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The Third Date's the Charm   ************ Nora looked into the mirror, clipping on her final earring. She sighed and smiled as her mind wondered. Had it actually been a whole week since her phone first rang? The morning had been its typical chaotic self as she rushed about to get Matthew ready for school.   “Hello,” she said breathlessly into the phone.   “Hi Red,” his voice sounded over the phone.   Nora sank to the sofa. It had been so long since she had heard him utter those words, the sound of his voice causing her breath to catch. She held the phone tighter.   “Red?… Are you there?” he asked after her long pause.   “Bo?” she said so softly he could hardly hear.   “Yes,” he smiled and chuckled slightly. “Guess you weren’t expecting a call from me, huh?”   She shook her head, her eyes flooding with moisture, coughing slightly to clear the lump in her throat, she took a deep breath and forced a smile to her stunned face, “Um… No… I… Ah…” frowning at the frustration of being tongue-tied she shook herself to regain composure, “What can I do for you, Bo?” she finally was able to ask.   “Go out with me Friday,” he said quickly anxiously waiting for her reply.   “What?” she asked, unsure she heard him clearly.   “Do you have plans for Friday night?” he asked again.   “No…” she said cautiously.   “Well… Now you do,” he said confidently.   “But Bo…”   “I’ll pick you up at 6:30,” he smiled, her continued silence making him chuckle. “Oh… And Red?”   “Yes?…” she uttered.   “Wear comfortable shoes,” with that he hung up the phone and reclined back on the sofa, relieved that it was finally over. His smile grew as he looked around the familiar room and thought about Friday night.   Nora sat, staring at the beeping receiver before numbly placing it down. “I have a date with Bo…” she said to herself, unsure how it all happened. Leaning back against the sofa, she ran her hand through her hair, “I have a date with… Bo…”   So here she was getting ready for her date, looking pretty stunning if she said so herself. She glanced down at her low heels and smiled, “These should be comfortable enough.” Her eyes shot up to look at her image in the mirror when she heard the doorbell ring. “He’s here,” she smiled to her reflection, her heart racing.   The awkwardness of the greeting at the door was felt by both. Nora fought the urge to hug him as he stood there. Bo struggled to get the idiot grin from his face. After a few awkward seconds, Nora finally chuckled and motioned for him to enter.   “Please, Bo… Come in…”   “Thanks, Red, I thought you were going to leave me out there.”   “I’m sorry,” she apologized, feeling as nervous as she did on their first date. “Your call took me by surprise,” she said, watching him turn.   Bo smiled, “I’ve wanted to do it so many times.” They both look at one another, “I’ve waited way too long,” he said, shaking his head.   Nora swallowed hard, fighting the emotions flooding her. Putting on a smile, “So where to, Commish?”   When she spoke his nickname their eyes locked. In that one moment, four years of heartache fell away.   Bo smiled and glanced down at her shoes, “Where else would we go on our first date, Red?” and he pulled a piece of paper out of his wallet and unfolded it.   Nora squinted as she tried to read the print, Bo’s smile never faded, “A dance contest?” she asked, looking up into his eyes. He just nodded with a big grin.   Holding his arm out to her, she took hold and he escorted her out of the house.   The evening was too perfect. Secretly, Nora kept pinching herself, expecting to wake up any moment. They, of course, dazzled on the dance floor. Some couples stood back, trying to recollect when they last saw a couple dance so well. There was no talk of past mistakes, lingering hurt, or what if’s. They were together, feeling like they had never been apart.   The contest ended and “The Ringers” as the other dancers started calling them, exited the club with the trophy in hand. The ride back to Nora’s was traveled mostly in silence, each occasionally glancing at the trophy.   “What a night,” Nora sighed, leaning her head against the headrest.   “We’ve still got it, don’t we, Red?” Bo asked, glancing over at her.   “We sure do,” she smiled.   “So… What are you doing tomorrow?” Bo asked, eyebrows raised.   “Tomorrow?”   “Yeah… Tomorrow. Like, go to bed, wake up… Tomorrow?”   “Um...” she ran her hand through her hair trying to think. “Matthew has a ballgame tomorrow afternoon…”   “Perfect!” Bo quickly said.   “Huh?” Nora asked.   “When and Where?”   “Um…” frowning slightly, “Um… Bradshaw Field at 12:30,” Nora replied, slightly surprised by his enthusiasm.   “OK!” he said, pulling into her drive. “I’ll see you tomorrow at 12:30.”   “But Bo…” she began, unbuckling her seatbelt, “You don’t have to…”   “I want to Red,” he said sincerely, looking into her brown eyes. He slowly reached up to caress her face and her pulse quickened. “I want to…” he emphasized, turning to open his door.   Nora watched, stunned by the turn of events as Bo walked around the car and opened her door. She pinched herself one more time. He held out his hand and she placed hers into his, his fingers tightening as she stepped out of the car.   They walked to her front door, her hand still held firmly in his, both standing on the landing, Nora turned to look into his eyes.   “Thank you, Bo, for a wonderful evening,” she hugged the trophy to her chest.   “My pleasure,” he said, still holding her other hand. “I’ll see you at the ball field tomorrow?” he asked, eyebrows raised and she nodded. He smiled warmly as he leaned in and placed a warm kiss on her cheek, so close that she could feel his breath caress her lips as he pulled away. Their eyes locked.   He released her hand and she stood there, mesmerized, “Until tomorrow,” he said quietly, not wanting to pull his eyes away from her.   “Until tomorrow,” she sighed and held the trophy tighter. She stood, transfixed, as she watched him get into his car. He waved as he put the car in reverse, and she returned his wave. As he drove off, she brought her hand up to the spot Bo had kissed, the heat still emanating. “Until Tomorrow…” she struggled to say and turned and entered the house.   Nora was sitting on the bleachers, watching the coaches get their teams ready to play. She saw him, long before he picked her out of the crowd of parents and grandparents. When he did finally see her, the smile that crossed his face made her pulse quicken.   He approached, climbing the nine steps to her row and held up a brown bag, “What’s a ballgame without hotdogs,” he said proudly.   Nora’s smile grew and her mouth began to water, “Chilidogs?” she asked.   As he sat beside her, he feigned hurt feelings, “What else?” he asked in astonishment and she grabbed the bag from his hand.   “So… where’s Matthew?” he asked, combing the players.   “He’s playing short,” she said, taking a bite of the chilidog and rolling her eyes back in ecstasy. “M’mm… This is heaven…” she mumbled through her chewing.   Bo chuckled and leaned in close, “It’s good, Red, but have you forgotten what was truly heaven” his grin never fading.   She swallowed hard and hoped he didn’t notice the crimson creeping up her face, “Um…” she sipped her Pepsi, “Um…”   Bo chuckled at her embarrassment and smiled, still leaning in close, “Ah… I see you do remember,”   Finally seeing the teasing in his eyes, she nudged him with her elbow, “Watch the game, Buchanan,” she said, taking another bite of her hotdog.   Bo laughed as he sat up straight and turned his attention to the field. Nora took the opportunity to admire his profile as she covertly watched him from over her napkin.   The game was close, but Matthew just couldn’t get on base. Each time he would hit the ball to right field and they would throw him out at first base.   Watching Matthew walk back to the dugout, feeling dejected, was breaking Nora and Bo’s hearts.   “I’ll be right back,” Bo said, rising to step down the bleachers.   Nora was surprised, but soon could see where he was headed.   “Hey Buddy,” Bo said, stooping down to speak through the fence.   “Hi Uncle Bo,” Matthew said, eyes turned downward.   “Having a tough time, huh?” Bo asked.   “Yeah… I can’t get on base,” he said, feeling dejected.   “Can I give you a pointer?” Bo asked.   “Sure…” Matthew replied, kicking the dirt and slowly looking into Bo’s eyes.   “Just choke up on the bat, that’s all you’ve got to do.”   “Choke up?” Matthew asked.   “Yep…” Bo said with a smile, “You choke up and I’ll guarantee you, you’ll get on base.”   Matthew smiled at the thought.   Nora’s heart melted, watching Bo give Matthew a pep-talk and her eyes flooded with tears as she saw Matthew’s frown turn to a smile. She quickly wiped at the tears as Bo stood up and returned to the bleachers.   Bo frowned slightly, seeing Nora wipe her eyes and when he joined her, he leaned near, “Are you OK, Red?” he asked quietly.   “Yes,” she said, again wiping her eyes. “This wind keeps blowing the dirt in my eyes.”   “Oh…” Bo said, turning his attention back to the game, noticing that there wasn’t a breath of wind. He smiled slightly to himself.   