Chapter 2
1124 Words
Chapter 2
The next few days flew by and things were quiet in Brooklyn Center, just the way Keplar liked it. The murder kept nagging at him, but he was told to stay out of the way, so he decided to stay low and snoop around just a little. But, that would have to wait, tonight he was taking Rose out to dinner and a movie. Looking at his watch, he realized he needed to hurry so he hustled home for a shower and a change of clothes. A simple white shirt with red tie, and a new blue suit seemed just right, but not having one, he pulled out his old one. It was brown and a little shiny at the elbows.
Rose was sitting in a lawn chair to the left of her front door. Her house that she had only recently purchased, was a post WWII white cape two blocks off Osseo Road in an area that not long ago was part of a large farm. There was only one Elm tree in her front yard that stood about fifteen feet tall, probably planted within the past five years. The twenty or so other houses in this development were almost all the same style. Slight variations on window and door locations and colors were the only things that set them apart.
Rose stood as he pulled into the driveway. She was wearing a white dress with floral print. A pearl necklace adorned her neck. Matching pearl ear rings completed the picture. Walking across the lawn toward him, one of her black high heeled shoes sunk into the soft earth causing her to stumble. He reached out and caught her. While wrapping his arm around her waist they both laughed.
“You are falling for me after all,” Mick said.
Poking him in the ribs, “Is it that obvious?”
Breaking away, “Stay right there,” he said walking quickly back to the car and opening the back door. He came back with both hands behind his back.
“What's up soldier?” Bowing her head slightly, “I like surprises.”
Mick held his left hand out holding a single daisy.
“Did you stop along the side of the road?” She said smiling and holding out her hand to take it.
Blushing, he then pulled his right hand from behind his back holding a single red rose.
She grabbed it quickly and wrapped her arms around his neck while still holding one flower in each hand. “That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me,” she whispered in his ear. Rose then moved her lips to his.
He received them wanting to hold this moment forever. He suddenly felt secure and happier than he could ever remember. The haunting memories of bombs falling and dead buddies were gone for now.
Stepping back an inch, Rose asked, “Where we eating?”
“Let me hold you a little while longer,” and then he kissed her again hungrily.
She surrendered as their bodies meshed. A couple moments later, “The neighbors are going to talk,” Rose said pushing him gently away. “Where are we going for dinner?”
“I have a very special place.”
“It's not a greasy spoon again, I hope.”
“Not tonight.” They were still standing close, he didn't want to stop breathing her in.
Taking his hand, “Come lets go. I can't wait to see what lies ahead.”
Opening the door for her, he helped her in, making sure her full skirt would not be caught in the door jam. He was a little ashamed that he didn't have a nicer car, but this 48 Chevy was given to him by his dad and on a cop's salary, he couldn't afford a newer one. It was robins egg blue faded badly and had a few bird droppings decorating the hood and roof.
When he got in, Rose slid over so she was right beside him, leaving enough room for a large football player to her right. Once he pulled out onto Osseo road and had shifted into third gear, he wrapped his right arm around her shoulders. He was seventeen again and had his high school sweetheart next to him, or so it seemed. This gave him an idea. He turned onto highway 100 and a short ways down he turned right on 50th Avenue and pulled into the root beer stand that he had spent many of his high school years hanging out at.
Looking surprised, in a sweet way, “You've got to be kiddin.”
Looking at her, smiling like a love sick boy, “I just want to go back in time for a few minutes with you by my side.”
A cute blonde car hop stepped up. “Hi, what would you like?”
“Bring us two large frosted root beers please.”
“Anything to go with that?”
“No, that...”
Interrupting, Rose said, “Wait, this is the best place you could have brought me.” Looking at the girl, “Bring us two hamburgers and fries also.”
“No, no, I'm going to take you to a classy restaurant.”
Turning his chin with her hand, “Nothing could be better than this.”
“Is that it then?” the girl asked.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” Rose said and then kissed him on the cheek.
After the girl walked away with their order a Ford hot rod pulled up next to them. It backfired causing Mick to duck slightly. A moment of fear crossed his face.
Rose noticed and quickly wrapped her left arm around his shoulders, “It's okay Mick.”
Shaking his head, “Sorry, it's just loud noises...”
“I understand.” Trying to look cheerful, Rose changed the subject, “I'm hungry, here she comes with our order.”
Leaning in toward her, he brushed his lips across her cheek, “Thank you.”
“No, thank you, she said looking at the tray of food hooked to their window. This may be the best meal ever. Those hamburgers look greasy and wonderful.”
Fully recovered, “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“You kidding, hand me that hamburger right now buster and don't forget the fries.”
This young woman makes me feel wonderful, he thought, and she's a tough newspaper reporter. This is going to be interesting. He watched her take her first bite and dip a fry in the Catsup.
With a mouthful, she said, “Stop staring at me and eat.”
After finishing their food, they nursed their root beers.
“Do you know what movie is showing at the Terrace Theater,” he asked.
“I checked it out and it is a war movie. I'd rather go sit by the lake and talk...or something.”
Stunned, he honked the horn to get the girls attention. When she arrived, “What do I owe you?” he asked.
“Two dollars and fifteen cents.”
He handed her three dollars and said, “Keep the change. Thank you.”
“Thank you sir, and have a wonderful evening,” the girl said grinning at him.
They only had to drive less than half a mile. Nearing his destination, Rose asked pointing to the right, “Isn't that where the murder took place?”
“Yes, but we're not going down that way.” He pulled off the road onto a short car path leading to the lake. Straight ahead, they could see the moon shimmering off the lake.
Cuddling up to him, “What could be better than this?”
Looking into her eyes, he could see the moon's reflection. “Nothing could be better.”
- Writer
