Unscathed

by Tim O'Rourke

  “I’ve not decided yet,” she said. “But I should decide soon. My aunt and uncle are expecting me to pick a career.”

  I finally got the cover off and set it on the ground. I peeled the packaging of the lamp apart with my teeth. I looked up at her a little confused. “Where are your parents?”

  She measured me with a strange stare for a minute, then responded. “Dad’s gone. Mum’s in London.”

  Again, with the clipped answers. I decided not to pry further. I got the little burned-out light from its casing and tossed it into a nearby trash can. “So you live with your aunt and uncle then?”

  Wow, stupid question, didn’t she just say that?

  She grinned. “Yes, they are good people.”

  I screwed the new bulb into the casing. “Get into the car and start it up, please.”

  She did as I asked.

  “Flick the blinker,” I instructed.

  Blink-blink… light worked great.

  She killed the engine and got out. I picked up the cover and replaced it quickly.

  “Thank you, Jax, really. I didn’t even realize it was out. I wish I had a fancy car with one of those computers that tells you when something is amiss on the car.”

  “Well you can always bring it here. I’ll be happy to keep your car healthy. Even though we specialize in Volvos and this is a Mitsubishi.”

  Again with the stupid small-talk. Why did this chick make me so nervous?

  “So, ah, how much do I owe you?” she asked, swiping some of her straight blonde hair behind her ear nervously.

  I wiped my hand on the oil rag that was hanging out of my coveralls pocket. “You can have dinner with me.”

  She grinned. “A proper date then?”

  I nodded and looked down at myself. “Of course. And I promise I’ll be much cleaner.”

  “Okay then, it’s a date. You have my number, call me.” She got into her car, and starting it up, she smiled and waved at me, then backed out of the bay and took off down the street.

  I went back to work on the mocking Volvo, and when I finally got the cap popped, I realized I needed a part for it, so I went back to the front.

  “Jennifer, fetch me a cap, will ya?”

  She nodded and disappeared into the parts room again, returning a minute later, handing me the part. “So who was the British chick?”

  How did I answer that? How should I explain to people how we met? I saw her in a coffee shop then she followed me to a club? Did she truly follow me, or was I imagining that? I just couldn’t help but wonder why she was dressed the way she was in a nightclub, by herself, watching me. I had to dismiss the thought that she actually knew I’d be there that night because that would border on creepy. It wasn’t as if she could have known I would be there. It had to have been coincidence.

  “We met in a coffee shop near the college campus,” I finally replied.

  “Picking up foreign college chicks in coffee bars are we?” she smirked at me, scratching at the tattoo on her upper arm. It was still scabby-looking and covered in Vaseline.

  “Don’t scratch at that, it’s supposed to scab over. It won’t heal right if you don’t leave it alone. In fact, go cover that shit up until it’s healed.”

  She smiled at me, chomping her gum. “Okay, Jax.” Then she looked down at the magazine she’d been reading, totally ignoring my order.

  I went back into the shop and tried to decide where I was going to take Mina on our first official date.

  Chapter Twelve

  Mina

  College passed in a blur. Each lesson seemed to draw out for an eternity. I was so distracted by the thought of going on a date with Jax that Evelyn dropped her usual carefree ways and took me to one side.

  "Are you okay, Mina?" she asked, looping her arm through mine and guiding me to a quiet spot on the other side of the campus.

  "Sure," I said, stepping into the shade of a tree and sitting down on the grass.

  "It's like you have something worrying you," Evelyn said, unzipping her bag and taking a bottle of water from it. "I know I can be a bit of a joker at times, but I can take stuff seriously. And I can keep a secret."

  "I don't have any secrets to tell," I said, watching her unscrew the cap of the bottle and taking a drink.

  It was hot, and at that moment I would have done anything to be standing in the cold, grey drizzle of London. I would've killed to feel the icy pinpricks of rain jabbing at my flesh. Would I ever feel that again? I didn't know.

  "See? This is what I mean," Evelyn said.

  "Huh?" I said, turning from my memories and focusing on her.

