Kayley was slightly nervous about going to meet up with Garrett. She had a feeling that this was actually a date.

Taking a deep breath, she took one last look at herself in the mirror. She was pleased with her outfit. It was both flattering and practical. The lavender, button-up blouse brought out the lavender and cream embroidered flowers on her jeans' pockets. Her hair was half up, half down. Normally, she sported a long, low pony. This evening she was in the mood for something slightly different. She wore one of her trademark headbands. It was a tawny, almost gold color. She'd also donned a pair of large, round gold earrings with three interlocking circles etched into the metal. Her mother had given them to her a long time ago for her birthday. They originally had been a present to Julianna from Lionel. Julianna told Kayley that the rings represented strength and unity. She also pulled out of her jewelry box her favorite necklace- a strand of pearls. They'd been a graduation present from Arthur and Gwen.

She forsook makeup save for a touch of mascara and gloss.

She applied some orange oil on her neck, grabbed her handbag, mobile, and keys, and made her way to her car.

Once at the park and under the oak tree, I set my basket down on a nearby bench. It was one of the places I liked to go to for mental decompression. It was always nice and cool when I sat on the bench under the oak. This evening, however, we'd be sitting on the old blanket I'd brought. Dad and Mum used to take me on picnics as a young kid. They always brought this same blanket. Certain visual memories were so old that they became indistinct. The blanket though was one memory that I have kept. It was a dark blue with cream and red embroidery around the edges. Now, it has aged so much that I could feel its multiple frays. My paternal grandparents and parents had used this blanket for each of their first dates. I'll have to mend it so I can pass it on to my children. Thankfully, my Mum taught me to sew and mend long ago. I hated learning how to do it as a kid. Wrote it off as something only girls do. I chuckled at the memory.

After laying the blanket out in front of the bench, I emptied the rest of the basket's contents one by one. There were some to-go containers of spaghetti I'd made earlier.

Along with the spaghetti, I brought some apples and cheese I'd sliced. As far as drinks were concerned, I went with simple bottled waters.

Now all that's left to do is listen to my music as I wait for my dinner guest.

Kayley parked her car a short walk away from the park. Within five minutes she was there. Glancing around, she noticed an elderly couple walking hand in hand around the parameters of the park's flower garden. There were a few squirrels running back and forth. They looked like they were in an intense argument in squirrel language.

Finally, she spotted Garrett. He was sitting on a bench under the oak tree. He had laid out a picnic for two on an old blanket. Despite its age, it was still quite nice. The closer she got, the blanket's frayedness grew apparent.

Looking back at Garrett, she took into account that he had his earbuds in. She knew it wouldn't be wise to just walk up and scare him. She took out her mobile and messaged him: I'm here.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Voiceover alerting me through the earbuds that the message was from Kayley. She said she was here at the park. I pulled the buds out of my ears, unfolded my cane, and got up to go find her. She was probably still in the parking area.

Oh, he didn't realize I meant here as in HERE. I'd better get his attention.

Someone was running towards me. Must be Kayley. I turned towards the sound of the approaching runner.

"Kayley?" I asked.

"How'd you know it was me?" she replied.

"I'm afraid that information is classified, Ms. Reeves."

"No joke." she retorted.

"But, that was a joke." I answered.

"Eye-roll." she replied.

"If you get your eyes stuck in the back of your head from all the eye-rolling, I'll have to be the one to give you a lift home."

The blanket was surprisingly thick. Kayley appreciated that very much. She knew that her bottom would appreciate that fact even more.

Finishing up the last bite of her food, she closed up the styrofoam container and set it to the side. Now, she was just trying to figure out something to talk about. Usually, it was very easy to discuss things with Garrett. However, when you throw the word date in the mix a whole new perspective comes. Mostly through the door of awkwardness.

We hadn't talked much through the meal. There was a slight awkwardness in the air.

She was so quiet.

I had to find a way to break the ice. I'd never formally put my feelings out there for her to know.

"Kayley? You still alive?" I asked.

"Last I checked." she giggled.

"I have really been looking forward to having this picnic with you." I told her.

"I have too." she said as her hand grabbed mine.

Good.

"Uh, Kayley...I need to tell you something."

"Yes?"

