Chapter Sixty Seven – Feeling Young Again

Olivia was busy reading over her now completed article when her cell phone rang. She didn't even bother looking away from her computer screen when she reached out to grab her phone and answer it. Assuming it was Ben she only spared part of her attention for the call. The young female voice that greeted her definitely didn't belong to her boyfriend though, and at first she struggled to pull her mind away from her proofreading and focus fully on the call.

A quick introduction revealed the young woman was a student at Hudson and had worked with Olivia before in relation with a women's sexual assault prevention group. Olivia couldn't help feeling a small rush of irony at the timing of the call. Only two days ago on the first of the year she'd rather felt like a college kid again herself. She'd woken up in the late morning almost edging toward early afternoon. Ben had been still asleep sprawled out next to her and wearing as little as she was. One of his legs had been thrown across hers, having long since untwined from between her own. Pieces of clothing had been scattered in various discarded piles throughout her bedroom leading from the door to the bed. She clearly remembered being pretty sure she'd seen Ben's shirt hanging from the doorknob, but she hadn't remembered him ever hanging it up. In his rush to discard it when they'd returned it must have landed there by accident. She'd stumbled out of bed and tripped over Suvi, who hardly even moved in response. He'd been absolutely exhausted even though his late night hadn't been followed by another hour of passion.

Olivia shook her amusement off and again turned her full attention to the phone call. In the beginning of the school year she'd done a presentation on awareness and the need to report. The president of the group, who was on the phone with her now, had been so impressed that she'd immediately asked Olivia to return again the next year. Apparently something had happened during New Year's to make them think the students needed a reminder. That didn't sound in any way reassuring, but she wasn't all that surprised by the need. Alcohol was a big part of college New Year's Eve parties, which unfortunately meant rape was as well. Sexual assaults tended to skyrocket, especially in colleges, when booze was involved. If they wanted her to come and re-stress that it was never the victim's fault and that no really did mean no, then she would. Anything that had the chance of helping.

Of course she still had to finish the article. That would probably have to wait since she didn't have a lot of time to prepare for the Hudson event. Thankfully her tight deadline for planning the speech and finishing her article wouldn't cause much of a problem since she basically just needed to review the article. The minute she'd confirmed the details and hung up she started working on a presentation outline. Given the recent holiday there were a few topics she knew needed to be covered.

She barely finished the outline before she had to take off and meet Ben. They'd decided to meet for a quick walking lunch together on his way to a listing he was going to show to a set of clients later that afternoon. When she arrived at his office a bit early she remained outside to wait. There were a few gentle flakes of snow drifting downward. The snowfall was not enough to bother Olivia, but it was enough to amuse Suvi. He was staring up at the sky and catching snowflakes on his nose. There was no rush for Ben to show up in Suvi's mind. He was perfectly content standing there and watching the snow. So content, in fact, that he didn't even notice Ben when he came hurrying outside and gave Olivia a kiss in greeting. Instead he was busy watching the soft spiral of snow toward the ground.

"Let's go. I'm starving," Ben said.

"Where are we going?" she asked as they started off. Only she had to stop a second later when Suvi didn't follow automatically like he usually did. "Suvi, heel."

His head snapped toward her in surprise. Oh, they were leaving already? Okay. He trotted to her side and followed along, alert to what was around them and any changes in Olivia.

"Taco truck," Ben answered as if nothing strange had interrupted their discussion.

Olivia tried not to laugh but didn't quite manage it.

"You're taking me to a taco truck?"

"Yup. Good food fast. Problem with that?"

"No. I used to be a cop, remember? We lived off fast food and quick pits stops. I know how good the food can be at the right truck."

She just thought it was funny that their "lunch date" was going to involve a taco truck.

"Perfect."

He threaded his fingers between hers and pressed their palms together. Olivia smiled and squeezed his hand. It was nice to just spend time with him like this. They could talk quietly and simply be together, even if it was only for a short time.

"What have you been up to all day?" Ben asked, breaking into her contented thoughts.

"Working on stuff for a presentation. A women's advocacy group at Hudson wants me to come tomorrow night for a program."

