“…you gotta learn
what’s good for you.”
“You’re late!” Andy screamed as I walked
through the front doors.
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I got
held up after class.”
“Yes, well, the handsome and
debonair Mr. Maxon can have that effect on many people,” he joked.
“Nikki called, didn’t she?” I alleged
as I started a new batch of popcorn.
“Of course. That girl gets
information around faster than the speed of light,” he said as he walked back
from the rentals. “She called to let me know you might be late to work.”
He leaned his shoulder against the
office doorway and stared at me as I added the salt and pressed the oil button.
“What?! Why are you glaring at me?”
“Because you are going to tell me
every detail of your encounter with Jake Maxon. He is incredibly gorgeous, and
he saved your life.”
“That isn’t entirely true. You
have to stop getting your stories from Nikki. She exaggerates everything.”
“Okay, so how did it all go down?
You know I’m not going to stop bugging you until you tell me.” He wasn’t lying
either.
“I tripped on a chair, and he
caught me. It wasn’t life threatening.”
“Look, right now I am living
vicariously through you and your non-existent love life. I need the hard details, Kate,” he said with a leer.
I replied with a roll of my eyes, and he continued. “I don’t want to just know
what you talked about, and yes I know there must have been more since you were
late to work, and Nikki saw the two of you talking in the hall. I need to know
what he was wearing, how delicious he smelled, everything you were thinking,
everything you think he was thinking and the number of awkward silences.”
“What makes you think there were awkward
silences?”
“It is you we’re talking about
here.” Good point. We both jumped on
the concession countertop to settle in for the story’s minute details.
“So, he said sooner than
Wednesday? I wonder if he is planning on dropping in today?”
“Ugh, I hope not.”
“What? Why not?” Andy hopped off
the counter to restock popcorn bags and cups.
“You know I’m not good at this
stuff. My sex appeal is clearly in the red, I suck at flirting, and there isn’t
an ounce of mystery in my bones. I don’t come from money or even a decent
family. There’s nothing special about me and socially, I’m a mess. Even you
mentioned how awkward I can be. I either say too much or nothing at all.”
“Kate you don’t get it. Maybe he
is intrigued by how different you are. If you grew up in Alva and dated a
snotty, small town witch all through high school, you would be looking for a
change too.” A customer walked in to return a couple of movies, and I
immediately hopped off the counter to stand close to Andy.
“What are you even talking about?”
I whispered.
“You’re gonna mess up a good
thing. I had the hugest crush on Jake in high school. He was just about the
only guy, outside of choir and theater, who would talk to me after I came out.
He’s different too and kind. I never understood how he dated Kelsey Miller, the
Abercrombie and Fitch bitch.”
“Don’t hold back Andy,” I chuckle
sarcastically.
“Girl, you have no idea. Let’s
see. Who could I compare her to?” He tapped the two returned DVD cases against
his head while he thought. His eyes grew large when a name came to mind.
“You’ve seen Mean Girls, right? Well,
she is an exact replica of Regina George, the character Rachel McAdams played.
She was a terror.”
“Well, I hope I never have to run
into her.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about
that. After graduation, she followed Jake to OU, but when Jake had to come home
because of the economy hitting hard on The Sandwich Shoppe, she dumped him.
Said she would never come back to Alva-traz.
I heard she is dating someone on the football team.”
“But he just moved back here. She
is already dating someone new?” I say a bit too curious.
“Mmmhmm, shady lady.”
I
never understand how some girls can just throw away these great guys. They get
them to fall in love with them, rip their hearts out, and ruin them for
everyone else. It’s the perfect recipe for creating a player. I wonder if Jake
is a player now. He’s probably on the rebound. Surely he wouldn’t be looking
for a long-term relationship after dating that Kelsey girl for so long and
having it end so badly. What am I even talking about? He just helped me pick up
pens and pencils. There is no way this gorgeous guy would want me. I shake the thoughts away and go
about my shift, unsuccessfully pushing thoughts of Jake out of my mind.
