Rise of the Dunamy (8 page)

14

“Y
ou’re a nerd, too. You know that, right?” Lucian mocked Sofia after a few seconds of silence.

“I’m not a nerd!” She replied, startled at his comment.

“Sure you are, but don’t get so upset. It’s not a bad thing to be,” Lucian said.

Sofia replied, “I know that, but I’m not a nerd. If anything, I’m more of a jock.”

“First of all, ew. Never say that again. The connotations that go with being a jock are so much worse than being a nerd. Second, no one said the two were mutually exclusive. You’re very athletic, but nothing like a jock. Jocks are mean, and you are anything but that.”

“Fine.” She partially agreed, “ I’m not a jock. But I’m definitely not a nerd.”

“Do you read a lot?”

“Well, yeah. But mostly just about work-related stuff.”

“But other people in your line of work don’t read that stuff and they still do fine, right?”

“That’s true I guess....”

“And you’re pretty well-educated, right? Didn’t you mention something about being in the top of your class and catching up in school really quickly even though you were way behind when you got here?

“That was just...necessary.”

“So, when we take out the factors like the fact that you’re athletic and gorgeous, we’re left with; you felt socially awkward in high school; you skipped several grades and made excellent marks in school; and you have excelled in your chosen field through additional, and completely voluntary, research?”

“I’m not a nerd,” she whimpered, sticking out her bottom lip as she pouted momentarily at his revelation.

“You’re a huge nerd!”

“I’m such a nerd…,” she conceded, lowering her head. Lucian wrapped his arm around her as he laughed loudly, which brought the smile back to her face instantly.

The two turned the corner and entered the MARTA station. Lucian placed a few dollars into the machine, which sent the tokens tinkling into the receptacle. They took the coins and started towards the escalators that took them to the trains.

“So who is it that you’re protecting?” Lucian asked as they waited for the train to arrive.

“What do you mean?” She asked, turning her attention from watching a group of young girls that were having an overly loud conversation nearby. “I mean, I’m protecting everyone that the person that I arrest would have hurt in the future I suppose.”

“No. You said you are protecting the people that you care about. Is that your parents, or siblings, or what?”

“Um, I don’t really know. I guess I didn’t really mean it like that. I mean, I’m an only child, and I’ve never really known any cousins or other relatives. But yes, I suppose I did start out with my parents in mind. They had a very hard life when we lived in Colombia. We always lived in fear of what might happen if we didn’t do as we were told by the men that ran our village. When we came to the United States, I expected things to be much different and I worked to make sure I was doing my part to make that hold true.”

“Are you saying things aren’t better here?”

“No, it’s very different here. In so many ways it is better, but I can see similarities. We moved to an area that was filled with immigrants that had survived similar experiences to ours. Some of those immigrants saw the new conditions as a time for them to start their own version of what we had all already experienced. Although they would never have tried to enslave us the way that the drug lords in Colombia had, they did form gangs that tried to run our neighborhood. While they were unable to terrorize us the way we had been in our villages, they were still able to impact our lives and force us to do things we didn’t want to. I knew at a very early age that I wanted to make my neighborhood a safe place for my parents. I wanted to make their lives better because they deserved some happiness after so much suffering. So, I started doing everything that I could to learn about becoming a great police officer.” Lucian listened intently as she continued.

“I read a number of books on how to correctly inspect a crime scene as well as how to conduct an interrogation. I saw the police officers as heroes. They actually made me feel safe. They would come to our schools and talk to us in the streets and ask how we were doing. They cared about our safety, and they didn’t have to. Sure they were paid to do it, but they chose to step into harm’s way to keep people they didn’t know, safe. From what I grew up with when I was really young, you don’t know how different that was. I thought that was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. I already knew I wanted to enforce the law, but those guys showed me how honorable the profession could be. So, I devoted my time to learning how I could become a great police officer so that I could make a difference.” Sofia stopped. She realized that she hadn’t shared that much personal information with anyone in her entire life, and yet it had come out so easily with Lucian. She always kept her personal life very personal. She always thought that sharing information like that might show a weakness to someone, and she never wanted anyone to see a weakness in her. As she focused on how readily she had offered up some of her most personal thoughts, the train approached. With a gust of wind that blew her flimsy dress back tight against her body, the train eased to a halt and everyone boarded. The pair found a few adjoining seats, and prepared for their ride.

