Human Blend

by Pescatore, Lori

  “Let go of me, Julie seethed.

  He did just the opposite. He slipped an arm around her waist and held her against him. She felt the hardness of his body. “C’mon, a beautiful girl like you, all alo…” the boy could not finish his idea. He released her and doubled over in pain. Julie’s knee had hit the mark.

  Julie remained calm. This was not the first time she had to fight off unwanted advances and it wouldn’t be the last. “As soon as you are able, you are going to pick yourself up off the floor, and leave my room… and if you ever try that again, I will tell your boss and you will be fired,” she informed him.

  After a few minutes the boy struggled to his feet. Julie saw the tears in his eyes and felt a pang of guilt. Even though he had it coming, she still felt bad for inflicting pain.

  “You didn’t give me a choice,” Julie stated.

  “I… know. I’m sorry,” the boy choked out. She could hear the remorsefulness in his voice.

  “Do you treat all women this way?” she asked.

  “No, not really. Not all. I’m a jerk,” he said, as he swayed, still in pain.

  “I won’t argue that analysis,” Julie said.

  Julie walked over to him and eased him into a sitting position on the bed. “What’s your name?” Julie asked.

  “Rick,” the boy answered.

  “Well, Rick, I hope you learned something from all this,” she said, hating how cliché it sounded. She placed her hand on Rick’s arm feeling his pain.

  “I did,” Rick said, suddenly pain free.

  Julie fought to maintain composure as she dealt with the pain she had taken from Rick. She removed her hand from his arm. Over the years, she had mastered how to quickly rid herself of the more minor injuries. Less than a minute later, she too, was pain free.

  She stood up and looked down at Rick. “You should leave now. I want to eat my dinner,” Julie said. Rick stood.

  “You’re not gonna tell Austin, are you?” he asked.

  “No,” Julie replied, “but you should,” she added.

  Julie walked over to the door and opened it. Rick walked out a different boy than he had been when he walked in. “I’m really sorry,” he said.

  “Apology accepted,” Julie said, then closed the door.

  She sighed heavily. The whole encounter had left her drained. She went over to the cart and lifted the silver tray. The smell of the burger wafted up to her. One bite told her, this town knew how to make a great bacon cheeseburger. “Mmm,” Julie groaned, savoring the tasty morsel.

  She took the plate to a nearby chair to enjoy the rest of it. She went over the things she liked and didn’t like in her head. She had met three really nice people, Austin, Joy, and Kathy. She also met two people she was not overly fond of, Anthony and Rick. They were minor players, and she didn’t focus too much on them. She left out two unremarkable people, Patricia and the cook at the marketplace.

  The town itself already felt like home. The only thing stopping her from committing to this place was the hospital. Monday would be the deciding day. If the hospital proved to be a viable place to do what she loved, her decision would be made. Perfect. She had the room until Tuesday morning. Either she would be extending her stay or moving on. Satisfied she had a plan and a full tummy, she stood to wheel the cart into the hallway.

  The next morning, Julie awoke before the alarm she had set. She readied herself for her breakfast plans with Austin. The day promised to be another warm and sunny one, according to the weather forecasters.

  The digital clock next to the bed read 8am on the nose when there was a knock at her door. Punctual. Damn does this kid have any faults? Julie checked through the peep hole and then opened the door.

  “Good morning,” Austin greeted, brightly.

  “Good morning to you, too,” Julie replied. Austin’s accompanying smile was returned with one of her own.

  “Are you ready for a kick-ass breakfast?” Austin asked.

  “You are really building my anticipation,” Julie laughed. “I am definitely ready,” she added.

  Julie locked the hotel room door and the two began the trek to eat.

  They only walked a few blocks up and one block over before coming to a tiny little place, tucked sweetly in between two other businesses. During the short walk, Julie did not miss the opportunity to find out more about her tour guide.

  “You never told me your last name,” Julie stated.

  “Ah, the questions begin again,” Austin said, with a teasing grin. “It’s Dorsett,” he answered.

