Chapter 12: A Date

Stacy startled Walt when she opened the door as he climbed the steps to her porch. He was on the next-to-last step and did a bit of a two-step as he ascended onto the porch.

“Oh, sorry,” she said. “I saw you pull in.”

“At least I didn’t go over backward and fall down the stairs! Don’t want to end the evening with a visit to the hospital before we get anything to eat!”

Stacy’s face went white. She stared at Walt. It took him a moment to understand what he said.

“Oh, fuck. I am so, so sorry. I was trying to offer some levity, and get you to smile, to relax, and I did just the opposite.”

Walt nervously fidgeted in place in front of Stacy, trying to think of something to say.

“Are you OK? I mean, oh, man, I’m so sorry.”

Stacy took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. “Yes, I’m OK, and,” she paused a long beat. “And, if I’m being honest, what you said will probably make the night better.” She chuckled, mostly to herself, then added, “I know you know what happened to Eric. It’s my six-hundred-pound gorilla. And for the record, this is my first time out with a man since Eric died so I may show my emotions closer to the surface than at other times.”

“I understand. And I really am sorry,” offered Walt.

“Apology accepted. Now let’s go get something to eat and hope we don’t get into a car crash or you have a heart attack.”

Walt looked startled, then saw a glint in Stacy’s eye and an upturned lip. She couldn’t hold it in any longer and laughed. A true laugh.

“Gotcha, now come on, I’m hungry.”

Walt escorted her to the car and held the passenger door as she dropped into the small seat. He ran to the other side and slid in behind the wheel.

“A Kia, huh?” asked Stacy as Walt turned the ignition with a key. It sounded like a large lawnmower had just started.

“Don’t get me going. I reserved a luxury car – a BMW or equivalent. When I got to the car rental booth there had been a run on cars because of the convention that is going on downtown. Because I was an hour later than my pick up time they rented the car I reserved, and I was left with this wonderful carriage.”

“At least there aren’t four horses in front pulling us,” joked Stacy.

“Does that mean you think this ride will turn into a pumpkin if you are not home by midnight?”

Stacy looked at Walt and said evenly, “I expect to be home, and alone, well before midnight.”

Walt nodded quickly and put the car in gear.

“Then let’s go get some food!”

Walt talked with his sister and did his homework by searching the web. He found a nice restaurant that had opened about a year ago. It was a fusion Mediterranean Italian blend. He thought most everything on the menu looked interesting and hoped Stacy would as well. More importantly, he assumed that because it was so new, she would not have any memories associated with the restaurant with Eric.

After drinks were ordered Stacy asked, “You know a lot about me and I know next-to-nothing about you. What’s your story? Any marriages? Psychotic exes I should know about?”

Walt put down his water and shook his head. “No, to both questions. One serious relationship that went bust in a big way. I’ll start at the beginning. After high school two of my best friends went right into the Marines. I almost joined them, but I had a scholarship to play football at an II-A school. I knew the pros were never in my future, but if I could get a free education, then I figured the military could wait.”

The waiter arrived and dropped off bread and oil.

“I played two years and then got hurt. I had exceptional grades and had worked in a chem lab over the winter. The professor’s brother was tenured at a large school and he helped get me admitted with an academic scholarship.”

“That’s great! You finished a bachelor’s degree, and then decided on the military?”

“Pretty much. I finished undergrad with a 3.81 GPA. I had a few offers to go right to work, but I had a constant nagging that if I didn’t do my part and join the service I would always regret the opportunity.”

“That’s noble. The Marines like your buddies?”

“No, I was sure I’d join the Air Force, but at the last minute I changed my mind and signed up for the Navy. I had a short but distinguished six-year career.”

Stacy got the sense that there was a lot left out of what really happened in his time with the Navy.

“Then the Boston PD?”

“Yeah, my buddies from high school had also gotten out and moved to Boston. No idea why. But they convinced me to come visit. While there the PD had an all-out recruitment effort ongoing. With my service background I had no problems getting a job.”

Appetizers and drinks arrived at the table. They both took a small plate and added appetizers.

“Your narrative has taken you to Boston, but so far no mention of the significant other?”

“Yeah, that’s next. I quickly rose through the ranks and was made detective. My first stint was in homicide as a detective third-grade and I was partnered with Betsy Gamchac, who was one grade-level higher. She knew her stuff and it looked like she’d made detective first-grade within a year.”

Over his protestations, Stacy lifted the appetizer plate and slid what was left onto Walt’s plate.

“IA had a tip that there was a corrupt ring of cops that were skimming money from drug busts. Only money was being taken. Supposedly, putting drugs or guns back into the community crossed a line.”

“And Betsy was in this ring?” said Stacy, jumping to a conclusion.