by Queau, Amy
“Come ‘ere, Sadie.” Jesse slapped his knee and the dog slowly jogged toward him. Kneeling down, he began scratching her ears. “Yeah, that feels good, doesn’t it?”
He stood again, slapping his hands together to discard the dog hair. Stretching from the long drive, he slid his hands in his pockets. Strolling toward the house, Charlie watched him in awe. I haven’t seen him this relaxed before. He’s usually so anxious and apprehensive. But he seems calm. At home.
“Jesse Anders! It’s been too long!” A petite, middle-aged woman wearing jeans, a blue T-shirt, and an apron came walking out the front door and wrapped her arms around him for a hug. She had grayish-brown hair that she wore up in a sloppy bun. “Hey there, Lil.”
Charlie turned her attention to the dog as the two old friends embraced.
“This is my friend, Charlie. We were hoping you had some patty melts and fries for a couple of strays.”
Charlie was suddenly famished. A greasy patty melt sounded delicious. She reached her hand out to greet Lily. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. Come on in, kids. My lunch rush of four just left. The best seat in the house just opened up!” Lily said just before whistling for Sadie to follow her.
Charlie could see why Jesse’s attitude had softened. The house was decorated in antiques and checkered tablecloths. There were three tables set inside the room just as they entered. It had old, worn hardwood floors and small windows. The short handmade curtains were red cotton and didn’t do well to keep the light out. A small breeze carried a fresh, green scent of spring and soil throughout the house, masking the smell of greasy comfort food. On the other side of the room sat a counter with a cash register, and just behind it was a cooler filled with bottled sodas. A jukebox sat near the stairwell, and a single chain closed off the steps for entry. John Denver was playing softly in the background.
“Have a seat. I’m going to see if Lily needs some help,” Jesse said.
“Okay.”
Charlie sat at the table next to the window and opened the curtains so that the sun could beat down on her face. She closed her eyes and breathed in and out. Peering out the window, she watched the short sunflower stalks swaying gently in unison with the wind.
“Okay, okay! I’m leaving!” Jesse laughed, exiting the kitchen with a handful of fresh grated parmesan. Popping it in his mouth, he walked towards Charlie grinning and shaking his head. “She didn’t want my help.”
“So, you used to live around here? I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I love it here.”
“Kind of. I was pretty young, and when I saw the sunflower field...” He stopped. “Do you want something to drink?” he asked, walking toward the soda cooler.
“Um, sure. Anything is fine. Water or soda? So, you were saying…”
Removing two bottles and making his way back to the table, he said, “Yeah. I used to live near here.” He sighed, sat down, and looked out the window. “I…I ran away from my first foster home when I was fourteen. This place is where I ended up. Lily took me in for a couple of months and I helped her out with this place.” He gave a tight smile and his leg started bouncing under the table.
She sensed his hesitancy and felt guilty for prying. “Do you want to talk about this?” she asked.
“Not really.” He looked relieved.
“Well then. Tell me more about third-wave SKA.”
An appreciative smile arose as he chatted for the next fifteen minutes about Less Than Jake, Rx Bandits, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and how first, second, and third-wave SKA came about and the bands that influenced each wave. He seemed somewhat of an expert on the subject, and although Charlie’s appreciation for music was superficial, she adored the passion he had for it. He was animated and used his hands often to speak, making her fixated on the conversation.
“Here we go!” Lily came out of the kitchen with two plates in her hands. “Do we need anything more to drink? Or ketchup?”
“A side of Ranch if you have it. Otherwise it looks delicious!” Charlie could already feel her stomach overloaded with the appetizing plate in front of her.
Here goes any weight I’ve lost in the past two weeks.
She took her first bite and closed her eyes in satisfaction as she savored the buttery-crisp goodness that lingered on the back of her tongue. She licked her lips and swallowed. “Oh my. Mmmm.”
She opened her eyes.
“I take it you approve, then?” Jesse was taking pride in his little restaurant and seemed happy to share it with her.