Working at the Rialto helped my
mind break away from studying. Sometimes it was the only place I could go to
get away from family issues, Nikki’s issues, and my own sorry life story. When
the day turns to worse and Andy I are both working, I walk straight through the
door and cook up a batch of the all-yellow, too much salt and butter popcorn to
dip in a cup of jalapeno, nacho cheese. Not a healthy snack, in the least, but
definitely my comfort food. I call Andy to come share, and we sit in the office
munching and repeating popular movie lines back and forth to each other. I have
just finished Leonardo DiCaprio’s famous line from Titanic, “I’m the king of
the world,” actions included, when a deep belly laugh and clapping sounds
behind me. Andy’s eyes grew large, and a shit-eating grin crossed his face. I
sat down my popcorn and cheese and turned to see Jake leaning against the
railing, starring at me with that make-your-knees-weak smile. His arms are
crossed at his chest, and his right leg is crossed over the left, accentuating
his package. A shuffle from his feet breaks my stare. Strike three for embarrassment. You’re out! I can’t think of a way
to explain myself, so I dive right in to the employee-customer opener. “Can I
help you?”
He chuckles at my diversion.
“Actually, I want you.” Andy chokes on his popcorn, spitting kernels on the
floor. Say what? My shocked face
registers his answer, and he back tracks his statement.
“I meant to say, I want to talk to
you.” A small smile lingers on the corner of his lips.
“Oh, okay…what’s up?” I fail at
trying to sound calm and collected.
“I ran down to see if I could bring you and
Andy some lunch.” A sandwich made from
those hands. Worker hands. I wonder what those hands would feel like on my…woah
get a hold of yourself, Kate!
“That would be great. Let me give
you some money and write down our orders.” I say as I walk back towards the office
to retrieve my wallet from my purse. Andy has his hands covering his mouth to
conceal his laughter. I give him my middle finger.
“It’s on me. Well, it’s on the
shop, but mom and dad don’t care.”
“Thank you. That’s really nice of
you. Um…Andy, what do you want to eat from The Sandwich Shoppe?”
Andy walks out of the office to
fill his cup with more pop and lingers at the sight of Jake. “I’m not hungry.”
“Andy, you haven’t eaten lunch
yet.”
“Baby girl, I’m trying to watch my
figure.”
I turn my attention back to
writing down my order. Jake has taken a few steps forward to lean on the other
side of the concession counter. I can feel his eyes on me, and I can’t help but
become self-conscious of my terrible handwriting. He’s a guy. He’s probably looking down your shirt, not at your
handwriting. I clasp the top button of my polo shirt and hand him the
sticky note.
“Give me 20 to whip these up, and I’ll be back.” He poorly imitates Arnold
Schwarzenegger, clearly mocking the game Andy and I were playing when he snuck
up on us. I nervously chuckle as he starts down the exit ramp and the word these catches my attention.
“These?”
“Yours and mine.” The glass door
closes behind him, and he stalks past the window, eyes to the sidewalk, with a
mischievous grin. My smile reflects his as I stare at the spot he was just
standing in.
“You’ve got it so bad!” Andy
smacks my ass. I jump, but even his vulgar public display of affection can’t
drag me from my elated mood.
“Guilty as charged.” As much as I
wanted to deny it, Andy could always see right through my tough exterior. “He
is so fucking gorgeous, and the way he looks at me just makes me want to have
my wicked way with him.”
“There’s always the projection
booth.”
“No, Andy. He’s just being a nice
guy. May I remind you he was going to make you a sandwich as well?”
“He may have wanted to make me a
sandwich, but he wants to be the salami to your bun.”
“That’s just disgusting.”
“Girl, you betta put some salt on
that melon.”
“Where do you come up with this
shit?”
“I pull it out of my ass.” Andy’s
phone started to buzz on the desk, and he left me in my hottie haze to answer
it. “Hey Mama Caylor! Yeah, Kate’s here. Let me ask her.” He rolls in the desk
chair to the doorway. “Mama’s making your favorite, potato soup with extra
bacon and cheese. You wanna come over for dinner after work?”
