Sam pulled out his coin. “Heads, we have tacos, tails, we do pizza.”
Again, Maya was forced to move closer to Sam to see the result. Her long dark hair fell in waves and smelled of summer. A soft, rebellious piece brushed Sam’s hand as she bent down closer to see the coin in the dark. She tucked the flyaway strand behind her ear and looked up at him, victorious once more. “Heads again! Tacos it is. Are you sure this coin never steers you wrong?”
Her face was close enough to his that he could feel her breath. He couldn’t help the crooked grin that took over his face, as he looked her in the eye. “I’m sure.”
Maya cleared her throat and took a step back from Sam. She fidgeted with her bag. “Well, let’s go then.”
The place was a hole-in-the-wall reputed to have authentic food. The best chorizo taco ever, in Sam’s opinion. “So, I forgot to mention that there isn’t a place to sit,” he said, as they walked out of the restaurant. “I know exactly where to go.” He tried to look mysterious. Didn’t girls like mysterious men?
Ten minutes later, he pulled into a lot facing a lake. “Lake Kittamaqundi.” He beamed at her with a glint in his eye. “Don’t move.”
He got out of the car and walked around to her side. She followed his movements and he thrilled to know she was watching him. He opened her door.
“Thanks again,” she said. “You know, it’s not every guy who would open a car door for a girl, when she’s perfectly capable of opening it for herself.”
“What have I been trying to tell you?” Sam stepped back to open the hatchback. The spicy aroma of salsa greeted them. “I’m not every guy.” He picked up the food and a couple blankets. “And it’s not about whether a girl is capable of opening the door herself.”
Maya peeked into the back of the car. “A first aid kit, jumper cables, a couple jugs of water and an umbrella.” There was a twinkle in her eye as she teased him. “It’s almost like you’re a Boy Scout.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Not almost. I actually am an Eagle Scout.”
She smiled wide, clearly impressed. Hmm. Impressing Maya Rao was a heady feeling. He’d have to try to keep doing that. She took the blankets and indicated that he lead the way. “So what’s it about then?”
“What’s what about?”
“If it’s not about whether the girl can open the door herself?”
“It’s about respect.” Sam stopped at the place he’d planned, waiting for Maya’s approving nod. When he got it, he helped her put down the blankets. “And honor.” He took out the fragrant disposable boxes of chorizo tacos, beans and rice, while Maya arranged all the smaller sauce containers in a logical and organized fashion. It was his turn to be impressed. But everything about her was impressive.
“It’s about—” he shrugged his shoulders as heat rose to his face “—being nice.” He cleared his throat and almost mumbled, “And sometimes the passenger-side door sticks.”
Maya smiled, but did not laugh. “Ah.”
“But mostly the being nice stuff.”
They sat at the top of a deep amphitheater, with broad grass steps that looked down on a central stage. Behind the stage was the lake, black glass in the moonlight. There were no events at the amphitheater tonight, just a few families and couples having a late picnic as they were. Electronic beeps and bongs from a Nintendo mixed with the sounds of crickets and soft laughter. A few feet away, a streetlamp shed a mild glow of light around them. The night was humid, but a light breeze from the lake cooled them as they ate their spicy meal.
“You’re right.” Maya paused between bites. “This is incredible.”
Sam was trying—unsuccessfully—not to make a mess of his taco as Maya fell silent for a moment. She had finished eating and sat with her knees bent and legs shifted over to one side. She opened her mouth as if to speak but then closed it, as if keeping the words from escaping.
“What?” Sam grimaced at her. “Am I grossing you out?”
“No, not at all.” Her smile was automatic.
“What? Just ask away.” He tried to hold his hands out to indicate that he was an open book, but failed to complete the action because he needed both hands on the taco. “That’s what first dates are about, aren’t they?” He looked her in the eye and softly stated, “And we are on afirstdate.”
Sam continued to navigate his dinner, as Maya appeared to contemplate her question. Finally, she inhaled deeply and let the words out. “Your uncle. You call him ‘Mama,’ like I call my uncle. He’s Indian.”
“Yeah, he’s my mother’s brother, like yours.” Sam ate the last bite and wiped his hands on napkins, resisting the urge to lick his fingers.
Maya shifted her position. “Well, your last name is Hutcherson, which isn’t Indian. So I was just wondering...” She trailed off.
Sam glanced over at her, a smirk playing at his lips. “Wondering what?” He leaned into her and whispered, “Half-Indian wouldn’t be enough?”
Her eyes widened in horror and she started to protest, but stopped. Instead she pursed her lips at him. “Or maybe too much.”
This girl was too much.He lifted his cup to her, laughter on his lips. “Touché.”