"I tried to not pay attention to how I felt for awhile...but the longer I got to know you, the more I realized I like you an awful lot."

"I like you, too. A lot." she replied.

"We are pretty awkward aren't we?" I laughed.

"Yeah. But awkward isn't bad... it's just awkward." she laughed in turn.

"I should have made a clear definition of what this picnic being a date when I asked you out last night." I said with a shake of my head.

"Well...we all make mistakes. Don't we?" her words echoing mine from our first conversation.

"Anything regarding you is far from a mistake. You are the best thing that has happened to me in a long while." I said.

He was facing Kayley's direction dead on. She was amazed by his accuracy. He just said I am the best thing that has happened to him in a long time. Ugh! Mouth work! Unfreeze!

"Kayley? You're leaving me hanging here."

"Yes, I'm sorry. I was pleasantly surprised when you told me what you did. I couldn't get my mouth to work at first. I'm glad you feel that way. I'm glad you're in my life too. I'd like to get to know you better.

So, this is a date right?" she asked me.

"Totally." Great response, Garrett. Attempting to rescue this date, I asked her:

"Would you care to go on a walk?"

"Sure. Let's go ahead and clean up. We can put your stuff in my car. It's about a five minute walk away from here." she answered as we began to clean up the remains of our picnic.

It didn't take us very long to collect everything. Soon, the blanket was folded and the other articles stowed away in the basket. I folded my cane and tucked it into the waistband of my jeans.

We held hands as she led me to her vehicle. With my left arm, I kept the blanket rolled under my arm and the basket in its crook. The feel of Kayley's hand in mine was soothing.

A gentle gust of the early evening breeze blew my hair into my face, causing Kayley to giggle.

"I'm glad that you find humor from this." I laughed along with her.

"Here, let me help." she said.

She released my hand and tucked the naughty strands behind my ears.

"Better?"

"Yes, thank you." I replied.

Kayley popped open the back of her trunk and settled Garrett's things in there nicely. Turning back to her date (that thought causing a big, goofy grin to spread on her pretty face), she asked, "Would you like to go to a cafe? We can take my car if you'd like." she offered to Garrett.

She noticed a flash of anxiety cross his handsome features. He nodded, more to himself than her. It was as if he were trying to convince himself that it was a good idea before he answered, "Sure, that sounds good."

Smiling, she replied, "Great!" as she placed his hand on the passenger door handle.

Upon opening the door, he placed one hand at the top of the opening so he wouldn't hit his head as he entered. Settling himself in his seat, he heard Kayley get into the driver's seat as she closed her door. When she cranked the car, the radio started to sing "I like that old time rock 'n roll! The kinda music that soothes my soul!"

Being in a vehicle for the second time in one week was rattling enough. The radio blaring Bob Seger was the cherry atop the metaphorical sundae. I managed to keep my voice from showing the anxiety and aggravation, I asked, "Could we please turn the radio down?

Kayley saw another flash of panic on his face. She forgot that she'd had her favorite classic rock station set to "blaring." Even if Garrett were sighted and didn't have anxiety that would be annoying. It must be extra annoying for him. Before he'd asked her to turn it down, her hand stretched forward to turn the volume knob to minimum.

"Sorry about that, Garrett. I forgot how loud I'd had it set."

"It's alright. Bob Seger, huh?" he asked... slightly amused.

"Yes, Bob Seger. I told you I listened to country the most, but that I listened to a bunch of different genres. Remember?" she laughed.

"Yes, now that you mention it. So, what cafe are we headed to?" he asked as they approached the cafe's street.

"It's a new one. One of my friends shared a post about it the other day. I thought it would be neat to try out. I am pulling up into a parking spot now." she informed him as her foot pressed smoothly on the brake.

"What's it called?" he asked.

"They weren't very OG when they named it. It is literally called 'The Cafe'." she answered.

Inside The Cafe, I was surprised that there was a live jazz band. They announced that they were going to perform an original after a five minute break. We took the time to go and make our order. We paid and brought our drinks over to a small booth.

Someone got up on stage. I heard them rustling about as they prepped for their song.

"How's the band look?" I asked.

"Do you really want to know?" she countered.

To that, I crossed my arms and shook my head to say: Yes.

"Well, the lead singer looks like the tall, gawky guy who would have been in your advanced trigonometry course during secondary school. He does have a good sense of style, though.

