Chapter 5 [July 11th ]

Surprisingly, the workload had been light in the café on that day, allowing the crew to clean things up and lock up by 3:30. After running back to the cottage, Dave and Angie showered and changed clothes. They had packed their stuff in the Sentra before work that morning so that was set.

By 4:30, Angie pulled out of the driveway and headed for the interstate, looking for some r and r not to mention QT with her boyfriend who was doing the co-pilot duties for a change.


****


[Fenway Park—Bottom of the fifth inning]

As the day had been, the night proved warm and clear. A gentle cool breeze blew off of the water, adding some relief to things as well.

Inside of the park, the fans provided their usual brand of electricity, trying to pump up their team who was trailing 2-0 at that point.

Not to disappoint anyone (especially his date who was teasing him about it all the way), Dave did his part as a good hometown fan. They sat right about ten rows above the home dugout so the umps heard everything.

“I don’t think they can quite hear you in Braintree, Dave. Maybe a little louder?” she sassed while biting into her hotdog.

“I’m having fun. So is everyone else. Let your hair down, Angie. It’s okay. I’m not swearing or doing anything vulgar,” he replied while biting on a nacho chip.

“I know. Sorry, Dave, I love your enthusiasm. Maybe just turn it down a little?” she requested. “Calling the balls and strikes is a little much.”

“Sorry. I just get into it,” he apologized while realizing what she had been getting at.

Just then, a runner slid into home plate ahead of the throw from right field but the umpire called him out anyhow.

In a total out of character move, she jumped up and yelled at the umpire, “HEY, SIR! HOW WAS HE OUT? HE BEAT THE THROW!”

Dave nearly choked on his drink. He couldn’t believe she was heckling the ump and called him ‘sir’.

“You heard her! What she said!” another guy barked from the other end of the row.

She sat back down and collected herself. “Something needed to be said.”

“Uh huh,” he agreed while trying to keep the smirk from getting too big on his face. “Hey, I agree. The ump botched the call all right.” He sniggered while taking a bite of his hotdog. “You’ve redefined the fine art of fanaticism, Princess. Gotta hand it to you.”

“What?” she asked.

Just then, the Red Sox’s right fielder launched a three run homer to give his team the lead.

“And got them pumped up too,” he informed her. “Respectable heckling. Gotta love it.” Seeing her confusion, he teased, “Who calls the umpire ‘sir’?”

“You do it your way. I’ll do it mine. Deal?” she offered while sticking her hand out.

“Sure. Deal,” he agreed while shaking hands on it and pulling her into a hug on top of it.

With that, they went back to the matter at hand and their own styles……




Chapter 6 [Bestways Inn, Newton, MA—Next Morning]

Dave rose early and stretched while still considering the events of the previous evening. All in all, any win by his team (especially when it didn’t involve a clash of navy and maroon uniforms) was always a good thing.

He especially enjoyed watching Angie enjoying herself. While he had teased her about the heckling stuff, he felt great about it. When she did it, there was no hesitation or insecurity.

She had jumped in with both feet. Torpedoes be damned.

Brains, beauty and a sports nut. Dave, she’s one in a million! He chuckled, wondering if she had ended up on the 11 o’clock news for the unique heckling. I still can’t believe she called the ump ‘sir’!

He headed for the shower still relishing that side of his girlfriend.


****


Angie shook her head while staring at herself in the mirror. I can’t believe I actually acted like that! Dave’s a bad influence. She knew her parents would definitely disapprove.

Still, she didn’t care. Actually she had enjoyed the moment.

And better still, she’d impressed Dave in the process even if he wouldn’t let up on her for the rest of the night with his good natured ribbing. Of course she could be just as loud as he could be. The folks in Tempe still remembered that from Sun Devil Stadium and the University Activity Center. Some day, Dave, you’re going to get to see me in action in my park for yourself. On that day, you’d better brace yourself.

She heard a knock at the door. “Yes?”

“It’s Dave. You dressed?” he inquired.

She opened the door to find him holding a box of donuts and a couple of coffees.

“Figured the ‘Extra Polite Fan’ would want breakfast in her honor.”

“Very funny, Dave,” she retorted, not giving him an inch. “I have been to other sports events you know.”

“Yes, rooting from the Tenth Pit of Hell. How could I forget?” he cracked.

“Better there than the Kitty Pound,” she fired back as he washed his hands and set up breakfast.