Charlie nodded and neither of them said a word during the whole meal.
*
“Well, I managed to eat the entire sandwich and half my fries. I blame you for the sixteen pounds I gained today.” She slouched in her chair. “Sorry, this has to be done,” she said, gesturing to her top button on her jeans that she had just unsnapped.
“No apology necessary. I’m about to do the same myself.”
“You two kiddos want some dessert? I just made lemon meringue…” Lily asked, approaching the table with a smile and wiping her hands on her apron.
“Lily, you’ve been great, and the sandwich was to die for. But I. Am. Stuffed.” Charlie chuckled, patting her belly.
“I’m good too. We’ve gotta get going. I have to work tonight,” Jesse said.
“Tonight? Aren’t we going to be late?” Charlie looked at the clock on the wall. Four-thirty.
“No, it’s a bussing shift. I don’t have to be there until six.”
Lily smiled. “You liking your job then? How’s your mom?”
“Everything is good, Lil. I’ll stop back next week when I have more time to chat.” He threw a hundred dollar bill on the table.
A hundred dollars?
“I’ve heard that before. Just take care of yourself, Jess. Charlie’s gonna promise me she’ll keep an eye on you.” Lily winked. “Say ‘hi’ to your mom for me, Molly and Donny too.” She hugged Jesse as Charlie walked out the door to give them a private moment if they needed.
Outside, Charlie wandered around the front yard and lit a cigarette. Sadie ran over and sat in front of her, smiling. She smiled back and patted her on the head. “Good girl.”
“You ready?” he asked as the screen door clattered shut behind him.
“Sure.” She smiled and waved at Lily standing at the door. “Thanks again!”
On the drive back to The Crimson Cellar, Charlie fell asleep. When she woke, they were only five minutes from the restaurant.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep.” Did I snore?
He lit a cigarette and chuckled. “Don’t be.”
“Are you going to the Patio Party next weekend?” Charlie asked, yawning.
“The what?” He looked at her, confused.
“The Patio Party at the Crimson? You know, the grand opening of the patio?”
“Grand, eh? I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about it. Will you be there?”
“Yes, I think so.”
They pulled into the parking lot and he parked next to her car.
He got out and stretched. “See ya, Red!” He pulled his wadded up Crimson T-shirt out from the backseat and went toward the employee entrance. As he approached the door, he chatted with two other drivers and put out his cigarette as he walked in.
“See ya,” she said to the pavement. So much for sentimental goodbyes.
Charlie smiled as she climbed into the front seat of the Taurus. The car had been a gift from her parents when she graduated from Business College. It was teal and in fairly good condition. There were smelly trees hanging from the rearview mirror and the ashtray was always full.
She turned the key and pulled out of her spot just as she heard a knock on the glass. It was Jesse.
“You scared the crap out of me!” she said, rolling down her window. “What’s up?”
“I almost forgot, Lily told me to give this to you. You know, for ‘watching out for’ me.” He grinned as he handed her a large silk sunflower.
&nb
sp; “Oh, that was sweet of her. Tell her I prefer daisies…” She winked.
“Good to know. Have a good night.” He tapped the roof of her car and ducked back into the restaurant.
Dear Journal,
Okay, I feel like I should write more about Jesse, because I can’t seem to get him out of my head. We’ve sort of become friends. I use that word lightly, because he doesn’t seem to be friends with many people, so I can’t say if that’s what he considers me. We’ve hung out a few times, but he doesn’t really confide in me; he only volunteers bits and pieces of information. Either he doesn’t trust me, or he just doesn’t really care. Either way, this guy is unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and I’m not quite sure what to make of him. He’s sensitive, insensitive, secure, insecure, beautiful, unreliable, uneasy, passionate and he’s always winking, touching and flirting. He’s got dark blonde hair, bright blue eyes, a labret, and a body from HELL. He’s a twenty-six year old SKA punk boy and I find him absolutely irresistible. Well, except for the times he’s acting like an immature jackass.
