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  “Nice car! I’m glad the weather is so we can enjoy the breeze on the ride into town. Where do you hide this beauty?” Calli truly liked the red mustang and the freedom that the convertible gave to the passengers. The wind blowing across her face would feel powerful and freeing, she just knew it would. “Your ‘horse’ awaits, my lady!” Jim seemed pleased with himself and his chariot. The evening was starting out on a very positive and playful note; hopefully they would be able to continue this playful bantering the entire evening. Calli had her fingers crossed and began to feel optimistic about their time together tonight. At least, that’s what she was telling herself, and that’s what motivated her to get in the car with Jim. Would he live up to his last name? Wild.

  Jim had the radio playing and with the whistle of the wind, there wasn’t any way they could carry on a conversation during their drive into Evergreen. That gave Calli a feeling of relief; at least she didn’t have to actually start to communicate with him just yet. Her little doubt elf seemed to be sitting on her shoulder, whispering in her ear, ‘….what a stupid idea this was. What were you thinking? He’s not your type…..’ Calli started singing along with the song on the radio to quiet the chatter from the uninvited ‘elf’. That made Jim smile and he joined in with this rich baritone voice, which gave Calli a sense of hope. Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all, he could sing and that was a quality she loved about a guy. She’d always fanaticized that she and her husband would sing together, maybe not in public but at home sitting around a romantic fire and….. These thoughts were taking her down a road that she didn’t want to travel. Not tonight and definitely not with Jim. As they pulled into the parking lot at the Burger Barn, Calli was impressed that he jumped out of the car and ran around to open her door. Manners to boot. Calli was beginning to make a mental check list in her head, like a score card. One--Good singing voice, check. Two--Opening the door, good manners, check. We’ll just have to see where this evening ends up and tally the results. The possibility of liking Jim was actually starting to form in her consciousness, but just a wee bit. There would be a long, long list of requirements fulfilled before she’d agree to another date with him. Two checks on the score card weren’t enough.

  They were early enough to beat the crowd at the Burger Barn, that was the regular crowd. The senior citizens had already come and left after enjoying the early bird special and their senior discount. Who wanted to eat supper at 4:30 in the afternoon? She supposed if people fell asleep in their recliners after the 6 o’clock news, they probably should eat early. She was grateful that her grandfather hadn’t gotten into that routine, he was still active and good company in the evenings at home. The waitress took their orders and now the ‘test’ began. Could they find anything interesting to talk about? Calli was right where she imaged she’d be, sitting across the table, looking at Jim straight on and wondering what she should say. Lucky for her Jim began the conversation and she didn’t have to keep it going. He talked about the ‘safe’ subjects, gardening, pest control, selling at the farmers market, the weather, and how to grow bigger crops. Calli actually enjoyed sharing ideas with another gardener; she was amazed that he didn’t feel like such a competitor to her this evening. Maybe it was the fact that they weren’t at the market with buying customers that made the difference. “I know that you were engaged and that he was killed in the service. I hope that I’m not intruding when I ask about how you’ve managed to move on with your life?” Jim had a concerned look on his face, they’d talked about everything gardening they could and now it seemed that he wanted to get to know her on a deeper level. Without hesitation Calli began to relate the events that followed Cal’s death, the funeral, the mourning and then the immersion into her gardening. “I don’t know how I could have moved on with my life if it hadn’t been for the plants and watching them grow, digging in the earth, making that connection with Mother Nature, the elements and of course harvesting my efforts. All of that gave me a new direction and an actual purpose. It eased my pain in ways that are difficult to explain. I know I would still be in a deep depression if I hadn’t worked with my friend Sally and her healing methods. She was truly a life saver for me and helped me get out of the hole I’d dug with self pity. The combination of healing and the connection to the earth and life is something that I’ll always be grateful for.” Calli had surprised herself by sharing this with Jim, and by the look on his face, she knew that he’d listened to her story with his heart and not his head. She could see the starting of tears in his eyes. That almost made her like him, and it did make the third item on her check list, Three--Sensitive and willing to have feelings, check.

