Down Home Cookin’

Reed’s Realm

Reed pulled over to the curb in front of Drake’s Carved Wood and turned off the engine. As he opened the door to exit his car, the front door opened and Maggie walked out.

“Here I am,” she said, waving at Reed and smiling.

Reed walked around the front of his car as Maggie turned and locked the front door of her store. Reed stumbled on the curb as he stepped up on the sidewalk. His eyes should have been on where he was walking, but he couldn’t seem to take them off of Maggie. She looked beautiful. Her hair was pulled back into a loose pony tail, allowing a portion of her bangs to drape down both sides of her face. She wore a flowing black dress that came down just below her knees with a thin pair of black hose and mid-level black high heels. The ensemble was light enough for a lunch date, yet could have also looked right for a night on the town.

She turned back to him after locking the door and moved toward the car. Reed was just standing there staring at her with his heart racing a little. He hadn’t been thinking much about meeting her today, and it wasn’t until this moment that he really permitted himself to feel his nerves starting to play around with him inside.

“What?” she asked, her smile widening.

“Wow!” was the only word the came out of Reed’s mouth.

Maggie’s pink cheek’s tinted red.

“All of the sudden, I feel like I’m underdressed,” he said as she stopped in front of him.

“That’s not true. I think you look very nice,” she responded.

Reed opened the passenger door and motioned for her to enter. Holding up the sides of her dress, she got in the car, saying thank you as she went by Reed. He closed the door and walked around behind the car, this time making sure that the same section of curb didn’t grab his foot again.

As he walked past the back of the car, Reed glanced through the back window, still in disbelief. Partly because he was actually taking a woman out to lunch, and the other part being that the person he was with was Maggie Drake. He wasn’t sure how Martin was going to react to finding out who he brought as a date.

As he reached to open his car door, he took one last deep breath to try and calm his nerves before getting behind the wheel.

There wasn’t a lot of traffic out and about. Going through the neighborhoods near the French quarter, they only encountered a couple of cars. Even for a Sunday, it seemed lighter than usual.

“Okay, Maggie, so I want to kind of give you a heads up on something before we get there,” Reed said, licking his lips.

“Oh, great. You get me to come with you to lunch and just before we get there you give me the warning,” she said, a smirk on her face.

Reed laughed. “No, it’s not like that. It’s just that none of Martin’s folks know that you are coming over, so they might be a little surprised, that’s all,” Reed said.

Maggie looked confused. “Why didn’t you tell them that you were bringing someone?” she asked.

“No, I did tell them that I was bringing someone.” Reed paused and glanced over at Maggie. “What I mean is that I didn’t tell them that I was bringing Maggie Drake, daughter of Warin Drake, who is one of the most powerful and wealthiest businessmen in all of New Orleans.”

Maggie nodded and looked straight ahead, not saying anything. Reed could not help but feel like that what he said bothered her in someway.

They were only a few blocks from Mrs. Johnston’s house as he stopped at an intersection. With his foot on the brake, Reed didn’t proceed, instead turning to his companion. “Maggie,” Reed said, waiting for a reaction.

Turning her head slowly, she looked over to him.

“I didn’t tell them because I didn’t know how Martin would react. You’re somewhat involved in an active case. It’s a grey area on whether I should be taking you out in any social fashion. I’m sure it’s something that the department would frown upon just because of how they are,” Reed explained.

“So this is something that could get you it trouble?” she asked.

“I’m not going to get into any trouble,” he responded quickly.

“That’s not what I asked you. Could this get you into trouble?” she asked again.

“I guess it’s possible,” he answered.

Maggie shook her head. “Then why did you ask me to come?”

Reed didn’t respond at first. He took a moment trying to find the right words to say. Out of the corner of his eye, he looked at the finger that used to hold his wedding ring.

