“Thankfully, they don’t shed. I don't think animal hair on a black tux looks good.” All three of us laughed.
Rodney pulled a jersey signed by Joshua Turner out of the bag. “He wore that in one of the World Series games last year.”
Rodney opened and closed his mouth like a fish. He pulled out a baseball signed by the entire team, and there were other items all related to Joshua Turner. He then started looking through the other bag, still opening and closing his mouth, apparently unable to form words. There were items from other important baseball players: gloves, ball caps, two other jerseys, tons of baseball cards, and other memorabilia.
“River, I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate all of this. There is no way I can accept it. The value of just one of these jerseys is tremendous.” River rolled his eyes and told Rodney to follow him.
Before he left the room, I reminded him of our reservations. “Meh. We won’t lose our table if we’re late.” Delizioso was one of the most sought-after restaurants in the city. I looked at him curiously. He just wiggled his eyebrows and took Rodney to his office.
For a solid five minutes, all I heard from the office was. “No fucking way. You’re shitting me. That’s wild. Woah.”
They came back into the room. Rodney looked like he might be in love with my boyfriend. “Have you seen that room?”
I smiled. “I have.”
He swallowed and looked at River valiantly. “I still think it’s too much and can’t accept these gifts.”
“Rodney, I think River would like you to have the items and knows you will appreciate them.” River looked at me and nodded his head ever so slightly.
“Are you sure?” He looked at me, wanting my approval. Then he looked at River.
“I am sure.” I thought he might explode. Knowing him, he was trying not to lose his shit.
“I’m making mom get rid of that China cabinet thing with all those ugly knick-knacks, then building a fancy display case.” He looked at all the items again.
“How about you call your mom after we go, and you can break that news to her.”
“Oh yes, sorry. Let me meet Charlie. Have they had dinner?” I called Charlie to us while Daisy stayed where she was getting pets.
“Charlie, this is Rodney. He is going to stay with you and Daisy tonight.”
Rodney had been around dragons his entire life. He knew to cup his hand and let them push into it. After a moment, Charlie seemed satisfied and bumped his hand.
“They will be just fine,” I said, mainly for River’s sake. “This was the first time River and Charlie have been apart for more than thirty minutes.”
Rodney tapped his chest. “Charlie, come here." He jumped from my shoulder to his. “Let’s go, Daisy.” She flew over and landed next to Charlie.
“Let me get his special nappy sack.” I looked at him and mouthed the words nappy sack. “I don’t want to hear it.”
While River was in the other room, I pulled Rodney aside. “The food is in the kitchen for them. Order whatever you want for yourself and put it on my card. I need a favor from you. Can you arrange to have my usual, times four, sent to the hotel for breakfast tomorrow? Your mom should know the order and have the number.”
“I’ll take care of it for you. Just have fun.”
I was very thankful for the people around me because they helped me so much today. I hoped River liked the surprise. I had this desire to romance him and make him feel good.
My newly minted boyfriend came out of the bedroom with the rainbow pouch. He handed it off and then petted Charlie. “Be a good boy tonight.”
We were about forty minutes late. “Are we ready to go?”
“Yes. Let’s do this.” I wanted to ask if they would still give us a table, but he didn’t seem to think there would be a problem, so I decided this was his date, and I would let him handle the details.
There was a car waiting for us when we got downstairs. The driver knew where we were going. I enjoyed holding his hand the whole trip. This boyfriend thing was excellent.
“I would like to take you to a wine tasting on Thursday to start our date. Would you like to go with me?”
“Oh, that would be a lot of fun. Yes, I would love to go.” We texted our assistants. I snorted and laughed at once, making a ‘gufump’ sound.
“What?”
