C8 A Blind Date

It irritated him. It did. Harvey found it hard to accept that the extremely attractive and classy Evelyn O'Neil had been promoted to a fellow officer. He experienced some betrayal. He was unaware that the Professor was a police officer. The Professor might have been unaware that Evelyn was a member of the Miami Police Department and that his rage was baseless. She appeared stunning from the outside. When she was not wearing a uniform, she looked like a supermodel from Vogue. She was so alluring and resembled a Greek Goddess that Harvey believed she might be the woman of his dreams. He had a long-standing desire to find the ideal woman who he could marry and have children with. His Italian ancestry dictated that he would retire as a police officer, have children, and live a happy life with a good woman who supported him. Every Miami police officer would be envious of him.

But from what he could make out, Evelyn was no weak, vulnerable beauty. Harvey had tried to stay away from her ever since she joined the police department. Although she locked eyes with him and it occasionally seemed as if she needed to speak to him throughout that first week, he would move away, making her feel he was uncomfortable with her.

His best buddy and fellow police officer Keith Lennox recognized that something seemed awkwardly fishy between Harvey and Evelyn. He was unaware of their previous acquaintances, but he could understand that Harvey did not approve of a woman joining the police. He had observed their exchange of glances and had also detected a faint spark. He approached Harvey, who was at the station's water cooler sipping his cup. It was early morning and Harvey was getting ready to start his day and report for duty.

"Hey, Harv, mind sharing with me what's been happening lately?" Keith addressed him directly.

"What are you saying?" Harvey spoke while furrowing his brow.

"I'm talking about the way Evelyn and you interact. You two behave as though you are in high school and are lovers who are fighting." Keith countered.

After laughing, Harvey kept quiet so as not to be overheard.

"Are you suggesting that I like this girl, mate? You've got to be kidding me," Harvey replied. "That is absurd. We hardly know each other."

"I couldn't have predicted it. You two appear to be a long-term pair based on both of your outward appearances. Do you have anything to withhold from me? Did you two already do it? Did you neglect to call her when she got upset, and now that she's a cop and in your department, you're freaking out about it?" Keith bombarded Harvey with questions.

"You're totally off. I didn't share a bed with her ever, and we just so happen to be acquainted through an old buddy of mine. We were going to attend an opera together after he invited me over to meet her at his house. I'm just amazed that the same female is a police officer." Harvey explained.

"Nobody else objects to her working as a police officer. She's a great person. We've never had a female officer on this force. She has already accomplished a lot. I overheard the Captain discussing that the Mayor wants to speak with her on public television. As a city employee, she always seems to have time for a little more work and is either saving the day or doing something else. Are you tensed because she is just as good as you worry you?" Keith demanded.

"God no. Keith, please refrain from bringing it up. I'll appreciate it. You're drawing a lot of baseless conclusions that are all premature. Her being a police officer is not an issue for me." Harvey countered.

He received a funny glance from his friend. In contrast to the dark and attractive Harvey, who had features that were unmistakably more Italian, Keith Lennox was a blonde with very pasty skin, a small but powerful body, and a face that had the "softie, next-door-guy" type of expression. Additionally, Keith knew Harvey better than he did himself.

"Look, I suppose I have some concerns about her. She is currently succeeding and receiving praise and credit for her excellent services, but sooner or later she will falter. She has to. After all, how far can a female officer run? For those who can't take the stress, workload, and strain of being a police officer, this is a difficult life. She should be aware of the situation she is getting into. It's like enrolling in the military and being sent back to fight in Vietnam for a lost cause." Harvey ridiculed.

Keith remarked, "Harv, you need to stop misogynistic ideas sometimes," and left.

They had both been reluctant to attend the concert at Carnegie Hall. Harvey and Evelyn felt obligated to attend the concert only to please their mutual friend Professor Goldstein because he had planned it for months. The world was more expansive in Miami City. Its breadth was populated by different types of individuals, cultures, and heritage from all walks of life, frequently crossing paths and occasionally interacting.

Harvey would have been indifferent toward it and his love for Evelyn would not have changed significantly if he had learned that she was a doctor or a barrister or engaged in any other profession. She was a cop, after all, and he somehow suffered from inferior complexity. If she were a police officer as tough as he was, how could she become his partner for life? His younger sister Alicia watched him get ready for his night out. She wondered about it and opined it was funny that he had his hair pulled back so nicely and how it gleamed like a jet. She also thought it was hilarious to see him not only out of his usual police uniform but also dressed as a penguin. To Harvey's chagrin, Professor Goldstein had gifted him a tuxedo. Except on the evening of his high school prom, he had never worn formal suits or business suits. The tux made him feel uneasy since he opined, that it did not properly match his muscular build.

Alicia said, "You look like you're about to be married, Harv. Who's the lucky girl?"

Just turning thirteen, Alicia was already a klutz. She frequently made jokes about turning into a police officer while attending a nearby junior high. Harvey found her joke offensive and prayed she wasn't serious. Being a cop was enough to qualify Evelyn. If he realized that his own younger sister worked as a police officer in the perilous Magic City, he would have a heart attack and pass away.

"It's my date, silly," Harvey told her and adding that it was a blind date. They were set up by a mutual friend Professor Goldstein. "We're traveling to Carnegie Hall for a piano concert."

"Why is it referred to as a blind date? It eluded me. You won't be going out with a person who is blind." Alicia chuckled.

"The date is a 'mystery'. I pay for dinner and you don't find out who you're going out with until it's too late." Harvey explained.

They both laughed together.

"It certainly sounds enjoyable to me. I'm excited to go on a blind date and hope it's with Robby Benson, Patrick Swayze, or -" Alicia was cut off.

"Are you already mad for boys? Well, please don't tell me about it. Tell your best friend now. Hey, you were meant to be at a sleepover, wasn't it? Where's Myra?" Harvey inquired.

"I wasn't invited. Myra isn't my friend anymore, and that doesn't matter to me." Alicia suddenly seemed offended at the foul play.

"Women," Harvey said in jest.

He was ready to leave after applying some cologne and giving himself one more grooming in the mirror. As he left the room, he stroked Alicia's hair.

"You look after Mamma Banach, and don't use the phone tonight," Harvey advised her. "You'll rack up the phone bill, and father will find a way to make you pay for the bills. You are aware of your father's persona. He'll soon quit providing you with an allowance."

Alicia remarked to him, "Well, I want to get myself a job at the mall. My best friend Vicki is already doing that and she's only studying in high school."

"I believe you should wait until you can drive and keep concentrating on your studies, after which you can find a career that suits you." Harvey countered.

"I assumed that was okay because Dad hasn't said anything, but I guess I'll bring it up with him. Also, Mom will support me. You'd better get moving. Your mystery woman is waiting." Alicia teased.