Reader in the Park

by Rachel Maldonado

  “No, can't say that I have. But it's a remarkably sad and tragic story.”

  “Yes, I agree.”

  “And this is the park you're taking me to?” questioned Nikki as she grabbed a tissue to wipe her tears away and blew her nose.

  “Yes, it's really rather beautiful. The money the Martindale's donated to the park allowed for them to put in a small lighthouse in the center of the lake. It's decorative, of course, but it's beautiful. The light turns on every night at dusk. There are also old fashioned lamp posts that surround the entire track and beautifully hand-carved wooden and iron benches. Every year they have fireworks for the Fourth of July and for the New Year's celebration, and every summer there are row boat races. It's rumored that this year they may even add paddle boats.”

  “It does sound nice. I can't believe I've never heard of this park.”

  “I look forward to taking you,” replied Anna proudly. It was the park that she had taken Nikki to so many countless times in her dreams.

  “Until tomorrow?” asked Nikki with a grin. Even though the tragic love story had brought her to tears, she was moved that Anna had been the one to tell her that story and that she would be the one to take her to that particular park.

  Anna nodded. “Yes, until tomorrow. Look for my new yellow Jeep. I'll be parked on the far side of the park nearest the tennis courts. Goodnight.”

  “I will. I'm sure I'll find you. Goodnight,” replied Nikki as she disconnected the call.

  Both women closed their eyes and thought about each other as they drifted off to sleep that night.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The following day Anna was eager to get to the park. She packed a lunch in a picnic basket just like she had done so many times in her dreams. It was filled with fresh fruit such as strawberries and seedless grapes, lunch meats like salami, pastrami, ham, and turkey breast, various types of breads from kaiser rolls to French bread, two wine glasses, and a bottle of Dom Perignon.

  She could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know why she was so incredibly nervous. It wasn't like she hadn't seen Nikki before. They had spoken in the hospital. Nikki had seen her bare rear end for Christ's sake. If she had been able to get over that embarrassment, she could surely calm down enough to get through one date. She took a deep breath to try to relax.

  Anna laid out a blanket on the ground near the tree stump just like she had in her very first date with her dream girl Nikki. Well, the Nikki that accompanied her in her dreams, that is.

  She took a deep breath, then reached into her picnic basket to pull out a lesbian book. It was “Rubyfruit Jungle” by Rita Mae Brown.

  As she was looking over the book cover image and reading the book summary on the back of the book, Nikki pulled up in her car and parked behind Anna's yellow Jeep.

  Anna looked up from her book when she heard the sound of the car door slam. She dropped the book back into the picnic basket, but she again felt her heart begin to pound in her chest at the sight of Nikki walking toward her. She was carrying a bouquet of flowers.

  Nikki walked right up to Anna and took a seat on the tree stump. “I come bearing gifts,” she said, holding up her colorful flowers wrapped in a pink soft tissue paper.

  Anna blushed a bright red. “That was unexpected.”

  “Why's that?”

  “I don't know. I guess I didn't expect you to buy me flowers. Women rarely do those types of things for me.”

  “What do you mean? What types?”

  Anna shrugged her shoulders. “Romantic types of things. I'm usually the one that buys the flowers, chocolates, cards, jewelry, and comes up with romantic gestures.”

  Nikki grinned. “I'm glad I'm a good change of pace then. First I bought you clothes and shoes and now flowers.”

  Nikki handed the flowers to Anna who smiled graciously. She didn't have a vase to put them in, so she laid them on the blanket near the picnic basket. “Care to join me for some wine? Maybe some fresh fruit? How about a sandwich?”

  Nikki wasn't shy, so rather than wait to have Anna open the basket to make sandwiches, she sat down on the blanket beside Anna, opened the basket herself, and started digging around to see what was inside.

  “What do we have here?” asked Nikki grinning, as she glanced at the bottle of wine. “Somebody splurged for the good stuff.”

  Anna blushed. “I wasn't sure what kind of wine you liked, but I figured I couldn't go wrong with a bottle of Dom.”