After a few moments Reed looked back up at her. “You know, for the past six years I’ve lived for nothing but my job. I have dedicated almost every waking moment of everyday to it, no matter if it was the weekend or a holiday, or if I was just plain tired. I gave 110% to every case that came across my desk. I have seen more of this city than some people that have lived here their entire lives have seen. I’ve met and talked to a lot of people during those six years. I’ve had the opportunity on many occasions to pursue relationships. But during all these years, I’ve never met anyone that really made me feel like the job was or could be second,” Reed said, pausing.

“Oh, I see,” Maggie said, again flushing a little and turning her eyes down at her hands.

“That is, until a few weeks ago when I walked into your store,” he added.

Maggie looked up at Reed, but said nothing. Her expression was searching for something in his.

“I probably shouldn’t have said that—I don’t want to scare you off—but you know, I just feel like there are moments in life that you have to take a blind leap of faith. I don’t know what is going to happen with us, if anything. All I know is that I enjoy your company, and I cannot think of anyone else I would want to join me for lunch more than you,” Reed finished.

After a moment, the unsure look on her face transformed into a shy smile. “So what are we waiting for?” she asked.

Reed smiled back before straightening up in his seat and proceeding the last few blocks to Mrs. Johnston’s house. Reed pulled over and stopped the car in front of an old style Victorian house. He turned the engine off and looked over at Maggie.

“So you ready for this?” He asked.

“Sure,” Maggie smiled.

“Well, that makes one of us,” Reed added, laughing.

They both got out of the car and headed up the sidewalk leading to the house. They stepped up onto the porch and Reed reached out to push the doorbell. A short moment later, the door opened.

“Reed! Oh, I’m so glad you could make it,” the woman greeted. She looked to be in her sixties. She had her hair, mostly black but speckled with white, pulled back in a severe bun, with a few strands misplaced. “And who is this beautiful young lady you have here?”

“It’s good to see you, Mrs. Johnston. This is my friend, Maggie,” Reed introduced.

Mrs. Johnston reached out and took Maggie by her hands, gently pulling her in to the house. “Y’all come on in, and I’m so pleased to meet you, Maggie,” she said, closing the door and leaning back over towards Maggie. “It’s about time this boy got himself a woman in his life.”

Beyond the little foyer, a small living room sat beyond. The walls and several curio cabinets held pictures of the Johnston family. The furniture in the room hadn’t been updated in twenty years, but the couch and end tables were in good enough shape to have come off the showroom floor the day before.

“Mom,” Martin said, walking into the room with his aunt, and another woman that Reed didn’t recognize, behind him. “Don’t make her run off before we serve lunch.”

Mrs. Johnston turned around and waved her hand at her son, dismissing his comment.

“Hey Buddy, glad you made it over,” Martin said, reaching out and smacking Reed on the shoulder.

“I wouldn’t have missed this good home cooking for anything,” Reed responded, smiling at Mrs. Johnston.

She laughed and turned her attention back to Maggie. “Honey, you best watch yourself with Mr. Sweet Talker over here,” she said. “Now you kids come get something to drink and have a chat while I finish up lunch.” Mrs. Johnston turned to the back of the house and the kitchen.

“Hi, I’m Regina. I am Martin’s aunt,” the other woman said. She looked to be a few years younger than her sister. Regina’s hair was also pulled back, but lacked as much white interference. “We can catch up later. I’ve got to go make sure she doesn’t ruin lunch.”

Reed looked over to Martin. “So, you going to introduce me to your friend, Martin?”

“Oh, excuse me,” Martin said, looking over at his date. “This is Michelle. Michelle, this is the best cop in all of New Orleans, Reed Hackman.”

“Oh, I’m the best cop, huh? You are laying it on pretty think aren’t you,” Reed said, as he reached out and shook Michelle’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Michelle.”

“Hey man, if it wasn’t for you, that Willings asshole would have killed me the other night,” Martin stated.

“You would have done the same for me,” Reed said.

“Maybe,” Martin joked. “Who is your guest, Mr. Hackman?”

Reed turned to Maggie. “Martin and Michelle, this is Maggie,” Reed introduced.

Maggie greeted them both with a nod and a smile.

“Let’s get something to drink,” Martin said as he turned and walked into the kitchen.

