A Little Something To Remember You By

 

By:  Kenda

 

 

     Rick Simon threw open his brother's kitchen door and dashed in the house.  He ran to the blond man and grabbed his elbow. 

 

     "A.J., come on!  You have to hurry and get ready!"

 

     A.J. stared up at his brother nonplused.  It was late on a Saturday afternoon, and the younger Simon was stretched out on the sofa reading a book.   After a morning of fighting traffic and crowded stores while running errands, A.J. had spent the better part of the afternoon cleaning his house.  He had no intention of moving any farther than between the couch and kitchen until he went up to bed for the evening.

 

     Rick half lifted his brother off the sofa until A.J. was left dangling in mid-air the way a pair of fuzzy dice dangles from a car's rear view mirror.

 

     "Rick, what the hell are you doing?" 

 

     A.J. stumbled forward when Rick awkwardly deposited him on his feet.  The lanky detective reached out and snared his brother by the shoulders, preventing him from taking a header into the coffee table.

 

     "Just go," Rick ordered while pushing A.J. from behind.  "Get your butt upstairs and get ready.  We have to pick them up in an hour."

 

     "We have to pick who up in an hour?"

 

     "The girls."

 

     "What girls?"

 

     "A.J., it's no wonder you're sittin' home alone on a Saturday night.  Don't worry about what girls!  Just get ready."

 

     A.J. solidly stood his ground when Rick gave him another shove.

 

     "Rick, I'm not going anywhere until you explain to me what in the heck you're jabbering about."

 

     "I'm not jabbering about anything.  I got you a date."

 

     A.J.'s head shook back and forth.  "Ooooh no. I don't have any desire whatsoever to go on a date you've arranged."

 

     Rick's stance spoke his annoyance as his hands came to rest on his hips.  "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

 

     "It means I'll end up spending the evening with a woman who smokes cigars.  Or the bearded lady from the circus.  Or, heaven forbid, some broad who's done time for serial murders."

 

     Rick's upper lip curled into a sneer.  "You're real funny, ya' now that?  And just for your information, Leslie's cousin isn’t any of those things.  She doesn't smoke cigars; she doesn't have a beard...or even a five o'clock shadow for that matter, and she's never been in jail.  Katie's a real nice gal.  As a

matter of fact, when I first met her I thought of you."

 

     A.J.'s eyed narrowed.  "How so?"

 

     "I just think you two would hit it off.  She's likes jazz.  She loves to read.  She's an avid tennis player.  And she's lonely."

 

     A.J. turned away from his brother.  "I'm not lonely."

 

     "Maybe not.  But ever since you and Liz parted ways you've holed up here in this house like a mole."

 

     "I have not!"  The blond whipped around on his heels.  "I was seeing a number of attractive ladies right after Liz and I...called it quits."

 

     "Yeah," Rick snorted.  "And you couldn't even remember half their names.  Not to mention the fact that several of them turned out to be married, and their pissed-off husbands were just itchin' to crack your skull against a slab of concrete."

 

     "I've already told you a half a dozen times I didn't know they were married.  They'd taken off their wedding rings and conveniently left that little piece of information out of the 'getting to know you,' portion of the conversation.  I don't date married women."

 

     "Glad to hear it."  Rick placed a hand in-between his brother's shoulder blades and urged him toward the stairs once more.   " ‘Cause Katie's not married, so she's just your kinda

gal."

 

     "Rick, I haven't been on a blind date in years.  Not since I was in college.  I don't like blind dates!"

 

     "Who does?  But once an' a while they're a cross all single men have to bear, little brother."

 

     "Not this single man.  Not anymore.  Besides, it was you who barely a month ago was telling me I had to slow down."

 

     "Slow down, yes.  But not come to a complete halt."  Rick let go of his brother to perch on the arm of the easy chair.  "Look, A.J., I know this thing with Liz threw you for a loop."

 

     "I don't want to talk about Liz."

 

     "I know you don't.  But I think you need to.  You thought she was waiting for you to ask her to marry you, only to find out she was screwin' around with another guy behind your back. That had to come as a pretty big shock."

 

     A.J. tried to make his shrug seem indifferent, but instead it only spoke volumes to Rick as to how much Liz's rebuff had hurt his younger brother. 

