Loverboy

by Jaszczak, Trista

  “These guys love the attention, right?” I ask.

  Nick only nods.

  “Wouldn’t it only seem right that a public event based on them would drag them out of the woodwork?” I ask. “Couldn’t they very well be standing with all those hundreds of people?”

  He hesitates, but nods. “But you have the protection of the New York City Police department. Do you realize how many of us are here; not to mention civilians?”

  I nod.

  “You’re safe, Charlie; I’ll make sure of that personally.”

  “I just want to get this done and over with,” I tell him.

  He nods, and I feel him gently lead me toward the room where the press is waiting. I grab onto his hand before he opens the door, and I feel him give it a soothing squeeze.

  “I just need one more second,” I say, taking the time to compose myself. I run the words over in my head. I know what I’m saying. Somewhat anyway. I’m going in with a plan. I’ll say what I have to, answer a few questions, and get out of there.

  I finally give Nick the nod, who opens the door, and I’m ushered into a bright sea of lights, cameras, recorders, and people. Behind the podium are New York’s top police officials, including Nick and the officer who picked up my computer; everyone else, to me, is just a uniform. I see a burst of camera flashes as I make my way up to the podium. I begin to hear my name coming from all directions, everyone wanting to ask their questions. Everyone not caring about me; just their story.

  I take a long deep breath. “If you’ll excuse me, I won’t answer any questions at this time,” I tell them. “But I will say this; ladies of New York, never think that this can’t happen to you. Trust me, I thought just like that. I thought that surely something of this magnitude would never happen to me. That it couldn’t. Take my word for it that it can. Protect yourselves, go out in groups, and don’t stay out late. Loverboy is out there, and he will take his victims; don’t let yourself become one.”

  “Excuse me, Charlotte,” I hear one female reporter say. “Out of all his victims, how did you manage to get away so easily?”

  “Though my memory is still hazy, I assure you it was not easy,” I tell her.

  “Charlotte, how does your family feel about these events?” Someone else shoots.

  “How would any family feel?” I ask. “They are devastated, but happy to have me home, safe and sound.” I feel my heart sink slightly at the little white lie. Sooner or later, I would have to call them.

  “Do you think you have any personal connection to the killer?” Yet another man shoots out, shoving his recorder out farther.

  I look back at the man who everyone calls the deputy chief for a clearing; he gives me a simple nod signaling the okay. “I have no connection whatsoever to these men,” I say finally.

  “Men?” The entire room erupts. Questions come flying from each and every direction. I feel Nick at my right, and the deputy chief at my other side, who takes the microphone from me. “If you will excuse Miss Murphy, she’s answered all of your questions for today,” he says. “I will take over and answer any remaining questions that you may have.”

  “You did great,” he tells me softly in my ear. “Better to have it in the open; all of it. People need to know.”

  I nod again. “That’s why I did this,” I say. “Better than having everything blown out of proportion on the news when they don’t know half of the real story.”

  “Well, you did amazing,” he tells me. “So amazing, in fact, that we should celebrate.”

  “How?” I ask, as he takes me into a small green room where I reach for a bottle of water.

  “I know that we had made plans to watch a movie like last night,” he says. “So, why don’t we go all out?”

  “Go all out? Like how?” I ask.

  “Like to an honest to goodness theater,” he says. “I know a few; one actually shows these old movies from the fifties and sixties. I figured you might enjoy that.”

  “Do you think it would be safe?” I ask, having a swallow of water. “After all of this?”

  He nods. “You know that you’re always safe with me. And, while you were up there I didn’t notice anything suspicious.”

  “Just those hungry vultures of the press.” I sigh, sinking into a seat.

  He laughs. “So, what do you say?”

  I have to admit, the idea doesn’t sound half bad. I love going to see movies, especially old ones. And part of me would like to think that getting out of my little apartment is doing me some good. “You really think it’s safe to?” I ask.

  “With me on duty, you know you’re safe.” He smiles, having a seat next to me.