  Nikki uncorked the wine and poured Anna a glass, then poured herself a glass and took a sip. Again, she looked through the basket and pulled out Anna's copy of Rubyfruit Jungle.

  “I take it you'd like me to read to you? Or are you planning on reading to me?”

  Anna cleared her throat. “Well, I'm a bit dyslexic, but sure, I'll read to you. I'll try at least as long as this doesn't turn into a doctor patient examination.” She glanced over at Nikki with one eyebrow up.

  Nikki smirked. “I promise not to criticize if you read to me. You were in a coma for six months.”

  The birds were chirping, the sun was out shining brightly, but the day was cool and breezy. The sky was a gorgeous blue with fluffy cumulus clouds floating by like puff of white cotton candy.

  Anna took a sip of wine, then set it down gently. She began to read the book from the beginning. Nikki listened intently while she nibbled on strawberries and sipped on her wine.

  After some time had elapsed, Anna glanced up from her book to see Nikki smiling.

  “What? Why are you grinning at me?”

  “I was waiting for you to come up for air to tell you something.”

  Anna smiled, then added playfully, “Is it that you love me? Because I'm gonna have to say that it's far too soon to make a declaration of your undying love and devotion.”

  Nikki laughed. “Too soon, huh? But it wasn't too soon when you said I was the woman of your dreams on the day we met in the hospital?”

  Anna grinned sheepishly. She tried to keep from laughing as she jested, “Aw, come on now. We had a serious relationship for six months. I had my heart in it. I don't know why you didn't.”

  “Really, now...”

  “Oh, right,” Anna smirked, “You didn't have the same dreams as I did.”

  Nikki raised her eyebrows. She was trying hard not to laugh. “Is that you trying to give me a guilt trip? For dreams that you had while in a coma that I didn't share with you?”

  Anna laughed, then returned her attention back to what Nikki had said prior. “What is it you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “I'm off tomorrow.”

  “Again?”

  “Technically, I'm on call. But there are some pretty capable doctors on shift tomorrow, so I'm not expecting to be called in. If I'm called, it will likely be in the afternoon or evening.”

  “Wow...”

  “Wow? That's what you have to say to me?” questioned Nikki.

  Anna nodded. “Yes, we're only about...” She paused to glance down at her watch. “...forty-two minutes into our date, and you're already hoping that I ask you out on a second one. That's got to be a new world record or something.”

  Nikki laughed. “Quite the charmer, aren't you?”

  Anna smirked. She was beaming with self-confidence. “What can I say? I knew you'd fall for me.”

  Nikki smiled. “Au contraire mon amie, it is you that's going to fall for moi.” She began to giggle, then glanced down at her own watch. “It hasn't been forty-two minutes. It's been at least an hour.”

  “Oh, okay,” Anna giggled. “Big difference there. I'm still going down in the Guinness Book of World Records, I think.”

  Nikki grabbed hold of the novel from Anna's grasp and began to read from where Anna left off. As Nikki read, it was Anna who began to dig through the basket to make herself a sandwich. She chewed slowly and quietly to make sure she could still hear Nikki reading. As she listened to the story, she suddenly had an idea.

  “How about breakfast tomorrow?”
/>
  Nikki paused from her reading, then lowered her book to her lap. “Have I been reduced to a breakfast date rather than a dinner date? Is that a downgrade?”

  Anna shook her head. “No, not at all. Don't be silly. You said you might be busy in the afternoon and evening if you should be called in to the hospital, so I thought maybe we could do something in the morning.”

  Nikki grinned. “I was just giving you a hard time. Yes, we can see each other again tomorrow.”

  Anna couldn't help but smile. “I have something special planned for us for tomorrow.”

  “Yeah? What is it?”

  Anna licked her lower bottom lip slightly, then grinned. “Umm, it's a surprise. You'll see.”

  Nikki placed the book down on the blanket. “I think you should tell me. I'm not sure I like the look in your eyes.”

  Anna raised her eyebrows. “Look? What look in my eyes?”

