Episode 7

With his hands on the steering wheel, Alan only turned his head to my side for an instant.

Alan Serrane: What did you say?

Theo Urione: It's just that I hate cigarettes, and the other day I saw Denny smoking and...

Alan looked at me without understanding a word, and at that moment, I remembered that "I was Denny."

Theo Urione: Oh... Sorry, it's just that I know a kid named Deni too, believe it or not? So there's only one difference in the spelling, and it's with an I.

Alan Serrane: I see, he's young and a smoker?

Denny Camara: Yes, isn't it horrible? Worse than when I touched him, I think... Oh, because I shook him to see if he'd learn. I think at that moment I got the smell of the cigarette on me.

Alan Serrane: Smoking is terribly bad, and for the whole body. But it's not easy to just quit. He has to really want to and make an effort. And it's a shame he started so young.

Theo Urione: Oh, yes, of course. I told him that, especially since I know he's an athlete, and it could ruin his career.

Alan Serrane: You advised him very well. Ha, I was so anxious to come and get you that I didn't even ask where you want to have lunch.

Theo Urione: The closest place you can find.

Alan Serrane: You really are hungry, aren't you? So let's go to Boi Berrante?

Theo Urione: Oh yes! Yes! Yes! Wonderful!

Alan Serrane: You have simple taste in food, I didn't expect that.

Theo Urione: Yes, well. Appearances are deceiving.

The car parked in front of a restaurant downtown. The place was all decorated in wood, to look like something from the Old West. At the entrance, there was a huge sign with a bull carved in wood.

Theo Urione: {I only came here once with Rubi... It's where they sell the best meat in the world, but unfortunately, we only had money to eat chicken. But I've always passed by here and this Bull called to me.}

I sat down at the table quickly, before Alan could even hold my chair, all romantic like in the movies.

Theo Urione: Wow, look at this elegant menu!

Alan Serrane: You can order whatever you want.

Theo Urione: Wonderful!!! Thank you.

I looked closely and ordered three types of meat cuts. When the waiter put them on the table, Alan's eyes widened.

Alan Serrane: Are you going to be able to eat all of that?

Theo Urione: Oh, I will, you can be sure of that. But you can eat too, if you want.

Alan Serrane: No, it's okay, I'll stick with my dish. I couldn't eat any more than that.

We started eating, and I forgot he was right in front of me. I was happy to be eating that wonderful meat, but also because I was very hungry.

After he finished his plate, Alan stared at me.

Alan Serrane: It's funny how you turn your head to the side to cut your meat. Is that a habit of yours?

Theo Urione: My eye! That's right!!

Alan Serrane: What's right?

Theo Urione: I didn't pay attention to that. I think the hunger affected my brain... Ha!ha!ha!ha!

Since the vision in my left eye was less than fifty percent in my body, it sometimes made it difficult for me to write a straight line, or to concentrate on something. And at that moment, I was trying not to look like a hillbilly cutting meat.

___ || ___

As we were leaving the restaurant, I noticed something worrisome. Alan was very detail-oriented, and he might notice that I wasn't Denny. If that happened, I would lose the opportunity to win him over.

Alan Serrane: Do you want to go somewhere else now, or would you rather go home?

Theo Urione: Somewhere else!?

At that moment, an engaging jazz music played in my head. A place alone where we could do whatever we wanted? It sounded pretty good.

Theo Urione: Oh, it's early to go home, but I wouldn't know where to go... {I can't seem pushy.}

Alan Serrane: I do. Want to come with me?

Theo Urione: Sure! Let's go.

We got back in the car and he drove to a park by the river. By the location of that river, it was on the other side of town, on the opposite side from the building where I lived.

We walked along a wooden walkway until we reached a bench on the riverbank. That spot had a clear view of the sky and the width of that river. It was definitely the small clean part we could see from the apartment.

Alan Serrane: I run here, and I really like coming here on nights like this. Lit by the moon.

Theo Urione: Wow! That's very romantic.

Alan Serrane: I'm glad you think so...Denny, I really wanted to tell you how I feel about you.

Theo Urione: Denny!?

Again, I slipped up, but I corrected myself before he got confused.

Theo Urione: Denny, hold your horses! Don't connect the dots. I like to give myself advice. Please, now you can continue.

Alan Serrane: Right, so... From the first day I saw you at that game... Where the Seagulls were going to face the Hill Dogs, I was impressed.

Theo Urione: Really? I don't remember if I played well that day.

Alan Serrane: You played, until your partner got into a fight with the Hill Dogs and you interfered... You took the punch for your friend, and fell on your left ankle. I came out of the stands because your coach called me, he's a friend of mine, and he knew I was a physiotherapist, the best option at that moment. I came running to help you...

Theo Urione: What?

Alan Serrane: I never told you that, did I? That man who took care of you was me. You just closed your eyes.

Theo Urione: And those sons of guns are aggressive in such a peaceful sport!?

Alan Serrane: They were disqualified on the spot. And suspended too.

Theo Urione: Oh, at least that. Well... So my hero that night was you! How lucky I was.

Alan Serrane: I fell in love with you that day. Since this is my only chance with you, I had to explain all these feelings. After this date, will you want to see me again?

♥To be continued...

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