CHAP 2-DEXTER & CHRIS SHOOT POOL AND DEXTER MEETS LADY FRIEND

***remember this is just a FIRST draft, just getting the story down on paper. I am choosing to blog it, to get out there. I know there are errors that will all be polished after the 2nd draft and after a professional editor looks at it. Read it for the story content***

He reached his destination fairly early, around 6:45. Chris was usually punctual on the dot, so he had some time before Chris would be there. Dexter walked into the familiar place, the bouncer at the front door nodded hello to him. Everyone one there knew who he was but none were really good friends. He always kept this wall up around himself. It wasn't that he didn't like people, he just felt he was so different from them that no one would really understand him. He never felt superior to anyone, or underneath someone.

“ Dexter!”

Dexter turned around and saw Chris standing by the door. He smiled and said, “ Actually early for once.”

“Thought I'd throw you a curve ball.” Chris laughed, “I know Danny is coming tonight and I know how you are about being around other people so I thought I'd get here early to lend moral support.”

“Not needed,” Dexter started, “ but thank you for the thought. I”m sure everything will be find tonight.” Or at least Dexter Hoped everything would be ok.

“Lets get some seats at the bar until Danny gets here.” Chris said

“I told him we'd be back in the pool room , but this is ok too”, Dexter said taking a seat. The bar tender came up to them.

Chris said, “How about two Budweiser's in a bottle? Is that ok with you Dexter?”

Dexter was a little preoccupied with something further down the bar, and mumbled , “Sure, what ever. Sounds good.”

Christ followed Dexter's stare down the bar. To Chris's surprise there was a very nice looking blond woman sitting there. Not that Dexter wasn't like any other red blooded American guy, but he wasn't known for his dating skills. Even in high school, there was the date here and there but nothing very serious. And Dexter seemed to be quite fine with that. “Dexter,” Chris started, “are you actually staring at that amazing blond down there at the end of the bar?”

Dexter shook himself, as if he was in a trance, “Me? You know better.”

“Yes, I know you better than you know yourself most days. You are attracted to her. I think that is wonderful!”

“I don't know,” Dexter said, “just something about her”

Danny had come in at that moment and saw Dexter and Chris at the bar. Coming over he said, “Dexter..Chris, how's the night going so far? Chris it's been a long time, you look like life is treating you well.”

Chris shook Danny's hand, “Life's been good, following in my father's footsteps. I'm a junior partner in my law firm. Nice house, nice car. Pretty much enjoying life. And you? Dexter tells me your a Sargent at the police department.?”

“Yes, I am” Danny said, “I guess we're all grown up now.” laughing , “I'm glad I was able to reconnect with you two. Very fond high school memories.”

Chris stood up, “Let's head back to the pool room to see if you still can hold your own Danny” Chris led the way back to the pool room. The band was setting up. Sometimes they had good bands come through and some bad, but you couldn't hear very much from the pool room anyway, which where they spent most of their time

There was a bar back there as well, so they didn't have to fight their way back through the crowd to get a few drinks. Dexter and Chris had finished their 1^st so Chris asked Danny, “Do you want something from the bar? I'm getting Dexter and me something.”

“Sure, grab me a long island ice tea.” Danny said, handing Chris a ten dollar bill.

Dexter grabbed a pool stick from the rack on the wall. He headed for the nearest table and set the balls up. “You want to play first, Danny?”

“Sure, “ Danny answered, “but remember I might be a little rusty.”
During the course of the night, they switched off playing pool. They had about the same skill level so it was a challenging night. Dexter always loved a good challenge.

All the sudden Dexter stopped in his tracks and just stared. The blond woman from the bar had just come into the room and sat down at the bar there. Danny and Chris were both wondering what was going on, when Chris laughed, “Dexter has had his sites on that woman all night long”

Danny looked confused, “Dexter was never a ladies man in school. Is he actually actively dating now?”