  “Okay, then,” I say. “I think I can do this. I mean, I did go out for pie, and I even went grocery shopping. This is just a movie.”

  “It’s just a movie and some popcorn.”

  I laugh. “Okay, it’s just a movie and some popcorn.”

  “Well, maybe movie, popcorn, a drink, and Milk Duds,” he says, giving me a bright smile.

  I make a sickened face. “Gross. Milk Duds?”

  “Oh c’mon,” he teases. “How can you go to a movie without having Milk Duds?”

  “That’s easy,” I say. “It’s because they’re gross. I like Snow Caps and Raisinets.” I smile.

  “Fine then. It’s a movie, popcorn, a drink, Milk Duds, Snow Caps, and Raisinets.”

  I laugh. “Better make it two drinks.”

  He laughs. “I’m not saying that all again; I’ll never remember.” He smiles. “What do you say? Yes or no?”

  “Sure,” I smile. “I trust you; I have no reason to think I’m not safe with you. And, I am a movie nerd.”

  “See, I can tell you’re already excited about it,” he tells me. “Have a theater preference?” He asks. “The classic or current?”

  I shrug. “Depends on what’s playing really. Any idea?”

  He shakes his head. “No, but I can find out on my phone.”

  I smile and nod, but suddenly I feel my heart race. A movie means being in a theater. Being in a theater means being in the dark; in the dark with Nick. Right next to me. I glance over at him while he plinks away at the keys on his smart phone. It is just a movie. I’ve been alone with him in my apartment for so long I lost count, so what would the difference be? It’s a movie night out. Not like a date. I take a gulp of water, as for some reason I feel my heart start to race; only this time I can’t seem to pinpoint the cause of this panic attack.

  “The classic theater that I know has An Affair To Remember playing,” he says, bringing me back to reality. “Know that one?”

  I nod. “Of course, I know it. It’s Cary Grant. How could you not know it?”

  He makes a face. “I haven’t seen any movies before the eighties.”

  I laugh. “You’re missing out,” I say. “Most of the best movies were made back then. The movies today have trouble keeping up. That’s why they keep remaking the old classics,” I note.

  “Point made,” he says. “What about this one, Ben Hur?”

  I laugh. “Do you realize how long Ben Hur is?”

  He gives his head a shake as he looks back to his phone.

  “It’s over three hours long, Nick.”

  He raises his eyebrows. “Okay, so not Ben Hur. So tell me, how bad is An Affair To Remember?”

  I laugh. “It’s not bad at all. Really great, in fact. But, it’s another chick flick.”

  “Well, if you say it’s so great, then maybe I need to see it too.”

  “They’re both great, An Affair To Remember and Ben Hur,” I tell him. “But, the first is definitely the chick flick.”

  He looks down at his phone. “Well, none of the new releases look worth the money you pay to see them.”

  “So, An Affair To Remember it is.” I laugh.

  He nods. “Looks like it. Unless you want to sit in a theater that long for Ben Hur.”

  “I have the Blu Ray at home; I can just torture you with that,” I say.
/>
  “Well, first things first,” he tells me. “I should get you back home while the press has something else to concentrate on.”

  I nod. “Good idea.”

  * * * * * *

  The Princess Theater truly is a classic. I’m in awe by it actually. So much in fact, I feel like it’s love at first sight. I feel like I’ve gone back in time as we walk up to it. The history states that it was built in the early thirties. I’m in shock at how very well taken care of it is. It has everything from the crimson carpet to the ticket stand just outside to the magnificent glowing sign. Though it is smaller than the theaters I’m used to, only having two viewing rooms, but it seems so perfect that I don’t even mind.

  “You know,” I start as we head for the ticket stand. “We don’t have to see another chick flick. You can always pick something else.”

  He shakes his head. “It’s okay. I don’t really keep up with the movies and you do. I wouldn’t know what to pick anyway.”

  “I could always pick another one making fun of cops.”

