Blind Date (4/10)
Josh and Donna left work on time for a change, and Josh was ringing
her apartment buzzer at 6:30. Donna lived in a small apartment
building with a courtyard and fountain in front of it. Josh was happy
to see that a new security gate had been added around the building.
Although, this part of town was slowly becoming fashionable, it
couldn't change fast enough for Josh. He didn't like to think about
Donna driving through the darkened streets at night when he'd kept
her late at work.
Though the neighborhood was changing, the apartment building Donna
lived in was classic. Hardwood floors. Curving arched doorways.
French doors into a sunroom. Josh was surprised Donna could afford
it, but Donna confided that the lady who owned the building was
unfamiliar with the changes in the neighborhood and hadn't raised the
rent to meet the soaring property values around her. Donna claimed
that the day her landlord figured out what comparable buildings were
charging for rent, she'd be living on the streets.
When he walked up the flight of steps to her apartment, she'd already
opened the door. He heard the door across the hall shut as he entered
Donna's apartment, but when he turned to look, there was no one
there.
Donna had her back to him, staring into a mirror and putting an
earring in. She turned when she heard him close the door. "Hi."
Even though she was dressed in slim fitting black pants and a red
sweater set, Josh thought she looked beautiful. He found it amazing
that she always seemed to be perfectly dressed for every occasion.
And this was no exception. Even though they were going to drive for
four hours tonight, she looked perfectly put together. Even her hair
looked nice, swept back into a low ponytail that ran down her back.
Donna didn't miss the look or the fact that Josh had lost his ability
to speak. 'Hmm, this definitely will be more fun that my blind date,'
she thought. "Ready?" she asked aloud, picking up her travel bag from
under her hallway table.
Josh got a hold of himself, but almost lost it again when she bent to
pick up her back and the scent of her shampoo wafted towards
him. "Yeah," he said, grabbing her bag out of her hand.
"Thanks," said Donna, following Josh out of the door and locking it
behind her. Josh distinctly heard the door across the hall from Donna
shut as they started down the steps.
"What's with the lady across the hall?" he asked, holding open the
outer door for Donna.
"Oh, she just keeps an eye out on me."
"How sweet," said Josh, adding, "in a creepy kind of way."
Donna laughed and looked over at him. "Isn't it a little early in our
journey to begin griping at each other?"
"Nope. In fact, I think it's the only think that's going to be
worthwhile about this whole trip," said Josh, opening up Donna's door
and tossing her bag into the backseat.
"Whose car is this?" Donna asked, after Josh had seated himself in
the driver's seat.
"I rented it."
Donna smiled. "Didn't think your lemon of an automobile would get us
as far as Richmond, hmm?"
"For your information, my car is a classic."
"A classic piece of junk."
Josh pulled into traffic heading out of town. "Hey. Do I cut down
your automobile?"
"Nope. That's because I fully admit that my car is about two miles
away from a complete breakdown."
Josh noticing the neighborhoods they were driving through got a
nervous feeling in his stomach. "Your car is about to break down?
What if it breaks down on a dark street, late at night?" he asked,
his tone changing from teasing to serious.
"Then, I'll call Triple-A and have it towed. Then, I'll call my boss
at 3 a.m. and ask him sweetly to pick me up for work in the morning."
Donna had picked up on Josh's tone and although it was sweet of him
to worry, she'd lived in this neighborhood for almost four years
without incident.
Josh feigned shock. "Do you honestly think I'd risk bringing my
classic car into this neighborhood, just to pick you up?"
"Not funny, Joshua," she answered settling back in her seat.