  Julie was about to fire off another question but Austin stopped her. “My turn. Did you go exploring yesterday?” he asked.

  At least he started with an easy one. “Yes, actually, I did,” Julie said.

  Austin laughed out loud at her short answer, “You are really gonna make me work for every little crumb aren’t you?”

  “Probably,” Julie answered, laughing along with him.

  “Good thing we are here. I am gonna need some sustenance to keep my strength up.” Julie entered the restaurant when Austin held the door for her.

  “Thank you,” Julie said, stepping inside.

  The small breakfast place was a perfect example of what small town eateries should look like. It had a row of booths running along the window side, and a counter with swivel seats directly in front of the kitchen area. The two waitresses on duty looked like they had been working there forever, wearing the same type of old-fashioned blue and white uniforms. Julie laughed to herself. No wonder Kathy was unable to convince the board to ditch the candy striper uniforms. Seems this town enjoys its old history.

  “What did I miss?” Austin asked, as they waited to be seated.

  “It’s nothing,” Julie said, “I just love the town’s charm,” she added.

  “Morning, Austin,” the elderly waitress called out to him. “Who’s the new young lady?” the woman, whose name tag read, ‘Fannie’, asked, approaching them.

  “Fannie, this is Julie,” Austin introduced.

  “Well aren’t you the beauty?” Fannie said, appraising her. Julie smiled as Fannie continued. “Go get your usual spot, and I’ll be right over,” Fannie then shuffled away behind the counter.

  Julie looked at Austin, “Usual, huh?”

  “Yep. I’m a regular. You’ll see why once you taste the food,” Austin said, explaining.

  Austin led Julie over to the last booth down. Julie paused and asked, “Wait, which is your usual side?” Julie knew if he had a usual table there would be a usual side he preferred to sit down on.

  “I usually sit on this side,” Austin indicated the side that looked back onto the rest of the restaurant.

  “Then I’ll sit on this side,” Julie said, sitting down on the other side.

  Austin pursed his lips as he sat down. “Are you making fun of me?”

  Julie laughed at his comment. “No, silly, I just find it interesting how we are all creatures of habit,” Julie answered, honestly. Austin accepted that answer with a nod of his head.

  The menus were tucked away behind the napkin dispenser on the table. Austin reached for one and handed it to Julie. She took it and placed it back in its spot. “I wanna hear what you recommend,” she stated, then asked, “What’s your usual?”

  “My usual is…” Austin started to say, but Fannie had came over and interrupted him.

  “Baked apple pancakes with lemon sauce,” she finished for him.

  Austin smiled. “It’s out of this world.”

  “Sounds wonderful. I’m in,” Julie said.

  Fannie set down two glasses of ice water. “Anything to drink?”she asked.

  Julie tilted her head towards Austin, who answered, “Two large orange juices, freshly squeezed please.”

  “Coming right up,” Fannie said and then left the two alone.

  “So, tell me, where did your explorations take you yesterday?” Austin began the questions again.

  Julie was going to give Austin an honest answer this
time. “I actually wound up at the hospital,” Julie said.

  Austin’s eyes widened. “Wh… what happened?”

  “Oh, no, not like that. I walked there to check out employment opportunities,” Julie clarified.

  Austin’s face immediately registered relief. “So, did you find any? Work?” Austin asked.

  “Hey, no fair, my turn,” Julie said.

  Austin rolled his eyes and Julie laughed. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” she asked.

  “Nope, just me.” Austin kept his answer short to get back to his question. “Same question as before.”

  Julie got a few extra moments to think about how to word her answer, as Fannie bought their orange juice to the table. When Fannie had walked away Julie answered, “Maybe. I’ll know more tomorrow.”

  Austin took the wrapper off the straw that had come with the orange juice and rolled it between his fingertips.

  “Do you… not want me to ask you questions?” he asked.

  “No, not really,” Julie replied. The look on Austin’s face told Julie she needed a better answer. “Austin, I have a really hard time opening up to people. I don’t trust easily. I’ve been through… a lot, and I’m not comfortable sharing that part of me, so please don’t be offended. It’s me, not you,” Julie explained. Julie toyed with the edge of her napkin, averting her eyes from him.

