Hunter had wanted to meet her for months. Today was the day he would finally have a chance to introduce himself. Visiting day had never been so eventful.

This is my entry for the #clichecrushing challenge "not-meet cute on Valentine's Day" which took second place!!

~~❤️~~

Set in the 1950's, I've used a bit of slang to add to the feel of a gumshoe detective story. Here are a few terms used in the story that you may not know:

Jelly Roll- hairstyle
Large charge- big deal
Flipped- excited
Can, big house- prison
Circled- married
Circus wagon-car in bad condition
Goose it- drive fast
Frosted- angry
Hound- bus
Boozehound- drunk man
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Visiting day was always a real large charge. It was the one day in the week that outsiders made their way through the barbed wire and guard towers to see their loved ones in the can. Prisoners weren't the only ones flipped, however. The guards were also anticipating a bonafide good time chit chatting with civilians.

It was a welcomed change from the heavy interaction with inmates. There was always the threat of a riot or some other ruckus. Guards were constantly eyeing the yard for trouble. But everyone was more relaxed on visiting day.

Bob Hunter was no exception. He spent an extra fifteen minutes that morning on his hair, smoothing the coiffed peak just so. It was a shame that his cap would ruin his efforts at a Jelly Roll. He should just stick with a flat-top. Splashing an extra dose of cologne and smoothing his freshly pressed uniform, he took in his reflection one last time.

"Well, today's the day. Make your move, Romeo, and she'll be weak in the knees for you," he told himself, trying to build a sense of confidence that had never come naturally to him.

Hunter had been watching for the sweet doll over the last several months. When he first saw the dame, he figured she was spoken for, visiting whatever louse of a husband she had in the big house.

So he admired her from afar, enjoying the view of the circled gal. Her chocolate brown updo gave her an elegant air. She was always dressed to impress, and it had worked. He had trouble keeping his mind on his duties when she was visiting.

It wasn't until a month or two later that one of the other guards got his attention and gave him the best news he had heard since laying eyes on her.

"That is one lovely lady. I'm thinking about speaking to that one there. Maybe take her out on the town, show her what a real man is like," Johnson had said.

Hunter was dumb struck. "I wouldn't mess with one of the wives if I was you. These boys can make trouble for you."

"Ah, they can't do nothing in here. Besides, she's no wife. She visits her brother, Big Jim over on block six."

Brother? That gave Hunter some hope. He decided to find out more about her, but not from Johnson. He was a little rough around the edges. Instead, he went to the Big Daddy himself, the warden's second hand man. That guy was aces and would give it to him straight.

"McGee, what do you know about the Dolly that comes to see Big Jim?"

"Ah, Maxine. His baby sister. She's easy on the eyes, ain't she?" McGee chuckled, amused by young Hunter's interest.

"Yeah, yeah. Cool it, would ya?" Now he would have a hard time asking what he wanted to ask.

"Listen, boy, you got an interest? It's no never mind to me. Just lay it out there and we'll see what we can figure." McGee had always been no nonsense and got right to the point of things.

Hunter nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, gee, I guess she is a looker. Seems sweet too. I was wondering if she was already committed. Didn't want to step in on another guy's woman."

"She's single as they come far as I know. But watch out for the big man. He's got a demon streak, that one, protective too. If he finds you sniffing around you're asking for trouble."

"Thanks for the advice." Hunter shook his head as he walked back to his post.

Ever since then he'd been looking for an in with Maxine. Trouble was, on visiting day he was usually stationed outside the gates, making sure all was secure. He needed to be inside for a chance to have a jaw with the doll.

After a few weeks of pestering McGee to help him out, Hunter finally caught a break. This visitors day he was gonna be stationed at the check in desk. He'd be speaking with every relative coming through, keeping things square and checking their belongings.

To put the cherry on top, it was Valentine's Day. Now, what doll wouldn't flip at getting an invite to a flick on such a fine day. He had also taken the liberty of picking up a nice box of Valentine's chocolates. It had cost him a pretty penny, too.