 

"I don't think she was cheating on me while we were seeing one another.  Liz wasn't that kind of woman.  She kept pressuring me to propose, and when I wouldn't she found someone to take my place.  When I finally decided to ask her to marry me, it was too late.  I'd waited too long."

 

     Under his breath Rick muttered,  "Not in my opinion you didn't."

 

     "What?"

 

     "I said sometimes those things happen.  If you and Liz were meant for each other then you woulda' ended up gettin' hitched.  It didn't turn out that way though, so it just wasn't meant to be.  That's what you have to keep tellin' yourself, kid."

 

     A.J.'s eyes fell to the floor and he sighed.  "Yeah, I know."

 

     Rick reached up and clapped his brother's arm.  "And for just that reason I've set you up with Katie tonight.  You need to go out and have a good time with the kinda woman you deserve.  Not like those others you were seein' a few weeks back.  The trashy ones who give you a phony name and lie about bein' married."

 

     A.J.'s eyes took on a mischievous twinkle.  "You mean the kind you've been dating your entire life?"

 

     "Yep," Rick grinned.  "Those are the ones.  But see, the difference between you and me is, I'm used to those kind of women.  I know how to handle 'em.  And their husbands.  You don't.  You're too classy for cheap bimbos like them.  Even I'm gettin' too classy for those kind of gals.  Leslie's really making me see the other side."

 

     A.J. couldn't disagree with that.  Leslie was different from most of the women Rick had dated.  She wasn't just a casual one-night stand, or someone to take to Baja for the weekend.  Rick had been seeing her for three months now. Which made this the first serious steady relationship A.J. could recall his brother ever being involved in.

 

     And another thing that was different about Leslie was that A.J. liked her, too.  She wasn't just another woman friend of Rick's that passed through his brother's life whom A.J. either didn't care for, or didn't get the chance to know before she was replaced by another.  Leslie was an intelligent, hard-working,

compassionate individual.  A dedicated assistant to Marlowe's veterinarian.  All in all, quite different from most of the women Rick had been involved with in the past.          

 

     A.J. supposed that if Katie was Leslie's cousin she couldn't be all that bad.  But still, the thought of a blind date didn't sound overly appealing to the blond.

 

     "And you've met this Katie?"

 

     Rick nodded.  "Several times."

 

     "And she's normal?"

 

     "Normal as you and me."   

 

A.J.'s eyebrows rose.  "As normal as you and me?"

    

"Okay, okay.  As normal as you.  Really, A.J., I'm not kiddin' ya'.  She's a nice lady.  And a heck of a looker, too.  Not to mention built just like you like 'em.  Long and leggy with full firm tit--"

 

     "Rick!"

 

     "What?"  Innocence oozed out of Rick's mouth like honey from a jar. "That is the kind of woman you go for, isn't it?"

 

     "Well...sometimes I guess it is.  But not because that's specifically what I set out looking for.  I

just...I'd just like to go out with a lady who shares some of my interests."

 

     Rick gave a satisfactory nod.  "That's Katie."

 

     "And who has a brain in her head.  Who can carry on an intelligent conversation about a variety of subjects."

 

     "That's Katie, too."

 

     "And who just wants to have a good time without any strings attached.  Just someone who's looking for an occasional dinner out, or a Sunday afternoon bike ride in the park."

 

     "That description has Katie written all over it, A.J."

 

     A.J.'s eyes narrowed with suspicion.  "If this woman is as wonderful as you say she is, how come half the single men in San Diego aren't lined up ahead of me waiting to ask her out?"

 

     "Because she hasn't been too interested in dating lately."

 

     "Why not?"

 

     "She just moved here six weeks ago from North Carolina.   Her fiancé called off their wedding."

 

     "Oh."

 

     "So she's been kinda down, ya' know?  Not too enthusiastic about starting up another relationship."

 

     A.J. understood all too well.  "I see."

 

     "But then Leslie was telling her about you, and after a few days of thinking it over Katie gave Les permission for us to set the two of you up."

 

     "What about my permission?"

 

     "I figured if I asked too far ahead of time you'd say no."

 

     "You figured right."

 

     "I know.  That's why I waited as long as I did.  So come, get a move on. We're supposed to pick the girls up at Leslie's place at five o'clock sharp."

 

     "And if I agree to go along, where are we going from there?"

 

     "Out to dinner first.  Then to a movie."

