//------------------------------// // Chapter Four: Dinner and a Plan // Story: Redheart Rehabilitation // by Emerald Omen //------------------------------// “You want me to take you on a what?” I asked, believing I had heard her wrong. “A dinner date. If I’m going to stay with you, I figure we should get to know each other better. Besides, you owe me for lying to me.” she said, shaking her finger at me. I blushed. “Alright, point taken. We can go out to dinner tonight. Anywhere in particular you’d like to go?” I asked. Redheart thought. “Olive Garden sounds good. I love their food.” she said. I nodded. “I’ve been there on occasion, and I like their food too.” I said, thinking of the delicious cooked meals. “Alright, it’s a date.” Red said, smiling. I looked at her. “Uh… date?” I asked. Redheart chuckled. “Relax Jack. A dinner date, not a romantic date… unless you’d like it to be.” she said, suddenly closing the space between us, batting her eyelashes. I apparently turned an extremely bright shade of red, because Redheart started laughing. “Wow! I haven’t seen anyone blush that fiercely in a while!” she said. I turned away, grumbling. “Stupid brain.” Red finally stopped laughing and put a hand on my shoulder. “Oh come now Jack, it’s only natural to be attracted to someone. Especially someone pretty as me, wouldn’t you agree?” she asked, trying to appear innocent. “I suppose so.” I mumbled, avoiding eye contact. I suddenly remembered something. “Hey Red, I have to work a few hours today. What are you going to do while I’m gone? Need me to drop you off anywhere?” I asked, glancing at the clock. Redheart thought. “Umm, no. I’ll just stay here. I can always walk into town if I want something to do. When will you be back?” she asked. “Probably around three or so. I work the morning to mid-afternoon shift. I actually better get going.” I said, grabbing my car keys. The part-time job I was managing to hold onto currently was a mail room clerk, so I didn’t have a specific dress uniform. As I headed out the door, I glanced behind me. “You sure you won’t get bored?” I asked. Redheart nodded. “I’ll be fine Jack. I’ll be here when you get back. Drive safely.” she said. I nodded, and closed the door behind me. ... (This section is from Redheart’s P.O.V.) With Jack gone for a while, I could think through my plan a little more carefully. I went to Jack’s bedroom, where I was currently staying, and pulled out my suitcase. I moved a few shirts aside and found what I was looking for. A strapless black silk dress, perfect for the dinner date tonight. I giggled in excitement. I could hardly wait for the date. I had developed some feelings for Jack just a few hours after meeting him. I don’t know if I’d call it “love at first sight”, but there was certainly something about him that I loved. He was handsome, kind, caring, and seemed like a genuinely good guy. But when he admitted lying to my business about being a smoker, I was put off a little. Although he did seem genuinely sorry for doing so, and his explanation for why he did so was a little touching, he still lied. But, I just really couldn’t bring myself to be mad at him. He just was so… pure. I remembered when we first met, how he kissed my hand, and was so polite. I faked being angry with him to get an idea as to what his conscience was like. But what was really surprising was that he seemed so off-put to the idea of me going. He really seems to enjoy my company, which makes me feel sorry for him. I know he doesn’t have many friends. Poor guy. I can’t imagine how he doesn’t have more friends. Maybe he’s shy? Anyway, I unfolded the black dress, and smoothed it out. I looked through my briefcase again, finding that I didn’t have any shoes that went with the dress. “Time to head to the store.” I said to myself, grabbing my wallet. I closed the door to Jack’s bedroom, for the rare occurrence that he got back before me, so he wouldn’t see the dress and get suspicious. I stepped outside Jack’s house, closing the door behind me, and headed into town. ... (We now return to Jack’s P.O.V.) Man, was work a drag today! Mail sorting isn’t exactly the most interesting job out there, but at least it payed. As I was driving myself home, I found myself wondering about Red’s true intention’s behind her sudden suggestion of a dinner date. I just assumed this was her way of getting back at me for lying to her, but a few signs coming from her possibly suggested otherwise. I didn’t really know for sure, so I stopped thinking about it. I rolled down my car window and finished my drive home. Once I arrived, I walked in the front door, and found Red sitting on the couch, watching the television. She flipped it off once she saw me. “Hey! How was work?” she asked, scooting over so I could have a place on the small couch. “It was just an average day, boring, but paying. Anything interesting happen while I was out?” I asked. Red shook her head. "Well, I'm actually getting a little hungry. Would you like to go on our dinner date soon?" I continued, glancing at the clock. It was five thirty. “We could go now, if you’d like. Just let me change into nicer attire.” Redheart said, walking towards my bedroom. Was that a smirk on her face? She took a good ten minutes to change, but when she finally stepped out, I was dumbfounded. She was wearing a gorgeous black dress! “I… uh…” I stumbled over my own words. She giggled. “What, you didn’t expect me to go wearing a wrinkled-up T-Shirt, did you?” she asked. I raised an eyebrow. I honestly hadn’t given it any thought whatsoever, but I deemed it a good idea to change into something a little nicer as well. A simple white shirt with a black outer suit, to be exact. It was one of the most expensive clothing sets I owned. Once she saw me, Redheart smiled. “You look very handsome. You should wear nice things more often.” She said, picking up her small hand purse. I smirked. “I’ll keep that in mind. Shall we go?” I asked, holding open the front door for her. A fifteen-minute drive later, and we had arrived at the restaurant. I rarely went out to eat at such a place, so it was a nice change of pace. We got out, and walked inside, pleased to see that, despite it being the dinner hour, the place wasn’t overly packed with people. “Table for two please.” I told the waitress. She smiled and led us to a table in the far corner of the building, a nice window to look out of nearby. I pulled out a chair for Redheart, and then took my own seat. “Order whatever you’d like.” I told her, hoping that the total price of our meals wouldn’t be too expensive. We both looked at the menu’s for a few minutes, before a waitress came over to take our orders. “I’d like the cheese filled Mozzarella sticks, and a steak, medium rare please.” I ordered, the waitress scribbling on her notepad. Redheart set her menu on the table. “I’d like the salad, with a steak as well, well done.” she said.  