"Tomorrow night?"

"Yeah."

"Can I come?"

He said it so casually, like all he was doing was asking if he could come to the grocery store with her. Olivia immediately stopped short and gaped at him. A wrinkle of confusion creased Ben's forehead at her sudden stillness. He didn't think he'd said anything all that surprising, but she definitely looked like she thought he'd just started speaking in some foreign language. Maybe even one that didn't exist on the planet Earth.

"What?" he asked, totally confused by her reaction.

"You want to come? Why would you want to come?"

"Because this is what you do for a living. I've never seen you present before. This is actually a chance for me to do that. Plus, it's local."

"If you want to know more I can tell you, but I don't see why you'd need to come. Or why you would really want to. Nobody actually wants to listen to rape statistics."

"Because it's who you are, Olivia. I saw a glimpse of that strength in you at the fundraiser. Somehow I only think that's a piece of the strength you have. I want to see your presentation, when you'll be in your element and at the peak of your strength."

She stared at him with her mouth hanging open for a little while, at a complete loss. In a way he was right. When she was presenting she felt more like herself than at any other time, and the old strength she had had on the force likely did come out again. She sighed and shook her head slightly.

"If you want to come, then come. I won't stop you."

"But you won't be happy if I'm there."

It was more of a statement then a question. He was pretty sure he knew what the answer would be if she actually told the truth. In the end she wound up surprising him.

"I don't understand why you want to come, and I really don't understand why you feel like you need to be there. If you want to come though, I don't mind." She smiled weakly. "Just don't expect this not to mess with your head if you think about it too much."

"I know, but somehow I think seeing you standing up there fighting it all will help dull some of what I might hear."

"Don't count on it."

She took his hand in hers again and gently tugged him forward. He needed to be at the apartment he was showing by a certain time, and they hadn't even gotten lunch yet. If they didn't get a move on they'd be rushing to arrive on time. She would lose all of her opportunity to enjoy her time with Ben. That was already happening thanks to their topic of conversation really.

"Let's get some food, okay?" Olivia pressed.

"Sure. Are you going to tell me when to meet you tomorrow first? Wouldn't want it to slip your mind while we were eating."

"Of course you wouldn't," she returned, almost grumbling. Sometimes he knew her too well. "I'll stop by your apartment at 5:30. Now can we please talk about something else? I've been working on this all morning and need to do more when I get back."

"Course we can. Or we could stuff our faces with tacos and not talk at all."

He nodded at the taco truck parked a street away from them and grinned. There was already a small line, but Olivia knew it would go quickly. Plus she wasn't sure what she wanted to eat yet anyway, though she highly approved of the idea of stuffing her face with good Mexican food.

"I think I like Plan B."

They reached the end of the street and joined the back of the line. Even though they were still rather far back from the truck the delicious smell of sizzling meat and vegetables easily reached them. Olivia closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. There was no way she could not be hungry smelling that. It was like being transported into the heart of a southwest city center. Ben suddenly touched her shoulders, and Olivia jumped, her eyes snapping open.

"Ben!"

"Sorry. I didn't think I'd scare you that bad. We need to move up."

Olivia blinked and realized he was right. The people in front of them had moved forward so there was now a gap in front of Olivia and Ben. She quickly walked up to fill the hole. When she looked over at Ben he had that same amused smile that she knew all too well. He was incredibly close to laughter, and that couldn't have been caused solely by her moment of unawareness. She didn't have a clue where else his mind had gone though.

"What?"

"You looked just like Suvi for a moment there. His nose was popped up in the air and sniffing away just like you were. It was cute."

Olivia smiled and rubbed Suvi's head. He was still sucking in air in large gulps and nearly drooling in anticipation. Unfortunately he wouldn't be getting anything from the truck. Well, she hadn't been planning on it, but she might end up giving in once they had their food. He could turn on the pleading when he wanted to.

"At least you'll be able to tell us apart once we get our food. I'll be the only one eating."

Suvi's shining eyes turned up toward her, and he stared hopefully. Already he was turning on the charm with his soft, pleading eyes.

"Maybe…" she added.