 

     A.J. thought a moment.  It sounded innocent enough.  Just dinner and a movie with his brother and Leslie and Leslie's cousin.  He supposed it beat sitting home alone on another Saturday night.

 

     "All right," the blond finally conceded.  "I'll go."

 

     Rick's enthusiasm burst through his grin.  "That's great!   I know you'll have a terrific time."

 

     A.J. raised a warning finger.  "But there's one condition."

 

     "What's that?"

 

     "That there's no pressure.  That if Katie and I don't hit it off, you won't ask me to go out with her again.  That there will be no hard feelings between you and me, or between me and Leslie over this."

 

     "There won't be," Rick promised.  "Leslie and I already discussed it.  If this isn't right for either you or Katie, then so be it.  It won't be mentioned again."

 

     "Okay.  I'm going to hold you to that."

 

     "Fine."  Rick pushed himself off the chair.  "Go on and get ready. I still have to shower and shave, too.  I'll meet you outside in half an hour."

 

     "Whose vehicle are we going to take?  We won't all fit in your truck or the Camaro, at least not comfortably...or Leslie's little Horizon for that matter."

 

     "I know.  I guess I'll have to take my truck and you'll have to take your car."

 

     A.J. wrinkled his nose.  "I don't know, Rick.  If Katie and I don't hit it off, it could end up to be a pretty uncomfortable evening if I have to drive her--"

 

     "Don't worry about it.  You'll hit it off.  And besides, riding together in the Camaro without me and Leslie breathing over your shoulders will give you two a chance to get to know one another."

 

     The blond head shook with doubt.  "I don't--"

 

     "Go on, A.J."  Rick gave his brother a final push toward the stairs.  "Quit worryin' and go get your shower.  You're gonna have a great time."

 

      As the kitchen door shut signaling Rick's departure for the Hole in the Water, A.J. sighed and slowly climbed the stairs.

 

     "Sometimes I wonder how I let you talk me into another one of your schemes.  You'd think I'd have learned my lesson by now."

 

__________________

 

 

     The evening turned out to be far more enjoyable than A.J. could have ever imagined.   Rather than being awkward and uncomfortable with one another, he and Katie were immediately at

ease.

 

     Rick hadn't stretched the truth in the slightest when he'd said Katie was an attractive woman.  Actually, he'd down played her beauty.  She was tall and slender like Rick had said, and possessed a flawlessly rich peaches and cream complexion.  She viewed the world through eyes as large and innocent as a child's in a startling shade of deep plum.  Her nose was small and straight, her lips full and inviting.  Her flaxen hair fell in full, carefully brushed waves to the middle of her back.

 

     A.J. appreciated women with style, and of that Katie had plenty. Her sleeveless cornflower blue dress spoke softly of summer and a casual evening out with friends.   It had an Empire waist and buttoned up the front.  The bodice, while not overly snug, was fitted just enough to emphasize the woman's lithe build and full breasts.  The skirt was loose and free flowing, and ended just above shapely bare knees.  The neckline dipped down to Katie's collarbone.  A gold chain encircled her throat and she wore a matching bracelet around her right wrist.  The rich California tan she had already acquired allowed her to forego the formality of nylons.  Her long legs were smooth and well toned, giving A.J. the indication she was no stranger to

physical exertion.  Her bright white shoes were made of soft canvas and styled like a ballerina's slippers.   

 

     Katie had been just as apprehensive about this evening as A.J. She thought she'd be lucky if he turned out to possess half the attributes Rick and Leslie claimed of him.  And she didn't think he could be anywhere near as handsome as Leslie said.  Katie even tried to beg off at the last minute, calling her cousin at four o'clock to say she was sick.

 

     "Sure you are," Leslie replied.  "Katie, you're not sick and we both know it.  Now come on.  Get ready and drive over here.  The guys will be here in an hour.  You'll like A.J.  I promise.  He's a great guy."

 

     "I'm sure he is.  But after David--"

 

     "Kate, you're going to have to put David in the past.  I'm sorry to be so blunt, but it's over.  You have to face that.  Now come on. Tonight's your chance to meet someone new."

 

     "But, Les...I don't know.  I've been thinking that I  should stay home tonight.   Maybe David will call.   After all, today was--"

 

     "Katie, he's not going to call.  He's not going to call, or write, or suddenly appear on your doorstep like some kind of Prince Charming out of a fairy tale.  Just for this evening forget that David ever existed."