  He shakes his head. “The guy in the shorts from Reno nine-one-one is more than enough. Thank you very much.”

  I laugh. “It could always be worse,” I note, as he pulls his wallet from his pocket and requests two tickets for An Affair to Remember.

  “So, is this another crying chick flick?” He asks as we walk inside.

  If I thought it was amazing on the outside, I’m nearly blown away at how immaculate it is on the inside. The smell of theater popcorn hits me hard, and I find myself sighing. It’s then I realize that Nick is staring at me, waiting for my reply. I feel my cheeks flush. “More than likely.” I tell him, as he orders a large popcorn and two drinks.

  “Why do women cry at movies?” He asks.

  I shrug and laugh. “We just do. Don’t men cry at movies?”

  He laughs. “I don’t know. I can’t remember the last time I cried.”

  “You were probably still in diapers, right?” I tease.

  “More than likely,” he says with a sarcastic chuckle.

  I laugh as he passes me my drink. “Because tough men don’t cry, am I right?”

  “I think men do cry,” he admits. “They just keep it hidden.”

  I laugh. “One more reason to prove that women are completely different from men,” I tell him. “This is embarrassing, but I remember I went to see P.S. I Love You with a group of girlfriends. Before the end of the movie we had all caused a sobbing scene in the middle of this theater. It was bad.”

  “P.S. I Love You?” He asks.

  “A movie with Gerard Butler,” I say.

  “Now, that guy I know,” he says. “Law Abiding Citizen.”

  I laugh. “That’s right.”

  “He was in a chick flick?” He asks as we make our way to the theater.

  I nod. “He sure was.”

  “But, he’s Mister Tough Guy,” he tells me.

  “But, he’s sexy, and women like him.” I admit.

  “Oh God, does Charlie have a crush?” He asks, pushing the viewing room door open for me.

  I nod. “I sure do, on some of the Backstreet Boys, too,” I openly admit.

  “Please tell me you’re joking,” he says as we climb the steps into the back rows of seating.

  I shake my head. “Nope. Your turn. Who’s your crush?”

  “It used to be Kate Hudson,” he says. “But, right now, I don’t know.” He gives me an odd look, one that I’m not used to seeing, combined with a little smirk that makes me have to think about how to speak again for some reason.

  “You know, some men don’t like her simply because she’s lacking in some departments.” I laugh.

  “Aren’t most of the model types lacking in places because they starve?” He asks.

  “Point made,” I say, taking off my jacket and giving it a toss onto the empty seat next to me.

  “Some guys do like real women, you know,” he tells me, settling into a seat next to me. “We don’t all want models or movie stars. Sometimes we think some women are more beautiful than that.”

  “Well, I would like to know where they are, because I have yet to meet one,” I tell him, sneaking a piece of popcorn from the top of the bucket.

  He smiles and moves his eyes to glance at me from the corners of them. “I’m one of those guys.”

  “You’ve surprised me again,” I say., “I thought for sure you’d be one of the guys with one of the vegetarian models on his arm.”

  “Please, don’t make me laugh,” he says. “I need someone who can at least help me cook. We’d both starve then, because I can barely toss a salad.”

  I laugh and push my hair from my eyes. “And you do need protein to keep up your strength for work.”

  He grins wide. “You see my point well.”

  I take a moment to glance around as the lights begin to dim and the screen lights up brighter than before. I’m shocked to see that Nick and I are the only ones in the theater. “Looks like everyone else went to see Ben Hur.” I let out a little laugh as it’s no surprise really. People today usually go for the new releases.

  He laughs and has a small bite of popcorn. “Gives me a chance to ask stupid man questions during the movie.”

  “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that there is no such thing as a stupid question?” I ask.

  “Teachers in high school, but do you really think I paid attention?” He asks.

  I shake my head. “Probably not. You know I had a teacher who wouldn’t take ‘I don’t know’ for an answer.”

  “So, you had to make stuff up?” He asks.

  I laugh. “He expected you to know.”

  “I would not have been in that class, that’s for sure,” he admits.

