Blackie was in his element as he and Laura sat down. He loved music, and he tried not to miss these Sunday concerts. They soothed his soul. He loved being in the park, full of trees and lawns and flowering bushes. He took a few deep breaths now, savoring the fresh scents of the grass, the leaves and the flowers. Peace here, he thought. A place to relax, to be at ease, to forget any problems and travails.

Laura broke into his thoughts when she said, “Don’t stay angry with Emma, Blackie. She just can’t help herself. And it’s that drive and ambition that makes her so stubborn. She’s a good person, and she’d give you the coat off her back.”

Blackie turned slightly in his seat, and looked at Laura, her trusting face turned up toward him. He was filled with a rush of emotion, so strong he was startled.

“Aren’t ye the one? Always seeing the best of people, always being so fair, never condemning. There’s just no one like ye.…” His voice trailed off and he glanced around. People were coming in slowly, and they were still alone at the front of the row of seats.

Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, “Laura, I do believe I am falling in love with ye, mavourneen. Really and truly. It’s friends we are, but I know I feel better when I’m with ye.…”

Laura’s eyes shone.

“I’m in love with you, Blackie,” she whispered. “I have been since the first time we met. I thought it was obvious.”

Blackie’s face filled with happiness, his black eyes warm as he said, “Can we go steady? Can we think about being together?”

“What do you mean when you say ‘being together’?”

“Walking out, and perhaps something more.”

“Are you … are you proposing to me, Blackie?” Laura asked carefully, her eyes riveted to his face.

“I think I am; on the heads of the Blessed Saints, I swear I am.” He let out a shout of laughter. “Don’t ye know I love ye?”

“Yes, I do. I feel the same.” She smiled, joy in her face, and touched his cheek gently. “We shall go steady, enjoy our courtship, and one day, in the not-too-distant future, we’ll get married, and perhaps even start a family.”

Filled with excitement, he pulled her into his arms, crushing her against his jacket. Gently Laura extracted herself from his arms, and said, “We must stop now, my dearest Blackie.” She laughed. “The others will be here soon.”

He nodded. “I knows that.”

“I want to go steady, be your girl, but let’s just keep it to ourselves for a little while. And let’s not display too much in front of other people. I don’t think that’s proper; do you?”