Getting Ready

You stand in front of the full length mirror Peg had in her bedroom looking at yourself. Currently you had on only your socks and tight boxer-briefs. El stood to your right with a folded pair of trousers and Peg was at you left with a beautiful new silk shirt she had bought you for the occasion. You look yourself over. You were showered, shaved, teeth brushed, a touch of product in your recently cut hair, and you were smelling good. You twist side to side checking out your upper body. You could swear you were noticing definition that wasn't there before, but it had only been a week since you started working out so the effect was likely in your mind.

Your aunt opens the shirt and offers it to you. You slide one arm in and then the other. She straightens the back of the collar, makes sure it hangs nicely on your shoulders, then smooths out the back as you begin buttoning it up.

"Where are you guys going?" Elsie asks excitedly. She was almost giddy for you.

"I made reservations at a little Italian place, Sebastian's. It's out of town. I thought I would take Queenie out on the highway and really open her up." Queenie, the Queen, the Queen of Hearts...yep, you had given your new car a nick name. Elsie had actually been the one to call it that first, but it seemed to fit. You'd never done that before but a classy old gal like Queenie seemed to demand a moniker. "Then a movie. They have one of those classic old cinemas over there. I thought Casey would like it."

It was an old fashioned sort of date for an old fashioned sort of girl.

"Sounds amazing." El grins.

"You and Felix gaming again tonight?" You ask.

She nods. "Yeah, Black Ops. You and Casey should join us sometime."

You smirk. "You and Felix should actually meet face to face sometime."

She blushes. "We will."

You finish the last button and run your fingers down the front. A classic silvery grey, trim fitting, and oh so smooth. The silk felt so nice on your skin. Pure decadence. You can't help but wonder how much it cost. This combined with the three hundred dollars Peg had given you specifically for tonight had you feeling guilty. She'd already given you so much. So much more than mere money.

"Peg...this is too much. Really." You look at your aunt in the mirror as she looks over how the shirt fit you.

She looks up to meet your eyes in the reflection. "We want our young man to make a good first impression on the young lady, don't we?" She kisses your cheek and strokes your shoulder. "Don't even think about it."

You put on your trousers, buckle your belt, put on the quality watch you had received last Christmas but rarely wore, and you look yourself over. The fresh haircut, the new shirt, the nice pants, the expensive watch. Wow. You had never looked so good!

You remember back to your first date with Allison. How unworthy you had felt. How plain and unattractive you thought you looked. You felt as if she was taking pity on you by going out with you. As if you didn't deserve a glance from a hottie like her. You worried she would figure out what a loser you were.

You felt none of these things now. What a difference. Like night and day. You looked and felt like a million bucks. You had a confidence within you now and it showed, in your face and in your posture. You were excited to see Casey. You couldn't wait to be alone with her at last and really get to know her. You couldn't wait to see what she looked like tonight and have her see you in your finery.

You button your sleeves. "You're sure I shouldn't have brought a jacket to go with this?"

Your aunt takes you by the shoulders and turns you toward her. Her loving eyes flit this way and that as she looks you over in every detail. She reaches up and adjusts your collar just so, her eyes twinkled happily. "You look just perfect. A more handsome gentleman I've not seen."

She said it...and she meant it. Another bit of you built up through her caring honest words.

You look your aunt in the eyes. "Peg, I...I can't thank you enough. What you've done..." You were feeling misty eyed by your love for her in this moment.

She pinches your chin like only an older female relative could get away with. "Hey now. Don't think I did all this for you." She winks playfully. "I got a man's chest to cuddle against. I got to watch your cute patoot waltz around my house. And..." She smiles warmly. "...and I finally got to connect with my niece and nephew." A wistful sigh. "Time, it goes by so damn fast. When you're so busy, so focused...the next thing you know kids are all grown up and you missed most of the ride. I'm glad I am a part of your life now Jesse. You too Elsie. Let's not go back to the way it was, hmm?"

You hug her. Elsie hugs both of you. She hugs you back tight.

As you part you take a deep breath. "Aunt Peg."

"Hmm?"

"Um...I think Fiona could use a little...of your...um...wisdom." You say. El's eyes widen and she looks at her aunt with grave concern, nodding in agreement with you.

Peg lets out a long breath, her eyes look away. "I've tried. Especially after the...incident." She looks back to you. "She's a strong willed woman. Nobody can help her until she wants to be helped. Do you remember my first question to you Jesse? When you asked for my help?"

You think back. "You asked me...if I loved myself."

She nods slowly. Then she shakes her head. Patting your chest she reclaims the positive mood from earlier. "Come on now, this is your big night. Focus!"

She was right. Tonight was not Fiona's night, it was yours and Casey's.

El asks, remembering your active wager. "What if...what if she wants to...uh...ya know. Go all the way?"

You chuckle. "It's a first date El, I highly doubt we'll get there." You then say with a coy smile. "Besides, there's more to an omelette than bacon."

Peg's face brightens. "He learns!"

You all share a good hearted chuckle.

You check everything three more times. Elsie and Peg follow you down to the front door and watch you put on your shiny polished dress shoes. You take your coat and loop in over your arm. Tossing the keys to the Queen up you then snatch them out of the air.

"Well, wish me luck."

"Have fun my dear." Peg grins.

"Good luck Jesse." Elsie says. "I want to hear all about it tomorrow."

You nod and shoot them a wink. With a spring in your step you walk boldly from the house and get into your car. The top was down for now. You wanted to introduce Casey to the Queen of Hearts in all her glory. You'd put up the roof before you hit the highway. You toss your coat beside you on the long bench seat beside you.

Key in the ignition and the old gal ROARS to life. Not an obnoxious crude sports car snarl. The purring growl of a luxury car. You were really starting to love that sound. You position your phone nearby with the instructions on how to get to Casey's house beside you.

You turn and wave you your sister and aunt who stood to watch you leave. Turning on the radio you put her into gear, plant both hands on the wheel, you pull out onto the street.

The setting sun gave the streets a warm orange glow. It felt so strange driving under the open sky, being able to see all around, having no barrier between you and the pedestrians on the walk. You get some looks and a few complimentary comments about your wheels along the way. You also get some looks from some girls. You were looking fine and people were noticing. That felt nice.

You relax and enjoy the ride. The smooth purr of the engine, the wind breezing past, the noises and sounds of the city street. You cruise with purpose but not urgency. You had lots of time.

The directions on your phone were taking you closer to campus, to the older residential section near it. Not far away from where you often parked actually. You knew the area well. The neighbor hood was green and cozy. The boughs of the street side trees formed a leafy canopy above your head. The Queen was a bit more of a challenge down these narrow older streets but you are able to manage it easy enough.

You wonder once more if you should have brought another gift. More flowers? More roses? On Peg and Elsie's advice you chose not to, they said the initial bouquet when asking her out was probably enough for now. They said just to show up as your best self. That is exactly what you were doing.

It is not long before you are turning the corner onto Casey and Felix's block.