 

     "But you said A.J.'s thirty-six.  Don't you think he's a little too--"

 

     Leslie issued her final command before hanging up on her cousin. "Katie, if your rear end isn't in my house in exactly forty five minutes I swear I'll come over there and drag you out of that apartment by the roots of your hair."

 

     Butterflies were dancing in unsynchronized rhythm in Katie's stomach when Leslie's doorbell rang.  If she could have dashed out the back without her cousin coming after her she would have.  Facing a blind date was difficult enough after the certainties a three year engagement brings to one's life, but

making the situation even more difficult was the fact that Leslie had just told Katie she'd have to ride to the restaurant alone with A.J. 

 

     Within seconds of meeting A.J., however, all of Katie's apprehensions vanished. 

 

     Gosh, he's gorgeous.  And such a gentleman.

 

     Just like A.J. appreciated a woman with a sense of style, Katie appreciated that quality in a man.  The blond detective was dressed in a pair of casual cargo style midnight blue trousers.  The oxford shirt he wore was short sleeved and striped in three shades of blue.  Katie immediately took note of his trim waist,

broad chest, and prominent biceps muscles that told her he lifted weights among other things.  She didn't know what kind of aftershave he was wearing, but she loved its musky scent.

 

     Leslie and Rick tried to pave the way for the blond couple, but ended up exchanging amused smiles when it became clear that A.J. and Katie weren't in need of assistance.  The younger couple

quickly discovered they were reading the same novel and had been forced to stop that afternoon on almost the exact same page. An animated discussion followed over what had already occurred in the book, and where they both thought the story was heading.

 

       Rick ushered everyone out the door soon thereafter.  The Camaro followed the Power Wagon onto the street.   Rick glanced in the rear view mirror at every stoplight.   After they'd driven several miles he couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

 

     "What?"  Leslie asked from where she sat snuggled against him. "What's so funny?"

 

     Rick's eyes flicked to the mirror again.  "A.J. and Katie. Their mouths haven't stopped moving since we pulled out of your driveway."

 

     Leslie started to look over her shoulder.

 

     "No, no,” Rick commanded.  "Don't turn around.  We don't wannna make them self-conscious about it."

 

     Leslie nodded.  "You're right.  I'm just glad they're enjoying one another's company.  Katie really needs to meet a guy like A.J. after what that jerk David did to her.  She needs to learn how to live again."

 

     "Tell me about it.  A.J. too.  Katie's the first woman he's been out with since Liz that I can honestly say he's got something in common with.  She's not just someone to hit the sack with, or to avoid going somewhere alone with."

 

     Leslie's eyes twinkled as she looked up at her beau.  "It looks like you and I make a pretty good pair of matchmakers, Mr. Simon."

 

     Without taking his eyes off the road Rick leaned down and gave Leslie a kiss on the lips.  "I couldn't agree more, Miss Hayes."

 

 

__________________

 

 

     As the evening progressed it only grew more enjoyable for the blond man.  The restaurant Leslie and Rick had chosen had something for everyone on its menu.  It was neither too formal nor too informal, but rather middle of the road.  The perfect place in which to take a blind date.  The movie afterwards was

the same way - a well-acted, uproariously funny comedy that stayed within the lines of decency and good taste.  Again, the perfect type of movie to see with a woman you've only known a few hours.

 

     Afterward the couples walked several storefronts down from the movie theatre to a quaint ice cream parlor fashioned after those of an era long since past.  They sat around a black wrought iron table laughing and talking and eating sundaes until ten thirty.

 

     The Camaro followed the Power Wagon back to Leslie's house.  The woman invited A.J. and Katie in, but the blonds politely declined.  A.J. held Katie's car door open for her before saying good night to both his brother and Leslie.  He backed onto the street and waited for Katie to pull out in front of him.

Although she had told him it wasn't necessary, A.J. insisted on following Katie to her apartment to insure her safe arrival.  Right before he drove away, A.J. saw Rick follow Leslie into the house.

 

     Guess that means I'm in charge of Marlowe tonight, the blond thought with amusement.

 

     A.J. parked his car in the small section reserved for visitors in the parking lot outside Katie's apartment building.  He walked her to the main entrance and stood with her while she unlocked the door.