He’s jaded, tainted and seems to have a problem opening up. Even just as friends, I don’t know if he’s capable of having a relationship. And, I’m certain he’d never want an actual relationship with me, I’m sure he likes skinny chicks. The crush I have on him is barely worth mentioning at this point, but there’s something about him that makes me feel… special. No one has ever made me feel this way.
Chapter Six
Charlie looked in her closet, mortified. Crap crap crap! Angie!
Quickly, Charlie picked up the phone and dialed Angie’s cell.
“Hello?”
“I need you. Like now,” Charlie said.
“Okay, what’s up?”
“Are you going to the Patio Party tonight at The Crimson?”
“Yeah, I’m working it. Why?” Angie said.
“I have absolutely nothing to wear. I look fat in everything!”
I haven’t seen him in over a week! Another ten pounds gone since he saw me last. This is too important.
“Okay, where is my friend Charlie and what have you done with her? Seriously, you never care about your clothes. What’s the urgency here?”
“I just…I want to look good, that’s all.” Charlie was a terrible liar.
“Ummm…hmmmm. Who is he?” Angie saw right through her.
“Oh jeez. No one. Can’t I just want to look good?”
“No. But I’ll drop it for now. If you want, you can come over this afternoon. But I gotta be at work by four o’clock, so you’ve got two and a half hours to get your ass over here.”
“I’m coming now. Be there in ten.” Charlie hung up the phone and grabbed her purse.
Charlie rang Angie’s apartment number and waited for the buzz. After two rings, the door opened and she rode the elevator up to the fourth floor.
She walked into the apartment and strode into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. “Hey, you have any coffee?” Charlie shouted.
“Yeah, it’s in the freezer! Come back here when you’re done,” Angie shouted from the bedroom.
After making a horribly strong pot, Charlie walked into Angie’s room. “You’re a lifesaver,” she said.
Angie was still in bed, wearing pajamas and watching a rerun of Jersey Shore.
“Have you ever watched this show? It’s addicting.”
“Oh, um. No. Never. Can I rummage through?” Charlie asked with a one-track mind, pointing toward the closet.
“Go ahead.”
“Any suggestions on what you think I would look good in?” asked Charlie, overwhelmed when she looked into the walk-in closet.
“Um…let’s see.” Angie had peeled herself off the bed and joined Charlie in the closet. She began going through her clothes, hanger by hanger, whipping them off the rack and throwing them on her bed.
“Your body is perfectly proportioned. You’ve got a great hourglass to work with; you’re tall, have long legs, smaller around the waist and your curves are kickin’, so all we have to do is find something to punch up your style a bit. Whoever he is, we’ll make sure he notices you tonight,” Angie said, winking.
After about an hour, Charlie settled on a black wrap dress that came to her knees and had a three-fourths sleeve. Nothing designer, but it accentuated the positives and made a good attempt to eliminate the negatives.
“Okay, next problem…makeup,” Charlie pleaded.
“Seriously, I have like, an hour before I have to leave for work. I’m in my pajamas, Charlie.”
“Okay. Then just tell me how I should do it and I’ll attempt it myself.”
After a few makeup tips and a subtle suggestion that Charlie go shoe shopping, Angie waved her out the door so she could hop in the shower.
After stopping by a discount shoe store, she went home and stared at her face in the mirror for twenty minutes before she picked up the foundation and powder.
Here goes nothing.
Chapter Seven
I’m nervous. What am I, sixteen-years-old? Pull your shit together. He didn’t even say he was coming.
It was nine-thirty and the bar and patio were buzzing with life. There was no way Charlie was going to find a seat.
She barged through the drunken regulars and spied each table carefully to see if anyone was going to be leaving soon. Stepping onto the patio, she saw Paulina and Marco seated in the corner. Oh, thank god.
The exterior of The Crimson was solid red brick with a large parking lot it shared with the hotel next door. Just beyond the patio was a large ravine with a small pond in the center. Oak, birch, and evergreen trees scattered the landscape.
