“I am actually.”

I stood up and held my hand to her. She took my hand and pulled herself up. “My turn to take you to dinner.” We talked about nothing really as we walked to our cars. “You can follow me.”

“Yes ma’am.” I drove into town and pulled up along side the curb near a hot dog vendor. She looked confused as she exited her SUV. There was no restaurant near by, and the fact that we were in a park. “Anything wrong?”

“Everything is fine. We’re here.” I said as I pointed to the stand.

“Hot dogs?” She asked in disbelief.

“Yep.” I answered proudly. “You haven’t lived till you’ve tasted one of Chuck’s fully loaded Italian sausage dogs.”

“Hot dogs?”

“Hot dogs.” I confirmed. “Hey Chuck.”

“Hey Tina.” He turned to Bette. “Who is the lovely lady?”

“This is Bette.”

“Pleasure.” He washed his hands and started with the rolls, “Two fully loaded?”

I looked over at Bette and I couldn’t help but laugh. The look of utter fear on her face as she watched Chuck prepare the first dog. “Yeah.” She barely replied.

I handed her the first. I ordered two vanilla shakes from the nearby ice cream stand, while we waited for the second. We walked to a bench and took a seat. I dug into mine and licked my lips in sheer pleasure. “It won’t bite. Go on try it.”

She reluctantly took the first bite. She chewed twice then licked her lips. “Mmm, this is good. What’s it called again?”

“Chuck’s fully loaded Italian sausage dog.”

“This is amazing, the corn and the relish blends nicely, and the chopped pickles. What’s this?”

“Oh that’s a sweet and spicy mango sauce.”

“Amazing.”

We ate, we talked, and we laughed. I couldn’t say for her, but it was the best and most alive I have felt in years. I walked her to her car. “I have never met anyone who can dissect a hot dog as well as you.” I joked.

“I guess you have another first with me.” We laughed. “I had a great time tonight.”

“Me too.”

She got in her SUV and put the window down. “Get home safely.”

“I will and you too.”

“Thanks.” I started to walk away, “Hey.” She called back, “You owe me a skinny dip.” She said and started the engine. I smiled in her direction as she put the window back up and drove away.