“Do I ever? That sounds amazing,
Diane. Thank you!” I yell towards the cell phone.
“Oh and Mama, guess what? Kate’s
gonna have some stories to tell at dinner tonight about Mr. Jake Maxon.”
“Andy, really?” I loved Andy’s
parents, Steve and Diane, just like they were my own. They practically adopted
me into their family as soon as I started working at the Rialto. Holidays,
birthdays, dinners once or twice a week, I spent at the Caylor’s.
“I know, I know. I won’t forget.
Yes, I promise. Love you too.”
I wait until he ends the call to
give him a hard time. “You’re such a mama’s boy.”
“Proud to be! Alright, how about I
hold down the floor while you have a private luncheon and a quickie with Jake
in theater two?”
“So you can peep at us through the
projection window? I think not.”
“I didn’t think of that! Good
idea, friend.” The door opened, and the smell of hot sandwiches and sex breezed
through. I got so caught up in my usual caddy banter with Andy and salivating
over Diane’s delicious soup I planned to demolish this evening, I forgot to run
to the restroom to check my hair and makeup.
“How do I look?” I whispered to
Andy.
“Like a virgin on her wedding
night. Plump, ripe, and ready to have your head banging against a headboard,
feet facing the ceiling, and calling someone other than your father daddy.”
“Can you be real for one second?”
“Girl, I thought we were being
real!” He placed his hands on my shoulder to turn me around and push me through
the doorway. “You’ve already got this in the bag. Just be yourself, minus the
awkward pauses.”
“Easier said than done.” Andy
pushed me, and I stumbled back in to the concession. Concerned blue eyes found
mine, but when the blush broke out across my face, his eyes brightened with his
smile.
“You good?”
“Yeah. Just Andy taking advantage
of my lack of coordination.” I walked around the counter trying to avoid how my
body tingled in his presence. While I focused on putting one foot in front of
the other, Jake took a step in front of the concession counter entrance. I
crashed right into his broad, hard chest. His tight muscles rippled under his maroon
tee. My hands wrapped around his forearms to steady my stance, fingers pressing
firm enough to leave white impressions on his sun-kissed skin.
“I thought I was going to need to
catch you again?” His bass voice resonated in my ears, and I knew I was
destined to fantasize about it for many nights to come. I shook my head to
break the trance and brushed past him determined to push him from my
senses.
“We don’t have a break room here. Andy
and I usually just eat in the office. Wanna go eat in a theater?”
“Sounds great! I figured you guys
probably watched movies on your breaks.” He followed closely on my heels. We
found our seats on the edge of the stage. The massive, white screen was at our
backs and our legs dangled over the side.
“Andy’s dad would kill us if
someone wasn’t watching the concession and rentals.”
“I bet it’s still pretty fun. I’ve
always wanted to work here.”
“How come you didn’t?”
“I don’t really remember a time
before I started working in the Shoppe. I used to seat customers and pass out
menus when I was five years old. Customers would tip me a dollar or two just
for being a cute kid. As I got older, I wanted to work other places but it felt
wrong to leave my parents’ establishment.” He surprised me with how comfortable
and open he was answering my questions. I nodded so he knew I was paying
attention and then glanced around the theater.
The Rialto housed three screens, one grand
theater and two mini theaters. My favorite part of the mini theaters was how
you entered in to the auditorium, which was from under the screen. You would
climb the steps with the screen to your back until you found a row and took
your seat. Although it had its little quirks, it was desperately in need of
remodels and upgrades. Andy and I still had to thread the films on the original
projectors, which was a pain in the ass. The films were super heavy to lug
around, and there were always technical issues. Sound cutting off, films
freezing, bulbs burning out, projectors breaking down; the entire process was a
disaster. Andy and I begged Steve to go digital. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix
it,” he would always declare. “They’re always broken, and we’re always fixing
them,” Andy and I would say in unison, but we never won the battle. Musty,
torn, gold curtains draped around holey screens. The soles of your shoes
sounded like the ripping of velcro as you walked along the sticky floors.
