Page 11 of The Wild Side
“Both.” Melanie was beginning to blush. “I’m not a seasoned dater. I’ve always been buried in schoolwork.”
Beale pursed her lips. “This is what I suggest. Go out on a date, but DO. NOT. SLEEP. WITH. HIM.” She was adamant.
“Oh, I wouldn’t!” Melanie gasped, although she knew if the date went well and there were others, it would be expected at some point.
“Good. But here’s the deal. The military has strict rules about personnel of different levels fraternizing with each other, as well as a slew of other regulations. Thankfully, my husband and I entered at the same time and moved up the ranks together. But neither of you are military, so those rules don’t apply to you. Technically. If you’re asking, ‘Is it a good idea?’ My answer would be no. It doesn’t matter where you work. Civilian, military, or otherwise. There is a reason for the expression don’t do it where you eat.” Of course, Beale had cleaned up the phrase, but Melanie knew what she was referring to.
Beale softened. “I know it’s hard to meet people, especially working here. You’re locked up all day, and after work, your brain is fried and you just want to go home, take a shower, and shove something in your mouth. So if you keep it platonic, fine. It’s nice to have a companion.”
Melanie thought there was going to be a but, but there wasn’t. She got the message, loud and clear. “Thank you.”
It would be nice to have someone to do stuff with. Take advantage of the many places to explore. She wasn’t interested in anything serious, was she? There was a loud knock on the door. The conversation that never happened was now over. Beale was the first to leave the ladies’ room. Melanie moved toward the sink, washed her hands, and counted to ten before she made her exit. She didn’t want anyone to see them leave the room together. Beale watched Melanie walk past her office without looking in her direction and go straight to her station. Good strategic move.
Beale phoned the director at Bolling and inquired if there were any entry-level positions open in Criminal Investigation Training, specifically psychological profiling. The answer was yes, in just a few weeks. The timing was ideal. Melanie would finish this phase of her preparation and then move on to technical training in Glynco, Georgia. That part of the program was twelve weeks, and she would learn all aspects of law enforcement. In two years, Melanie should be well ensconced as a federal agent.
At the end of the day, Wayne stopped by Melanie’s workstation. “How about getting together next week?”
She looked up from her blue-ray glasses. “What did you have in mind?”
“How about the National Arboretum?” he suggested.
It had been years since Melanie had been to that enchanting place filled with gardens of all kinds from all over the world. Wayne had just scored a few points in Melanie’s mind. That was it! A point system. It was the only way she could handle dating. There had to be a method to the madness. If not, she would devise one. She wondered at what point Wayne should get the privilege of sex? That was a question she couldn’t ask Major Beale. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, girl. Perhaps a sliding scale would work. Perhaps dividing up his characteristics in sections with a running cumulative score could work. Yes, he would be graded on his generosity, integrity, responsibility, loyalty, and kindness.
Melanie’s thoughts had drifted a bit too long.
“Mel? Drake?” He gave her a curious look.
“Oh, sorry. Yes, wonderful idea! I was reading about the reopening of some of the gardens. The Bonsai Museum and the National Herb Garden are close to the National Capitol Columns. Would be a nice walk.” Melanie was referring to the twenty-two Corinthian columns that had once graced the original East Portico of the Capitol Building. They were removed in 1828 and now stand on the twenty acres of the Ellipse Meadow.
Wayne was grinning. Score!
“I’ll pick you up around ten.” Wayne was still grinning.
Melanie wrote down the address of the apartment she was renting. “I’m looking forward to it.” Then she felt it. A tingle. A hint of goosebumps? She chalked it up to having something to look forward to. It isn’t an attraction, she told herself. No. No, it isn’t. Maybe if she said it enough times, the feeling would go away. Giddy. Not good. But yes, good. Why hadn’t her parents encouraged her to date more when she was in high school? As with any of the other challenges she faced, she would be methodical and open-minded. Just like most things, dating was a process.
Saturday morning arrived, and she was on her third outfit. She couldn’t decide what to wear. It was early spring. Slacks or black jeans? Blazer, poncho, or denim jacket? She thought about it. They would be in a car for over an hour and then outside for a couple of hours, and walking would be involved. Black denim jeans, cream-colored long-sleeve turtleneck, short black denim vest. Ankle booties and a pair of gloves. Hair? What should she do about her hair? Ponytail? It was just long enough to be in a short ponytail. She pulled it back. Nah. Headband? She groped through her box of hair ties and found a cream-colored band. Excellent choice. It would be a nice contrast to her black hair, and it matched her sweater. She stood in front of the mirror and stared. “Time to conjure up that spunky, confident kid, Melanie Drake. It’s not an interview.” She stopped abruptly. “What if it is?” She was arguing with herself out loud. She burst out laughing. “Get a grip!” She gave herself the thumbs-up and met Wayne at her front door.
The ride to DC took longer than expected. Traffic was particularly horrendous as they approached the infamous Beltway.
Wayne kept his patience, even though other drivers were blowing their horns. He leaned his head against the headrest. “Why are people such idiots?”
“Interesting question. Would you care to hear my theory, or my opinion?”
“That, too, is an interesting question. Let’s have both.”
“People who shouldn’t have children, do. What I mean by that is, there are people who should not have custody of any other human being.”
Wayne did a double take. “You’re going to have to go deeper.”
“You have to take a test to carry the mail. However, you do not have to take a test to carry a baby.” Melanie gave him one of her sideways glances. “Correct me if I’m wrong.”
“Good point. Continue.”
“We need parents to teach generosity, integrity, responsibility, loyalty, and kindness.” She instantly realized she was espousing the same principles she was going to use to grade Wayne.
“I totally agree,” he replied, as he edged his way toward an exit ramp. “I’m taking the back roads.”
Good. He agreed. More points.