Reed took the moment to look over to Maggie. She smiled as they followed Martin into the kitchen. It was a huge room that had a full dinner table that could seat at least ten people. A bar counter area separated the table from the kitchen appliance area, which was huge as well. Mrs. Johnston and Regina were busy at the stoves cooking and laughing.

Martin walked over to the bar area. “Maggie, what would you like?”

“Is it too early to open the red wine?” she asked.

“Girl, that’s what I am talking about,” Michelle chimed in.

Martin looked over to Reed and both of them broke into laughter.

“It’s never too early for some wine, my dear,” Martin said as he pulled a bottle out of the wine cabinet beside the bar. He opened the bottle and poured everyone a glass one at a time. By the time they all had a glass and sat down at the table, Mrs. Johnston and Regina started to bring out the food and sitting it on the table.

“I hope all you kids brought your appetite with you today,” Mrs. Johnston said. “We have gumbo, jambalaya, grilled chicken, homemade fried potatoes, with sweet corn bread.”

“Wow, Mrs. Johnston, you’ve really out done yourself here,” Reed said.

“And be sure to save some room for some double layer blackberry cobbler too,” Regina yelled from the kitchen, pulling the freshly backed cobbler out of the oven. Steam wafted from the surface and the tart and sweet smell filled the air.

After filling their plates, everyone settled in for the meal, eating, laughing, and telling stories between bites. Reed looked around at his companions and realized how great it was to be sitting down at a meal with good people. He could not remember the last time that he had an experience like this one. And the best part of it all to him was sitting right beside him. Reed glanced over to Maggie, who was laughing and about to take another sip of her wine. She looked over to him and smiled, holding up her glass as to slightly toast him. Reed nodded and smiled back.

As the meal slowed and everyone became stuffed to the gills with all the great foods that had been cooked. The conversation slowed also. During the meal, most of the stories were about Martin as a child, or Reed and Martin sharing stories about some of the crazy people that they had run into on the streets.

Maggie took advantage of the lull. “Mrs. Johnston, I couldn’t help but notice your dinning table. This is an antique Victorian Eastlake table if I’m not mistaken. I was wondering how you came across such a fine piece?” Maggie asked.

Everyone at the table stopped and looked to Maggie in surprise.

“This is a what?” Mrs. Johnston asked, laughing.

Maggie now looked a little taken aback. “Don’t tell me that you don’t know what you have here?”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t,” Mrs. Johnston said. “This old thing was my mother’s, God rest her soul. I believe she paid a couple of hundred dollars for it at an estate sale.”

“You have to be kidding me,” Maggie said shaking her head. “This is a Victoria Eastlake Walnut dining table. It dates back to the 1890’s. This looks to be in good shape and all original.”

“And what does all that mean?” Martin asked.

Maggie turned her attention to him and responded. “That means that we just had lunch on an antique table that has a fair market value of about fifty-three hundred dollars as long as it’s a complete collection,” Maggie added.

“Well, I’ll be,” Mrs. Johnston said, putting a hand to her chest.

“I’m not joking,” Maggie responded.

“How do you know all this?” Martin asked.

“Maggie runs an antique furniture store down in Jackson Square,” Reed interjected.

“I see you only have nine chairs. Do you have the tenth?” Maggie asked.

“Oh no. I’m afraid there were only nine chairs when my mom purchased it, but we never worried about it because we didn’t have nine people in the family,” she said.

“You know, there is a possibility that I might actually have one of these at the store. I have a pretty large collection of mix and match chairs that I don’t have on the floor. You are more than welcome to come and look and see if you can find one if you would like,” Maggie offered.

“That is too nice of you Maggie, and you know, I just might do that. I might as well have a complete set. What is the name of your store, hun?” Mrs. Johnston asked.

“I’m easy to find. I’m on the northwest corner of Jackson Square. Just look for Drake’s Carved Wood. That’s my shop and I’m there almost all the time,” Maggie said, opening her purse and pulling out a business card. “Here is card. Just give me a call sometime.”