"Eat your heart out, Johnson." Hunter gave a thought to the cocky guard. It wouldn't be Johnson who ended up with the fox, not if he could help it.

Checking his watch, Hunter cursed. He needed to flee the scene if he didn't want to be late! Not today of all days.

He grabbed his chocolates, hopped into his circus wagon and prepared to speed off. It wasn't in cherry condition, but it would get him there on time.

Wouldn't you know it, but the engine wouldn't fire up. Now he would have to catch the bus. No telling if he'd make it on time now.

Hunter needed to haul ass, and a bus wasn't gonna cut it, but what choice did he have. That extra fifteen minutes on his Jelly Roll had wasted his time more than he thought.

He caught his first break when his neighbor was leaving his house at the same time.

"Joey, can I catch a lift? My car won't start and I'm gonna be late," Hunter called out.

"Sure thing! Jump in, we'll get you there with time to spare!" Joey replied as he proceeded to floor it.

"Whoa! I need to get there in one piece!"

"Don't sweat it! It's this or the Hound, and you know you'll arrive in style with me." The smirk on Joey's face reminded Hunter of Johnson. Which also made him think of Maxine. So he shut his trap and let Joey continue to goose it.

Even with his buddy's quick driving, he knew he wasn't going to make the scene on time the second they pulled around the corner. A sea of red lights lay out in front of them.

"What's the deal?" Hunter threw his hands up in frustration, frosted by the new situation.

"Its double doo doo for you, pal. I forgot all about the Valentine's Day parade. We could be stuck here for hours."

Hours sitting in a line was not in his plan. "Thanks for the lift, but I gotta scram." Hunter jumped out of the car and raced for the bus station. It wouldn't be in style, but at least he would arrive.

Forty minutes later, he was still sitting on the bus, but now with cuffs on a boozehound trying to harass the driver to take him to a bar. It was ten o'clock in the morning for crying out loud! The creep had even snatched some of Maxine's chocolates.

When would the detours end! Hunter had to keep the peace until the coppers showed up and hauled the old man away. Finally, the bus was back on track and headed to his stop. He was late by a lot, but figured he'd catch her on the flip side.

As the hound pulled up to the big house, Hunter noticed an ambulance beating it out of there, lights and sirens blaring.

"What gives?" he called to McGee at the entrance.

"Well, lookie who decided to show up. You missed a hell of a spectacle, son," McGee drawled.

"What do ya mean? Who's in that ambulance?" Hunter was curious about the rumble.

"That there took Johnson away. Seems he was some kind of look-out for Big Jim trying to lam off today. Trouble is, he stuck his hand in the cookie jar." McGee shook his head.

"Let me get this straight. Johnson was a ringer helping Big Jim escape?" When McGee nodded in the affirmative, it was Hunters turn to shake his head.

"Well I'll be a monkey's uncle. I would have never taking Johnson for someone in with the likes of him. How'd he get hurt? And what do you mean he had his hand in the cookie jar?"

"Your doll, Maxine, was set to keep Johnson out of sight. She's such a looker that he couldn't keep his hands off her. Jim caught them in the back seat of the getaway car. Next thing you know, Johnson was pumped full of lead." 

"Where's Maxine now?" Hunter felt like a real sap, getting suckered by her looks.

"Ah, she got pinched after the warden put the screws to her. Sang like a canary, ratted out her own brother." McGee put a comforting hand on Hunter's shoulder. "Looks like being late saved your hide. She might of picked you for her patsy. I would have hated to see you in the back of that ambulance."

"Huh, yeah I guess so." He rubbed the back of his neck, this time in shock. He had spent so much time trying to look the part of a right guy for a dame like her, it had saved his life.

He wouldn't be getting that flat-top after all. Looks like a Jelly Roll was the perfect do for him.

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This is one time when a "not-meet cute" turned out to be a happily ever after kind of story. Good thing for Hunter that his hair do took so long, and all that other stuff too.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to add your vote! You are aces!!