Free Replacement Baby by Mary Ann Smart

old Alfred Hitchcock films. You are overreacting!”
    “Okay, okay,” Lionel said in defeat. “And maybe I do watch too much Hitchcock. I like his movies. But I also want to be a journalist. So I’m naturally questioning everything.”
    Rose laughed off his worries and left when the cab arrived in front of the house. The drive took less than twenty minutes before she arrived at the club. Rose paid the driver and exited.
    Standing in front of the neon lights at the night club, Rose could feel her heart begin to flutter. I can’t wait to see Rodney again, she thought happily. She had arrived several minutes early, so she waited patiently beside the front door. The doorman glanced at her with curiosity, but said nothing.
    Rodney arrived minutes later, dressing even sharper than he had been earlier. He always looks so good! Rose thought with pleasure. I’m pretty lucky to get asked out by such an attractive guy after only being in London for a day! If only Mother could see me now.
    “You look amazing, Rose,” Rodney said, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek.
    “You don’t look so bad yourself,” Rose replied, feeling shy.
    Rodney placed his hand on the small of her back and led her inside. They entered a large room with a tall, painted ceiling and colored lights hanging from the ceiling. Popular music blared with a pair of large speakers and couples danced in the center. There were high top tables near the bar, which was where Rodney led Rose. Once seated, he ordered them champagne, and then martinis. They drank as they talked and glanced over the menu for an appetizer to share.
    Rose began to feel dizzy, but she got up and danced with Rodney anyway. He swung her across the floor and dipped her so that when she looked up, she could see the shimmering lights overhead. He whispered into her ear and she giggled. He twirled her until her head was spinning.
    “You are an awesome dancer!” she shouted over the loud music.
    “Thanks, Rose,” he replied.
    “You make me feel like I know what I’m doing, even though I haven’t danced too much before.”
    “That’s what a good dancer does. He leads his partner so she can do anything.” Rodney flashed his bright, radiant smile.
    They danced several more to several more songs. Rodney began to hold Rose closer, and Rose did not mind the warmth of his body against hers in the least. He whispered in her ear about how attractive he found her. Rose could not stop blushing at all his words, and she wanted to hear more of them. He stroked her back and kissed her forehead and cheeks. Rose felt warm inside. She had never been touched this way before.
    When they sat down, Rodney ordered more champagne. The bubbles floated toward the ceiling and the glasses began to look fuzzy. Rose blinked her eyes.
    “I shouldn’t have any more,” she said in a quiet voice.
    “Nonsense,” said Rodney. “Enjoy yourself. You deserve to have a good time.”
    Rose’s head was spinning. It began to ache and she pressed her palm against it. She was beginning to feel a little nauseous.
    “Please,” she said. “I’m starting to feel a little sick.”
    “I’m sorry,” Rodney apologized, concern on his face. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have ordered you so much. Gosh, what was I thinking? You don’t normally drink, do you?”
    “It’s fine, it’s fine,” Rose reassured him, blushing. “But no, I don’t normally drink.”
    “How old are you, Rose?” Rodney asked, his voice still sounding concerned.
    “I’m eighteen,” Rose told him, lifting her head from her hand and sitting up straight in her chair.
    “Oh, wow,” he replied, his voice filled with surprise. “I’m sorry, I thought you were at least twenty-one.”
    “Do you wish you hadn’t asked me out now?” Rose asked with disappointment. Great, she thought. My perfect date is ruined.
    “Oh, no, not at all!” Rodney reassured her. “To me, age is just a number. I like you a lot, Rose. I’ve had a great time