I know that I haven't updated in a bit, and I know this chapter is far too short to make up for that. Life is life, though, so I'm sure you all understand. The next chapter will be better!
Carlton woke up smiling and looked at the beautiful blonde on the other side of the bed. He hadn't been this happy in a long time. He knew it couldn't last, as he knew they would go back to the way they were as soon as her parents left. Still, though, some deeply-hidden optimistic part of him somewhere in his heart entertained the notion that maybe he had a chance. His head overshadowed the notion with a lifetime of well-learned pessimism, but he still had hope deep inside.
"What are you thinking about?" a soft voice spoke from his left.
He looked over at her. "Hmm?"
"I can tell by the face you're making that you're deep in thought."
He laughed lightly. "I suppose I was, but I'm not anymore. What shall we make for breakfast today?"
She considered for a moment. "Omelets. I figure we can go for a run and still possibly have time to make something easy like omelets before they wake up."
He looked over at the "6:05" on the digital clock. "Alright, that sounds good."
She smiled brightly as she climbed out of bed.
She found some pink and grey shorts and a grey tank to throw on, and Carlton found black sweats and an old t-shirt from Juliet with a mug shot of a hardened squirrel and the words, 'Wanted in five neighborhoods on seventeen counts of larceny' written across it.
She laughed when she saw his selection. "Is that the shirt I gave you for Christmas last year? I didn't think you would keep it."
He blushed. "I keep everything you give me. Besides, it's good to have t-shirts to run in."
She smiled at him as they exited the house.
During the run, it began to rain pretty heavily. They decided today would be a great day for bowling and a movie, thus saving outdoor activities for nicer days to come. Carlton revealed that he had gotten a reservation at Toma for 5 PM, so they would just have a couple of hours to kill after the Carriage Museum's 3PM closing.
They got back just before 7, and both Maryanne and Lloyd were still peacefully asleep. Carlton and Juliet set about making omelets. While Juliet started the eggs, Carlton chopped up bits of ham and cheese, as well as some chives and tomatoes.
When all of the omelets were complete, they stood back to survey their handiwork.
"What smells so good?" Maryanne asked as she walked into the kitchen. A yawning Lloyd trailed closely behind.
"We made omelets" Juliet answered happily. "Sit and try one."
Breakfast went well, and Lloyd admitted to never having tasted an omelet so delicious before.
After breakfast and the morning news, they piled into Carlton's car to head to Zodo's for a few sessions of bowling.
Carlton knew that Juliet loved to bowl, and he was not at all surprised to find that her mother shared in this talent.
He'd been bowling a few times, but not often, and it had been years. He was pleasantly surprised to easily break 100 the first game. It certainly didn't compare to Maryanne's 220, and it especially didn't stay up against Juliet's 263.
"Juliet was the junior league champion for four years," Maryanne explained. Carlton gave Juliet a proud smile.
She blushed. "Well, I practiced all the time."
A few games later, Juliet was declared the ultimate champion. Carlton bowled a 142 the last game, and Juliet gave him a high five and a long hug for it. Lloyd tried to make some excuse about numbers and trajectories, and the rest of the group just went along with it. He bowled his high score of 72 in the second game, and they cheered relentlessly.
After bowling, they headed to Fairview Theater to catch the earliest showing of The Time Traveler's Wife. Juliet and Maryanne had both been hoping to see it, and Carlton reluctantly admitted afterward that it was not such a bad choice. Juliet and Maryanne had read the book, and Carlton agreed to read it soon after viewing the film.
Despite the rain, or maybe because of it, they decided to eat at Shoreline Cafe on the waterfront. To say the rainstorm looked beautiful from a restaurant right on the beach would be an understatement. The lightening on the water proved an especially wondrous sight. The food didn't hurt any either. Maryanne and Lloyd insisted on paying for the meal after all Juliet and Carlton had done. Lloyd had a weird obsession with Baja, and it worked out in the form of Baja Tacos he swore to be beyond compare.
After lunch, they headed over to the Carriage and Western Art Museum. Carlton, as a big history and Western buff, knew the museum by heart. Tours were not offered on Fridays, but Carlton was able to guide them through better than many of the employees could ever hope to. Juliet and her parents truly enjoyed the glimpse into the past. They saw old restored vehicles, and the collection of saddles was second to none. They saw saddles once owned by Will Rogers, Clark Gable, Cisco Kid, Jimmy Stewart and many others.
By the time they had finished at the museum, the rain had started to slow. The group decided to take a walk down the beach. They walked up and down the shoreline for around an hour, then headed to Carlton's car. Carlton and Juliet had dressy casual clothes already, but Maryanne and Lloyd had been less prepared. They decided to check out some of the shops along the waterfront to find clothes for the older couple. They found Maryanne a paisley print dress, and Lloyd got a new tie to go with his usual dress shirt and slacks.
They stopped at a salon owned by a friend of Juliet's, and everyone took turns changing in the pristine bathroom. Allie, Juliet's friend, insisted on doing Juliet's and Maryanne's makeup. By 4:45, they were ready for dinner. Maryanne laughed as she pointed out that Carlton's crimson tie matched Juliet's ruffled shirt, and both joked about planning it that way.
When they stepped into Toma, Maryanne gasped. "This place is gorgeous!" The setting managed to be intimate despite the business of the restaurant.
Lassiter walked up to the podium. "Reservation for four under 'Lassiter.'"
The woman looked down at her list, then looked back up at them with a smile. "Right this way."
They started out with a Cavoli for the table to share, which everyone enjoyed immensely.
Carlton ordered them a Prosecco to share, and the waitress raved about his choice.
Lloyd ordered the ravioli for dinner, while Maryanne and Juliet ordered scallops. Carlton ordered a braised beef short rib. For sides, they all got garlic fries and grilled asparagus.
When the bill came, Lloyd took it immediately. When Carlton tried to protest, he held up a hand. "You cannot pay for everything. I don't just mean from a moral standpoint. There is no way on a policeman's salary that you can easily afford all of this. Just let me take care of it."
Carlton sighed, but relented when Juliet took his hand and squeezed it.
When they got home, they watched 27 Dresses and ate caramel popcorn. Juliet owned the movie and had seen it a thousand times, so she found herself more and more distracted by the man she thought she knew before. Carlton never ceased to surprise her, and this week had been more than she could have hoped for thus far. As the movie played, she laid once again with her head in his lap. He absently stroked her hair as he watched the movie. Every so often, he would look down at her and smile.
When they climbed into bed later that night, Juliet didn't even pretend she was going to stay on her side.