  Before he could say anything about her story, the waitress brought the bill and Jim pulled out his wallet. He looked at his watch, “Oops, we’ve been so busy talking and eating, we almost missed the movie. We’d better hurry if we don’t want to sit in the front row and crane our necks.” Relief poured through Calli, they were going to be sitting side by side now, and she wouldn’t have to be looking at him straight on for awhile. Something inside was feeling different, she couldn’t identify this new feeling. Rather than trying to figure out what was happening, she just decided to go with the evening and not analyze every little moment. That wasn’t the way to live life, if she’d learned anything after Cal’s death, it was not to over think anything but to relax and make the best of each day. There wasn’t a guarantee about tomorrow, she did understand that. Jim opened the car door for her again, and Calli grinned to herself, at least he’s consistent with his manners. Keep that list going. We’ll see what happens in the movie.

  Chapter 9 The Movie As the lights dimmed, Jim leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Are you sure this is an okay place to sit?” They were in the back row in the corner, which was normally ‘reserved’ for those who planned to make out instead of watch the movie. “Yes, this is fine as long as the make out energy doesn’t envelope us.” Calli tried to be lighthearted about this seating arrangement, she’d planned to be totally relaxed sitting beside him instead of across from him, but now here they are sitting in what the locals call ‘lovers corner’. There were several previews that both Calli and Jim thought looked good, “Maybe we could come to see another movie in a couple of weeks.” Jim sounded hopeful and all Calli did was nod her head in a partial agreement, she really didn’t like talking during a movie, it seemed annoying to her. Once Harry and his friends dominated the screen Calli relaxed a bit, knowing that they’d be involved in the plot and not making conversation. ‘He who shall not be named’ was absolutely scary enough that Calli snuggled a bit into Jim’s shoulder without even thinking about her action. Jim took that opportunity to put his arm around her and both of them instinctively ducked when it appeared that a sinister force was coming straight at them. Despite everything, by the end of the movie Harry was still alive and there was hope that they would triumph in the next movie.

  They walked outside holding hands; it was a natural reaction to their survival of all the horrific scenes they’d witnessed. Calli did her best not to over think what was happening. “Let’s go to the Dairy Barn for some ice cream since we didn’t have time for dessert at the Burger Barn.” Jim was hopeful that the evening would continue and maybe the temptation of hot fudge and caramel would entice Calli to agree. “That does sound good, are you a hot fudge fan?” Jim grinned from ear to ear, “Only if the hot fudge is swirled with some hot caramel and there’s whipped cream and a cherry on top of the sundae.” “How did you know that’s my favorite temptation?” Calli was actually enjoying herself, which surprised her completely. He really is fun to be with, almost makes me feel like a kid again, the thought lifted her spirits and gave her a glimmer of hope. Hope for a future that included a partner, definitely a reality that she believed had long been erased from her future.

  The night sky was filled with stars; billions upon billions were lightening up the Milky Way. They sat outside at a small table enjoying the night sounds, there wasn’t much traffic going by so they cou
ld hear the peepers and the night hawks. Calli was glad that there didn’t seem to be any bats flying around. She knew that they were very beneficial in eliminating annoying insects but also wasn’t a fan of bats in her hair. As a child there had been a bat in her room one time, she remembered screaming for her mother to come and rescue her. Dad was the one who appeared, Mom was afraid of bats too! Must be a genetic thing. Jim looked at Calli, “Well, have I passed the test?” Calli tried to look puzzled, but knew that he had asked a very accurate question, “Yes, you have passed the test and you even have a few major brownie points for good behavior.” Both laughed because they each had ordered a brownie sundae with the hot fudge and hot caramel. “Good, I like brownies in my sundae and brownie points on my approval list. Would you be my date for my cousins wedding next weekend? I am expected to be the cousin who has the best looking girl friend and if you’d honor me with your presence I can keep my image intact.” Calli was amazed and flattered both at the same time. First of all that he’d invited her to be his date after only one movie and second because he’d inferred that she was the ‘best looking’ girl. Surprising herself, Calli responded, “Of course, I’d love to go to a wedding with you. I am a push over for wedding cake and dancing. Please tell me you aren’t in the wedding party, I don’t like being at the head table and having everyone look at us as the next ones to get married.” Jim grinned and was ready to lie, but thought better before he answered, “No, I’m not standing up front, just being an usher. So we don’t have to sit at the head table. It’s at the Presbyterian Church here in town; you’ll probably know a few people, and thanks for saying ‘yes’. I do like to dance.”

