The Poppy Drop

by C L Bauer

  They were clicked through the turnstiles and two volunteers handed them the program for tonight, “Spamalot”. Abby had bailed on her late this afternoon and Agent Pierce had readily volunteered for service. He was too quick to say yes and that bothered her for some reason. Did he know something about her security that she didn’t? Or maybe it was as simple as not wanting to spend another dull night in his hotel room. That had to be getting old.

  “You all have a good night and enjoy the show. Welcome to Starlight.”

  Dev seemed to be taking it all in but Lily wondered if he was scoping out “targets” or escape routes. After all, he was on a mission.

  He leaned down to whisper into her ear. “I didn’t mean the whole mission thing. It’s a case of course and we just want you safe. Sorry if it sounded funnier than usual.”

  “Oh there was nothing funny about it.” She looked down into her program. “This should be good tonight. Hope you like Monty Python.”

  She closed off to him a bit. If she only knew about the window and some of his other suspicions she wouldn’t be talking to him at all. Lying was lying, even by omission. “Lily World” was difficult to live in with all its rigid rules. And he thought the Army was disciplined.

  “Love Monty Python. Isn’t this the one with the knight who refuses to die? Funny…he’s not dead yet.” Dev began laughing. “Pretty fountains. They have a restaurant here too?”

  He was taking it all in. Kansas City continued to surprise him. He thought Virginia was green but for a city, the green space and fountains surpassed any of his thoughts of the midwestern town. Starlight Theatre had been around for years, situated in the largest and oldest park in the city. The outside theater was a family tradition for Lily. She had explained that a police friend of her dad’s used to sneak her mom, sister and her in once the show had begun. Lily remembered where they used to sit and the very first and only time she saw Yul Brynner dance that fast waltz in “The King and I”. She loved the buoyant hoop skirt of the female character’s dress as it flew like large sheets of material strewn into the air. When they finally stopped dancing, the “Anna” character spun twice, finally toppling into a circular mass on the stage. Lily had been in love with bald headed men for only a few months after that. Then Bruce Willis came along and the crush was resurrected.

  “The fountains and the restaurant are newer,” Lily explained as he followed her. "There are other places to get food, you know nachos, popcorn and beer.”

  “Nachos and beer at the theater? I like this place.”

  “It is kind of like Royals’ Stadium meets the Music Hall, I mean for your reference, the Kennedy Center. We don’t have the bells that ring you to your seats after intermission though. They dim the lights here.”

  Lily continued to walk into the theater area. A few ushers asked her if she needed help to find her seats. She politely said no and asked them how their night was going.

  Dev followed behind, watching her do her thing, her Lily thing. She walked with a purpose and exuded the energy of ownership. She was checking how they were and thanking them for volunteering. Did she know she had to pay for those seats? She was the guest not them. But he was learning tradition was very important to her. He also was discovering that she felt comfortable where her ghosts lived, where those loved ones had once been. That was so unlike him.

  “The stage is pretty good size. Love those towers.” He’d kept walking but she’d stopped in the front row of the area behind the orchestra seats.

  “We’re here,” she said pointing at the seats. One of the volunteers laughed who was standing behind him.

  “Never been here, have you? How are you, Lily?”

  Dev followed back to her side as she pointed to seat number six. “No, he’s never been here before. How are you, Margaret?”

  “Fine, just fine. I was in Atlanta last week visiting my grandkids. How are the weddings going?”

  “Pretty good. It’s been hot though. We have an easy weekend and a little lighter schedule now that we’re in the middle of summer. Thank heaven people are getting a clue and not getting married outside in this heat.”

  Dev actually felt entirely useless and invisible. He could’ve used these skills in the caves of Afghanistan. She seemed to know absolutely everyone. This was not a domain in his comfort level. It was way too friendly, too normal for his life. Too intimate. He continued to stand next to Lily but began to scope out the other concessions while looking over her head. A beer sounded good and so did the nachos. He could realistically eat his way through the show. He looked at the back of the seats as Lily was looking at photos on the woman’s phone, probably the grandchildren. He spotted and zeroed in on his target, a barbecue sign. He hadn’t eaten dinner so a sandwich would work. He’d have to run an extra mile tomorrow morning.

