Daisy:
I open my eyes, trying to adjust to the lights coming from the window. I glance at the clock beside my bed, 7:00 it's still early for a Saturday but I remembered I owe Adam a coffee. I dragged myself out of the bed and took a shower immediately.
Will he come? Is he serious? And I remembered we never talked about the time. I don't think we have each other's phone numbers too. I mean, what for?
I went down and noticed Catherine left already, she works at the orphanage every Saturday and helps the staff with the feeding program. I prepared my breakfast while listening to the music and reading the newspaper where I work. The best thing about Saturdays is that I have all the time in the world.
I heard a knock on the door and my heart started to beat abruptly. I had a trauma about door knocks when I was young that I carried with me until now. It came to the point that I stopped opening doors when someone is knocking. I started to overcome the trauma with the help of my therapist but there are some times it resurfaces. I gulped and stared at the door. The knock came again and I fought hard and gathered my courage. "Okay Daisy, you can do this."
"Who is it?" I asked in a quivering voice.
"It's me."
I released a breath I was holding when I heard his voice. I opened the door and there he is. Wearing a dark gray sweater this time and black pants. His hair is always a mess. And I wonder what it feels like to comb it using my fingers. But I shake that thought away and smiled.
"I realized I forgot to ask what time should I pick you up so I decided to drop by early to make sure you'll be here."
I nodded, "I realized that too. Do come in. I'll just turn off the radio and we can go."
"Great. Do you have any other plans today?"
"I'm planning to check on Gertrude then, later on, will drop by in the Orphanage to help with the kids if I still got the time."
"Orphanage? What do you do there?" he asked.
I looked at him and answered, "I teach there during weekends."
"Wow, could you be more interesting?"
I just laugh at his compliment but I'm jumping inside. How could he casually say that?
We grabbed a coffee on the way to Gertrude and I was able to also buy a test kit for her. "Good Morning Dee!" she greeted; her smile is so wide it reaches her ears "Good Morning Adam. I didn't know you'll be here too."
"Yeah, I don't have work until 10 so I drop by to make sure you're okay." he smiled at Gertrude.
Gertrude throw me a meaningful look; a look that says I don't believe he came for me "Really?" she drifted her gaze from Adam to me then to Adam again. I cleared my throat.
"Okay, Gertrude, shall we?" I signaled for the bedroom. I looked at Adam over my shoulder to check if he's fine.
"I'll wait here." He slightly nodded and we headed to the bedroom.
"Will this take long?" Gertrude asks.
"I guess we still need to wait for 3-5 minutes. I'll just check on Adam okay?" I told her.
"Sure." she jumped on her bed.
"Just checking to make sure you haven't killed yourself yet," I said. He chuckled. I saw him reading some of the newspaper on the table.
"Did you take these pictures?" he asked pointing to some of the pictures in it.
I sat beside him on the couch. "Just some of it. Most of them are Gertrude's."
"Do you love what you do?"
"Of course. It's my dream to become a journalist and a photographer. I believe it's my calling."
"Wow, you're such a poet."
We heard an approaching footstep from the hallway, we both look around to see Gertrude's face so pale "Daisy! I have a baby in my belly!" She exclaimed. My gaze drifted from her face to her hand holding the tiny white stick that confirms everything.
I looked at Adam who's also staring intently at me, "She's pregnant." he said with a half-smile. I nodded in response.
I am happy for Gertrude. But I am somehow worried for her since we don't have any idea where his ex was. But I know we'll manage. We have to since we don't have anyone besides each other. Somehow, I'm happy that Adam is with us in this revelation, it's comforting.
Gertrude took it positively and I am so proud of how she was able to pull it through maturely. So we bid goodbye to Gertrude and I promised her I'll accompany her to her doctor's appointment by Monday, to make sure that the baby is okay.
"I can't believe she's pregnant. I mean, wow! We're not the little kids anymore." I smiled remembering how we grew up with each other. And I dreamed of having my own family too, and both my child and hers will be best friends too.
"You still look so little to me," he said looking at me for a moment and drifting his gaze towards the road.
"I might be small but I am terrible." I chuckled.
"Yes indeed."
We fell silent for a while. I relaxed and breathed heavily. "Thank you again for accompanying me. I never thought it will be this good to have someone there, especially in times like this "
"Anything for you." he said and smiled "I'm glad I'm there too."
"I won't hold you up any longer. You still have work to do." I said when we reached my house. I was about to exit the car but he stopped me by grabbing my wrist.
"I know I've been an ass since we've met, but I want to make up to it. Have dinner with me tonight."
Our eyes met and I fought hard to bite my lip not to smile "Are you asking me out?"
He nodded, his eyes are sparkling and the way he looks at me turns my knees into jelly. "I know it's weird, but I'm interested in you. You are fascinating and I want to know you more."
I am beyond speechless. It's still early for a date, but, what's the harm? "Okay" I managed to say.
"Okay, okay?" he smiled broadly and I rolled my eyes at him.
"I'll wait for you then. See you later." I said and I saw the joy in his dark blue eyes.
I can't take the smile off of my face as I unlocked the front door. I leaned against it. I never felt this happy since the first time Jake and I met. And like what I said before, I won't stand in the way of my own happiness.
"Hey, you're home. How were the kids?" I set aside my laptop over the table when Catherine arrived. I took out an apple from her grocery bag and took a big bite.
"They're looking for you. And I had a great time how about you?" She asked me smiling, she's busy sorting out the groceries.
"I failed to drop by. Mr. Wheeler asked me to send him the photos for the printing tomorrow. Did they miss me?"
"They always miss you!"
"I miss them too. I have a few new lessons I can share with them tomorrow."
"That's cool. The kids will be thrilled. How's Geri?" she called Gertrude because, for her, that name is too long. So, in return, Gertrude calls her Cathy.
"Gertrude is having a baby. We found out today that she's pregnant." I can see her eyes widened and her mouth opens.
"Oh, bless her!" She exclaimed. I know she'll be happy given the fact she loves kids so much. "Is she okay?"
"Yes, I'll go with her to the doctor on Monday."
"That's wonderful. How about you? What's new to you today?"
"Detective Conway asked me to have dinner with him tonight."
Her smile went even bigger "The officer?!"
"He's a detective. He's the one in charge raiding the club and he leads the investigation."
"I knew it."
"Knew what?"
"That the man likes you. Can't you see the way he looks at you?" she asked.
"I doubt it."
"Shut up. I knew when I see one. Go ahead and get ready." She stares at me from head to toe.
"I am ready!" I said in between my laughs. I looked at my attire too. Jean and a sweater.
She wiggled her head in disbelief "No! You look more of a 12th grader than a grown woman. Go upstairs and change! Don't give him reasons to regret why he asked you out in the first place."
"Ouch!" I feigned hurt but I still obliged.
After a few tossing and fitting many dresses, I finally ended up wearing a maroon skater dress with floral prints and I paired it with a black stiletto. I put light make up and finished with a spray of perfume.
"Hey Missy, Mr. Conway is here." I heard Catherine called from downstairs. I glanced at my reflection once more and I am glad Catherine persuade me to change. I look decent. I smiled and went downstairs.