Chapter 9

It sounded to Clay like Luigi might not have been satisfied with yesterday's payday and he might be planning some kind of double deal or double cross at the upcoming meeting. If something like that was in the wind, Clay reluctantly admitted, at least to himself, that he might need Chegwidden's help for more than just watching the number of people involved.

But that was tomorrow. Tonight he had his first date with Shane and he was determined to make it special. He got off work after reminding Shane what time he would pick her up and then hurried home to shower, shave, and change into the best clothes Tony Campanili could afford.

Clay purchased a pretty bouquet of flowers from the street vendor near his apartment and was back in front of his building just as the cab he ordered pulled up in front of his building. He got in and gave the driver Shane's address all the while praying the evening would go well.

Shane wanted to scold 'Tony' for spending money she was sure he couldn't afford on the cab she saw at the curb and the flowers he was holding in his hand; but then she remembered the hurt look on his face when they had talked about where to go on their date and thought better of it.

She took the flowers he offered as he told her how beautiful she looked. Shane had known she was beautiful from a very early age, but also had a very level head on her shoulders. Knowing her looks were something she got from her family and that she had no control over them, she had learned not to have her head turned by such complements. That wasn't to say that she didn't always try and look her best, or wear her hair down like tonight, because she knew that Tony liked it that way. "Thank you, Tony. Will you come in while I put them in water?" she asked with a smile.

Clay wasn't surprised that her apartment was nicer than his, but still it was a far cry from what the Count or Webb money could have afforded. When she came back in the room with the flowers in a simple glass vase he acknowledged that was all the bouquet deserved. He wished he could shower her with hot house blooms in crystal vases! Before he could be tempted to do something stupid, he asked "Are you ready to go?"

Remembering the cab out front with the meter running, Shane grabbed her purse and almost raced out the door as she exclaimed, "Yes of course!"

They chose a table near the wall of the building. While tourists might find the traffic and passers-by charming the natives were used to it and no longer found it quaint. Clay at least wanted privacy and the brick wall on one side of them afforded them as much as they would get at the outdoor café.

After the waiter had taken their order and brought bread sticks along with the bottle of house wine Clay requested over Shane's protests, they were finally alone.

"I know so little about you, Shane. Please tell me more?"

With a light laugh she answered, "There isn't a lot to tell. What kinds of things do you want to know?"

"Oh, likes, dislikes, things you enjoy in your spare time?" he grilled with a grin.

"Oh! The important stuff!" she teased.

"I could have started with more important questions, but I didn't want to scare you off," he retorted.

"Oh? Like what?" she was intrigued now.

"Well…like do you want kids? How many if so? What are your views on marriage?"

"Wow! Okay, lets see…likes: summer vs. winter, convertibles vs. hard tops, house vs. apartment, roses of any color, but peach are my all time favorite, and chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate! Dislikes: Dishonest people. Stupid people; not the mentally challenged, but ones who should know better and do stupid things anyway. Peas and celery, and fake cheese. Spare time things: reading a good book on a rainy afternoon; horse back riding and long hot bubble baths. I love kids, and want at least one of each. It may sound weird but I want an even amount of them, two, four, six. With the odd amounts there's a middle child and every middle child I've ever known has been a sad discontent person. As for marriage, I plan to wait until I find the one guy that I want to wake up to every morning for the rest of my life!"

To be continued…