“You take yours. I’ll take mine,” he returned fire with a smile on his face. “Yours is the cinnamon cruller.”

“You know what I like,” she agreed while biting into her breakfast. “Let’s eat. Then we can head north. I’d like to shop and be there before rush hour tonight.”

“Sounds good to me,” he concurred while digging into his own honey dip.




Chapter 7
[Ten Miles outside of Burlington, VT—About 3:00 PM that afternoon]

Angie pulled over to the side of the state road and looked at the map again. She’d been straight on with her directions between Boston and Burlington, getting there with no trouble. However, when they’d reached Route 7, the directions weren’t the best.

“I told you to take that turnoff,” he reminded her from the passenger seat.

“The directions said to stay straight,” she pointed out. She shook her head. I hope it’s not the turnoff. I’ll never hear the end of it! She turned the car around and headed back down the road.

Sure enough, the sign for the Happy Trails Campgrounds pointed down the turnoff.

“Is this where I say it?” he supposed with satisfaction.

“You, hush!” she directed while rolling her eyes. She turned down the other road.

****


[Hours Later—their campsite]

Fresh off of pitching their tents, Dave looked around the campsite. They’d lucked out in finding a place about forty yards from the water’s edge with a bit of privacy thanks to the trees. Before putting the shelters up and the sleeping bags down, he’d made sure the ground remained clear of any critters or poisonous plants as well.

While he did that, Angie insisted on doing her share. She hauled their duffels and gear from the car. She also cleared a patch of ground and ringed it with stones for a fire site. “Okay. That should do it.”

“I agree. Nice job,” he complimented.

“Mmm…thanks. You too.” She walked over to the tent on the right. “That’s mine, right?”

“I put your sleeping bag in there. We can swap if you want,” he noted.

“No that’s fine,” she relented.

He eyed her handiwork again. “Girl Scout, right?”

“Four years,” she revealed with a smile. “One of the few places I fit in. You know your camping too.”

He nodded. “I used to do it to get away from my family back in Rowenshire. When things got a little hairy, I’d head for the woods for the weekend, rig up a shelter, fish and meditate.”

She went white imagining what would make him do that. That’s what Karen meant. “Dave, sorry I brought it up.”

“It’s the past,” he replied. “At least I learned my skills, right?”

She shook her head. “But it’s still hurting you.” She rubbed his shoulders. “I’m with you, you know.”

He sighed, weighing that statement in his mind. She’s so skittish. Wonder how she’d deal with the old town? “I know and I appreciate it.” He grinned at her. “That’s what I was getting at. Just keep being you.” He kissed her.

She hugged him tightly. “One thing about me being me is that I’m not letting you hurt anymore. You’ll never be alone again, Sweetums. Not if I have anything to say about it.”

He felt her warmth against himself and allowed himself to relax. Despite her own insecurities and struggles, she was reaching out to him. And he wasn’t going to push her away. “The same here. Whatever happens, we face it together.”

“Right,” she affirmed while looking into his eyes; her brown melting into his. “We do it together.”

“Together.”

“Even if your taste in certain college teams stinks.” She smirked irreverently yet her eyes sparkled at him.

He had to laugh. “Whose taste stinks?”

“Yours. But I can deal with it for the rest of the package,” she assured him before kissing him. “Now I was thinking of some hot dogs for dinner? Then maybe some s ‘mores for dessert?”

He inspected some dead branches on the ground before breaking off some suitable sticks. “How are these for skewers?”

She nodded in approval. He definitely has the right idea!


****


[After sunset]

After a simple yet enjoyable meal of hot dogs and baked beans, they sat in the darkness watching the fire burn within the stones. Maybe it was just leaving the modern world and its concerns behind but things seemed so much simpler and easier for them at that point.

Overhead, the stars and moon shone down.

A few birds sang to each other in the darkness.

And the two lovebirds cuddled by their flickering fire.

He felt himself relaxing more and more. Granted, he was still dealing with his feelings for Deirdre. But Angie’s presence soothed the burning agony in his soul. She was healing him.

For her part, she felt a warmth she’d never known before. She was dealing with anxiety and nerves over being in the middle of the woods with him. Most guys she had encountered might’ve tried something.

But as Karen and Caroline had said, not Dave.

She stirred as his hands brushed across the top of her hair.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you,” he apologized. “Your hair’s so soft.”

“Oh,” she realized. “It is?”

“It is,” he reiterated before drawing his hand back. “I’m being too forward.” He blushed.

