by J. A. Areces
***
Jesse couldn’t wait to arrive at the Deli. He found himself longing to see Cindy and just talk about anything. Anything that would distract his mind from wizards and witches and everything that went with it. He wanted to tell Cindy, he wanted to tell her everything, but he knew better. She would never believe him. He wasn’t sure if he really believed it. Who in their right mind would? Jesse shook his head as he forced the thoughts away. It was a beautiful, cool day, and the Deli was disappointingly packed. He was hoping that he would find Cindy alone. Jesse pushed open the small picket fence door that led to the restaurant, and noticed that everyone sitting outside stopped and watched him enter. A few whispered behind his back as he passed them by. Jesse knew it was related to the three strange deaths, just as Rob mentioned. Once inside, Jesse encountered the same reaction.
Jesse was relieved to finally see Cindy. He put all the uncomfortable feelings aside and sat at the end of the counter as he patiently waited. Unfortunately for Jesse, the Deli was busier than he expected, and Cindy was unavailable. She rushed to take his order and then turned away without a warm welcome or kind word. Feeling confused and a bit apprehensive, he ordered his usual turkey sandwich and a fruit to go. Jesse’s main intent was to ask Cindy to the Halloween festival. He hoped it wasn’t too late. In no time his lunch was prepared, placed inside a clear plastic container, and stuffed in a plastic bag. Cindy gave Jesse the check, took his money, returned the change, and invited him to come back again, just like she would with any other customer. Except Jesse wasn’t just any other customer, he was more than that, or so he thought. Jesse stood for a moment bewildered. Was he experiencing the cold shoulder or was Cindy just busy, occupied with all the demanding customers? He tossed around the idea of asking her to the Halloween festival as he watched her for a few moments. She appeared frazzled -- rushing back and forth between tables, her hair a bit messy and her dress untidy. It didn’t matter to Jesse. At that moment everything around him faded into the background and he heard and saw no one but Cindy.
“Cindy,” he called after her. She turned, a little nervous, and glanced at the others in the store. “Are you going to the festival tomorrow?”
“Y-yes.” She stuttered. “I’ll be there.”
“Alone?”
Cindy gave a slight smile. “Well, with some friends. No one special, I mean.”
“Good, I’ll look for you.”
Cindy did not know how to react. Everyone inside the Deli was watching her, waiting for her to make the next move. She was obviously uncomfortable with all the attention, which made Jesse sorry that he just shouted out the question before everyone.
“Sure,” she finally answered nodding her head, “that would be great.” Then she quickly returned to tending tables.
Jesse slowly walked out, hiding the smile that so desperately wanted to be freed. He glanced back at her a couple of times, hoping for a glance in return, but Cindy didn’t dare. Everyone else waited for Jesse to leave before returning to their gossip.