“Okay! So, I just unloaded an awful lot of info on you there. Sorry about that.” Sofia said uncomfortably as she thought back to their previous conversation.

“Don’t be silly. Why do you think I wanted to walk? Besides hating to drive, I mean. I’m very interested in knowing about you. I love hearing about that sort of stuff. How are we ever going to be a couple if we don’t know things like that about each other?”

Sofia couldn’t stop herself from smiling.

“Couple, huh? So you’re not hoping to make me one of your little girlfriends that stop by the office to flirt with you all of the time?”

Were it possible, she would have snatched those words from the sky and stomped them out before they could reach his ears. The corners of her smile began to drop slowly as she realized that she may have just sent their evening into a blistering nose dive. Lucian raised one eyebrow and looked at her with a smug little smile.

“Bold comment!” Lucian declared with a laugh. “But, I think you know you’re different than those girls. They just weren’t what I was looking for. Without getting into it too much, I enjoyed spending time with them but they weren’t in the same place that I am. I’ve met plenty of really sweet girls, and things always end well when they realize that I sincerely enjoyed my time with them, but that I’m looking for more than just night after night of going out and partying. I guess I’m growing up.”

Sofia wanted to breathe deeply so she could let go of the nervous knots that she had worked up in the muscles of her stomach after her comment. Not only had it not ruined their evening, it successfully caused Lucian to answer some lingering questions that she had about all of the girls that she had seen visiting him. She had wondered how she was going to get over that, or how to bring up such a matter without sounding jealous, but she had done it. Although completely by accident, she had resolved one of her major concerns with only a few seconds of discomfort.

With the question of his philandering addressed to her satisfaction, Sofia now faced a new issue. Lucian was becoming too good to be true and she had to fight the urge to start looking for his hidden flaws. Sofia dismissed the idea immediately. That wasn’t something she was going to allow to happen. She had never felt so comfortable around another person, and she refused to let herself sabotage something so enjoyable. Lucian was wonderful. He was fun and funny, exciting, smart, kind, and gorgeous. Sofia knew that she couldn’t allow herself to begin looking for flaws. Any time that she allowed herself to do so, it was a guarantee that she would find one, and she really didn’t want to find one. Instead, she decided she would focus on all of the things that he was doing so right that made her think he was the most interesting and enchanting man she had ever met.

15

A
s they reached the end of the long walkway that wound between the fields of luscious green grass that led to the museum, Lucian walked ahead and held the door for Sofia. As they entered he gently guided her by the small of her back over to the dining area. The inside of the museum was immaculate and the dining area that had been set was very elegant. The tables were set beneath the bones of a variety of historical creatures, the most impressive of which were the fully restored skeletons of numerous dinosaurs. As she looked at the giant jaws of the beast, her mind drifted back to the bodies in the Cul De Sac murders. Quickly, she banished the thought from her mind as she continued to take in the scenery.

A live pianist peppered the room with delicate melodies from afar, and the low hum of conversation filled the air. Marbled rose linens covered the intimately arranged tables. Terra-Cotta-colored brick walls surrounded them, leading to a glass ceiling that allowed for a magnificent view of what had turned out to be a beautiful evening without a cloud in the sky. The walls had numerous windows of reoccurring patterns that looked out onto the overwhelmingly luxurious grounds. The bottom row was a series of arched doorways. Stacked four feet above them lay the second row of windows, which were roughly six-foot-tall rectangles. The uppermost-level of windows were sets of circles broken up by a single rectangle, matching those on the row before it.