  Austin reached across the table and took her hand. Julie raised her eyes to meet his. “You can trust me,” he said, softly. His hand felt nice in hers.

  “How about, if there is something I feel you need to know, I’ll share it with you,” Julie spoke quietly.

  Austin smiled. “Deal,” he replied.

  It was at that point in time that Fannie returned to their table carrying two plates of baked apple pancakes. “Enjoy, you two,” she said. The aroma of the pancakes was the only thing that brought Julie out of Austin’s gaze. She reluctantly pulled her hand away.

  “Oh, my God. If this tastes as good as it smells…” Julie started to exclaim.

  “It does,” Austin assured her with a grin.

  Julie cut a piece of the pancake with her fork and dipped it in the lemon sauce. The moment it entered her mouth, she moaned. “Mmm.” Not only were the pancakes the best she had ever tasted, but combined with the lemon sauce, it was just an amazing collation of flavors. She took another taste, and savored every chew. “Wow,” Julie said, readying another piece.

  Austin’s smile beamed brightly. Julie could tell he was holding the ‘I told ya so’ on the tip of his tongue. She handed the thought to him, “You were absolutely right. This is one kick-ass breakfast,” she said, using his words.

  The rest of the meal passed with little conversation, as each delighted in the fantastic food. Julie looked down at her now empty plate. “I can’t believe I ate the whole plateful,” she said, shaking her head. “I so need to walk this off.”

  “Funny you should say that, I have the perfect plan,” Austin responded. Julie had been hoping he would say that. Austin insisted on paying for Julie’s share of the meal. “I invited you, it’s my treat,” Austin argued.

  “I’m leaving the tip, then,” Julie persisted.

  “Okay, fine,” Austin relented.

  Once again, outside on the beautiful Sunday morning, Julie breathed in the freshness of the air. “So, Mr. Dorsett, let’s hear about this plan of yours,” Julie inquired.

  “I think it’s better if I show you,” Austin replied and started walking up the street. This time it was Julie’s turn to smile and shake her head as she followed along side of him.

  After about a five minute walk, Austin stopped and gestured to the sign at the beginning of a path. The sign read, ‘Hungry Mother Park.’ Julie could barely contain herself.

  “Oh wow, this is the park you mentioned!” she exclaimed.

  “I figured, what a better way to work off a big breakfast than on the trails at Hungry Mother Park,” Austin explained.

  “I am dying of curiosity. Why is it called ‘Hungry Mother’?” Julie asked.

  Austin walked over to a nearby sign that read, ‘The Legend’. “It’s all right here,” he said.

  Julie walked over and stood with her back against the sign. “I don’t want to hear the tourist version. I want to hear the way you would tell it to a classroom full of students,” Julie requested, arms folded across her chest.

  “Well, if I were teaching the history of it, I would start with the most common legend,” Austin stated.

  Julie perched herself on the top rung of a nearby wooden fence. “Okay, lets hear it, Teach,” she said. Austin leaned against the fence and spun the tale.

  “The story dates back to the 1800’s when most of the land here was inhabited by Native Americans. When others began making settlements on what the Natives deemed their land, they attacked and killed people. Molly Marley was in one of the settlements with her husband and child. They killed her husband and took Molly and the child captive. She managed to escape with her child, but got lost in the woods for weeks. She survived by eating berries until, one day, she collapsed. Her child kept wandering and was eventually found by another settlement. The only words the child would say was ‘hungry mother’. A search party was sent out to find her, but it was too late. She hadn’t survived. Hence the name, ‘Hungry Mother’,” Austin finished.

  Julie was quiet at first. “That’s really sad,” she said, finally. She was intrigued. “So, what are the other versions of the legend?” she asked.

  Austin turned to face her as she sat on the fence. He placed his hands on either side of her. With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he said, “That’s your homework assignment,” he teased.

