's so foreign to me." she said, raising her voice at the end.

"I don't care about that." David said as he pointed at a couple sitting under a tree in each other's arms, "I don't need that and you're not like them. I don't want you to be like them. I don't want you to force yourself to do anything you don't feel comfortable with. Being with you right now is all I want."

"I just wish I could be happy." she said quietly.

David was about to say something to Grim when he was someone walking towards them. At first, he couldn't see who it was until the person got closer. Damn it, Spot, David thought, why can't you leave me alone? David wanted to grab Grim's hand and take her away from the park but it was too late. Spot already saw them. Grim saw Spot too. She gave David a look and David knew exactly what that look meant.

"Hey, Mouth," Spot said when he got up to them, "what are you doing out here? It's late. Shouldn't you be at home?"

"Funny, Spot. Grim and I are on a date." David said. Spot looked at Grim.

"I thought I heard you two fighting…again." Spot answered.

"What happened to your date?" Grim asked.

"It wasn't working out. She was a nice girl."

"What's wrong with her being a nice girl?" Grim asked.

"He meant she wasn't willing to sleep with him. Right, Spot?"

"You know me so well, Mouth." Spot said.

"Why are you here? You couldn't leave your lapdog alone for a few hours?" Grim snapped at him.

"If you must know, Sweet Face, I was on my way to see Jack when I heard your big mouth and I wanted to see what your problem was this time. Is that a crime?" he snapped back. "Listen, I ain't Davey. Don't talk to me like that."

"If you didn't always show up when you're not wanted, I wouldn't snap at you." she said. Spot looked at David.

"You better get her under control." she demanded.

"Get me under control? He's not my keeper." she called to him as David pulled her away.

"What is wrong with you, Grim? You can't talk to Spot like that."

"Why can't I? I have every right to be angry with him. We were in the middle of talking when he just so happens to be passing through the park. I don't believe him for one minute about his date. I bet if he really wanted to get a girl in bed, no matter how much of a good girl she is, he'll succeed. He wanted some attention tonight."

"So what? He's going to see Jack."

"Then why don't he go and see Jack instead of bothering us?" she asked.

"What is wrong with you? We were having such a good date and now you're snapping at me. I don't understand what's going on in your head. Tell me what's wrong." he demanded softly. Grim shook her head.

"I…I can't do this. I have to go. Have fun with Spot." she said then she walked away quickly.

She couldn't stay with David any longer. It was true that they were having a good date but she felt something inside her change and it was hurting her. She didn't mind Spot being there if the situation was normal. This wasn't a normal situation. The feelings Grim was beginning to feel for David was becoming too real for her to handle. He might not care if I don't act like those girls, she thought, but I do. Suddenly, she wished she never left the organization.