Where the Heart Lies

Chapter Three Movies and Moments

The week passed by rather slowly for Willard, and as Saturday approached he found himself becoming more and more nervous. He hadn't been on a date in…well, ever, and he had no idea what he was supposed to say or do. Should he bring Abbie flowers? Would she get upset if he paid for dinner? How was he supposed to dress, what was he supposed to say when he picked her up? He needed answers to these questions, and decided to ask Cathryn. He looked across his desk at her, speaking quietly so that Mrs. Leach couldn't hear.

"Cathryn, can I ask you a question?"

She smiled at her friend. "Of course, Willard."

Willard gulped, and then spoke in a nervous tone. "I…have a date this Saturday, and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do or say. I thought maybe you could give me some help?"

Cathryn beamed at him. "You have a date? That's wonderful! What's her name?"

Willard smiled dreamily. "Annabelle. But she prefers Abbie. We met at the market a few weeks ago."

Cathryn laughed at the dreamy expression on Willard's face. "You must have taken quite the fancy to her." Willard blushed, and Cathryn grinned. "So I take it you want the first date to go well?"

"I want it to be perfect."

Cathryn looked thoughtful. "Perfect, huh? Okay, first of all-don't try to be someone you aren't. In other words, don't try to impress her. Nothing kills a date faster than a man that boasts about how great and macho he is. Just be your normal self, and the date will be a success, I promise."

Willard nodded. "Right. Well, what about flowers? Are they a requirement? How should I dress? Should I compliment her on her outfit? Should I arrive at her apartment early?"

Cathryn smiled. "Flowers are a nice gesture, but it's better if you know what sort of flowers she would like. Is she a rose girl, does she like daisies? Believe me, this is important."

Willard frowned. "Couldn't I just make a guess and hope she'll like the flowers I picked out?"

"You could, but it's risky. As for what to wear-dress casual, but formal. No blue jeans, in other words. Do you have any casual outfits?"

"Ummm…I don't know. I've got some dark pants and dress shirts. Would that work?"

Cathryn nodded. "Yeah, that would work."

Willard sighed in relief. "Good. Thank you, Cathryn. You've been very helpful."

Cathryn smiled at him. "You're welcome, and I hope you'll introduce me to Abbie someday. I'd love to meet her."

Willard grinned. "I will, I promise." He pulled a purchase order down and was about to fill it out when a bloodcurdling scream came from out in the hall. Everyone froze, and Mr. Martin came storming out of his office, his face red with anger.

"What the hell was that shrieking?"

No answer, and Martin huffed in anger and was about to walk back to his office when the scream sounded again.

"HELP! LET ME OUT! PLEASE! SOMEBODY!"

Willard's eyes went wide. "That's Abbie's voice!" He bolted out of the office, running as fast as he could towards the elevator.

Martin looked around, bemused. "Who the hell is Abbie?"

Willard reached the elevator, and his heart stopped. Abbie was pressed against the back wall, her eyes closed. She was shivering in terror, and whimpering. Willard came forward and opened the doors, speaking in a soothing voice. "Abbie?"

Abbie's eyes flew open. "Wi…Willard?"

"Yeah, it's me. Are you…" he was interrupted in his thoughts when Abbie practically flew out of the elevator and clung to him, sobbing and shaking. He was shocked for a brief instant, and then he wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her back. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Abbie sniffled, speaking in a muffled voice. "I'm an idiot, that's what's wrong. I thought I'd be alright for just a few floors, and the stairs didn't look that safe."

Willard laughed softly. "Yeah, the stairs are pretty scary. But why were you screaming?"

"The…door got stuck, and I couldn't open it. I'm claustrophobic."

Willard's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh."

Abbie wiped her eyes, giving him a small smile. "I actually came here for a reason. I wanted to give you something." She handed him a small bag. "I stopped by the bakery on my way here. I hope you like it."

Willard opened the bag, his eyes widening with joy. Inside was a chocolate donut with sprinkles-one of his favorite indulgences, and one he very rarely got to enjoy. Best of all, the bag was still warm. He beamed at Abbie. "Thank you! But how did you know this was my favorite?"

Abbie laughed. "I didn't, actually. I just picked out one I thought you'd like. Besides, everyone loves chocolate."

Willard grinned and was about to answer her when he heard his boss's voice from behind him. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Willard? You are wasting the company's time! Worse, you are wasting my time! There is a stack of purchase orders piled up on that mess you call a desk, and you're standing here chatting! Just who the hell are you, lady?"

Abbie gazed coolly at him. "Annabelle Carsons, who are you? No, wait-let me see if I can guess." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, and then snapped her fingers in mock discovery. "You're the winner of the Asshole of the Month Award! Oh, it's such an honor to meet you! This is truly a prestigious moment for me. Willard, why didn't you tell me you knew such a lofty gentleman?"

