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Matt didn't know how Karen had talked him into this. He could understand Foggy being excited and agreeing, but himself? How did Karen talk him into this?
Matt walked outside and waited for Karen to pull up in her rented car. Her and Foggy's excitement was palpable as Matt slid into the back seat. He clicked himself in and gave their childlike delight a rueful smile.
"Are you ready, Matt?" Karen asked, pulling into the weekend traffic.
"Why am I coming, again?" Matt asked.
"Come on, man." Foggy cut in. "You've never been pumpkin picking. You have to go at least once in your life."
"In case you've forgotten, I am blind. Farms aren't exactly handicap friendly."
"Okay, so, you won't be able to enjoy the changing leaves but think about the different scents. Fresh country air. Growing things." Foggy replied.
"Besides, a CIA chef will be serving us dinner. Farm fresh. Organic." Karen cut in.
"Farm to table is all the rage these days." Foggy said.
Matt smiled in indulgence. He had never been outside the boroughs before, certainly never had crossed the George Washington before. It was going to throw him way out of his comfort zone, but maybe it would be worth it with how excited his friends were.
The trip outside the city wasn't as long as Matt had feared. He hated car trips. Being trapped inside with no way to judge his surroundings always threw him. But Karen and Foggy kept up a steady stream of conversation and out of tune karaoke that provided a good distraction.
"So, Matt." Karen started as she pulled off the exit ramp of 17M. "I know you told me to stop meddling, but I think you're really going to like this one."
Foggy groaned. "Karen, what did you do?"
Matt shook his head. "Karen, we talked about this."
Matt couldn't force away the memories of Karen's last blind date. A veterinarian who didn't wear any perfume. She was nice enough but to Matt she smelt like too many cats with not enough litter boxes. Not exactly conducive for anything Matt was willing to get into.
"I know! I know!" Karen said, her hands briefly coming off the wheel as if to fend off attack. "But I really think you'll like him."
"Him?" Foggy asked. "Come on Karen, you know Matt is pickier about men than he is his ties."
Matt laughed. It wasn't wrong, per say, but leave it to Foggy to put it that way. "Fine. You know my calendar. Set it up for next week or something."
"Or," Karen said, dragging out the word. "You can put on your prettiest smile and be nice when we meet him at the orchard."
"Really?!" Foggy cut in as nervousness flooded Matt. "This was supposed to be a triumvirate thing."
"Matt would have found a way to cancel if I hadn't invited him today." Karen protested.
"It's fine!" Matt said loudly over Foggy's reply. "I would have found a way to cancel. But Karen, you have got to stop doing this."
"This is the last time, I promise." Karen said sincerely as she turned down the dirt road to the orchard. "There he is." She said, pointing as she parked.
"Foggy?" Matt asked.
"I don't know, Matt." Foggy started to say but Karen punched his arm before getting out of the car. "Ow! Fine! He looks good enough. Not as clean cut as your usual type. Looks like he's muscled under his jacket. Military cut to his hair."
Matt nodded, unbuckling and sliding out the passenger side door. Foggy's voice dipped lower as they followed Karen. "He looks good, though. By his stance I'd say he is military."
"Guys this is Frank," Karen said introducing him. "Frank, this is Foggy and this is Matt."
Matt switched hands holding his cane and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you."
The hand that grasped his was firm and calloused. Whatever he did, he worked with his hands often.
"Frank."
Oh, Matt thought to himself and wasn't that something. His voice was deeper than expected and sent a pleasant thrill through him.
"I'm sorry Karen dragged you way out here for this." Matt said, reluctantly letting go of the warm hand.
"Yeah, it's no problem. Karen can be very, uh, persuasive."
Matt laughed softly. "And persistent."
Karen softly clapped her hands together. "Well, now that we're all here, our ride to the pumpkin patch leaves in a few minutes. Let's go get on the hay wagon."
Hay wagon? Matt thought as they started walking. Today really was going to test his boundaries.
They walked in companionable silence over to the loading area. Karen climbed up first.
"There's three steps." Frank said softly, "Railing about 11o'clock from your left hand."
Matt turned slightly towards the other man. It had been said so naturally that Matt was put off guard a little. He folded his cane, reaching out and sure enough there was a wooden railing with three steps up.
Karen reached out and tapped his arm as he stepped into the wagon. Matt sat with his back to the railings around the wagon. Karen was on his left, Foggy in front facing him and Frank on his right.