  “Um, this is Devlin, Margaret,” Lily poked him in the side to draw his attention. Exactly at that same time, she heard his stomach growl.

  “Very nice to meet you,” he said as he extended his hand. The older woman eyed him up and down and smiled. Then she looked over at Lily and winked.

  “He’s really hungry. Dev, why don’t you go get yourself something.”

  He had her permission to fend for himself, forage through the snack bars and concession stands. He liked this part of Lily’s world.

  “What do you want?” he asked. He was already walking away.

  “I’m good, maybe a diet drink?” He nodded and sprinted off.

  “He’s cute. Where did you find him?”

  “Well, he just sort of walked into the shop one day.” Lily was amusing herself. She wasn’t lying, she couldn’t do that to lovely Margaret. Lily had provided the flowers for her youngest daughter’s wedding almost ten years ago. The original Lily had done the same for Margaret all those many years before. In a sense, they were family.

  “Well, he’s a keeper. You two look good together. Oops, I better go to work. See you, honey.”

  Lily knew she was blushing and she seemed to always be warm anytime Dev briefly touched her but it was hot out. There were even free water stands around the theater. She sat down and began to look through her program. Nancy and her husband Tom arrived and sat in the seats next to Dev’s and Mr. Pearl and his son were already occupying their seats at the end of the row. The two season ticket holders next to her remained empty. Julie and John were always coming in at the very last second and they’d had that ritual for almost fifteen years now. As Starlight had been a family tradition for so many over the years, this row had created their own family, birthed in comedy, drama and music.

  She was talking to Mr. Pearl when she saw Dev coming her way. He had a cardboard food carrier filled with a beer, what looked like a drink for her, french fries and some sort of sandwich. In his left hand he held a popcorn bucket, yes a bucket. He was smiling from ear to ear.

  “For you madam.” He handed the popcorn down to her as he sat down. She introduced him to everyone. He’d smile and continue to unwrap his sandwich.

  “You got barbecue, didn’t you?”

  “I’m in Kansas City, aren’t I?” He was already lifting the sandwich to his mouth. With the first bite, he locked his eyes as if in prayer or sublime pleasure. Lily laughed out loud.

  She lifted the soda out of the carrier. “Mine?” He kept eating but managed a quick nod. Within a few bites the sandwich had vanished and he began his way way through the french fries.

  “They just made these fries. Had to have them. You know I remember something from Afghanistan. There was this guy from Kansas City.”

  “A friend?”

  “Well, he was there to do a job.”

  She continued to watch him in disbelief. The fries had almost evaporated into thin air and she’d only taken one sip from her drink. She hadn’t touched the popcorn on the cement under their chairs.

  “Army?”

  “Well, yes, actually, he was a land mine specialist.”

  “Really?” She knew he was trained but land mines? It
was a war but what did he do in it?

  Obviously he was getting overpaid to make sure she was safe.

  “Hello, hello, hello.”

  Julie and John had landed, yes landed. Julie was so sweet and huggable and then you had John who flew in from the west like a tornado in Kansas.

  “And who is our new member of the family?” He looked right at Dev who had to place his beer down and wipe his face before standing to introduce himself.

  “Devlin Pierce, nice to meet you sir.”

  “Devlin Pierce, sounds like James Bond, Lily. Where’d you get this character? Out of some romance novel?” John was laughing loudly but was shaking Dev’s hand in friendship at the same time.

  “We’re dating,” Dev answered quickly. He did it again. What was wrong with him? He knew.

  He didn’t want her to be the one to lie.

  “Great, well we love Lily so don’t screw this up, understand?” Dev smiled and Lily attempted poorly to become invisible as she slumped into the iron chair. John was threatening the DEA guy, rich.

