The Woman in Blue

Over the next week, Misha and Dale continued to get to know one another after they’d gone to Meagan’s one day while she was at work to load Misha’s stuff into Dale’s truck. Misha used the spare key that Meagan had given her. The two discussed their favorite things, their not-so-favorite things, as well as what their goals in life were. They seemed to want the same simple things, which were to be happy and healthy and to share life with someone they loved. “I’d like a child someday, too,” Dale said one sunny Sunday afternoon while they were sitting out back. “Do you want to adopt?” Misha asked her. “Maybe. I think I’d like my lady to try artificial insemination first, though.” Misha smiled. “I bet you’d be great with kids.” “I bet you would be, too,” Dale told her. “Yeah, I think I’d do ok, but I want to wait until I get a little older. I’m a bit young to get into something that’ll prevent me from having five minutes of breathing space to myself or extra spending money on fun stuff. Do you really think it’d be that easy to get the procedure done, though? So many men out there don’t want kids, so why would they donate sperm?” “Because when they donate sperm, they get paid for it. When they have kids of their own, they’re the ones who have to foot the bill and shoulder the responsibility.” “I thought people donated things for free?” said Misha. “Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. I doubt very much that sperm donors donate for free, or else they probably wouldn’t bother.” The two enjoyed the sounds of nature and the warm, gentle breeze for a moment before Misha spoke again. “Dale?” “Mmm.” “Do you mind my asking what happened with the last two you were with? Why’d you break up?” “The first one decided she didn’t want to be with a cop, and the second one was too unfaithful for my tastes.” Being that there were no departmental policies on discussing past cases, Dale told Misha about some of the cases she had worked on. While Misha was intrigued, she could see that it wasn’t as glamorous and exciting a field to be in as a lot of people seemed to think it was. Later that day, the two headed for Dale’s parents’ place just up the road for dinner. “I can’t wait to have them meet you,” Dale said with excitement. “I’m sure they’ll adore you as much as I do.” “Do they know about us?” Misha asked. “I’m sure they’ll figure it out,” she said, and the two chuckled. “Do you come from a family of cops, or are you the first one?” “I’m the first. Mom and Dad own a little antique shop a few miles away.” Just as Dale said they’d be, they did seem like very jolly people indeed. Misha felt immediately comfortable around them. “Hi, I’m Pete,” said Dale’s father, extending his hand to Misha after wiping it on the front of his overalls. He had been working on his car. “Hi,” said Misha. She glanced around her. The light blue house was a little smaller than Dale’s, and the sprawling green lawn looked freshly cut, as did the hedges, which were trimmed to even perfection. Just like Dale’s house, their house was also surrounded by a small clearing, which was surrounded by dense woods. “What’s wrong, Dad?” asked Dale. “Nothing. Just doing an oil check. I’ll be in in a minute. Meanwhile, you two can go in and greet Mom. I’m sure she’ll be delighted to see you as always and to meet Misha.” They entered the house, and as soon as Dale called out to her mother, she called back from the kitchen. “In here!” Misha looked around her. Although the house was old, it appeared to be very well kept. It was decorated in a country-like style with lots of dark wood and wicker. Unlike Dale’s house, which had wall-to-wall carpet, the hardwood floors had large braided rugs in various shades of tans, browns, blues, and dark reds. The furniture didn’t look as plush or as comfortable as Dale’s. Numerous framed photographs, mostly of Dale, adorned the furniture and walls. The kitchen was the most country-like, depicting a variety of farm animals. There were hens and roosters on the dishtowel on a nearby countertop, a cow-shaped napkin holder, and a variety of figurines along the windowsill—horses, pigs, and other animals. A flock of geese decorated the wall clock, while ducks lined the canisters that sat on the countertop across the room. Dale’s mother wiped her hands on her apron and turned to face the two. “Well, hello there. Long time no see, Dale. Been busy?” “Yes, Mother,” said Dale, crossing the room to hug her. “I’m sorry I didn’t make it over sooner.” She turned to Misha. “Mom, meet Misha. Misha, meet Mom.” “Hi,” said Dale’s mother. “How do you do, Misha?” “Fine,” said Misha with a smile. “Such a cute name.” “It is, isn’t it?” Dale said, smiling. “Would you two like a drink? I’ve got cold lemonade, soda, apple juice, water, and even some iced tea made up.” After Dale chose lemonade and Misha chose iced tea, they followed Dale’s mom out back to a screened-in porch. “The weather’s been so beautiful this spring that I thought we should all eat out here.” “I hear the temperature’s more stable year-round here,” remarked Misha. “Yes, it is,” Dale said, glancing at Misha. “Ukiah’s weather is gorgeous for the most part.” Soon, Dale’s father came to join them, and the four sat on the porch talking about trivial things for about fifteen minutes. Dale’s mother then announced that dinner was ready. Dale and Misha helped carry out some things to the table that Dale’s mom had set up in a simple yet organized fashion. There was a perfectly cooked roast along with sweet potatoes, corn, applesauce, and cornbread. For dessert, they had brownies smothered with a caramel topping. When they finished eating, Dale and Misha offered to help with the cleanup, but Dale’s mother insisted they go sit in the living room with Dale’s dad, and so they did, pausing along the way to look at some of the pictures on the wall. “Wow, I like that one,” said Misha, pointing to one of Dale in uniform. “That’s when I was a CO.” Misha stared at the picture. “You look so good in uniform,” she whispered loud enough for Dale to hear but not so her parents could. Dale laughed. After another half hour of chatter in the living room with the TV going in the background, Dale decided it was time to leave and stood up. “Well, I think it’s time we headed out,” she said. “I’ve got to head out early tomorrow morning, and Misha here will no doubt have her surveys to contend with.” “Surveys?” asked Dale’s mom. Misha nodded. “I recently signed up online to do surveys in which they pay me to take.” “Oh, that’s interesting. Maybe I should check into that myself. A little extra money never hurt.” In the car, Dale asked Misha if she had a good time. “I did,” said Misha. “They were very nice.” The phone was ringing as soon as they entered the house. Dale ran to grab the cell phone she’d left on the kitchen table. After a moment or two, Misha could see from the look on Dale’s face that it was not good news. Dale sat down hard on one of the chairs. “What is it?” Misha asked when Dale hung up the phone. “Celine was killed by a drunk driver this morning. The drunk died also.” “Oh, I’m so sorry, Dale,” said Misha, walking over to comfort her. Dale pulled her onto her lap and cried in the hollow of her neck while embracing her tightly. When Dale pulled back a few minutes later, Misha’s heart ached at seeing her red, teary eyes. “She worked for you for a long time, huh?” she asked as she stroked Dale’s hair. Dale nodded. “Many years. She was a good lady, and her kids were just as wonderful.” “How many kids does she have?” “Two daughters and a son. They’re all grown now in their late twenties and early thirties.” “Was she ever married?” Dale nodded again. “He died of cancer a few years back.” Misha rose to her feet. “Come on. I’ll draw you a nice hot bubble bath, then I’ll massage your back.” “Oh, that’s awfully sweet of you, honey,” said Dale, managing a slight smile. “However, I prefer showers to baths and in the mornings, so how about if we just go snuggle up together? Because truthfully, my best medicine is you, babe.” Misha smiled lovingly, glad to do anything she could to help ease Dale’s sorrow.