Anna sank into her thoughts. She knew and believed that her friend was right, but a big part of her resented that opinion.
"If I go on a date with Steve, will you go with us?"
"Don't be silly! He's not going to bite you. Neither of you needs chaperon."
After two days of thinking and soul searching and debating the emotional differences, Anna finally agreed to go on a date. Stacy was overwhelmed to hear the news. She liked the idea of her brother and her best friend dating each other. As Saturday was getting close, Anna roamed like a vagrant in her thoughts. She was happy and sad, excited and regretful. She just was not sure if she was doing the right thing. To Stacy that asked her what she is going to wear, she said:
"Oh, no big deal, something simple."
But it took her an hour to pick up something simple that made her look womanly. Steve came right at seven. When he arrived, Anna was in the bedroom and Stacy greeted her brother.
"She is very shy and conservative; don't run her away!" Stacy's comment to her brother seemed like an ultimatum.
"I know that. I am not going to do any intimate thing with her. I just like to get to know her better. There is a mysterious halo around her that puzzles me. I am just fascinated by her."
"I know, she is not only fascinating but very smart and intelligent. She's never dated before. I'm just worried for her. Don't play with her feeling."Stacy spoke as she thought.
"You like her, don't you? This is the first time I see you've found a real friend. She must be very special." He forced a smile.
"Yes, I like her a lot. I don't want her to get hurt. Her brother's death nearly crushed her. But she is very resilient. Unfortunately she doesn't know it herself."
Steve understood his sister very well. Never before had Stacy brought a friend to their parents' home. Anna came out from the bedroom. She shuddered when she saw Steve, even though she knew he was already there. But very quickly she took control of herself. She had on a long, black skirt with a red sweater, a black wool long jacket, and leather boots. She was wearing the same scarf that she had worn on her birthday and New Year's Eve. She had her hair half up and half down. Her brown hair had that natural shine in it that everyone complimented on. Her only jewelry was a pair of gold earrings from Iran which had a few strand of gold dangling from them. She was wearing a soft make up that almost was invisible.
Steve got up from his chair and walked to her and shook her hand. His hand was warm and wet.
"He is nervous, too." Anna thought.
"Are you ready? Can we go?"
Anna shook her head and looked at Stacy. She had a smile on her face. Somehow Anna was expecting her friend's approval for the last time. Stacy read her mind. She also got up from her chair and walked to Anna and hugged her.
"Go, go, he is not going to bite you." And she began laughing.
Anna hugged back Stacy, and they left.
To Be Continued
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