Mr. Martin gawped at Abbie, his mouth working silently. She gave him a level gaze, and he turned and headed back down the hall, eyes still wide with disbelief. Abbie chuckled in triumph. "Plonker."

Willard bit his lip, trying to hold back the laughter that was bubbling up. But he was unsuccessful. He leaned against the wall, eyes streaming with tears as he laughed. "Abbie that was the most brilliant thing I have ever seen! The look on his face…" He went off into a fresh peal of laughter. "Utterly, completely brilliant!"

Abbie giggled, bowing slightly. "Why thank you. That was Mr. Martin, I take it?"

Willard nodded, still laughing. "Yeah, that was the bastard himself. He'll probably be a bit sore from the tongue lashing for a while."

"I hope you don't get in too much trouble, Willard."

Willard sighed. "I probably will, but not because of you. He just likes picking on me. But at least I'll have this lovely memory to fall back on. Well, that and the other day when he had to ride the subway. It seems as though someone had gotten into his garage and slashed the tires on his brand new Mercedes."

"Don't forget they also peed on the floor."

Willard and Abbie turned at the sound of the new voice, and Cathryn came forward, smiling at Abbie. "You must be Abbie. I'm Cathryn."

Abbie shook her outstretched hand, grinning. "Nice to meet you, Cathryn. Willard, I'm very glad I gave you a happy memory, but I've got to go. Lunch hour's almost over with, and I've got a bit of a ride ahead of me. I'll see you Saturday?"

Willard nodded, and Abbie grinned, and then kissed his cheek. "Later, handsome. Enjoy the donut." She turned and headed for the stairs, leaving a spellbound Willard in her wake.

Cathryn looked at Willard and chuckled. He was staring after Abbie, his hand on his cheek. "Willard? Come on, let's get back to work." Willard blinked at her.

"Huh? Oh…right…work." He followed Cathryn back to the office, a dreamy smile on his face.

Cathryn smiled to herself. 'He's really got it bad.'

Willard focused on the purchase orders, his cheek still burning where Abbie had kissed him.

The big night had finally rolled around, and Willard's stomach was in knots. He had showered and shaved, and was dressed in a dark blue dress shirt and black trousers. He examined himself in the mirror, and then looked over at Socrates, who was sitting on his pillow. "Well, what do you think?"

Socrates chittered, and Willard grinned. "Good. I think she'll like it too. Keep the peace while I'm gone, okay? Make sure Ben behaves himself." Socrates nodded, and Willard smiled. "Good boy. Wish me luck."

He straightened his collar, grabbed the flowers he had purchased-blue irises-and headed out the door, glad that his mother was sound asleep. Fortunately, he had told her about his date that morning and she had been shocked and surprised, but happy for him.

Willard smiled to himself as he recalled the phone call to Abbie the night before. They had both agreed that they weren't in the mood for a romantic movie, and dramas were also vetoed. They wanted a fun movie. After some discussion, they both agreed on Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Abbie had promised to not drool over Johnny Depp too much.

Abbie paced back and forth in her apartment, nervously wringing her hands. She wanted her date with Willard to be a good one. She had gone out shopping the day before, looking for the perfect first date outfit, and had finally found it-a light blue blouse with dark blue silk trousers and a pair of dark blue dress shoes-flats, as she hated wearing heels. To complete the ensemble, she had dug around in her jewelry box and found a lapis-lazuli necklace. She examined herself in the mirror, and grinned. "Not bad, Abbie. Not bad at all." She gulped as she heard a knock at the apartment door.

Willard stood in front of her apartment, the bouquet clutched in his nervous hands, his heart racing. The door opened, and his jaw dropped. Abbie looked absolutely gorgeous. He gulped, and found his voice. "Uhhh…hi. You look…umm…really….nice." He cursed inwardly, and Abbie beamed at him.

"Thank you. You look pretty handsome yourself. Are those flowers for me?"

"Huh? Oh! Yes." He blushed as he handed her the flowers, grinning when her eyes widened happily.

"I love irises! How did you…?"

He grinned. "I guessed. You didn't seem like a rose girl. Besides, irises are unique-like you."

Abbie blushed. "Ummm…let me go put these in some water, than I'll be ready. I'll just be one minute, I promise."

She dashed inside, found an empty jar, and quickly filled it with water, placing the irises inside, then dashed back out, beaming at Willard. "Okay. Let the date begin. Are we doing the movie first, then dinner, or dinner first then the movie?"

"I thought maybe we could do the movie first? That way we have more time during dinner to talk. We don't have to rush."

Abbie grinned. "Sounds like a plan."

Willard smiled. "Great."