  "It's like you've got something on your mind," she said, offering me the water bottle.

  I looked at it and shook my head.

  How could I tell her what was on my mind? It wasn't just Jax. There was other stuff, too, but how did I explain that other stuff if I didn't really understand it myself? I'd never really understood it. I didn't think I would ever find anyone who would. Evelyn, definitely not. She had a hard time picking out what clothes to wear when we partied on the weekend. No, I couldn't tell Evelyn my secrets.

  "Is it a guy?" she asked, cocking a finely plucked eyebrow at me.

  She was right about that. Jax was on my mind. But she wouldn't understand the reasons why. Evelyn wouldn't understand why I had felt the need to follow Jax for the last few months. She wouldn't be able to comprehend why I'd taken so many pictures of him. Why I studied them when I was alone in my room. No one would understand that – not even my own mother would’ve understood why.

  "Well?" she pushed again.

  "Well what?" I knew exactly what she meant.

  "Is it a guy?"

  "Yes," I nodded.

  She smiled. "I knew it! Who is it? What's his name?"

  How could I tell her that I was going on a date with the grease monkey from the coffee shop? It wasn't that I was worried about what she thought of him and me together – it was how I was going to explain the way in which we got together. Apart from the coffee shop, mine and Jax's worlds should've never collided. How would I even begin to explain how he had come to ask me on a date? I could tell her a half truth. So looking at her, I said, "I noticed that one of my headlamps was out on my car. So before school this morning, I dropped by the little auto shop. The guy from the coffee shop the other day was working there... he fixed the light and..."

  "Asked you on a date!" she finished for me. "I hope you told him where to get off."

  I looked at her, then broke her stare.

  "You didn't say yes, did you?" Evelyn gasped, her pretty face taking on a sudden look of shock and horror.

  "Why shouldn't I have said yes?" I asked, sensing her disapproval. I'd heard that tone before. My mother had been very good at it.

  "He's a tattooed ape, that's one good reason for starters," she said, looking at me with more concern now than shock. "He spilt coffee down your shirt!"

  Actually that was my fault, I wanted to tell her but couldn't. How could I confess that I deliberately walked into him that day in the coffee shop? I sat and looked at her in the shade beneath the tree. Evelyn was perfect in every way and wouldn’t be seen dead with a guy like Jax hanging off her arm. I couldn't even begin to imagine what her parents would say. There was no place for someone like Jax in that world.

  "You said yes, didn't you?" she sighed.

  "Yes," I nodded and looked away.

  "Isn't being hurt once enough?" she asked, her voice softer now.

  "What's that supposed to mean?" I said, looking back at her.

  Placing the bottle to one side, Evelyn gently took one of my hands in hers and said, "Mina, you’ve always been a bit of a mystery to me... I know you have your secrets, and that's cool. You've never spoken much about your life back in England, but from the little you have said, I've figured out enough to know you got hurt real bad back there. And I know a guy was involved, so don't try and tell me different."

  I didn’t say anything back right at once
. Eventually, I said, "What makes you so sure Jax is going to hurt me?"

  "Jax!" she exclaimed. "What kind of name is that? Are you sure you heard right and his name isn't really carjack?"

  "Very funny," I sighed. "But you never answered my question."

  "Jax will hurt you because that's what guys like him do," she said, fixing me with her pale blue eyes. "He’s a dropout and so was his father, I've heard."

  "I know about his father," I said.

  "You know about his father already?" Evelyn frowned at me. "What, did this Jax tell you his freaking life story while he was fixing your car?"

  Realising my mistake – how could I possibly know anything about Jax's father? I said, "It's just rumours I've heard."

  "They're not rumours," Evelyn said. "The guy was a drunken bum."

  "That doesn't mean Jax is the same," I said, wondering why I was defending him at all.

  "The guy just wants to get into your panties, Mina," she warned me. "He'll use you, just like I'm suspecting that guy back home used you."

  "You don't know anything about that," I said, standing up.

  "Only because you won't tell me," Evelyn said, looking up at me. "I'm your friend, Mina."