  “The look that says you have something up your sleeve.”

  “I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have a look.”

  Nikki nodded. “Yes, you do.”

  Anna smiled. “What does it look like?”

  “I don't know. It's almost like a little smirk. The edges of your lips sort of go up.”

  Anna giggled, then playfully added, “That's your best explanation, Dr. Kincade? The edges of my lips go up?” She giggled once more, then tried to make a serious face. “It's called a smile.”

  “Okay, well if you don't tell me, then I'm going to have to tickle you.”

  “Oh no! Say it isn't so!” shouted Anna. She began to giggle once more. “You've resorted to Tickle Me Elmo tactics.”

  Nikki reached over and went straight for Anna's mid-section and the sides of her abdomen. Anna squirmed, leaned back onto the blanket, and began to laugh uncontrollably. “No! No, no, no, no!” she squealed, but she couldn't manage to get away. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to. She hadn't felt that much playful giddiness since she was in high school and experienced her first relationship with a girl.

  Anna began to tickle Nikki back, but Nikki wasn't having it. She stood up from the blanket and ran toward the track where there was a young couple walking by. She ran so fast and kept turning around to see if Anna was gaining on her that she nearly ran into them for lack of paying attention to where she was going.

  “Whoa! Watch out there,” said a young butch with the darkest hair and eyes she had ever seen. The first thing to pop into Nikki's mind was Elvis. She reminded her of a young Elvis. She was straight out of a 1950's magazine. She had slicked back hair with almost a pompadour in the front nearest her forehead, a white button down shirt with short sleeves, and jeans that were rolled up at the bottom hem about four inches.

  “I'm sorry. I didn't see you there.” Nikki stopped in her tracks as Anna caught up to her. Both Nikki and Anna were out of breath, their chests heaving as they tried to compose themselves and catch their breath.

  “Nice to meet you. I'm Samantha,” said the young butch. “This is my wife, Janice.”

  Nikki was the first to shake their hands. “I'm Nicole, but everyone calls me Nikki.”

  “I'm Anna.” Anna noted that Samantha had a firm grasp. It was a sign of confidence. Anna knew she liked them right away. “We were having a picnic if you'd like to join us.”

  Samantha shook her head. “Oh no, we wouldn't want to impose. Besides, we were just here for our daily walk. But it was very nice meeting you both. Maybe some other time?”

  “Sure thing,” said Nikki. “I'm sure you'll see us around more often.”

  The couple walked with their arms wrapped around one another as many young lovers sometimes do. Anna smiled at them as they walked away down the walking path. “They seem like a lovely couple. Interesting style of dress for such a young couple. Even Janice looks like she's dressed like Sandy from the movie Grease.” She watched them for a few moments longer then stated, “Love must be in the air.”

  Nikki grinned. “Why do you say that?”

  Anna looked down at the ground shyly, then shrugged her shoulders. “I dunno. They seem like they're in love.”

  “Never know. In a few years, that could be us.”

  “A few years?” asked Anna raising her eyebrows with some concern. “I know I wasn't trying to rush things, but walking arm in arm in a few years? Really?”

  Nikki laughed. “I just meant, maybe we might be two lovers walking hand in hand in the park, that's all.”

  “Ohhhh. Phew.”

  “What did you think I meant?”

  Anna shook her head. “Never mind.” What she truly had been thinking was that if it was going to take her a few years to hold hands and go walking together, then she might never get to first base at all! But she hardly thought it appropriate to mention it. Instead she felt her face flush with warmth. She knew she was blushing, but tried to change the subject.

  “Do you feel like you'll be up for some adventure tomorrow?”

  “I don't know. I guess it would depend on what type of adventure it is. What are we talking about?”

  Anna laughed. “I already told you. It's a surprise. You're not going to tickle me again, are you?” Anna began walking back toward their picnic blanket, but was cautiously watching Nikki through her peripheral vision.

  “No, I'm not likely to try that again soon. Tickle Me Elmo tactics only work when they catch someone by surprise. You're expecting it now, so I'm not going to do it.”