They both enjoyed the movie, and Abbie snitched Willard's popcorn twice before he realized what she was doing. "I bought you your own bucket, you know."

Abbie popped a kernel into her mouth, watching as Captain Jack Sparrow and Barbossa battled it out in Isla de Muerta, and grinned. "I know, but stolen popcorn tastes better."

Willard gave her a sly grin. "Oh, does it? Well, if that's the case…" he reached over and snitched a handful of popcorn out of Abbie's bucket, popping it in his mouth. She gaped at him in mock anger.

"Hey!"

He smirked at her. "You're right, it does taste better."

Abbie mock frowned at him. "Thief."

Willard chuckled. "Pot, meet kettle." He looked down at his popcorn. "Well, I'm empty anyway."

"Me too."

Willard took their buckets, tossing them in the trash, and then headed back to his seat just in time to catch the triumphant escape of Captain Jack. "He's one lucky pirate."

Abbie laughed. "That he is. Well, where are we having dinner?"

"I thought maybe we could try that new steak house down the road. It got a pretty decent write up in yesterday's paper, and it's open late."

Abbie grinned, looping her arm into his. "Steak sounds delicious. I'm starving, let's go eat."

Willard grinned back. "Alright, let's go."

The dinner went splendidly, and Willard found himself telling Abbie things he had never told anyone before, and she opened up about being an Army Brat and being moved from pillar to post. At one point, the subject of education had come up, and she had shyly admitted that she had been forced to drop out of university due to money problems. "I was studying to be a teacher. I got as far as my sophomore year, and then the money just wasn't there anymore. And I've never been a big spender. I've always wanted to go back, but real life keeps interfering."

Willard nodded in understanding. "I know what that's like. I sometimes resent having to stay and take care of Mother, but I can't afford to….well, find a place that will look after her."

"What about hiring someone?"

"I actually tried that a few years ago. The nurse quit after one week because Mother kept biting and hitting her. After that, I didn't dare try again, and we simply didn't have the money." He gave a bitter laugh. "I've got a giant house, and no money. Ironic, isn't it?"

Abbie placed her hand on his. "I'm sorry." Willard smiled shyly at her.

"That's alright. I shouldn't be burdening you with this stuff anyway. I say we change the subject."

Abbie smiled at him, and Willard felt his heart speed up. "Good idea. Do you have any other pets besides Socrates?"

Willard bit his lip. "Well…there's Ben, but I wouldn't call him a pet. He's pretty independent, and it can be a bit annoying at times. He bullies some of the smaller rats. Socrates keeps the peace as best he can, but I still worry."

Abbie frowned at him. "How many rats do you have, Willard?"

Willard pursed his lips in thought, and then shrugged. "I don't know. Quite a lot." He stared into Abbie's eyes, his voice excited. "They listen to me. They'll do whatever I tell them to do."

Abbie smiled. "Do they?" Willard nodded, and she grinned. "So you're the Rat King, then?"

Willard laughed. "I never thought of it like that, but yeah. I suppose I am. Does that scare you?"

Abbie stared at him for a moment, thinking. She had never been scared of rats, and the idea of Willard being able to control them was rather intriguing-and, she admitted to herself-more than a little sexy. To her, it made him even more appealing. "No, it doesn't scare me. I find it fascinating, actually."

Willard sighed in relief. "Really? You don't find it strange?" She shook her head, and he grinned. "Thank goodness. I was afraid to tell you at first. I didn't know how you'd react."

"What kind of rat is Ben?"

"He's a Gambian pouched rat."

Abbie's eyes widened. "Really? Big boy. How'd he end up in your basement?"

Willard shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe one of our neighbors had him as a pet and he escaped."

"Oh. Well, do you like him?"

Willard frowned. "In all honesty? Not really. I like Socrates best. Ben…Ben scares me sometimes." He chuckled quietly. "He's come upstairs a few times, and I'm always worried that Mother will see him. I'm afraid of what she'll do-she hates rats."

"Well, let's hope nothing happens."

Willard nodded. "Yeah. Ummm…how's your steak?"

"Delicious. This was a good idea, Willard."

Willard beamed at her.

After, he dropped her off at her apartment, walking her to the door. She paused, her hand on the knob, and smiled at him. "I had a really great time tonight."

"Me too, Abbie."

She smiled, and then kissed him lingeringly on the lips, her fingers gently stroking his face, and he moaned quietly, kissing her back and cupping her face in his hands, not wanting this perfect moment to end. He whimpered softly as she slowly released him, her eyes soft. "Goodnight, Willard."

Willard blinked, and then smiled softly at her. "Goodnight, Abbie."

He turned and walked back to his car, humming. 'This was, beyond a doubt, the most perfect night of my life.'