“No, you aren’t,” she insisted while taking his hand in hers. “I…have to admit it’s strange to hear but it’s really nice.” She repositioned his hand back on top of her hair.

“Do me a favor,” he requested.

“Sure,” she agreed.

“If I get too close, let me know? I want to respect your boundaries,” he continued.

“Okay,” she agreed. “But I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.” She snuggled closer against him. “Let’s just enjoy, okay?”

“Whatever my Princess wants,” he quipped before going silent.

For some things, no words were needed. None at all.




Chapter 8 [Day 2]

Dave sat at the side of the lake and skipping stones across the rippling water. While Angie had decided to head back to town for further supplies, he had opted to meditate on how nicely things had gone on the previous evening. I hope it can last. It just feels so right. He sidearmed another rock, watching it skitter across the surface.

“Ruining the fishing, are you?” his girlfriend teased while coming over.

“Just thinking,” he noted while taking in the picture of her in the new bathing suit. “Again, you look good in that.”

“Reminders are appreciated,” she informed him with a smile. “Feeling better?”

“Funny how you have that effect,” he supposed with an ironic tone.

“Fancy that,” she replied while handing him his swim trunks. “Why don’t you change? Then maybe we can take a swim? That water looks good.”

He had to agree on that front. “Be back.” Four minutes later, he came back out of the brush and trees in just the swimming trunks. “Ready!”

“About time,” she sassed while rushing out into the lake. “You are coming, right?”

“Perish forbid that I’d leave you all alone in there,” he cracked while following her in.


****


[Dinner Time]

Angie checked the burgers cooking away on the frying pan. It had been a productive day. After the romantic sparks of the previous evening, she had time to ponder her feelings on the matter. While she’d checked in with her parents, she’d also bought some more supplies including the meat browning in front of her.

She felt light and free for the first time.

For the first time in a long time, she didn’t care if people said things.

Her boyfriend thought she was great.

That’s all that mattered to her.

“How’s it looking?” he called.

“Looks great,” she informed him. “We’re almost set!”

“That’s what I like to hear,” he noted while joining her at the fire’s edge. “Best be careful. Your cooking could attract the animals around here.”

“It already has,” she wisecracked.

“Funny girl,” he retorted, knowing she was needling him. He had their dishes and a couple of steaming foil wrapped potatoes with him. “These actually came out pretty well.”

“Jury’s still out,” she sassed while taking the plates from him.

“You’re a tough audience. You know that?”

“My mother’s a great cook. I have high standards,” she retorted. “My cooking doesn’t match up. Some day, it will.” She handed him a plate. “Trade you a burger for a potato.”

He handed her one of the foil packages. “It’s still warm. Careful.”

She took his advice, avoiding the steam that spilled out of it as she opened it. “Thanks. Is that cheese?”

“And bacon bits. I snuck them up here in my pack,” he admitted. “Hope you like it.”

She bit into the side dish and savored the taste. “Mmm! You should tell Dr. Alvarez about this! They’d be a hit at the café!”

“He knows. Not many people look at the appetizers there,” he noted while eyeing his burger.

She bit her lip, suddenly feeling self-conscious again.

“What?” he asked.

“I…hope you like it,” she hedged.

“I’m sure I will,” he noted while taking a bite. He thought the meat was a little overdone but the oregano provided a unique touch. “This is good.” He bit again.

“There’s ketchup if you want,” she offered.

“Some other time maybe. I wouldn’t insult you by drowning your food in it,” he assured her. “Oregano in the meat’s a nice touch.”

“You guessed it! Nobody else—Mama included—knows. Figures I couldn’t match up with you,” she moped.

“Huh? What’s wrong now? So I guessed your mystery ingredient? Big deal. It’s still a good burger. Mind if I make a suggestion though?” he assured her.

“O…okay.”

“Maybe don’t cook it so long next time? I know you want it to brown but it is a bit on the dry side. You put a lot of work into this. It’s great but that’ll make it even better.” He finished it off. “We’ve got a lot of time to practice, don’t we?”

She nodded.

“And remember what I said about moping? Stop it. You’re more to me than just a cook or a maid. A lot more. I’m lucky enough to date the sexiest doctor in the world. Let me enjoy it,” he assessed.

“I’ll keep trying,” she promised.