 

     Because of the lateness of the hour, A.J. followed the woman into the brightly lit foyer and up a flight of carpeted stairs.  The hallway she led him down was softly illuminated with recessed lighting.  Katie's neighbors appeared to be a quiet bunch, as A.J. couldn't even detect the sound of a television coming from behind the closed doors they passed.

 

 

     Katie stopped at the last door on the left.  The gold numbers on the outside labeled it 204.  She and A.J. were within an inch of being the same height.  When Katie turned around she didn't even have to look up at him. 

 

     The woman smiled and issued a demur invitation in her soft Carolina drawl.  "Would you like to come in for a few minutes?  It won't take me long to make us a pot of coffee."

 

     A.J. was tired, and hadn't given it a thought that Katie might ask him inside once they arrived at her door.  He hoped she didn't feel obligated to.

 

     "It's late," he smiled in return.  "And I'm sure you're tired. Perhaps another time."

 

     She reached up and laid a hand on his arm.  "Really, A.J.  I'd like you to come in.  You don't have to stay long.  I'd just like someone to...to talk to for a few minutes.  I've been lonely since I moved here."

 

     "I'm sure you have been," A.J. sympathized.  "I'm sure it hasn't been easy to move so far away from your family and friends."

 

     The young woman's eyes fell to the floor.  "No.  No, it hasn't been."

 

     A.J. felt sorry for this small town girl so far from everything familiar.  And despite the lateness of the hour and his own weariness, A.J. had to admit that a shared pot of coffee and quiet conversation with a woman with whom he had a great deal in common sounded good for a change.  Darn good. 

 

     "All right.  I'll come in.  But only if you're sure it's not an inconvenience."

 

     Katie's head came up and her full mouth broke into a sincere smile revealing her flawless white teeth. "It couldn't possibly be."

 

     The interior of Katie's apartment looked as A.J. had imagined it would.  It was spotlessly clean, without so much as a stray shoe or piece of mail out of place.  The kitchen and living room were decorated in a warm country motif that blended tones of deep blues, rich greens, and soft peaches to give the urban apartment a cozy air. A short hallway straight ahead of the foyer held to a bathroom.  The apartment's only bedroom was on one side of that bathroom, and a small linen closet on the other.

 

     "Make yourself comfortable on the sofa," Katie instructed.

"I'll be there in just a minute."

 

     The kitchen and living room were separated by nothing more than a raised breakfast bar.  Conversation flowed easily between the couple as Katie moved effortlessly from the refrigerator to the cabinets.

 

     Dark fragrant coffee was poured into thin china cups.  The dishes were adorned with delicate hand-painted lilacs and baby's breath.  The cups, as well as saucers and spoons, were set on a

silver serving tray.  Katie added a tiny matching pitcher of cream and the matching china sugar bowl.   She reached in the cookie jar and filled a china plate with oatmeal cookies. 

 

     A.J. rose to take the tray from her when she entered the room.  He carefully set it on the coffee table.   

 

     "I didn't realize we were going to be so formal," he teased. "Nor did I realize we were going to eat another meal."

 

     Katie's delicate laugh rippled like tiny bells throughout the room.  "I love to bake.  Ever since I was a little girl I've wanted nothing more than a houseful of children to bake cookies for, just like my mama used to do for my brothers and sisters and me. She always had a plate of warm cookies and cold glasses of

milk waiting for us each day after school."

 

     A.J. smiled with fond memory.  "That sounds like my mother."

 

     The couple sat next to each other on the couch.  Katie reached for a coffee cup and handed it to A.J. 

 

     "Help yourself to the cookies."

 

     A.J. leaned forward.  "I will.  Thank you."  He took a bite of the thick chewy dessert.  "Mmmmm.  These are fantastic.  Even better than the ones I make."

 

     "You bake?"  Kate had never before met a man who was so comfortable with himself and his masculinity as to admit he enjoyed an endeavor often associated with only the female gender.  

 

     A.J. nodded.   "I like to cook.  It became sort of a hobby of mine while I was in college."

 

     Katie smiled warmly.  "Just one more thing we have in common, A.J."

 

     The detective couldn't help but smile in return.  "It sounds that way."

 

     The couple sat together and talked while sipping coffee and nibbling on cookies.  They discovered more common interests as their conversation progressed, and A.J. began to think that it might not be a half bad idea to make another date with this beautiful Southern lady.

 

     The blond man glanced at his watch and sat his coffee cup down on the tray.

