Ch 21

Coreen looked out the window watching Kerrie get in Mike's car. Kerrie looked nice dressed in a pair of fitted black dress pants and a pink v-neck sweater. As his car drove away Coreen went to finish getting ready. After trying on two outfits she settled on a black dress with one sleeve. Coreen walked to Vicki's office and they got a cab to gallery.

Across town Kerrie and Mike were enjoying dinner at a small Italian restaurant. They talked through dinner and after they went next door to a have some coffee.

'I'm not good with this whole dating thing.' Mike said with a nervous laugh.

'Same here.' Kerrie said with a smirk.

'That makes me feel a lot better.' Mike said reaching across the table to take Kerrie's hand.

'How long has it been for you?'

'Awhile, too long.' Kerrie nodded.

'I don't know if Coreen mentioned but I was engaged for a real short time. It was rushed, he had a drinking problem and fell off the wagon. I tried to help him but he got angry and that was the end of it.' Mike fell silent.

'I used to have a drinking problem. I've been sober for 10 years.' Kerrie gave his hand a squeeze. Mike's phone went off and he rolled his eyes.

'Hello?'

'Mike, we have a body.'

'It's my day off.' Mike said calmly.

'I know but Kate's out of town so we need you.'

'Where?' Dave gave him the info and Mike closed his phone. 'I'm sorry.'

'Don't be. It's ok.'

'I can drop you off on the way.' Kerrie nodded as Mike held up her coat for her to slip on.

'I had a really good time.'

'Me too.' They walked to his car and Mike opened the door for her. Mike pulled up to Coreen's apartment building and he turned to look at Kerrie.

'Are you in town for a few more days?'

'I fly out Monday night.'

'I'd like to see you again before you go.' Kerrie wrote down her cell phone number and handed it to Mike.

At the gallery a few hours later Vicki was getting a lot of info about Maya and Jude's relationship. Coreen was looking at a painting when a black haired man appeared next to her.

'I'm Tyrone.'

'I'm Coreen, this is a great show.'

'Yea, Jude really knows his work.'

'Are you an artist?' Tyrone motioned to a painting across the way. 'That's yours? I think that is one of the best here.'

'Really?'

'Yea, your work is great. It's dark without trying too hard.'

'Are you a friend of Jude or Maya's?'

'Umm... actually I'm here with Henry.'

'Fitzroy?' Coreen nodded. 'He has done some great work. This is only the second time I've seen his work in a gallery. It's actually my first.'

'How long have you been painting?'

'For years.'

Across the gallery Vicki looked up to see Mike walking in.