Finding Joy

Friday evening arrived amid the
usual scrambling for case law.  When
Connie slipped out of Mike's office to order dinner, he in turn slipped out in
the direction of Jack's office.  He
knocked, entered, and slid a pair of small metal objects across the district
attorney's desk.

"What's this?" Jack
asked interestedly.

"Keys to my place,"
Mike replied.  "I'd like to surprise
Connie if I can, and she won't fall for the trick you two used on me."

Jack nodded and smiled.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "What, then?"

"I've made reservations at
Bella Flora—yesterday was the five month anniversary of our first date."

Jack's smile grew.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Good idea."

"The reservations are at
seven.  I imagine we'll be there for a
couple of hours."

"And you'd like me at your
place around nine?"  Jack picked up
the keys as Mike nodded.

"Maybe a little before,
just in case?"  Mike looked
beseechingly at Jack, who nodded.

"Which is which?" Jack
asked, indicating the keys.

"The square one is the
front door, and the other is my apartment door."style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Mike hesitated.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "You know how to get there?"

Jack glanced sharply up at
Mike.  His expression softened when he
saw the faint desperation on Mike's face. 
"I've lived in Manhattan for forty years," he replied.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I can find it."

Mike relaxed slightly, relieved.