  Anna giggled. Just as the two women reached their picnic blanket, it began to drizzle. The rain drops were like giant full tear drops falling from the Heavens. To Anna, it was raining tears of romantic joy. They brought about the faint scent of fresh earth and landed on Anna and Nikki in sporadic cold bursts.

  “Let's get out of here,” remarked Anna as she began gathering her things and her picnic blanket.

  Nikki grabbed the picnic basket from Anna as Anna folded the blanket. “There wasn't a rain cloud in the sky. Where did this come from?”

  “It's God blessing us with a sun shower.”

  “Are you religious?” Nikki began heading back to her vehicle with Anna walking at a steady pace beside her.

  “I have faith. I believe in a higher power. But I'm not in church every Sunday, if that's what you're asking.” Anna placed her blanket in her backseat, then grabbed the picnic basket from Nikki and placed it on the passenger seat. “Good thing I had the hard top on.”

  “No, I'm just curious to see if you're religious because you mentioned God. Most people say when there's a thunderstorm that it's God bowling.”

  Anna shut her Jeep door, then proceeded to walk Nikki to her car door.

  Anna laughed at Nikki's comment as Nikki opened her door. “That doesn't make someone religious.”

  Nikki shook her head. “No, but it proves they believe in God, doesn't it?”

  “I'm gonna have to say that that's true.” Anna cleared her throat as Nikki sat down in the driver's seat. “Pick you up tomorrow morning?”

  “On a hill?”

  “Yes, if it doesn't rain, I will pick you up at your place on the hill.”

  “I'm worth the drive?”

  Anna laughed. “Of course. You were to begin with. I just had some nervous jitters about the house on a hill, our first date, a new vehicle..you know?”

  “I see. So no more jitters?”

  Anna beamed brightly. “No, I think I discovered a new found confidence.”

  Nikki giggled. “And why's that?”

  “Because I know you want me.” Anna was blushing, but trying to remain cool. She grinned trying not to laugh.

  Nikki laughed. “What makes you say that?”

  “Because I didn't send you running for the hills.”

  Nikki laughed once more. “You're funny. I'll be ready by eight? Is that a good time?”

  “Yes. See you then.”

  Nikki shut her door as Anna walked back to her Jeep. Both wondered why they hadn't shared a first kiss, but it only made them want it mor
e, and they anticipated seeing one another again.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The following morning, Anna was up bright and early. She showered and dressed and picked up Nikki promptly at eight in the morning. The fact that she lived on a hill didn't even faze her. She was too excited about their date to think about her nightmares or to try to remember her car accident.

  Anna drove from Nikki's place straight to her surprise location.

  “You did say you were up for adventure, right?” asked Anna as they pulled into the parking lot of Trampoline World.

  Nikki shook her head. “No, I don't think I said that. I thought I said it depended upon what you had in mind.”

  Anna laughed. “Well, this is it.”

  “Trampoline World? I thought we were having breakfast?”

  “What's a matter? Scared to have a little fun?”

  “Scared? You trying to say I'm an uptight fuddy duddy doctor or something?” asked Nikki grinning. “'Cause I'll have you know, I was pretty fun in college.”

  “You're not going to tell me you hit all the keggers and went streaking are you?”

  Nikki laughed. “No, but I went to some parties and wasn't afraid to let my hair down.”

  “Okay, let's see you prove it.” Anna jumped out of her Jeep and headed over to the passenger door. She held it open for Nikki. They walked up to the building together where Anna held the door open for Nikki to enter.

  Why did Nikki feel as if she'd just stuck her foot in her mouth with her stating she was fun? The last night she thought she'd had fun was when she had stayed up late watching horror movies while sitting in her Pjs and munching on popcorn. Plus, her college days she spent either reading, studying, eating, or sleeping. She didn't have time for parties. She barely had time for sleep.

  As they walked in, Nikki glanced around to view various different trampolines. There were several adults and children already enjoying themselves.