“Nope, “ Chris said, “this is the first time I've seen him actually staring at a woman. I mean, she is beautiful and see why he's staring. Just really weird behavior for him”

“Dexter...” Chris said, “wanna get your mind back on the game,” No response. Chris yanked on Dexter's blazer. Dexter turned around to him with a questioning look on his face. “I've been trying to get your attention back on the game. But, I'm not tall, blond and beautiful so I understand.”

Dexter, sill looking confused said, “What? I didn't hear you say anything about the game”

“Why don't you just go up and ask her out, if your that interested. She seems to be alone.” Chris suggested.

“I agree with Chris”, Danny chimed in, “what could it hurt. You won't know unless you try.”

“I just can't, that's all.” Dexter said. And the way it came out, was, I don't want to talk about this anymore. Chris and Danny respected Dexter's place.

The pool playing continued and the blond kept sitting at the bar watching them. Dexter excused himself to the bathroom. Chris and Danny looked at each other.

“Could we, should we?”, Chris asked

Oh, hell, why not, what's the worst that can happen., This way , if he gets turned down he doesn't have to know about it. And if he doesn't, well, he needs a little kick the pants to get him out there on the dating scene.”

“OK,” Chris said, “lets give this a shot”

Chris walked up to the woman at the bar and said, “Hi, how are you tonight?”

She smiled and answered, “I'm doing really good. Looks like you and your friends are pretty good pool shooters. Been sitting here watching you.”

Chris nodded, “We kind of saw you watching us. Liston I'm going to ask this straight out and you can say no or yes. No hard feelings either way. My friend, Dexter, the one who went to use the bathroom has been looking at you all night. He's not a ladies man and if he's looking at you that means something.” Chris sighed before asking the next question, “would you be adverse to him taking you out for dinner some night?” Ok, he'd asked, hoping Dexter wouldn't hate him for doing this.

The woman at the bar, look hard at Chris before she answered, “I've been watching him too, hoping I would get his interest and he'd talk to me. I got the impression he wasn't interested”

“No ma'am, “ Chris said, “he's very interested. Just doesn't have the guts to come and ask himself.” Just then Chris saw Dexter returning from the bathroom. When Dexter caught Chris's eye and saw who he was with, he had a sinking feeling in his stomach. Oh, God what has Chris done now. Chris motioned for him to come over.

“I'm sorry,” Chris said to the woman, “I haven't even got your name yet. Mine is Chris.”

“My name is Stacy”

Dexter came over to Chris. Chris said, “Dexter I'd like you to meet Stacy.”

Stacy said, “Nice to meet you Dexter. You sure play a mean game of pool. I've been watching”

Chris thought Dexter was going to pass out right then and there on the floor. Chris thought, come on Dexter you can do this.

After a few minutes, Dexter said, “You like pool?”

“I like pool when there is a handsome man playing pool.” Stacy flirted with Dexter.

Dexter, looked around sincerely, not like most people do to kid around “Me?”

“Yes you, Dexter.” Stacy said, “Chris here has said perhaps we can get together sometime for dinner, if you would like?”

Dexter, even though flattered and somewhat dumbstruck, reached out with his 6^th sense feelings. He didn't feel anything wrong about this woman, as far as he could tell she was the real thing. He stood there, not speaking, everyone waiting for a reply. Shortly the words slowly came out of his mouth, “That sounds like an awesome idea”

Stacy was writing on the bar napkin, and handed it to Dexter. “Here's my number, call me and we'll together soon. I have to go now, but I hope to hear from you soon.” She hoped off the bar stool, “You all have a great night” and headed out the door.

Dexter sat down on one of the bar stools. Chris said, “You ok there dexter, you look a little white?”

“I'm ok. Why would she find me attractive with all these other men here to choose from, yourself included Chris?”

Danny came over, “Dexter, consider yourself lucky. She looks like a wonderful woman and she likes you. I'm happy for you and I think you'll have a marvelous time out with her.”