“You do that,” he told her before kissing the top of her head. “Meantime, cut out the ‘I’m not good enough’ stuff. You are long, long past that point as far as I’m concerned. Relax. I love you and you alone.”

She set her plate down. “Cuddle time please?”

“Okay. As long as we get the s ‘mores later,” he agreed while teasing her in the process.

“Fine.” She slid over into his embrace. “Just promise me you aren’t going anywhere.”

“Where you go, I follow, Princess. That’s a promise and a fact,” he vowed passionately before sealing with (yet another) kiss.

She felt herself floating yet again and never wanted her feet to hit the ground.



Chapter 9 [Day 3]

After an enjoyable walk around a small portion of the lake shore, the couple sat on a dock with their respective fishing lines in the water. The weather still held clear and sunny.

“Bet I can get something first,” she insisted.

“Let’s see what happens,” he retorted, not giving an inch. “I’ve got my secret ready if we catch something.”

“Oh? And what’s that?” she inquired.

“You’ll find out. Secret cooking recipe,” he declared, smirking. Then his pole arched. “Oh yeah!”

“Figures,” she complained.

“Come to Papa!” he crowed while reeling in the line carefully. He pulled up a medium sized togue. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

“Well you won that bet,” she conceded glumly.

“What bet? Oh that. You’ll get something,” he noted.

Just then, her line twitched. “Goodness!” She reeled it in carefully, pulling up a bigger trout than his. “Golly!”

“Told you so,” he indicated. “Let’s get these critters back to camp. You, Dr. Blackwell, are in for a treat tonight.”

“I am?” she asked.

“Only the best for you, my Dear. Only the best,” he promised enthusiastically.

She looked curiously at him, wondering what he was up to.


****



While Dave was cutting up the fish (and doing the other ‘secret prepping’), Angie got the fire going. After they had returned to camp, he’d retreated into his tent for the ingredients. Then he quickly ducked into the brush to hide what he was doing from her. It figures he’d do this. She giggled. He’s almost as bad as a kid.

“Okay. We’re set,” he assured her while coming out with the fish and sliced up lemon wedges on a plate. “Fish is ready. I buried the nonedible parts.” They looked yellow. He took the pan and poured a liquid from a small bottle into it.

“That’s olive oil,” she guessed, recalling how her college roommate had used it.

“Score one for the attractive country doctor,” he complimented while putting the fish on the pan and setting it on the fire. “This is Grandpa Alvaro’s recipe actually. Man was a killer cook.”

“Was?”

“He died back in ’78 from cancer.”

She frowned. “I’m sorry.”

He shrugged. “It’s okay. He wouldn’t want us moping over it. Enjoy life, he said.” He watched the fish sizzle in the hot oil. “That’s looking good.”

She sniffed the aroma. “Ah ha! Now I know what you coated it in! Corn meal!”

“Score two for the attractive country doctor,” he conceded with a smile. “But wait there’s more in the mix.” He flipped the fillets with a fork. “Simple and yet delicious. That is if I can pull this off. It’s been a few years since I’ve made this.”

“If it’s as good as it smells, I can’t wait!” she assured him; her mouth was watering.

“As you said last night, the jury’s still out on that one,” he doubted.

“And as you said last night, no moping!” she retorted.

“Physician, heal thyself, right?” he quipped.

She rolled her eyes. “Exactly.”

He laughed softly while serving up the fish for them. “Here we go. Lemon works well on it.”

She nodded while squeezing two wedges onto her fillet. “Let me try first.” She pressed down with her fork, flaking off a piece. She bit into it, letting it melt in her mouth. “Mmm!” She swallowed. “Dave, this is great!” She considered it. “Parsley, basil and rosemary, right?”

“Glad you like it,” he told her gratefully while starting into his own dinner. He savored a few bites of his own before asking, “So what do you want to do tomorrow?”

She felt her spirits falling. “We need to be heading back, don’t we?”

“We could prolong it a bit. I was thinking if the weather’s nice, we could drive around and take in some of the towns. I do want to be back at the cottage by 7. What do you think?” he suggested.

“Sounds good,” she agreed. “I just hate to head back. It’s been so much fun.”

He rubbed her shoulder. “We may have to head back. But as I said before, I’m not going anywhere you aren’t. Don’t you forget that.”

She nodded, giving him a small smile. Maybe they would head back but she’d hang onto this piece of paradise forever.