  Everyone sat down as more of the crowd rushed to their seats.

  “Is that everyone now?” Dev whispered into her ear. She could smell the beer and barbecue on his breath.

  “Pretty much. There are a few of my former clients out here now and then but once the show begins you should be out of danger, at least until intermission.”

  The executive director of Starlight greeted everyone from the stage and then requested they rise for the singing of the national anthem. The orchestra began. The audience, most of them, came to attention or quiet. Lily eyed Dev with her peripheral vision and saw the ramrod straight body of the man next to her. His hand crisp and unshaken in a salute but quickly moved over his heart.

  Luckily, Kansas City was the type of city that embraced patriotism. In this fly-over country it was common to salute the flag or place your hand over your heart, to attempt to sing the anthem’s high notes and to respect service men and women. He would be welcome here. She doubted he could say the same for some of the other places he had visited. Oh, and they didn’t have barbecue like Kansas City.

  After they were in their seats, John and Lily began talking about the next musical. Nancy was asking Dev if it was his first time here. The music began and conversations ended.

  “I love this beer,” Dev whispered again in her ear.

  “You’ve had beer before.”

  “But this is good. Boulevard, very good. In fact this is a good night, date.” She shook her head at his attempt, yet feeble, at humor.

  “So happy you could join me, Mr. Pierce.”

  “No problem, Ms. Schmidt.”

  They were shoulder to shoulder in the seats. She felt sorry for him and his containment but those broad shoulders of his just didn’t fit in one seat. She was so warm and it wasn’t just the temperature. Of course, her first row seats with

  the wide walkway between them and the orchestra area allowed him plenty of room for those long legs. It must be hell on a plane for him, Lily thought as he stretched them out.

  During the first act, there were times she thought Dev was actually crying from laughter. He and John couldn’t control it. Obviously, Monty Python had written everything with a man’s humor and psyche in mind. There were some funny bits but these two were rolling while a few of the older women watched in wonderment. Lily’s favorite part was the servant hitting coconuts to sound like horse’s hooves. By intermission everyone was exhausted in one way or another.

  The lights lifted and Mr. Pearl and his son were on their way home. Nancy and Tom were leaving too. Their little girl had early swim classes and the boys were leaving for camp. Dev stood up as soon as he could to stretch, meeting John in the walkway to talk. She and Julie remained seated talking about the next show and if they were renewing for next year. Of course they were; they couldn’t break up the family.

  Lily tried to talk to Julie and listen in to the men’s discussion. She heard bits and pieces “great person”, “Afghanistan”, Washington DC”, “works” and “Ft. Bragg”. Julie was talking about her daughter and the new house.

  Then she heard, “I thought that was you, dear man,” come from liquid syrup lips. Lily looked up to see Gretchen behind Dev, placing her arms around his waist. John’s eyes were wide as Dev grabbed one hand and turned to face her. Lily only hoped he didn’t snap it off.

  “Oh, hello.” That’s all he said as he returned Gretchen’s hand to her side.

  “So, Lily, you two really are dating? I know you said you were but you know a girl can dream,” Gretchen drooled as she fluttered her eyelashes. How old was Gretchen now?

  “And a girl can keep on dreaming,” Dev said nonchalantly as he turned around to continue his conversation with John. Lily stifled a raucous laugh.

  “Hello Gretchen,” Lily said as blandly as possible. “Yes, we are here together.”

  Gretchen stood uncomfortably looking at Dev’s back. “Well, I just wanted to say hello.” She began to leave but then crouched down near Lily.

  “Good for you, Lily. He is absolutely divine. Enjoy.” And then she vanished in the sweat of the night like a bat that had lost its way in a cave. There were bats at Starlight in the towers but seldom did they ever come down, attack and visit. Tonight it had happened. Gretchen knew how to ruin a good night in heaven.

  The lights lowered and the men took their seats. “I almost hurt her. Wasn’t expecting a sneak attack.” She didn’t think she would ever get used to these whispers in her ear.