The largest focal point in the room was a full sized tyrannosaurus articulation that stood across the back of the room. His tail wrapped down along the winding staircase that led to levels containing unknown exhibits, while his neck extended up to the top of the room towards the glass ceiling. His head was pointed out towards the seating area, his jaw positioned so that it cast an eternally silent roar over the elegant room. All-in-all, the setting was truly magnificent and easily surpassed anything Sofia had envisioned.

The maître’d’ guided them to a secluded table on a landing overlooking the rest of the room. As she looked out over the other people enjoying their meals and conversation, Sofia couldn’t help but feel somewhat nervous that things were going entirely too well. Absolutely everything about the date was going beautifully, but happy endings weren’t something she was familiar with seeing. As the feelings began to creep up her spine, she remembered her promise to herself that she was going to have a great time tonight, no matter what. Even if things could never work out between herself and Lucian, she was going to enjoy herself. As she focused on that thought, she felt the nervousness slip away.

As they approached the table, Lucian pulled out Sofia’s chair and seated her before making his way back to his own position across the table. Each of them ordered a martini as they admired the scenery.

“I’ve never been inside here. This is absolutely amazing, Lucian!” Sofia exclaimed softly. Sofia had seen the signs for the museum several times, but never really felt the desire to seek it out.

“I never really cared much for the past. I figure, it happened, let’s move on,” she joked. “But this gives me a very different perspective.”

“I never really cared for it much, either. Then, a few years back, I started taking a bigger interest in it.”

“Any particular reason for the sudden interest?”

“Actually, yes. I met a guy that’s really become a good friend of mine now, and he kind of introduced me to it. He showed me the significance of knowing where you came from and what secrets our personal histories hold that can help determine our futures.”

“Sounds like he had quite an impact on you.”

“Uuum…Yeah. He really has. He’s a good guy. Very big into history. He’s a great big nerd, so you would probably get along very well.” He said coyly, causing Sofia to nearly spit her water out all over the table.

“I’m still a little surprised to find that out about myself.” She proclaimed as she wiped her mouth. “Well, I talked about my family some, so what’s your situation?” She asked, sitting back in her seat to give the waiter room to place her martini as he approached.

“My situation, huh? Well, I’d say it’s pretty typical. My parents have passed. They were a huge part of my life and my two greatest influences. They were the greatest people I’ve ever known. I still think about them every day and try to do things that I think would make ‘em proud. I got a brother that I used to be very close with, and still am to an extent.”

“ To an extent; how is that?”

“Well, he’s doing his own thing right now, and I’m lettin’ him figure out who he is without my input. I was a big influence on him for a long time but I realized that I tend to try and make him think like me. I think it’s really important right now that he learn to think for himself and make his own decisions without my influence. But, when we do get together, it’s as good as it ever was. Honestly, we’re best friends, we just don’t see or speak to each other all that often right now.”

“That sounds nice. I always really wanted a brother or sister. Being an only child isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

“Well, having a sibling doesn’t always end up that great, either. In my case it’s clearly worked out, but I see tons of times where that closeness is just not there and it turns more into a hindrance than anything.”

“How often do you two get together?”

“Less often in recent years, but always on the major holidays. We’ve actually been talkin’ a lot more lately. Seems like we’re probably gonna be back to our old ways before much longer.”

“Well I hope I get to meet him some day.” Sofia slowly sipped from her martini to hide her mouth as she waited for his response. She didn’t want to show any sign of surprise if his answer caught her off guard.

“We shall see. Thanksgiving is right around the corner.” His eyes smiled at her over the rim of his glass as he lifted it to his lips. Something about the way he looked Sofia felt like they were the only two people in the room. That look cast away all remaining doubt that this would end up being the most wonderful evening she had ever spent in the company of another person. Lucian had created a perfect setting for taking her mind off of the crime scenes and the all-consuming Cul De Sac Crimes that had been gnawing on her.

The time seemed to fly past as they talked about what seemed like every topic imaginable. Lucian was so open and unafraid to completely expose himself with regard to any subject. At the same time he was a wonderful listener and seemed utterly intrigued by everything she had to say. Sofia had never considered her life or her views on any topic all that interesting, but when she explained things to Lucian she felt like the most interesting person in the world.

