It was Sunday morning and Abbie was out for her morning swim. The dinner with David's parent's had been Thursday evening followed by a date with David on Friday night. That date was an eventful one for both.
They'd gone to the local place on their side of the lake instead of the fancier restaurant with the walking path. They sat opposite the other eating their burgers and fries talking about college and the soon to start academic year.
"The swim team meets for first work outs in ten days. I'd love you to take me to morning practices." Abbie smiled at David with warmth and contentment.
David shared a similar look and offered a quick answer yes.
Conversation remained about college as they finished eating and sipping on their cola drinks. They got up, paid their bill, and headed for David's car.
"I want you to come see something with me, Abbie. It's over near the campus and something you have never seen. It is something, some place we could call our special place." David spoke with a lilt of excitement as he talked.
"Near the campus, our special place," Abbie recited the words she heard. "What is near the campus is a bunch of student rental apartments. I think I am catching onto your thought pattern."
"I'm only looking because I'm in my third year and should be getting ready to stand alone. Not sure if mom and dad would let me, I'd have to have a job to pay expenses, and that might mean fewer date nights. Abbie, please know I would want you to visit but I'm not asking you to live with me because I'm pretty sure your parents and aunt and uncle wouldn't approve. But you could come to stay once in a while."
Abbie reached across the console to rest her hand on David's arm. "And we both have to study hard, I'll have swimming even if I don't make the traveling squad the first year, and you're right, they would not approve. But that won't stop us from having some wonderful nights."
Abbie knew David would turn twenty-one in a couple months and she would be twenty a couple months after that. Her first chore would be getting a car of her own, hoping and expecting one for her birthday.
David slowed the car as he turned a corner near the campus; a row of reasonably new apartments came into view. He stopped at the curb Telling Abbie that this was near where he wanted to get a small studio. "It isn't expensive when you think about it, $400.00 a month, but nothing fancy. Want to walk around a little?"
Abbie jumped from the car and waited for David to catch up. "Show me around."
David took her hand and maneuvered them around one of the buildings. "A guy I know from college has an apartment here and asked me to bring you for a visit. His is a studio like I might try getting."
David buzzed the security button and his friend released the gate to let them in. "It is a lot safer than it looks."
At the apartment door, David's friend opened the door and was introduced to Abbie. "WOW! Man she is a doll. When you pick a girlfriend you pick 'em."
Some redness crept into Abbie's face; her shy demeanor peeked through and David noticed it. "Abbie moved into the lake neighborhood late in the spring and we kind of connected right away. We have pretty much promised ourselves to each other." Turning to Abbie, "This is the style apartment I may get if things come together."
David's friend turned to Abbie and spoke, "Are you transferring?"
Still leaning close to David, Abbie answered, "No, I'm just starting college a little late for most. I'm already 19. If you've had a class with Mr. Adams, you know him and he helped me get a swimming scholarship. He helped David get me," she smiled proudly. "I'm a product of an all girls' religious school and I'm really shy most of the time."
David smiled equally proudly, "The first time we met, she swam away from me. Then one night we had a big neighborhood bonfire and Mr. Adams coached me and that night Abbie and I sat on her porch until two in the morning just talking. I didn't get her. She hooked me and started reeling. It wasn't a fight."
"Holy crap! Dude, you're in love."
In quick and unexpected unison Abbie and David agreed, "Yes, we are."