Twenty-Three>>>She Twirls
It is the day of our three-month anniversary, according to Harper at least. She counts from the day we climbed the tree and talked about it. I tell her that I count from the first time we met in the library, and that is why I never know how long we have been together. The honest truth is I have no clue when our anniversary is nor do I care to know. That is a trivial detail only girls seem to find so important.
But I agreed to humor her and put on my best khakis and button up shirt. I agreed to be sweet and thoughtful about the occasion. She guilt tripped me into it. How could I not?
I put my car in park and hop down from my Explorer and shove my keys in my pocket, listening to them jingle. I hurry up the concrete stairs to her apartment and ring the doorbell. I use the metal on the doorbell to see how my hair looks.
When she swings the door open I am welcomed by the scent of her warm, vanilla perfume. “Right on time,” she remarks, “Surprising for you.”
“Well it’s our three month anniversary. I have to be on time,” I wink at her.
“I’m glad you care,” She laughs, grabbing her purse and stepping out to me. We kiss and I wait as she locks up her house. She’s dressed in crisp black pants and a cream colored sweater.
“You don’t need a jacket?” It is December and windy and if it’s freezing I really don’t want to have to be the gentleman who offers up his jacket for the irresponsible lover of his who forgot hers.
“It’s not too cold out.”
I take her hand and walk with her down to my car, opening the passenger side door and everything. She gives me an impressed look and gets in, thanking me. Mom taught me the charm. My father taught me when to turn it on and off. I jump in the drivers seat and start the car.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” I tell her.
“It’s been a surprise all week. You can tell me now.”
“Do you know of Cuginos?”
“Isn’t that the really fancy Italian place by the bridal boutiques? No…maybe not…”
No it’s the really crappy hot dog stand by the Salvation Army. What kind of cheap jerk do you take me for? “Yeah, that’s it.”
“You’re taking us there?” She asks, surprised. I nod. “Well, Taylor Hanson. I thought I would never see the day. The cheapest millionaire I know is taking us out to the fanciest place in town.”
I choose ignore her millionaire comment, and on second thought the cheap comment too, and smile, “It’s our three month anniversary! What can I say!” Consider yourself warned. When you tell Taylor Hanson to go all out- he goes all out. Faked enthusiasm is one of my talents.
After two three-course meals, four glasses of wine (two a piece, mind you) and one remark from a snobby waiter, Harper and I stagger out of the fancy restaurant.
“I don’t think we are expensive restaurant kind of people,” I laugh, “Considering I was reprimanded for using the wrong fork for my salad.”
She laughs with me and steps out from under the roofed balcony. I watch as she hurries back under to me. “It’s raining! In fact, it’s pouring.”
“It’s raining, it’s pouring,” I sing obnoxiously, “The old man-” I stop abruptly when I notice the unimpressed expression on her face.
“You are such a nerd, Tay,” she giggles.
“You’re an even bigger nerd for dating a nerd,” I tell her.
“You’re an even bigger nerd for getting so enthusiastic about our anniversary,” She laughs.
“Hey! You made me!”
“I did not! I simply suggested you show some enthusiasm. The fancy attire and fancy restaurant was all your idea.”
“Oh like you didn’t practically threaten to behead me if I didn’t do something sweet…”
“Would I do that?!” She gasps, breaking her gaze at the rain to look at me.
“Oh never…” I humor her.
“Nerd…” she grins.
I shake my head in distress. This girl is nuts. Absolutely nuts. I cannot win with her. Then, before I can even say anything back to her, she runs out into the pouring rain.
Every man wants to meet the woman who makes him dance in the rain. We pretend to hate it. We pretend to think it’s impractical and ridiculous. But the woman who makes us dance in the rain is the one. And we know it.
She twirls around in the storm, the lightening shooting down at the earth.
“Harper! What are you doing! You’re going to get struck by lightening!”
“No, I’m not! It’ll hit the roof you’re standing over first and electrocute you before it ever gets to me.”
Well, that is enough just to get anyone off that porch. I refuse to ever admit that I actually wanted to twirl with her in the rain. I must pretend that the only reason I would go out into that rainstorm with her is for practical reasons.
I run over to her and look at her, the rain soaking both of our hair. We just stand there together in the showering clouds and admire each other’s faces. She twirls again.
“Spin with me!” She shouts, opening her mouth to the sky.
“Harper, you look ridiculous.”
“And you look like a wet dog.” How romantic. “Spin with me!”
She spins in circles around the parking lot, dancing for all the parked cars to see. She takes my arms and makes me twirl. I humor her and twirl in a circle.
“Okay my turn to make you twirl. Are you ready for this?” I ask her.
“What do you mean?”
I lift Harper into my arms and hold my arms underneath her knees tightly. “Get ready,” I tell her. I spin in wild circles with her, careful not to lose my balance. She laughs and closes her eyes as we spin, encouraging the rain to pour down on us.
I cannot decide if she looks sexy or beautiful or what- her hair drenched in rain and her eye make up slightly blurred. But I know I want to kiss her. I know I need to kiss her. I touch my lips to hers and kiss her delicately.
She pulls back in surprise for a moment, but then kisses me back- welcoming the softness of my lips.
I pull away and smile at her, setting her down in front of me. “Happy three month anniversary,” I smile.