“Holy shit, Chuck! You look hot!” Marco almost spit out his beer eyeing her up and down.
Not only did Charlie look stunning in Angie’s dress, but she had also applied her makeup flawlessly. Dark, smoky eyes, defined eyebrows, pale lips, and highlights on her forehead, nose and chin that subtly sparkled in the light. Her hair was pulled back in twists that gave her an edgy-messed look.
“That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. Thanks, Marco.” She blushed.
“God, I hope not! Sit down. Why are you so dressed up?” Marco asked, shock still plastered on his face.
“Long story. I don’t want to get into it,” she said while taking her seat.
“You do look really good, Char. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this dressed up, and I’ve known you for like twenty years. Oh. Twenty years! We’re so old!” Paulina gasped.
Angie came around to the table. “It is crazy here. I’m making so much money!” She wiped her brow and looked down. “Oh, hey Charlie, you look…great! Wow! Can I get you a drink?”
“Thanks. Yeah. Iron Butterfly on the rocks,” Charlie said with a smile. “Are you guys waiting for anyone?”
“Yes, Troy said he’d stop by.” Paulina blushed. “And Paris and Tanya are meeting us here, too.”
“Yeah, and I’m waiting for Dom to get off work,” Marco said.
“Do you mind if I sit with you for a while then? Just until they get here?”
“Of course you can! You can stay all night if you want. It’s a party!” Paulina’s words were starting to slur. “Are you losing weight? You look skinny tonight.”
“I don’t know. I refuse to weigh myself.” But Charlie knew. She had weighed herself that morning. Twenty-two pounds gone altogether, and I am about to eat my own arm. I’m so hungry.
Three iron butterflies later, Charlie had met her drink quota for the night. Any more and she’d not be able to drive home. She sipped on a water quietly, keeping her eyes locked on the patio door.
All night, fellow employees were stopping by the table to compliment Charlie on her new look. A few of them didn’t recognize her at first, which she didn’t know if she should take as an insult or not. Do I normally look really bad?
Her fuzzy head was sobering quickly, so she ordered a beer and sipped it. It was now eleven o’clock and the party was going to end at
midnight.
Where are you?
Finally, at eleven-thirty she caught a glimpse of him through the bar windows. She sat up straight and crossed her legs, trying to get comfortable. Come out to the patio. Come out to the patio. Come out to the patio, she repeated to herself, willing him to come out and see her. She was sure she’d get a reaction from him.
Jesse slapped the patio door open and it was impossible to ignore his presence. Everyone at the party stopped and turned to see who was making the scene. Jesse was drunk.
Very drunk.
Charlie let out a sigh and suddenly knew that this was a bad idea. Their eyes locked and he walked over to their table, sloppily sat down next to Paulina. Putting put his arm around her, he ignored her boyfriend, Troy, sitting next to her. Charlie closed her eyes.
“Hey, Paulina. How ya been?” Jess whispered in her ear.
Paulina tried to pull away and had a displeased look on her face as she pleaded with her eyes for Troy to help her.
Picking up the hint, Troy cut in. “Whoa, easy there buddy,” he said.
“Buddy? My name is Jesse.” Jesse turned and stared at Charlie and his eyes shifted from drunk to sorrowful. He blinked twice and looked down in thought.
“Jesse? Isn’t that a girl’s name?” Troy laughed at his own little joke.
Jesse stood up and kicked his chair back onto the cement. He stood trying to preserve his dignity in a defensive pose.
“A girl’s name? Original. Why don’t we step out into the parking lot and show you how much this girl can kick your ass!” His volume increased and he didn’t seem to care that the entire patio was staring at him. Again.
“It’s fine. Just sit down. We’re all friends here,” Troy said, trying to smooth out the tension.
Jesse looked again at Charlie and sat down again quietly.
Charlie slowly relaxed and tried to remain calm despite the fact that she had a sinking feeling about what would happen next. But she didn’t say a word and waited for someone else to trigger his anger.