  “Oh come on; I think you’re smarter than what you let on.”

  “I graduated from high school with a three-point-two grade point average,” he admits. “But, I was one of those guys who just breezed through and didn’t try. Not like you, Miss Genius.”

  “Please, I’m far from it,” I say. “Remember, I was the one kidnapped because I was walking though Central Park in the middle of the night. Alone.”

  “Hey, that wasn’t your fault,” he tells me in my ear. “And, you’re certainly not stupid. You’re human. Humans make mistakes.”

  I feel his warm breath on my ear, and I feel a chill run down my body. I feel my stomach tie up as I fight a little bit of nervousness as I try to look forward at the screen. I glance over from the corners of my eyes and let out a little sigh.

  “You know I’m right.”

  I nod. “I know, but I can’t help but feel like it was my fault.”

  He shakes his head. “Please don’t think like that.”

  I finally look over at him as I prop my feet up on the back of the seat in front of me. “You know, you did just pay twenty dollars to watch this.” I laugh as I feel something beginning to flutter in the pit of my stomach. It’s enough of a shock to make me look away from him.

  “I know you’re just changing the subject,” he states.

  I nod, though I’m not sure I’m changing the subject for the reason he thinks. I attempt to collect my thoughts and think my words through before I reply. “Because I do feel dumb. I left a party, alone, and went through Central Park, knowing full well what was going on out there.”

  “So, you made a mistake; everyone does. Like the time when I took my parents car without their permission and ended up wrecking it.”

  I stifle a laugh as I feel my nerves ease a little. “How was it coming home that night?”

  “I was grounded for six months,” he tells me.

  “Oooh, ouch. But, you do the crime, you do the time,” I say.

  “But, that’s how we learn,” he tells me. “We make mistakes.” He brings his hand down tenderly on mine, and I feel my body jolt again. I can barely look at him as the wild fluttering in my belly starts up again.

  “Thank you.”

  He nods. “Now I’ll let you watch the m
ovie.”

  “Now that I’ve missed the first twenty minutes.”

  He laughs. “I missed it too.”

  “But, you didn’t want to see it in the first place.” I laugh.

  “Now, that is not entirely true,” he tells me, turning to face the screen. “See, I want to watch it.”

  I can’t help but to laugh despite my nerves being all over the place. We turn our attention to the movie for a while. I take in Deborah’s beautiful clothes, that gorgeous diamond pinky ring, and her love of pink champagne. I try to focus on every single detail of the movie. Everything, other than Nick sitting right next to me. I feel the fluttering deep in my belly, and then another wave of nervousness. I shake it off and stare at the screen for a few moments before I feel Nick’s fingertips as he gently taps my hand to get my attention.

  “Is it just me or are they technically both cheating on their significant others?” He asks.

  I laugh softly. “Technically, yes.”

  “How is this romantic?” He asks. “Wouldn’t you be upset if the man you were supposed to marry went for someone else?”

  I giggle again. “Point made. But, I guess since it’s just a movie we look at how perfect they are for each other.”

  “Mhm,” he says. “Thank God it’s just a movie. If this happened other women would be killing a lot of men, or busting the hell out of a whole lot of cars.”

  I nod. “Probably right.” I turn my full attention back to the movie for a moment until I hear Nick’s voice in my ear again. His warm breath on my ear sends that wild jolt coursing through by body that nearly makes me jump. I quickly turn my head to face him to find his face a mere inch or two away from mine. I swallow and take a breath. “I’m sorry.”

  “I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat after this,” he asks.

  I swallow hard again as I feel a lump beginning to form in my throat as I realize that he has yet to move his face. “I can always whip something up. I just hate over doing it outdoors,” I explain.

  He nods. “Understandable, but you are doing great. This is a huge deal.”

  I give a nod as I try to talk again. I think through my words carefully. “Oh, I forgot to tell you, I moved my appointments to Doctor Larson’s office. It‘s better than the phone, I guess.”