It was a few minutes before the wagon began to move. Excited children, and Foggy, chattered away as they moved. It was different. The whole thing smelt of the hay bales they sat upon and fresh air with a hint of burning diesel overlaying everything. The tractor was slow and the wagon swayed as they puttered along a trail.
Frank wasn't chatty but he made easy conversation as they rode. After about twenty minutes they arrived at the patch and disembarked.
"Walk with me?" Frank asked.
"You might have to catch me if I fall." He said with a laugh reaching out for Frank's shoulder.
Frank took the hand from the air and tucked it into his elbow. "Gladly." He muttered, sending a shiver down Matt's spine.
Foggy took the hint to leave them alone, Karen was pulling him by the arm away, but didn't stray too far as they searched for pumpkins for the office.
Matt and Frank walked, both stumbling a little over the uneven ground. "So, Foggy says military haircut, does it go with a military background?"
Frank gently maneuvered Matt around a muddy spot. "It does. I was a marine."
"A jarhead, huh. What do you do now?"
"Construction, mostly. But I also work with vets out in Brooklyn with a friend." Frank said, stopping. "Kneel down, feel this one."
Matt bent down, reaching out until he felt the pumpkin under his hands. He ran his hands over the skin, feeling the bumps and grooves. It was on the larger side but not too big either.
"Think it'll make a good jack o'lantern?" Frank asked.
Matt nodded. "It's a good size."
"My little girl, Lisa, loves to carve pumpkins."
That caught Matt's attention. "Lisa?"
"Yeah," Frank seemed a bit nervous. "I've got two kids. Lisa and Frank Jr.. They live with their mom."
Matt had never dated anyone with kids before. Never thought about it. The only kids he had experience with were the orphans back where he grew up, and he wasn't sure that counted. But, he was just getting to know Frank, so he figured he had time. They had just met afterall.
Matt smiled, reaching out and grabbing Frank's arm. "Divorced?"
They started walking again, Frank carrying the pumpkin. "Yeah. It was hard coming back. Hard for everyone. We're still great friends. Just, couldn't make it work after I got back. Now I help other guys transition back to civilian life. Not as fancy as being a lawyer but it's a good life."
"Trust me," Matt said. "There is nothing fancy to worry about with Nelson, Murdock, and Page . We have a client that likes to pay his late fees with fluke."
"The fish?"
Matt laughed at the incredulous tone. "Exactly. He gets the phone call that his payment is late and then a few days later he hand delivers it with a couple flukes for the trouble."
Frank's laugh was rich. Matt beamed a smile at him. He could listen to that laugh all day.
They wandered for a little while longer until Frank had a pumpkin in each arm and Matt carried his own. He kept a hand on Frank's shoulder as they meandered back to the hay wagon. Foggy, Karen and Frank showed off their pumpkins as they rode, Matt running his hands over each and approving of their choices.
Frank sat closer to Matt on the ride back than he had on the way over. Matt didn't mind the warmth at all or the occasional bump with the sway of the wagon.
They put their pumpkins in the trunk of their cars once they reached the parking lot. It felt almost natural for Matt to slip his hand back into the crook of Frank's elbow as the four of them wandered the orchard's main yard to the dining area.
They conversed easily, eagerly looking over the menu. Local beers and wines were ordered. Pumpkin bruschetta and apples with brie were served as starters. More beer and more wine were drunk as their entrees came out.
Matt, eternally picky with his food, was delighted at the fresh taste. He didn't know if it was the chef, the freshness of the produce, or the company, but it was one of the best meals he'd had in a long time. His head was light from laughter and a bit of the alcohol.
Too soon dessert, an apple cider donut bread pudding, and their round of coffee were nothing but crumbs. Everyone around them slowly filtered out.
"Foggy," Karen pulled on his arm as he stood up. "Come to the market with me so we can get some donuts for the office tomorrow."
Foggy laughed, patting Matt's arm. "Meet you at the car."
Matt waved as he got up and stood with Frank. Frank tucked his hand into his arm and they ambled out of the taphouse and into the parking lot.
"I had fun today." Matt said, slightly surprised at how true that statement was.
"Me too." Frank agreed.
"I wouldn't mind doing this again. Maybe somewhere closer to public transportation so it can be just us."
"I'd like that."
Matt reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He handed it over to Frank. "Put your number in. I'm not much for texting but I'll give you a call."
Matt could hear Foggy and Karen approaching as Frank input his number and called himself to get Matt's number on his phone. Frank handed back the phone, their fingers touching, lingering longer than necessary.
Matt could feel the stupid smile on his face as they said their goodbyes. Could feel it as he got in the car and drove away.