The guy on keys is an overweight chap. He appears to be in a close relationship with his piano. Honestly, it is a little creepy the way he handles it.

The fellow on drums has hair styled in a huge mohawk. He hasn't yet crossed over into the 2010's. He is painfully stuck in 2001. However, he looks like he knows what he is doing- seems very assertive.

The fourth band mate is a lady. She is on the acoustic guitar. She appears to be in her early forties. Her hair is red and braided to her left. She looks as though she walked out of the hipster section of a fashion magazine.

The last band mate is a young kid. Appears to be the son of the red headed lady. He has a head of hair as vibrant as hers. Looks about twelve or thirteen. He is glancing over some sheet music while holding a large saxophone. He happens to have the same sickly fashion taste as the drummer. I wouldn't be surprised if that were his father. Heck, they all might be family. They all, minus the lady, have rather large ears." she stated matter-of-factly.

"That was quite the description." I laughed.

"I tried warning you. Anyway, how was the coffee?"

"I rather enjoyed both your description and the coffee."

"Glad to hear that. Oh, the band is starting!" her voice rose in anticipation.

Smiling, I reached for her hand.

Kayley smiled. She definitely saw this going somewhere with Garrett. The thought excited her even more than the opportunity to hear this band's new song.

The tall, gawky guy with a good sense of style began to sing. His voice was warm and smoothe like Sinatra's. It was like I had Sinatra playing through my earbuds. Despite they're need for a coordinating wardrobe and hair stylist, this band was good.

Kayley and I remained at that booth, holding hands for another five songs. Mostly listening- save for occasional commentary on how the lyrics flowed with the melody.

On the sixth song, I heard the first few notes of one my favorites from Sinatra. It was one of the songs I listened to the day I met Kayley under the oak tree. It was Sinatra's "Just the Way You Look Tonight."

"Hey, Kayley?" I asked.

"Yes?"

"Are there a lot of people around?"

"No. There's actually only three other tables that are occupied."

"Do you see any open space?"

"Yes."

"Let's go there."

"Alright."

She took my hand and brought us over to the open area. My cane was already tucked away in my pocket.

"We still have the all clear?" I whispered.

"Yes." she laughed.

Placing both of my hands on her hips, I drew her closer to me. Not expecting the sudden touch, she jumped a little. It was short lived. She grabbed one of my hands and the other she laid on my shoulder.

Kayley wasn't sure what to think of this close contact with Garrett. At once, she was both terrified and electrified. Finally being this close to him, she realized that she'd been craving it since she met him. She had a feeling deep in her gut that he would be her forever.

She kept her head rested against his chest for a few seconds. Just to listen to his heart beat.

She felt him lower his head slightly as he whispered, "Tell me...what do you look like tonight?"

"My hair is a mahogany color. It is halfway pulled up in a tall ponytail. The rest is loose. I am wearing earrings my mother gave me and a pearl necklace. My blouse is a lavender button-up. I've got on a pair of jeans embroidered with lavender and cream flowers. And, I am wearing brown sandals. Why?"

"I just wanted to know. Plus, listen to the song."

So, Kayley listened. She was amazed at the perfect timing of the band.

The band faded out with "... just the way you look tonight." Our dance was one moment in my life that will never be forgotten. I believe I've met my soulmate.

We still have much more to learn of each other, but we're on a good path.

An hour later, we arrived at my flat. I took her on up to show her my place.

We settled in the living room and talked some more.

We discussed places we'd dreamed of seeing when we were young kids, when her mobile alerted her. She pulled it out, commenting that she really needed to set different alerts for text messages and emails.

I laughed and asked her which one it was.

She didn't reply.

"Kayley? You still there?"

"Oh, yes! I'm sorry. It's an email from M'nM. He says that he did more digging up on Fitzgerald. He had an accomplice a long time ago. He was working with the accomplice to get drugs passed around under the noses of other government officials. They've been out of contact for about eleven years. The accomplice is a distant maternal cousin named Mort Harrison."

Kayley quickly looked up when she heard the THUD of Garrett's glass hitting the rug.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"What is the name?"

"Mort Harrison."

"Kayley, do you remember? That's the name of the man that wrecked into my dad and me."