Chapter 10 [Last Day]

As Dave proposed, they packed up their camping area early and had an enjoyable morning of sightseeing around the Burlington area. They took in the scenery, lingered in small towns and window shopped through boutiques and country stores. A leisurely picnic lunch in Charlotte capped off the activity.

While they would’ve stayed longer, they did need to be back for the next day. Accordingly, Angie drove them back toward the interstate at 1:00 PM and toward the cottage.


****


[Alvarez Cottage—6:52 PM]

Dr. and Mrs. Alvarez pulled into the driveway and looked around at the quiet cottage. They had a series of successful meetings in Boston along with his counterparts and their spouses. Given all of that, they were eager to get back to the café and family.

“How do you suppose the kids made out?” she wondered.

He scratched his chin and shrugged. “Caroline was doing all right with Rick, Sam and Charles. I’m more concerned about Dave and Angie.”

She nodded, knowing where he was going with that. “As he said the other day, he knows what to do. It would have been nice to hear from them though.”

“Arrangements at the hotel made it hard. Besides they wanted a retreat. He needed to help her work through some issues,” he pointed out as they got out and headed to the front door. He unlocked the door, allowing them to enter. “Hello?”

Caroline walked down the stairs and hugged them. “Hi! How did your meetings go?”

“Okay. It was great to catch up. Did anything else happen?” he inquired.

Caroline shook her head. “It’s been really quiet. Charles left a couple of hours ago. Dave called. He and Angie should be back any time now.”

“Did he say anything about the trip?” her mother pressed.

“Apparently they both had a great time,” Caroline noted while seeing Angie’s headlights pull into the driveway. “Speaking of our two travelers, here they are now.” She waved to them. “Hi!”

“Hi!” Angie greeted as she and Dave walked up. “How were your meetings?”

“They went well,” Dr. Alvarez replied. Seeing the glow practically coming from them, he chuckled. “Seems that somebody had a great time.”

“We had a simple vacation,” Dave assessed. “We shared in the work and talked some things through.” He squeezed his girlfriend’s hand gently. “If Angie doesn’t mind me saying, we both needed to give back to each other.”

“And to put things in perspective,” Angie added while glancing warmly at him. “We kept to the sweats rule but we know where we stand.”

“As if there was any doubt?” Dave supposed.

“No but I’m glad we did this,” Angie continued while rubbing his shoulder. “Let’s go have some coffee and chat. I enjoyed the trip but I want some of that coffee, Dave.”

“What the lady wants, the lady gets,” he reiterated while leading the others back into the house and toward the coffee pot.




Conclusion [Nesconset Pier—A week later]

Angie gazed over the boardwalk’s rail at everything around herself. Since she and Dave had returned from Vermont, she’d felt a little more confident about things. Her customers seemed friendlier for some reason. She squirmed when some of the guys started looking her over. However, she knew that she would go through that stuff with the adjustments she was making.

At times, she would exchange a smile with Dave.

Depending on where they were, he’d smile back or even give her hand a supportive squeeze.

I’m worthy! She sighed, wishing she could feel more secure. She knew that would be key in her career and life. I have to balance the old values with this world. She moped wondering if she could really do that. “What can help me do that?”

She heard a throat clearing and saw a cherry slush being placed on the rail next to herself. She turned to find Dave standing there with his own drink and watching her. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Just the last thirty seconds. You looked so deep in thought, I didn’t want to disturb you,” he informed her. “Hopefully it was something pleasant.”

“I wish I knew. This stuff is all so new to me.” She looked back at him in confusion. “I’m not used to the attention.”

“I had to deal with that too,” he assured her. “It was right here on the beach where Karen did the same thing for me that I’m trying to do for you.”

“To quote a reliable source, you mean what you do for me every day,” she reinforced before taking a sip of her drink.

He nodded, acknowledging the point tacitly. He pondered for a few more seconds before replying, “To be a good friend, you have to be a good friend. Same thing goes for being a good companion.”

“I hope I am,” she whispered while bowing her head.

“Hey! What did we agree on with the doubts?” he asked.

“Not to have them anymore,” she remembered. “Thank you, Sweetums, for making me feel like I matter.”

He put his drink down and set hers down next to it. “Thank you, Princess, for making me happy.” He kissed her in a passionate display for the boardwalkers.

She responded by holding him closely and pressing her lips to his for a full minute longer. She relished in the energy they both felt. When they were like that, she didn’t care who leered or stared.

For they were both on their way to bigger and better things. And that was the way it should be.



THE END (for now)

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