A quick drive

"So, we're not taking the van?" I asked as I arrived at the driver side door. Maria's face greeted me from the rolled down window. She'd apparently taken a bit of time before the date getting ready, and while I recognized the officer from earlier, there was very little of the no-nonsense exterior in her current appearance. I particularly liked the floral dress she was wearing, at least from what I could tell from the window.

"Nothing personal, just was thinking my folks would never believe a cop drove that thing." Maria shrugged.

"And she's got seat warmers, Brent." Nikki called over to me as I heard the sound of door locks being undone. "You can have shotgun on de way back, kay?"

"Works for me. So how did your day go, Maria?" I asked, walking around the car to the rear right and entering. I planned on actually talking to Maria and didn't feel like talking to the back of her head.

"Long day. Kept looking at the clock and wishing it was over." Maria looked right at me, before backing the car in a quick three point turn and turning back onto the road down the hill. "So... you are really out in the boonies out here."

"Well, It was supposed to be a honeymoon cabin." I explained.

"I... I'm sorry, I don't really know even how to start here. Been forever since I've been on a date, and I've never been on a... date with another woman, so..."

"Well, where do you usually meet folks?" Nikki asked. "Just... you know, relax."

"Coffee dates mostly. And always at a Starbucks. Ugh... just so sick of that place. What I wouldn't give for a good donut shop like the old days. Used to be one over on my patrol before they closed it."

"You have any Tim Horton's around here?" Nikki asked.

"A what?"

"Dat's a no." Nikki nodded. "Canadian coffee joint. With Donuts."

"Well, I think this place is a little more upscale than that." Maria laughed. "Never been here, and always wanted to go, so... hope you don't mind local."

Maria wound the car through the trees that overhung the road. I found myself noting how different it looked in the dark. The familiar turns and dips in the road were becoming almost second nature, and I found myself expecting a lean or a turn in the road before it happened. Stay in a place long enough, and it starts to feel a bit like home.

"So... about... uh, earlier." Maria commented as the last bits of the setting sun scattered in the distance. "I don't usually do things like that."

"Me neither. But I'm having fun." Nikki commented, reaching her hand back between the front two seats to grasp mine tightly.

"Yeah, Sofia was saying that I looked happy, and she hasn't said that in a while." Maria glanced back at me as she brought the car to a halt at the intersection of the main highway. A couple cars roared past before she turned onto the road heading north.

"Sofia... oh right, you said you got a kid. I couldn't tell, you look... amazing for having a kid." Nikki complimented Maria with a quick pat on her thigh.

"It's the job. But thank you." Maria smiled at the compliment. "My ex never liked my morning runs. Thought it made him look bad. Oh shit I just did it..."

"What?" Nikki asked.

"Started the date by talking about my ex. I... ugh... sorry, I know that's like a total turn off, for everybody."

"Sofia, how old is she?" I asked quickly.

"She's... she's twelve. In that awkward phase where everybody is dividing up into cliques, and she can't decide what she wants to be." Maria seemed happy to change the subject and began talking about her daughter in earnest. The topic seemed to be one that made her happy, and the multiple parental brags were kinda sweet to hear, especially when her face lit up while making them.