As Maggie leaned over to hand Mrs. Johnston her card, Reed noticed the shocked look on Martin’s face, his eyes wide open with disbelief. It had not struck anyone else at the table just who Maggie was, but it was clear that Martin knew.

“Oh, thank you,” Mrs. Johnston said as she took the card from Maggie. “Miss Maggie Drake. Hey you know that is the same name as that millionaire business guy isn’t it? What’s his name?”

Maggie responded, “Warin.”

“Yeah, that’s right. You ain’t related to him by chance are you,” Regina asked in a joking tone.

“He’s my father,” Maggie responded.

You could have heard a pin drop in the room, so it was a mystery to Reed as to how all the jaws at the table hit the floor without a very loud thud reverberating around the place.

“Well, ah, Miss Drake I certainly do appreciate your kind offer,” Mrs. Johnston said, her tone more formal.

Maggie’s stone faced expression made it apparent to Reed that she was used to this kind of reaction and the awkwardness that followed.

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Johnston, and please call me Maggie. Nothing has changed here. My father is my father. And I am who I am, no better or worse than anyone else,” Maggie shared.

Her statement eased a little of the strange feel in the room, but there were still some after shocks that were tingling about.

“Well, I hate to break up the little party, but I have to get going,” Michelle said.

“Yeah, we should get going too,” Reed added. “Maggie rearranged her schedule to be here and has some errands to attend to.”

“Well, y’all don’t all have to run off at once,” Mrs. Johnston said as she stood up from the table.

“Thank you so much for inviting us over, Mrs. Johnston,” Reed said.

“Well, you both are quite welcome, and we’ll have to do it again, okay,” Mrs. Johnston said as they all walked through the small home and arrived at the front door.

Michelle and Martin walked out the door first, followed by Maggie and Reed. Martin walked Michelle over to his car and opened the passenger door for her, then closed it as she got in. Reed did the same for Maggie before walking to the back of his car where Martin was waiting. The look on Martin’s face told a story he felt pretty sure he didn’t want to hear.

“Maggie Drake,” Martin said, his voice incredulous. “Have you lost your mind?”

“What?” Reed asked softly, tossing up his hands.

“Do you know what the Chief would do to both of us if he found out that Maggie freakin’ Drake was at my mom’s house eating lunch?” Martin asked.

Reed put his hand on Martin’s shoulder. “Calm down, brother. On the scale of things that cops in this city do that the Chief would not like, I would think this would rate pretty low. Besides, what the Chief doesn’t know is not going to hurt him. You know what I’m saying,” Reed said.

Martin shook his head in agreement. “Yeah, I know what you’re saying. Just be careful, okay?”

“Always,” Reed said as he walked over to his car door and opened it.

“Hey Martin,” Reed said looking back to Martin once more.

Martin, who was already in his car, stuck his head partially out his driver’s side window.

“Thanks for lunch, man,” Reed said.

“Don’t mention it,” he yelled back.

Reed got into the car and turned onto the quite street, headed back to Maggie’s store. As they drove back, they shared more conversation about lunch and before they knew it, Reed was pulling up to the front of the store.

“Well, that wasn’t so painful, was it?” Reed asked.

“No, it actually wasn’t painful at all,” Maggie responded.

“You’re just saying that,” Reed teased.

Maggie smiled for a moment. “Honestly,” Maggie stated. “I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought that I would.”

“Me too,” Reed agreed. “I can’t thank you enough for coming.”

“Well, I can’t thank you enough for asking me,” Maggie said.

Reed glanced out the front of the windshield for a moment before looking back over to Maggie and asking, “So, where do we go from here?”

Maggie raised her eye brows as if to say that she didn’t have a clue. “I don’t know. I think I’ll leave that up to you to figure out, Mr. Detective.” Maggie opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. She leaned back into the open window of the car. “All I know is that I’m looking forward to finding out.”

“Wow, no pressure,” Reed said.

Maggie laughed as she closed the door and took a few steps backwards, allowing herself to still face the car.

Reed waved at her as he slowly pulled away. He found himself feeling something that he hadn’t in a long time. Simply alive.