"You want me to bring extra strawberries Rol?"
"Huh?"
"Extra strawberries?"
"Yeah, you know I like them." He grinned.
Angie smiled back and returned to packing the picnic basket. She had begun to notice a change in her best friend ever since his eyesight returned. He seemed to notice things more now...like her new haircut. They had been working post production on their last film and out of the blue he said he liked it. Before it had taken him over a week, that was if he noticed at all but she had gone to the stylist just the afternoon before. He also seem to wear more colors now, like the mustard button down shirt he currently wore with stone washed jeans and sandals. Sandals! She had never seen him wear them outside the loft. Oh, and they went out to dinner more often now too! He never used the "D" word but they certainly felt like dates to her.
"Okay, ready." She said picking up the basket.
Rollie took it and held out his arm which she accepted.
"That dress really brings out your eyes."
"Thanks...I like that color on you."
"A man can only wear black for so long til his eyes are opened." The Aussie joked and escorted her outside. "Blue, security." He called and locked up then helped Angie into the truck placing the basket on the floor by her feet.
"A man's eyes can be opened to other things too." She said not daring to look at him.
"They certainly can." He agreed softly and closed the door.
Angie smoothed her cobalt sun dress out and wondered if he meant the same thing she did but didn't have the courage to ask him when he got in.
"So what do you think Jake's place look like?" She asked after several minutes of silence. "Rol?" She asked again when he didn't reply.
"Oh...uh...knowing our producer, big, lavish." He chuckled.
She nodded smiling.
Jake Summerfield was a wealthy man who got that way by building his own studio and had the knack for hiring up and coming talent and marketing his B movies just the right way to draw audiences. Rollie and Angie had been hired after working with one of his up and coming actresses on a previous picture. The woman had raved about Rollie and the call came from Jake himself who they met and immediately liked and agreed to work for. His summer house was in West Chester which was where the elite lived and she could help but picture a sprawling mansion. If it didn't live up to that she was really going to be disappointed!
"How about some music?" Rollie asked.
Angie reached over and turned the radio on just as Celine Dion sang
'I will fall
And you will catch me always
Time has taught me this
I will fly
And you'll be there to guide me
Straight up to my heart's highest wish
I feel you close to me
And I know what love is'
Angie glanced at Rollie who seemed to be concentrating on driving and she sighed softly.
"She's got a beautiful voice."
"I thought you didn't like her."
"No, I got tired of hearing 'My Heart Will Go On'." He answered with a smirk.
"No wonder you groaned everytime I played it." She chuckled.
"We should go to a concert Ange, its been a long time."
"Yeah...but I don't think Donna Summer is on tour still." Angie snickered.
"Low blow Angela! I like some of the newer groups!"
"Oh...like Air Supply?"
"You're asking for it!"
"Face it Rol, you are soooooo old."
"All right." He replied and reached over to tickle her.
"Cop!"
Rollie gripped the wheel and checked his mirrors.
"I don't see him."
"I'm sure there's one around here somewhere."
"I'm gonna get you!" He vowed and arched an eyebrow. "When you least expect it, expect it." He added in his Sean Connery voice.
"You'll forget. Old age does that." She cracked.
"Just keep digging that hole sweetie."
A song by the Rolling Stones came on and Angie started laughing.
Rollie muttered something about no respect and Angie sang along to 'Satisfaction'.
Rollie opened the windows to get the breeze. It was still warm out on the last summer holiday, technically it was the Sunday before...September 7th to be exact.
The Aussie sighed softly.
"Rol? You want me to drive?"
"No, I'm good."
She could tell something was on his mind.
"Rol---WHOA!" She exclaimed as Rollie fought to keep the truck on the road. He managed to pull off to the side several yards later and they looked at each other breathless.
"You okay?" He asked looking her over.
"Yeah. What happened?"
"I think we blew a tire." He replied climbing out and checking. "Yep." Rollie sighed seeing the back passenger one flat.
Angie climbed out and went back hearing a soft 'bloody hell'.
"Where's the tire?" She asked seeing him empty handed.
"You remember the extra equipment we used last week?"
"Yeah."
"How we used the truck to haul it to and from the set?"
"You forgot to put the spare back." She deduced.
Rollie nodded ruefully.
"I'll call AAA." She squeezed his arm.
Rollie examined the flat again then walked over just as she was finishing the call.
"An hour." She reported.
"Will the food stay?"
"I didn't put the packs in." Angie shook her head.
Rollie nodded and went to the back of the truck and returned with a blanket which he placed on the ground well away from the truck and the road then he retrieved the basket and some plasticware from the glove compartment.
"Let's eat." He smiled.
The ate the taco salad and strawberries and shared a bottle of water Angie had brought along if they got thirsty.
"I'm...I'm kind of glad we got a flat." She admitted. "This is really nice."
Rollie rose and she felt a wave of disappointment then half turned at hearing the music. Rollie held out his hand and helped her to her feet and they danced together.
"Rol?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you okay? You seemed distracted earlier." She said looking up at him.
"It's Father's Day." He sighed.
"For Aussies and Kiwis." He smiled.
"You're thinking of Dingo." She nodded.
"It's been a while since he's dropped in." Rollie sighed again.
"I'm sure he's okay."
"I hope so."
"He's Dingo, he has more lives than one." She teased.
"Thanks." He chuckled and sobered. "You were right...sometimes a man does notice other things...when his eyes are finally opened." He added brushing her cheek.
They kissed softly.
"Ange...will you..."
"What?"
"Will you go on a date with me?"
"You finally said the "D" word." She smiled.
"Yeah." He grinned.
"I would love to go out with you."
They held each other closer as they danced, smiling at their 'Labor Day of Love'.