Free New Title 1 by Gina Ranalli Page B

of the stairs, looking down into the living room at the wall. “Hey you,” she said with a smile. “I have quite a day planned for us.” She waited a moment, then said, “No, it’s a surprise. You’ll see.” She grinned at the wall, gave it a coy little wave and then spun on her heels, causing her dress to twirl sexily.
     
    * * * * *
     
         First, she went to the museum and, handing her digital camera to strangers, asked them to take photographers of her with various paintings and sculptures, especially the ones she knew Wally would enjoy. She spent well over an hour in the museum, getting several shots of her posing beside a Pollock painting.
         It was such a lovely day, bright, clear and warm. Though it wasn’t in her original plan, once she left the museum, she drove over to her favorite park and walked among the public gardens, again having people take her picture in various places and with various objects, the main one being the beautiful cherub fountain that decorated the center of the park, all four little cherubs peeing into the sky.
         When she was certain no one was looking, she snapped a few of the roses and surreptitiously tucked them into her purse, being as gentle as she would have been with a newborn chick.
         She tried to think of what else Wally would enjoy. A movie? Probably a sports event but as far as she knew, there were none happening in the city that day.
         With no other options, she chose the movie, opting for an action-adventure flick. She was sure Wally would enjoy it.
         Once seated in the theater, she took pictures of the popcorn and the soda, did her best to capture herself, seated and smiling, sipping from a straw and then when the movie began, she started taking pictures of the screen. She had considered taking pictures of the previews too, but decided that Wally wouldn’t care if he missed those. But, once the credits began, she started snapping away, much to the annoyance of those seated around her.
     
    * * * * *
     
         When she returned home, she was carrying Styrofoam boxes and called down into the living room: “Hi, sweetie, I’m home! You wouldn’t believe what a fabulous day we had! I can’t wait to show you the pictures.”
         She set to the task of getting out plates and silverware, a wine glass for herself and a nice frosty mug for Wally. “Oh, you can wait a little longer,” she called as she filled their plates with lasagna from the best Italian restaurant in town. “Of course you can, Wally. Don’t be so impatient!”
         She cocked her head, listening. Setting down the utensils, she smiled a little, then grabbed her purse off the counter. She found her favorite blue crystal vase, filled it with water and arranged the flowers just so inside it. Once she was satisfied, she brought the vase downstairs, flicking on a table side lamp as she went. “Ok, Mr. Impatient, here’s your one treat before dinner.”
         Holding the vase out to the wall, she smiled and laughed. “Oh, I know I shouldn’t have picked them, but aren’t they gorgeous? It’s just the right time of year for them. They’re at their peak, you know. Soon, they’ll be wilting.” She plucked one out of the vase and pressed its blood-red head against the wall at a height just slightly above her own nose. She held it there long enough for Wally to get a good sniff before sniffing it herself and returning it to the vase. Placing the vase on the table nearest Wally, she turned back to the wall and wagged a finger at it. “Ok, now, if you don’t let me finish what I’m doing, you’ll never get to hear about our fabulous day.”
         With that, she gave the wall a stern look, feigning seriousness before leaving the room to return to preparing their plates.
     
    * * * * *
     
         She unfolded a card table in front of the wall, with a single chair opposite it for herself and placed their fabulous Italian dinner on it,