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I slip my phone into my pocket and make my way outside adjusting my mask. I don’t have any spare gloves so I’m careful opening our apartment building door and head outside. With so many less people milling about and commuting to work, the streets are clear. The garbage smell seems more bearable and there’s noticeably less trash except for the addition of gloves someone carelessly dumped missing the can. It’s aggravating, but I take my wins where I can and tug Marley away from trying to smell them.
It’s a lucky thing that the sun is shining. The past week felt like never ending gloom of grey skies and damp rain. I heard a neighbor joke we were experiencing a London spring and I tried to take heart in that, but it’s hard when you can’t go anywhere and it all seems like a bad dream.
Turning around the corner of our building, a chirping clicking sound has me straining my neck to glance up. Mickey the squirrel sits on our fire escape beady eyes cast my way and an accusing glare I’m with the dog. “Sorry buddy, I’ll be back in a bit.”
I don’t know if it’s weird I’m talking to squirrels but it’s better than my sister’s grunts and Hannah’s whining. I’ll have to find something to toss Mickey’s way. Marley keeps pace and we cross the street to a small, empty park.
My phone buzzes against my thigh and I take a look at the caller ID. It’s Van and like a school girl I smile answering the call.
“Hello, Mr. Ward.” My voice drops an octave and while it’s not my intent to sound like a sex phone operator, I cringe because that’s exactly what I sound like.
Van laughs and I know he’s taking this in stride as much as I am.
“And how is your day, sweetheart?”
I move my mask off my face since it’s just Marley and me. “Oh the usual escape from Alcatraz. My sister and niece are bickering and Ma turns up the TV in the living room to an unbearable volume forcing me to take Marley for a walk.” I stroll in the park watchful of a couple on the opposite end with their German Shepard. We smile awkwardly and pass by one another observing the rules.
“That sounds like a lot.”
I sigh. Being a true introvert, the constant stimulus of people non-stop grates on my nerves.
“It is, but I’ll manage. Marley keeps me moving.” I point the camera at Marley who is tugging me along. I can hear Van even though he’s not visible.
“Hey, come back pretty girl. I don’t want to see dog butt.”
“Oh sorry.” For some reason that has me blushing.
“Let’s have dinner tonight.”
“What? No.”
“Not like that…I meant what we’ve been doing, except I’ll send over take out. We’ll e
at the same thing and have some wine and dessert.”
“Oh I see. Does this dinner date have a time and a dress code?”
“Sure. Let’s say six o’clock and dress up in whatever you like that’s not pajamas.”
“I’m insulted you have a thing against Captain Marvel leggings.”
“I think jealous is what you’re looking for, you little tease. Be ready for contactless delivery at six.” Van winks and ends the call leaving me speechless.
What the hell does one wear to a fancy dinner date at home?
“Come on Marley, we need to snap Lavender out of her snit so she can slut me up for later.” Marley barks at me and turns back to head home.
“Can you please stop pacing, you’re making me ill.” Six o’clock comes a lot quicker than I anticipate and Lavender is still mad at me despite tossing one of her better dresses my way.
“I can’t help it.”
“Let her stew, Lavender. This boy seems charming. How did you meet?”
“Yeah, how did you meet?” Lavender’s tone is sarcastic like she’s accusing me of breaking the rules when she knows breaking anything gives me hives. I gulp back my nerves. I’m not sure I want to explain a dating app gone awry nor does saying at work fit the bill. Either way, my judgy hypocrite sister will have something snarky to say.
“We met at…”
Before I can finish, Hannah swipes my phone and squeals, “On the phone, mommy.”