  “You’re a mean teacher,” Julie tried to look mad, but her smile gave her away.

  Austin grabbed her hands and pulled her down off the fence. “Come on, we’re on a field trip, remember?” he teased. Julie laughed as her pulled her along the trail.

  Austin was extremely knowledgeable about the park. He even pointed out different trees along the trail. Julie was familiar with most of the nature lesson, but enjoyed hearing Austin’s enthusiasm in describing it to her. She enjoyed his hand in hers even more.

  Austin deviated from the main trail. “Over this way, there is a special spot I want to show you,” he said. The brush was thicker here as Austin pushed through, holding bigger pieces out of the way for her. Julie still picked up some scrapes here and there, but these quickly healed leaving no evidence behind.

  “What is so special that you are dragging me through the thicket of the forest to see?” Julie asked, curiously.

  “You’ll see,” Austin replied.

  They came to a small stream. “Be careful, the rocks are slippery,” Austin cautioned.

  “Wait, what? You mean we are crossing it?” Julie asked for clarification.

  Austin jumped carefully onto first one slightly protruding rock, then another. “Take my hand,” Austin instructed, balancing himself.

  “You’re crazy. Austin, this is not a safe thing to be doing,” Julie chided, looking at the rushing water.

  “Julie, Come on, the water is not that deep, trust me,” Austin said.

  Trust. That word was like nails on a chalkboard to her. Life with them had taught her to trust no one, ever. Yet, here was this boy she had just met yesterday, asking her to do just that. Trust.

  Julie reached for his hand, unable to deny the sincerity she saw in his eyes. “If I fall, I am taking you with me,” Julie said.

  Austin laughed as Julie hopped to the first rock and gripped his hand tightly. “You won’t fall,” he said, surely.

  True to his word, Austin negotiated the two of them safely to the other side of the stream. “Oh ye of little faith,” he recited.

  “Faith had nothing to do with it,“ Julie huffed. “Water, moss, slippery rocks, means a trip down stream. Simple science,” she added.

  “Science is about taking risks and exploring all possibilities,” he argued. He raised his h
and to her face, “You know I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” he said, with a serious tone in his voice.

  Julie could feel the attachment that Austin was developing for her. She silently cursed herself for letting it get this far. Yet, she found herself unable to pull away as he stepped closer to her. She was breaking a promise she had made to herself. This is different though, isn’t it? Her thoughts were silenced the minute his lips touched hers. It was different, Julie realized. This was the first time she wanted someone to kiss her. Previously, it had been forced upon her. Once that connection was made, Julie let go. She slipped her arms up his chest and deepened the kiss. Austin responded in kind. His hands finding her waist pulling her closer. Their kiss was broken only when the need to breathe became an issue.

  Austin rested his forehead on hers, his breathing uneven. Julie’s breaths were deep and panting. “I’m sorry,” Julie sputtered out. She felt bad for losing control. She should have been more responsible.

  Austin chuckled. “Don’t you dare apologize for kissing me like that,” he said. Julie laughed, and felt her face turn red.

  “Hey, what are you two kids doing down there?” a voice shouted from above the small hill. Both Austin and Julie jumped. “Austin, is that you?” asked the older gentleman, peering down from above.

  “Oh, hey Mr. Crane, yeah it’s me,” Austin shouted back.

  “Who’s that with you?” the shouting continued.

  “Just my friend, Julie. We were just cutting through to the lake,” Austin answered.

  “Well, move along. People will think you are up to no good,” Mr. Crane said, before moving back from the ledge. Austin and Julie both held in the laughter that threatened to erupt in them both.

  “We better keep moving. Old man Crane considers himself the park police,” Austin explained.

  Once they had laughed and stumbled their way up the hill, Julie was treated to a beautiful sight. Just over the hill was the lake. It was wonderful. It had a beach front entrance where lots of families had gathered on this warm May Sunday. The lake seemed to go on forever. Austin seemed to read her thoughts, “One hundred and eight acres,” he stated. Julie stared in awe. She could even see fishing boats out in the distance.