 

     "Would you like more coffee, A.J.?  Or another cookie?"

 

     "No, no.  Thank you.  I don't normally eat cookies at midnight.  Especially after eating ice cream only an hour before.  That's more my brother's style."

 

     "A bottomless pit, huh?"  

 

A.J. laughed.  "Yes.  As a matter of fact he is."

 

     Katie nodded.  "I have a brother like that, too."

 

     Katie's empty cup chattered delicately against the saucer when she sat the dishes down and slid the tray to the far end of the coffee table.  A.J. took this as his signal to call it a night and started to rise.

 

     "Katie, I've had wonderful time this evening, and I'd really like to see you--"

 

     Katie reached up and snagged A.J.'s arm.  Before the blond realized what was happening, she'd yanked him back down to a sitting position.

 

     The woman's smile was overflowing with adoration and she gazed deeply into his eyes.  "I've had a wonderful time too, A.J.  Thank you.  Thank you for everything."

 

     Suddenly, A.J. wasn't too sure about the signals Katie was broadcasting.  He wriggled his hand out of her grasp.  "You're welcome.  But I need to be going.  It's late, and I'm sure you're ti--"

 

     Katie firmly planted both her hands against the blond's chest.  With all the skill of a high school wrestler, she flung him backwards and hurled her lithe shapely body on top of his.  

 

     "I'm not tired," she whispered seductively while nipping tenderly at his right ear.   "And you don't have to go.  I'd like it if you stayed here tonight."

 

     It was funny how just a few weeks earlier A.J. had been bedding a good number of women on the first date and not thinking twice about it.  But somewhere since then he'd gotten his perspective back and come to his senses.  That wasn't his normal style.  He liked to get to know a woman before he took that first intimate step.  And rarely did he ever feel he knew a woman that well after only one date.  Even a woman like Katie,

with whom he shared so many interests.

 

     Katie's full lips began to rain tiny kisses over A.J.'s face. He brought his hands up and gently but firmly grasped her shoulders.  He lifted her off his supine body just enough to hold her suspended several inches above him.   Her wheat colored hair cascaded down over his chest and tickled his bare throat. 

 

     "Katie...I don't think tonight's the night for us to start something like--"

 

     Katie disengaged herself from A.J.'s grasp and her full weight came to rest upon him once more.   Her roving fingers moved to caress his strong chest.  "Yes it is, A.J."  

 

     Katie slipped open three buttons on the blond's shirt and slid a warm teasing hand inside.

 

     "Katie--"

 

     The seductress leaned forward and pressed her lips against A.J.'s, effectively cutting off his protests.  She pried his right hand from her wrist and moved it to a silky leg.  She tried to further entice the handsome man by gliding his hand up that bare leg until it was under her dress.

 

     "Go ahead, A.J.," came her husky invitation.  "Do whatever you'd like." 

 

     Right at that moment it would have been so easy for A.J. Simon to totally abandon himself to the pleasures the beautiful woman sensually moving on top of him was offering.  The hand caressing his chest, and the teeth gently nibbling his lips, held the promise of sexual ecstasy. But for some reason, the entire situation seemed off-kilter to the blond man.  This temptress who had suddenly transformed into an aggressive tigress was hardly the same demur young woman of gentile Southern manners A.J. had spent the evening with.  His detective's sixth sense told him something was amiss. 

 

     Katie's palm moved to lightly travel over the front of A.J.'s trousers.  When she reached for his zipper both his hands darted down to stop her.

 

     "Katie, don't."

 

     Katie's blond head dipped and her tongue flicked out to lick A.J.'s bare chest.   "But, A.J.--"

 

     A.J.'s hold tightened painfully on Katie's wrists.  With one deft move he thrust the woman off himself and sat her none too gently on the couch.  His voice was hard and stern. 

 

     "I said don't."

 

     A.J. needed no more words.  His firm tone and the inflexible expression on his face spoke volumes to the young woman.

 

     The detective was taken aback by her reaction.  Katie covered her face in her hands and began to cry.  Not small, phony cries meant to lure him closer in sympathy, but rather deep wracking sobs that left her gasping for breath.

 

     "Katie?  Katie, what's wrong?  Look...that...what happened just now wasn't a brush-off.  I mean, it's not that I don't find you attractive and desirable.  It's just that I think you were moving a little too fast...for both of us."