  Plans were made for the next weekend. As they returned to the farm, this time with the top up, it was a little too chilly now, Calli allowed herself to be happy, happy that they had enjoyed the evening together, happy that she would see him again next weekend, and happy that she had stopped being irritated with Jim’s presence. She really couldn’t figure out what had rubbed her the wrong way about him. Everything about him was okay, even better than okay, his manners, his sense of humor, his amazing singing voice and his love of gardening. If there had been a match maker in town, she would have picked these two to fit together perfectly. Calli was determined to enjoy his company and erase her past feelings about Jim. Tonight had shifted her from disliking him intensely to liking him intensely. Had Sally worked a little ‘magic’ healing on her without her knowledge? There didn’t seem to be any other explanation for the 180 degree shift in her. Maybe it was finally time for her to be happy, happy with a guy around other than her grandfather. Just maybe it was time.

  The awkward moment arrived, Jim walking her to the front porch, Calli thanking him for a wonderful evening and -- the moment that people on a first date hoped would turn out right. The kiss her or don’t kiss her moment. Who should lean in first, the guy or the girl? Or should they just shake hands? Thankfully for Calli, Jim held her hands, looked her in the eyes and asked, “Would it be alright if I kissed you good night?” Now there is a novel idea, actually asking the girl permission. “Yes, it would be quite alright.” The kiss was gentle, soft and sweet. Calli felt the tenderness of his kiss and knew it was because of her willingness to share about her recovery from Cal’s death that had touched him emotionally. He was being thoughtful and respectful of her feelings. All of this understanding flooded into Calli’s head as the kiss ended. Jim walked away whistling and almost skipping a bit back to his car. She watched as he drove away. The night hawk squawked and the stars seemed a little brighter. Climbing up the stairs into the house Calli felt alive inside again. There had been small little sparks of electricity moving through her. Alive again, that’s what it felt like, she was alive again. As she hung her dress in the closet, she looked at all the work clothes hanging there, plenty of practical shirts and jeans and shorts, but not very many dresses that indicated that she was a woman, a woman who was the ‘best looking’ one on the dance floor. She was happy again. It had been a very long time, and feeling happy was a perfect first step.

  Sleep came easy for Calli. The happy hormones had eliminated any tossing and turning and Calli felt rested when she awoke in the morning. Stretching before she got out of bed, her last dream of the night came rushing back. At least she believed it was a dream. Cal was in the dream telling her about what he was doing in heaven and how he was watching over her like a guardian angel would. He was reassuring her that he wanted her to find someone else who could make her happy, someone who would love her as much as he had. He pleaded with her not to give up on love and promised that he’d watch and make sure the guy she picked would treat her like a princess. This dream seemed to come at a very auspicious time, her first real date and her first kiss. Was Cal confirming that Jim would make her happy? Or was he just sending the message that it was time for her to consider being happy again? Puzzled about the message, she decided it definitely was a day to find Sally during her lunch hour and get her take on everything. Plus she also knew without a doubt that Sally would be chomping at the bit wondering how the date had gone and if she’d actually enjoyed herself or had continued to be irritated with Jim. She wasn’t positive that she’d report on how she felt about the goodnight kiss, but she might.