Next inning, Matthew stepped up to home plate, he glanced behind him into the stands and showed Bo how he was choking up. Bo gave him a big thumbs up and they all waited for the first pitch.   Matthew watched the ball approach and biting his bottom lip, he took a big swing. The bat made contact with the ball and it sailed into left field. Matthew dropped the bat and ran as Nora and Bo stood cheering. When he rounded first and slid into second, safe, they cheered even louder as Nora grabbed Bo in the excitement and hugged him tightly. The look on Matthew’s face as he brushed off the dirt from his pants was worth all the money in the world. Matthew looked into the stands and gave Bo a thumbs up, he in turn raised a triumphant arm.   Nora was so excited, she once again hugged Bo, this time his arms went around her too and held her tightly.   “Hell of a second date, isn’t it?” he asked, looking down into her eyes. The physical contact had her dazed and she stared blankly into his eyes, both lost in one another. Bo’s hold tightened, his head lowering…   “Down in Front!!!” the man sitting behind them yelled and they quickly separated; each sinking back to their seat, looking straight ahead, staring out into the field.   Matthew’s team won the game and he was awarded the game ball. He offered to give it to Bo but he asked him to hold onto it for him and they’d play catch one day. Matthew hugged Bo tightly, thanking him for the help as he jumped into the backset of the car.   Nora stood by the car, again wrestling with tears as Bo stepped up to her.   “Whattcha doing tonight?” Bo quietly asked, standing so near that Nora pressed her back against the door.   “Nothing that I can think of,” she smiled into his eyes.   “I’ll pick you up at 6:00?” he asked and she nodded. “Good!” he said, leaning in and placing a soft, quick kiss on her lips.   As he pulled away, she was tempted to reach up and pull him back to her but Matthew knocked on the window, startling them both. They glanced at Matthew as he proudly showed them his game ball and then they looked at one another.   Bo sighed heavily, “Until 6:00,” he said, turning to walk to his car.   Nora slowly opened the door and sank into the driver’s seat, her hand touching her lips. “Until 6:00,” she said to herself.   Bo stood at her door, promptly at 6:00. He looked so handsome that it took a moment for Nora to compose herself. Bo was having the same problem, looking at her in her black strapless dress, her hair pulled up.   “WOW!” Bo said with a smile.   “Yeah… WOW!” Nora answered, taking in his dark blue suit.   “Shall we?” he asked, again extending his arm.   “Where to tonight,” she asked as he led her to the car.   “A little trip down memory lane and somewhere where we can be alone.”   “Alone?” she asked and he slowly nodded, her smile grew as he drove down the street, “Alone is good.”   Bo’s smile spread across his face.   When they neared their destination, Nora became very quiet, afraid she’d be unable to speak without her voice breaking up. Bo stopped the car and turned to look at her.   “We’re here,” he said.   “Our old barn?” she asked, unable to take her eyes away.   “No…” he said, causing her to turn and look at him, confused, “It’s now, MY new, old barn.”   “You bought it back?” she asked.   Bo sighed, “You know how people always tell you, you shouldn’t look back, don’t live in the past, live in the ‘NOW’” he chuckled and she nodded. “Our past was too good to forget Red,” he said as he opened the car door and stepped around to let her out. They walked up to the house, so many memories flooding back as Bo unlocked the door and pushed it wide.   When she stepped inside, her breath halted. The house looked like it did the last time they lived there together, with the exception of the candles scattered about the room and the small table all set for dinner. Nora stood, stunned, feeling as if she had fallen into some type of time warp.   “Bo…” she sighed in amazement.   He smiled broadly as he walked to the table and retrieved the small gift box.   “What is this?” she asked, holding the gift in her hand.   “Open it,” he urged.   She tried to remove the wrapping without showing Bo her shaking fingers, she lifted the lid and her chin quivered at the item in front of her.   Bo saw the rush of emotion and he took it from her and pulled it from the box and held it in the light, his smile warming her soul.   “Matthew’s game ball…” she struggled to say as a tear fell down her cheek.   Bo nodded as he placed the small charm into her hand, “What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked stepping in close to kiss her.   The End!