 

     A.J. could barely make out the woman's hiccuped words. Her shoulders heaved in rhythm with the spasms of her diaphragm.

 

     "I...I..I... kno...know.  I...know.   But I...I...I'm still...I'm a virg...virg...virgin, A.J.

A twenty...twenty...twenty-one year old virgin. Probably the only twenty-one year old virg...virg...virgin

left in the entire U...U...United States."

 

     Twenty-one!  A virgin!    

 

The flabbergasted detective sat there staring at the young woman, his mouth agape, while he quickly buttoned up his shirt.  Had the circumstances been different, A.J. would have been amused at how Katie made her age sound so old, while to him it sounded so young.  But considering all she'd just revealed he was having a hard time finding any humor in the situation.

 

     Thanks a lot, Rick.

 

     "Well then if you...if you're...if you're a..." A.J. attempted to speak coherently before being forced to start over. "If you knew things were moving too quickly, why did you start them in the first place?"

 

     Katie stammered out between her sobs,  "Be...be...because I wan...wan...want to have your ba...ba...baby."

 

     A.J. was certain his strangled shout could be heard two apartments away.

 

     "You what!"

 

     A.J.'s shocked roar only made Katie cry harder.  When her sobs didn't subside the blond man scooted closer and placed a chaste arm around her shoulders.     

 

"Katie, don't cry. Come on. I'm not angry.  Just...confused.  Come on now, stop crying please."

 

     A.J.'s gentle words and comforting presence caused the woman's sobs to begin to abate.   When she reached up to wipe her eyes with her hands A.J. retrieved the clean white monogrammed handkerchief from his back pocket. 

 

     "Here.  Use this."

 

     Katie's long hair hid her face as she nodded her thanks.  She dabbed at the tears in the corners of her red eyes then blew her nose.  She pulled away from A.J. and leaned back against the couch, exhausted by her emotional storm.  She brought her long legs up and tucked them underneath her dress.   She held

onto A.J.'s handkerchief, nervously twisting it between her slender fingers.

 

     A.J. remained perched on the edge of the sofa.  "Are you okay now?"

 

     "Yes...yes.  I am sorry, A.J.," Katie drawled softly in a nasally tone thick with the aftermath of tears.  "You've been more of a gentleman about this than I deserve.  If you want to leave now...well, I understand."

 

     "I'm not going to leave until I know for sure you're all right.  And until I know what you meant about wanting to have my baby."

 

     "I sincerely apologize for that.  I don't know what overcame me.  It's just that...just that David...my former fiancé David and I..." Katie's voice quivered like a sprung bow.  "We were supposed to be married today, Aaay Jaay," came the woman's weepy wail.  "This was supposed to be my wedding day."

 

     A.J. leaned back and took the young woman in his arms once more as her wail climbed to a high soprano and her sobs rapidly grew out of control.  The detective was at a loss as to how best to proceed in this type of situation.  He finally settled on allowing Katie to cry into his chest while he comforted softly, "It's all right, Katie.  Don't cry.  Everything's going to be all right."

 

     "I'm sorry.  I'm very sorry," The woman apologized in a shaky voice from the vicinity of A.J.'s shirtfront.  "I feel like such a fool.  I just...all I ever wanted was a husband and a

houseful of babies.  I know a lot of women think I'm old fashioned.  Leslie does.  But nothing could make me happier than having one baby growing inside me, while another one sits on my hip, while a toddler pulls at my skirt.  I've wanted to be a wife and mother for as long as I can remember.  And I thought I would

have that with David.  I loved him so much, A.J.  He was my high school sweetheart.  But he called off our wedding just three months ago because he fell in love with another woman.   I already had my dress bought,  the hall was rented, the caterer hired, and my bridesmaids had purchased their dresses.  It was

so humiliating having to phone everyone and tell them the wedding was cancelled.   Those dishes there, the china dishes we used tonight, were an early wedding gift from my parents." Katie's purple eyes swam in water once more.  "They were supposed to go in our new home."

 

     "But that still doesn't explain to me why you said what you did.  About wanting to have my baby."

 

     Katie brought her head up and moved out of the protective circle of A.J.'s arms.   She was unable to meet the detective's gaze. 

 

      "I...I thought if we slept together tonight I might get pregnant."

 

     A.J.'s eyebrows disappeared into his bangs.  "You planned this?  You knew all along you were goin