If you haven't read part one, part two will make no sense.
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We finished up the deck around three. On the way home I stopped at the florist for a fall mum plant just starting to blossom, I figured it would get her through the fall and into winter with some color.
When I got there and escorted her to the car I walked toward the passenger door. She pulled away from my arm and stood by the driver's door. I soon figured out what was going on, smiling as she scooted under the steering wheel into the center of the seat. Getting in, her hand was just above my knee as she pulled herself closer to me.
She was dressed to kill tonight. A red pleated skirt, white silk blouse, black sheer nylons and a light wrap with 2" platform sandals. I wore a pair of grey Haggar slacks, a light blue Perry Ellis shirt and a Larry the Cucumber tie. She laughed at the tie, all her nieces and nephews watched the Veggie Tales movies, she was well aware of who Larry Boy was.
The drive was only 15 minutes, but she had herself firmly pressed tight against me when we arrived.
Dinner was very good. Leaving, Evelyn asked if we could go dancing again, I agreed, and we headed for Centerville. Ev was different tonight as we drove, not quite as chatty, her hand playing in the back of my hair or on my thigh. When we arrived, I was going to get out, but she stopped me.
"Dan. I don't want a repeat of last time. We're here with each other. Right? I'm your dance partner and you're mine. Okay?"
I lifted her chin and kissed her softly, whispering "Yes. Let's go have fun."
The minute we were through the doors the guys crowded around her, understandably so, she was smokin hot. She smiled and politely refused. I went to get us a beer and when I returned there were several guys trying to chat her up. As I reached the table Evelyn piped up,
"Move aside boys, let my date get through."
Being called boys and snubbed all in one sentence was not what they expected, but I sure liked it.
After a few sips she set her bottle down and asked, "So Dirty Dan, are we going to dance?"
I looked her directly in the eye. "Dirty Dan died, but I'm here, and more than happy to dance with the prettiest girl in the place."
"Really. When was Dirty Dan's demise?"
"The day he met you."
As I took her in my arms for a slow number she softly spoke.
"The girls at work are right. You could charm the panties off an old lady and she'd smile doing it."
I pushed her back a little studying her face. Little did she know that's exactly what had happened. During our last slow dance I felt her press into me. Not a dry hump, but no longer a separation between us. Her face next to mine she talked softly.
"My mind says this is no more than a rebound fling, that I'm making a mistake trusting you, that I'm moving too fast, even though we've done no more than kiss a few times. But Dan, my heart says you're the one. To love me, to protect me, to grow old with me. Am I being stupid Danny?"
I stopped moving, bent my head and kissed her affectionately. We were still kissing when the music stopped. Suddenly we were aware of people hooting and clapping. We were the only ones still on the dance floor, lost in one another's arms. I took her hand leading her to the coat check and her purse. I gave the girl the ticket and proclaimed.
"My girlfriends purse please."
Girlfriend, a first for me. It not only felt right, but good. Evelyn latched onto my arm, pulling it tight to her body. As her breast pushed into my arm she smiled.
I whispered, "You are so naughty."
Snickering she whispered back, "I hope so."
Walking to the car my arm was around her shoulders, her hand in my back pocket. Love that feeling, it's tender, affectionate, letting any, and all know, he belongs to me. These were uncharted waters for me, but I was enjoying the voyage. In the car she was in my arms before I got the car started. It all felt so very right. At her door it was another make out session. Agreeing we'd better stop before we crossed a line we weren't ready to cross.
Over the winter months we grew nearly inseparable. People saw us together everywhere, we even did our individual grocery shopping together. We had become what most in town referred to as an 'item'. We both had our jobs to do, but at days end we were typically with one another. I so enjoyed her company, she wasn't haughty or ostentatious, a simple woman who knew who and what she was. As we grew closer there were the few old biddies in town who tried to warn her about Dirty Dan. She would smile, tell them she's a big girl, and Dan was never anything but a gentleman with her.
She had gone home to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving, but we did Christmas together at Rose's. Rose asked if we could be there early so we could watch the kids open gifts. We arrived at 6:30 thinking we were early, not a chance. They'd been up since 5:30 wanting to know when Uncle Dan & Aunt Ev were gonna be there. I raised my eyebrow at the Aunt Ev comment, she smiled and kissed me. The girls yelled, "EWW, they were kissing. Aunt Ev don't you know you get cooties from kissing boys?"
Rose looked at us with the look of don't you dare say a thing. If they were convinced kissing boys gave you cooties, she was all for it. Then she spoke,
"Kissing daddy and Uncle Dan doesn't give us cooties though does it?"
They had ants in their pants jumping around wanting to open presents. Elvin had worked a second shift
the night before and was up for the day, so the festivities began. Watching those little girls was having an effect on Ev, I could see those mommy gears turning. I certainly had no aversion to children, I simply never saw myself as a dad... until now. I can honestly say for the first time in my life I felt comfortable with the idea, and I'm sure it was because I was so comfortable with Evelyn.