  “Wow, I bet you really are fun on a date.” She looked right into his eyes and they were twinkling.

  “I can be. Aren’t I?”

  She turned her head and looked forward to the stage. She wasn’t going to answer him while he had that grin on his face. His cover was still intact; he was her boyfriend and by tomorrow afternoon half of the wedding world in the city would know it. She’d be lucky if she didn’t have clients calling to congratulate her.

  If he were her boyfriend and if they truly were dating, she would congratulate herself and get her own billboard on I-70 to tell all of Kansas City. A girl could dream.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “So, Abby, are you going tomorrow night? That was the show you weren’t certain about.” Lily continued to work on the arrangement in front of her. She needed it delivered in a couple of hours. Abby could deliver it and then head home or to Jeremy or to whatever they had planned tonight. After the consultation, Lily would just head home to pay bills and collapse.

  Dev was working at his laptop but his concentration broke when he head the question.

  They’d had such a good time last week he wouldn’t mind going again. It was better than the hotel room. Lord, if his Army buddies ever got hold of that kind of the intel about him he’d be throttled. Devlin Pierce enjoyed musicals, who knew? No one would if he had his way. Of course, Tom Fullerton did know. Dev had informed him where they were going last week. He was walking a fine line with Lily. Someone needed to watch her but it didn’t have to be as close as the seat next to her, physically touching her through most of the night. It couldn’t be helped…those chairs were too darn close.

  He smiled when he heard Abby say she couldn’t make it. She was helping her mom do some show in Overland Park, some women’s empowerment group. He looked up and saw Lily handing the flowers to Abby.

  “Here’s the address and after you’re done just head home. I’m good with my watchdog.”

  He smiled again. “I resemble that remark.”

  “Yes, you do,” she laughed. “Just don’t bark or scratch yourself inappropriately and you can stay inside.”

  “Night, Dev.” Abby was out the door and the two of them were left staring at each other.

  “So…”

  “I can go.” It was out of his mouth before he had thought. What was he thinking? “I mean if you need someone to go. I enjoyed it.” Too much, he thought. “I mean it is better than sitting in the hotel room all night.”

>   She came toward her desk to look at the information in her calendar.

  “I know for a fact, Agent Pierce, you don’t just sit around your hotel room. Hmmm, this bride coming in is a friend of one of my past girls. I loved that bride.”

  “Well, Ms. Schmidt, I don’t know where you are getting your intel but I do sit nights alone in my room.” The glove was dropped. Banter would soon ensue. He really enjoyed that about her. Most women didn’t have that wit to take a simple statement and destruct and construct an argument worthy of Socrates.

  “I’ve seen you out with my own eyes.” Oops, she shouldn’t have said that. It made her out to be some sort of a stalker or a spy hiding behind trees and bushes with sunglasses and trench coat despite the temperatures of summer.

  “Ah hah! You’ve been spying on me!” After he turned the lid down on his computer he crossed his arms in front of him defiantly. “Where and when?”

  “Well,” she began to stammer and play with her stuffed R2D2 on her desk. She hit his “I talk” button and he let out his little R2D2 noise.

  “Waiting, Ms. Schmidt.” He wouldn’t let her off the hook so easily. She finally looked up and sighed.

  “All right. I was driving by the outdoor cafe on the Plaza Saturday night after the last wedding and you were there with someone.” She paused. It was a woman. He had been there with a woman and she felt utterly stupid right now. He wasn’t her boyfriend. Remember, Lily, he’s a federal agent.

  His arms relaxed in front of him. “My aunt. You saw my aunt. And by the way, did you have a policeman following you, young lady?”

  “Yes, sir, I did.” His aunt, well she was very young and very pretty.

  “I can see it on your face. You don’t believe it was my aunt.”

  “It’s not my business.” She hit R2D2 again.

  He stood up and came toward her. “Don’t hit that button again. You’re the one who was spying on me.”