I raised my eyebrows.  I wouldn’t have taken Redheart for a big meat lover. The waitress offered us a bottle of red wine, which we accepted, and then went to give our orders to the cook. “I wouldn’t have taken you for a big meat lover.” I said, unfolding my napkin, and placing the silverware in the proper positions.  Redheart shrugged. “I’ve always been a meat lover, I just don’t usually eat it much, unless it’s a special occasion.” she said, blushing slightly. I nodded in understanding.  Then, realized what she had just said. “You consider this a special occasion?” I asked, somewhat surprised.  She nodded. “Of course!  It’s not everyday I go out to dinner with a cute man I met and...” she stopped suddenly.  I smiled. “Um… I meant...” she stuttered, looking down at the table. Luckily, the waitress arrived with our food at that exact moment, temporarily relieving Redheart of her awkward situation. I began to cut my steak, while Redheart began to nibble at her salad in silence. I decided to switch topics. "So..." I hesitated, unable to think of a topic. "How about that weather we've been having?" I said. SERIOUSLY, did I just ask about the fucking weather?! Redheart glanced at me. "Um, it's been pretty good. Nice temperature and all..." her voice trailed off, once again leaving us in silence. I couldn't take it anymore. "Damn it Red, don't worry about what you said. It's okay if you find me cute, handsome, or whatever. I don't mind hearing your honest opinion. In my opinion, you're very pretty." I said, hoping to loosen her up. She looked at me in surprise, by both my abrupt attempt to lighten the mood, and my confession of finding her attractive. "I'm sorry Jack. I've made this dinner date awkward. I wish I could just restart the entire thing." she said, putting her face in her hands. I chuckled. "I told you, don't worry about it. One little word doesn't make a difference to me. Just enjoy yourself." I said, taking a bite of my steak. She sighed, but she once again had a smile on her face. "Thanks Jack." she said, beginning to eat her food at a normal pace. After our meal was finished, the waitress came to collect payment. I covered the bill, which only made me cringe slightly. Redheart had offered to go half and half, but I denied her, knowing it was the gentleman's duty to pay, whether it was a real date or not. We walked outside, and Redheart sighed. "I love the night so much. It's beautiful. The twinkle of the stars, the cool light of the moon. It always helps me relax." she said, looking up into the sky. I nodded in agreement. "I hear you. The night is always a peaceful time of day that helps relax people before the time of slumber arrives." I said, wondering if that sounded wise, or weird. We slowly walked back to my car, which was on the far side of the parking lot. I didn't notice right away, but I eventually became aware the Red's hands were wrapped around my arm, and she was walking only mere inches from me. It was a little chilly out, so I chalked it up to her needed some warmth. That beautiful dress probably didn't do much in the sense of preserving body heat. We arrived at the car, and I opened the door for her, so she could get in, then got into the drivers seat. "Would you like to go back home, or was there somewhere else you wanted to go?" I asked. Red thought. "I don't know. I'd kinda like to go somewhere. I don't usually get to enjoy the beautiful night much with company." she said, looking at me. I started the car. "Anywhere in mind?" I asked, waiting for her suggestion. "Um, I don't know... maybe the beach?" she said. I raised an eyebrow. I had never thought to visit the beach at night. I looked at the radio clock. It was only eight in the evening. We had plenty of time to drive to the beach and enjoy it for a while. "Sounds good to me." I said, putting the car in drive. After a twenty minute drive, we arrived at the beach, which was deserted, as I expected. We got out, and walked onto the sand, which was a cool gray color in the moonlight, the calm waves gently hitting the edge, creating a calming sound. "Man, I thought the beach was nice during the day, but at night..." I trailed off, just taking in the sight. "It's beautiful." Redheart finished. I looked at her for a moment, and could barely believe what I saw. Standing on the beach, next to me, was Redheart. But she looked so different from how I usually saw her. I saw a beautiful woman in a gorgeous black dress, radiating in the moonlight, her gentle pink hair gently blowing in the breeze, her ocean blue eyes practically shining the moon's reflection. Her arms wrapped around her chest, gazing peacefully at the water. I could scarcely believe I hadn't noticed her true beauty before, but I sure as hell was now. How had I gotten such a beautiful marvel to be friends with me? ... Suddenly, she looked at me, and blushed. "What?" she asked. I walked a little closer to her. "I can't believe I never saw it before." I said, tucking a stray bit of her hair behind her ear. "We both talk about the beauty of the beach at night, how it can sometimes take some time to see something for what it truly can be." I took her hand in mine. She looked directly at me with her glowing blue eyes. "Redheart, you are beautiful, something I can't believe I never truly noticed until now. You glow in the moonlight, and your hair flows with the breeze as effortlessly as air itself. I've never seen a woman as pretty as you, and I haven't the foggiest idea as to how I managed to get you to become friends with me." I finished. Even through the darkness, dimly light my moonlight, I could see Red's fierce blush. She leaned towards me gently. No words were spoken. No words needed to be spoken. We didn't need words. We had instinct and feelings. We kissed, the moon gently watching over us this peaceful night.