Broken chair seats, missing arm rests, and molded ceiling tiles created the
ambiance of a rundown theater right out of a horror film. No matter the
conditions, Alva supported its old time charm, and we had a full house every
weekend night.
Music flooded the auditorium from
the mounted speakers, interrupting my thoughts. You’re listening to 104.1 KMGL Oklahoma City. My name is Delilah. Soon
those long summer nights will come to an end. Thank goodness we have beautiful
summertime love songs to get us through those cold, winter months. This next
one is a personal favorite. In this month in 1996, Deana Carter released a
single that landed number one on the billboard charts and became her signature
song. Here is “Strawberry Wine” dedicated to all the lovers out there. Andy’s
guilt-ridden smirk appeared in the projection window. I narrowed my eyes at him
and made a hand gesture to cut the music at my side out of Jake’s sight. Andy
shook his head, his crooked smile swaying side to side before he disappeared
from the window. I wasn’t sure how I was going to explain Andy’s joke to Jake,
but when I turned my head to speak, he seemed to not mind as he hummed along to
the classic country song. My eyes were drawn to his adam’s apple, which was
slightly vibrating due to the hum. My lips separated involuntarily, a slight
breath passing through them, and I envisioned licking the uneven surface of his
larynx, wondering how his skin would taste on the tip of my tongue. His eyes
glanced sideways, followed by a slight turn of his head. I watched as a small,
quick reflex from inside his cheek near his jaw line popped as he chewed a bite
of food. He pulled his lips into a grin and the motion suddenly stopped. I
jerked my attention face forward, but I knew he caught me.
“How’s the sandwich?”
Play
cool, Kate. Remember the name of the sandwich. Why can’t I remember the name? I
always order the same one every time. This guy completely fogs my brain. I’ll
definitely have to keep him away from me during finals week. I would never
remember a thing for our grueling exams. That is if he ever wants to be around
you again after acting so awkward. What was I doing? Oh, yes. Remembering the
name of the sandwich. The Sandwich Shoppe named their dishes after those who
created the sandwiches. Dustin’s? No. Issac’s? Yes! “This is an epic sandwich, Jake. Isaac’s is my favorite.” Smooth.
“It’s my favorite too.” I glanced
over and found him staring at me, as I hoovered a few more bites.
“Do you always stare at people
while they eat?” I spat at him more forceful than I intended.
“Are you always this growly when a
guy makes you lunch?”
“No guy’s ever made me lunch
before, and I’m just a little self-conscious with you looking at me like you
want to eat me rather than your sandwich.”
“Is that really a bad thing?” He
nudged my arm with his elbow, and his flirty smile reached his eyes.
“You’re a real comedian, aren’t
you?”
“And you fluster easily?” It
sounded more like a statement than a question.
“I think you’re trouble.”
“I think you’re right.” He
quipped. I couldn’t restrain my laughter at his comeback, and when he saw a
crack start to form in the walls I built around me, he began to chip away at
knocking them down. “So, Kate Bradford, tell me your life story.”
“You first.” I squinted my eyes to
challenge him further.
“What do you want to know? I’m an
open book. No secrets, no skeletons. Pretty boring over here.”
“Are you looking for a rebound
from that Kelsey girl?” Shit! I can’t
believe that just came out of my mouth. I pressed my lips together and
closed my eyes, internally punishing myself.
“Wow! Going in for the kill, are
you?” His laughter echoed off the auditorium walls, and I couldn’t image a
sweeter sound.