  The familiar smell of bacon brought her out of her thoughts into the reality of hunger and breakfast. Roger was tempting her with her favorite food, besides hot fudge and caramel sundaes. His bacon and eggs breakfast was outstanding. He used plenty of fresh vegetables from their garden to make the omelet delicious enough that people would pay a lot of money for it. She especially enjoyed the fresh cilantro he chopped up and sprinkled on top of everything, plus there was the homemade jelly from the elderberries in the back yard. There was some herbal property about elderberries that Calli knew a little bit about, but learning more would require research and she didn’t have time for that during the summer vegetable season. Tomorrow was farmers market and she needed to get everything organized for the day. Interesting how today when she thought about the market and choosing her booth, she wanted to be near Jim, normally she was hoping that he’d be on the farthest end of the market as far away from her booth as possible. After last night she actually wanted to be near him so she could continue to evaluate their relationship. Oh, my, did they have a relationship? She was calling one date and an invitation to a wedding a relationship. Now this is going to take some serious girl talk with Sally.

  After breakfast, the two of them headed to the gardens and determined which rows were ready to harvest and which ones would have to wait until next week. The newest plantings were sprouting and Calli was pleased to see that their fall crop was going to be bountiful; at least that’s what it looked like at this moment. Barring any hail, bugs, drought, or any other act of nature that gardeners had to live with which could make or break their profitable season. Roger agreed to continue harvesting while Calli went to town to see Sally. He hadn’t even asked about the date last night, probably because he hadn’t wanted to intrude. Besides he knew that there wasn’t any way she could keep things from him for very long, even as a little girl she was always telling him about her dreams and her plans for the happily ever after princess fairy tale life she was planning to live. He knew that losing Cal had taken its toll on those dreams. There was no reason to push her into something that would take time to develop, a lifetime love, partner and husband wouldn’t materialize in just one date to the Burger Barn and a movie. Roger was patient. He was confident that Calli would find her ideal mate, he didn’t know if Jim was the one, but he did believe that he was a strong candidate. The snap peas were calling to him, walking down the row he ducked as a couple of little honey bees buzzed around his head.

  Chapter 10 Girl Talk Sally was waiting for Calli, her intuition had been overactive this morning and she was positive that her friend would be arriving for lunch just about now! The van arrived and parked right beside the bench where she was waiting. Calli waved and hopped out of her van carrying a sack of
fresh vegetables for her friend. “Here’s a present for all the healing that you did to make my date last night have a very happy event.” Sally took the sack and looked inside; there were tomatoes, snap peas, green peppers, a head of lettuce and zucchini. She was happy that the last vegetable wasn’t plural. She had heard stories about people locking their cars during zucchini season, if you weren’t careful you could end up with a bushel of the green ‘rabbits’ --at least they seemed to multiply like rabbits during the growing season. “Thanks, this looks like my supper and lunch tomorrow. You sure do grow the best vegetables in the county, must be your love of the earth that makes them taste so good. So, spill the beans, pardon the pun, I want to hear all about your date with Jim last night. Every juicy detail, do not leave any part out! And you know that I’m psychic enough to know if you do.” Laughing Calli began with their ride into town with the top down on the convertible, Jim’s melodious baritone voice and how well their voices blended together. Both of them ate lunch as the tale of the supper at the Burger Barn, the movie and the hot fudge and caramel sundae unfolded. Sally absorbed every tiny detail into her soul; she was thrilled to feel the happiness that was being woven into the tale of her date. Her best friend was finally taking her first steps towards finding a relationship for herself, or at least having an enjoyable evening with a guy. She knew how difficult it had been for her after Cal’s death. The months following had been filled with grief and depression, Sally had used every healing technique she had to help Calli out of the pit of despair. She knew that time was the best healer and was so grateful that it was now a perfect time for her to find some happiness after all the darkness had lifted.