Carrie and Keith 13

Keith was just stepping out the door when Carrie drove up. Her car was an old, blue Chevy. It was big and roomy inside. Keith sat down carefully and pulled the door closed.

"Hi," she said and smiled at him. She was dressed head to toe in black. Even her head wrap was black. No hat today. Her pale skin nearly glowed next to the dark fabric.

He smiled back at her. "Hi. Hey, how come you were crying the other day?" He asked as they drove off.

Carrie was silent for a moment. "That was the first time that you initiated a hug." she said quietly.

The only sound came from the radio playing as Carrie drove to the restaurant. Keith felt like he was going on his first date ever. This is worse than puberty, he thought.

When they finally arrived, Carrie waited for him to get out of the car. She took his free hand and they walked toward the restaurant. Her hand was little and warm and somehow reassuring. He smiled at her even though she kept her head down and didn't see it.

Inside the restaurant it was dark and warm and smelled of tomatoes and garlic. They inhaled at the same time and then laughed.

"It's wonderful, ain't it?" she asked.

He looked down at her for a moment and the smile faded from her face. Even in the dim light, he thought he could see her blush.

"Yeah," he said, huskily. "It is."

"Hi. Just the two of you?" The hostess broke in.

Carrie giggled a little and turned to her. "Yes. Just us."

Carrie sat down next to him rather than across the table. She removed her head wrap and fluffed her curls with her hand before stuffing the wrap in her bag. She picked up the wine list.

"Are you a wine drinker?" she asked.

"I don't think I've ever had any." Keith replied. "Mostly beer and whiskey."

She laughed. "Can I order you a glass?"

"Sure," he smiled.

When the waitress arrived, Carrie ordered two glasses of Lambrusco. The waitress brought the wine and they ordered.

The waitress left and Carrie lifted her glass.

"Health, wealth and happiness," she toasted with a smile. They clinked glasses and took a sip of the deep red liquid. There was something almost tingly about the way it felt on his tongue.

Keith felt a light bulb go on in his head. "Are we celebrating something?" he asked suspiciously.