One thing that Sofia had noticed several times as the evening went on was that many of the women in the room were staring in their direction. She had never been with someone that commanded so much attention from others. So many people were looking in their direction that she felt compelled to ask him, “Do you come here often?” She felt silly asking the question, but even the staff seemed to be preoccupied with him.

“Not at night like this, but my friend and I have been here a few times during the day.” He said as he glanced around the room.

“It’s a really cool place; I dig it. There’s so much to look at. I would think that if you weren’t so hot at casual chatter, this would be the perfect place to go. There’s so much stuff to talk about here. I mean, there’s a damn dinosaur in the room! Where else can you hit a lull in the conversation and be like, ‘So dinosaurs are pretty awesome’ and not be looked at like a nutbar? You know? Everyone has an opinion about dinosaurs, I would imagine, it’s just not that easy a thing to bring up in conversation. Well, right there is your way into that little caveat of chit-chat.” He said, as he gestured towards the monstrous exhibit , much to Sofia’s enjoyment.

“I can’t imagine that you’ve ever had any difficulty with casual conversation.” Sofia said earnestly through her laughter.

He focused back in on Sofia for a second before searching his thoughts. “I don’t guess I’ve ever really had a problem with that. Even back in my socially unaware days, it was more the inability to hide my thoughts than an inability to convey them.” He paused momentarily.

“Wait. Are you trying to say I talk too much?” He asked jokingly.

“Not at all! I’m having a wonderful time talking to you,” she said with a glowing smile. “I always do.”

“I’m glad to hear that. You strike me as someone who could use more good times. I just hope that I can think of some more interesting things to do.” Sofia couldn’t believe how perfect everything that he said was. He had been saying just the right thing at just the right time all night.

“Do you ever get tired of being the center of attention?” Sofia finally asked. The question had been something she wanted to know the answer to for quite some time.

“Wow! First I talk too much, now I’m this attention starved prima donna. I’m starting to think you’re not such a big fan of mine.”

“No, no, no! Nothing like that. I just meant that you’re someone that people are drawn to. Don’t even sit there and tell me that you’re unaware of how people look at you. I just wondered if it bothers you or if you have just gotten used to the attention?”

Lucian inconspicuously glanced at the faces of some of the other patrons, sipping his martini as he did so.

“I suppose I am… used to it, I mean. I do notice, but it never has really bothered me. And don’t be so sure that all of these people are looking at me, honey. I would bet that you have more fans in here than I do.”

“Oh stop. You’re being ridiculous. People don’t look at me like that.”

“I’m telling you, you’re far cry from your usual look tonight. You’re not Officer Milena right now. I mean, I’ve always known how beautiful and sexy you are, but tonight you’re really making a statement. You may not draw that much attention when you have your hair pulled up and you’re hidden in your work clothes, but you seem to have forgotten how you look tonight.” Lucian was right; she had forgotten how she looked.

“And now I’m completely uncomfortable. Thanks.” She began to fidget about in her seat and became increasingly anxious.

“Calm down.” Lucian coaxed. “There’s nothing to be uncomfortable about. Just relax.Y ou look great and people are noticing. Just don’t think about them, and try to focus on me.” It took a great deal of concentration on her part, but Sofia did just as Lucian suggested. Once she was able to focus in on him and stop surveying the room to see if people were looking at her, they were able to continue their conversation. Slowly, she became less and less aware that anyone else was even in the room, and was once again lost in Lucian’s presence.

Sofia loved that Lucian was so at ease with everything that he did. She had never met anyone as confident or as easy going as he appeared to be. The remainder of the evening went on just as smoothly the first half. Sofia was entranced by Lucian’s charm. She could have sat and talked with him forever and never heard enough. The museum created the perfect atmosphere for them as they continued their evening. The two were so enveloped within their conversations that they didn’t even notice that the museum was closing down until the sound of a vacuum cleaner broke the silent background. They promptly paid their tab, apologized for staying so late, and made their way back onto the train towards Sofia’s apartment.