“I’m really sorry! I don’t know
where that came from. You don’t have to answer that.” I was planning to thank
him for the sandwich and conjure up a lame excuse about needing to get back to
work, when he placed a hand on my knee. My thoughts disappeared, and I quickly
sucked in the dusty air to hold my breath. He had already tainted my sight,
hearing, and smell, but with one touch, I knew something had to give. Even if I
passed out from not breathing, there was no way my body would be able to handle
Jake invading all five senses. Then again, I know I wouldn’t have the will to
stop him if he tried.
“It’s alright. I’ll tell you
anything you want to know. I want to tell you everything, and I want to know
everything about you too, Kate.” I watched his fingers lazily circle my knee
cap, but the words had escaped me. There was no way I could tell someone like
Jake every detail of my life. Even the happiest memories were contaminated with
heartbreak, sickness, and death. In order to clear my thoughts, I needed to get
out from under his spell. I jumped down from the stage and started to pack up
my sandwich wrapper. He followed my actions, but grabbed my hand and pulled me
towards him before I reached the stairs. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Make me chase you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking
about?”
“You practically took off away
from me after class this morning. You’re kind of a hard girl to keep up with
when you’re on a mission.” He chuckled and continued. “Now, I give you a little
raw honesty and off you go again.”
“I don’t mean to run. Just a bad
habit, I guess.”
“I understand that, but just so
you know, I’m not that easy to get rid of.” His confidence dripped from his
words.
“Good, but just so you know I’m kind of a handful.”
“I think I’ve got this, and to
answer your question, no, I’m not on the rebound. I don’t want to play games. I
like you, and right now, I just want to be around you.” Where did this guy come from? No one is this open and honest, or maybe
they are, and I’m just a social freak.
Jake gripped my fingers a little tighter in my
silence, but my uncontrollable smile reassured his insecurity. I walked
backwards, pulling on his hand to follow me down the stairs. “I better get back
so Andy can take a break.”
“I better go too. I told dad I was
just making a delivery.” We passed through the main theater entrance and the
original ticket booth, which was only used now during midnight premieres.
“Well, don’t get in to too much
trouble and have to cancel our first date.”
“A date, huh? You just had to beat
me to the punch.” He teased.
“I like to take matters into my
own hands.”
“A control freak too? Man, do I
have my hands full!”
“I told you! Ready to back out
yet?”
“No way. I’ll call you tomorrow,
and we can make a plan.”
The warm, Oklahoma gust breezed my
face as Jake passed the threshold onto the sidewalk. “Wait! Don’t you need my
number?”
“I’ve already got it.”
“How?”
“Your friend, Nikki, passed it to
me after class.” I planned to strangle Nikki when I got home from Steve and
Diane’s tonight.
“Gotcha. I guess I’ll talk to you
later?”
Jake’s arm reached upward and his
hand cupped my cheek. The skin under his palm surged a heat I wasn’t familiar
with, one that stirred something in my core. His thumb stroked the sensitive
skin, and his cerulean eyes dipped into the pit of my soul. I forced my eyes
closed when his body shifted and leaned into mine. A hot, moist, breath blew
near my ear causing goose bumps to erupt from my skin. “You most definitely
will,” he said in a sultry tone and turned to stroll to the corner cafe. Like a
statue, I remained frozen. The heat on my cheek was slowly dissipating and my
heart beat found its regular tempo.
“Woo hoo!” Andy hollered over the
counter, as I made my way back behind the concession. “Call the Alva Review Courier!
We need to place an ad in Wednesday’s Newsgram. JAKE MAXON IS OFFICIALLY OFF
THE MARKET!”
“Don’t you think you’re getting
ahead of yourself?”
“You didn’t see his face as he
walked past the front windows. That boy left here high on your love potion.”
“Then why do I feel like I’m under
his spell?”
Andy pulled me in to a brotherly
hug. “Baby girl, you gotta learn what’s good for you, and Jake Maxon is good
for all of us.”
“What does that mean?” I groaned.
“Once you start getting some again,
we can all relax instead of reaping the wrath.” I slapped his arm and pushed
out of his hug. “I don’t care what you say. We’re keeping him.”
©
2013 by Ashton Ghaemi
