<div class="floatleft"><div align="center">(https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/cdc1/04s7432n614occi4g.jpg)<br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">Chloe Dawson<br/>‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾</span></span></div></div><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>… it's my turn to wait ... driving in a dress felt so different and I wonder why I broke my habit of so many years and actually put on a dress .. but then when I think about about Kimmie and what I want to suggest and what it might be like if she agrees, I'll wear dresses all the time if that's what makes her happy ... I've not felt like this before and so I'm going to go careful ... drink some water and explore her little apartment ... the window is dirty on the outside and looks like it hasn't been opened in a while ... the fire escape exit in back looks perilous and the door sticks when I try it ... she's put little touches on the place and I like the attempt ... but with little to work with on her budget, I'm proud of what she's done …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>… I'm woolgathering when she comes back out ... the click of her heels on the bare wood floor alerts me ... turn to see her  …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 11pt;"><em>“You won't be embarrassed to be seen with me, I hope?”</em></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>…  maybe my jaw dropped ... I'll deny it ... her dress is gorgeous and it suits her wonderfully! ... stand and walk toward her ... enjoying her attempt to not smile …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh Kimmie, you're gorgeous! I need to go home and upgrade out of this rag I put on!” #<em>Giggle</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>… traversing the stairs in our heels is a careful and giggle exercise …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">“I bet you wear flats until you get to work, right? If I wasn't advertising my legs for you, y'know, I'd be in my work boots or runners or barefoot at home.”</span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>…  we make it to my SUV without great drama ... the drive to the North End is through gobs of Saturday traffic complete with tourists who have no clue where they're going except from their phone apps ... I roll up to a higher class restaurant with valet parking and pull up …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know these guys from the City. We're at low time so this is good for everyone.”</span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>… get out and hand the guys the keys …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">“We might be back later for dinner, okay?”</span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>…  grab my sweater off the back of my seat and take the ticket he hands me ... put that in the side pocket of my purse ... take Kimmie's hand …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">“Okay, slow two and a half blocks to the waterfront. I hope the place is still there.”</span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>…  and we do ... a slow walk ... holding hands ... two girls making sure they don't fall over in their high heels on the ancient sidewalks and cobbles ... the bar is still there ... hold the door for Kimmie ... smile at the bartender …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hey Sammie! Hi. Remember me?”</span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>… his grin suggests he does and he responds with a tentative 'Chloe?" …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yep Sammie, it's me, Chloe. This is my friend Kimmie! Kimmie, Sammie, the worlds best bartender.”</span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>… giggle when he suggests we sit at the bar …</em></span></span><br/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">“Not today Sammie. Girl talk. On the deck if that's okay. I'll have a Tom Collins, tall glass and light on the Tom. Kimmie? That's a Tom Collins with half the gin. I intend to nurse a few for quite a while. What would you like?”</span></span><br/>