  "I know you are," I said, trying not to be mad at her. It wasn't her fault. What happened back home was my fault. It was the pictures I had taken of my mother’s lover that had gotten me into trouble.

  Trying to force a smile, I held out my hand to Evelyn. "C'mon," I said. "We should be heading back. We'll be late for class. And if you're right about Jax, then I'm in enough trouble already."

  Arm in arm, we headed back across campus. She didn't mention Jax again or what happened back home in England. I was grateful for that at least.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jax

  I used my hand to wipe the fog from the bathroom mirror and stared at my reflection. I really should lose the double earrings, even though they’re pretty small. I don’t even remember getting them. It really is kind of childish. I’m 22 now, I should think about growing up.

  Thinking about Mina makes me want to be a better person. Not some greasy mechanic college dropout. I can do better… can’t I? These tattoos that sleeve my arms, the ones on my chest, my shoulders… they can’t be undone. But I can change the man inside. I can stop hiding behind my grief and loss.

  I looked at my hair and realized I needed it cut. I grabbed some goop from the drawer and smeared some in it to maintain some semblance of control over its unruly dark brown waves. Should I lose the goatee? I kinda like the chin-only thing. It seems to be the fad now. I think I’ll keep it. I liked the way it tickled Mina’s lips when I kissed her.

  Mina.

  What was I doing dating someone so classy? So classy, yet so closed off. I was damned and determined to treat her right. What was it about her that was getting to me? Yes, her voice was sexy… that accent, God, when she wasn’t talking I wanted to devour her mouth. I wanted to run my hands down the sides of her body, cup my hands on her terrific ass.

  I shook my head and padded into my room to find something to wear. I still wasn’t sure if the place I’d chosen for our date would be okay, but I couldn’t think of anywhere else to take her. I had assumed she hadn’t been to Disney since moving here so I hoped she would enjoy strolling in Downtown Disney. The place was away from the rowdy clubs and bars of downtown Orlando and I wanted somewhere that we could relax and talk without the constant thrum of rock music.

  No, Disney wasn’t just for kids. Downtown Disney had tons of very adult locations to eat, shop, and stroll through. With all the lights up this time of year, it could be very fun and a nice break from the daytime heat. The nights were almost magical and I really hoped she would enjoy it.

  The black button-up shirt and jeans will have to do. I’ll wear my boots, but I’m sure it’ll be hot. Oh well.

  I grabbed my keys and wallet from the kitchen table and walked out the door. I didn’t see Austin, and hoped he was out having fun on a Saturday night. But probably not. Probably at his parents’ house.

  Crap. Truck or bike? I didn’t think she’d appreciate the bike. Maybe on date number two. Or three. Here I am contemplating more dates with Mina. I shook my head. She’d really gotten into my head and under my skin.

  I opened the truck door and started it up. I’d texted her earlier and asked directions to the house where she lived with her uncle and aunt. But hadn’t it been more than that? Wasn’t I really checking to see if she was still on for our date? She had texted back her address. With a smile I shoved my cell phone into my pants pocket. As I drove to her house, I wondered how the night would end. I really wanted her, but I wanted to savor her, too.

  Before I knew it, I was in front of her aunt and uncle’s house, Mina’s little blue car was in the driveway. It was a pretty nice home in the suburbs, one story with fresh paint and an immaculate lawn. I killed the engine and walked up the pathway lined with flowers. When I stepped on the porch, a security light popped on and made me jump a little. Before I could ring the doorbell, the door opened.

  “Hi,” Mina said, standing there in a pretty light blue dress and white sandals. Man, she looked incredible. I cursed myself for not bringing her some flowers or something. I was such a Neanderthal.

  I smiled at her. “Hi, beautiful.”

  Her face flushed red and she pushed some hair behind her ear, looking down at herself. “Come in.”

  I nodded and stepped inside. I followed her to a modest kitchen where two people were standing talking.

  “Uncle Rob and Aunt Claire, this is Jax.”

  I walked to Rob and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  He had a firm handshake and he kept eye contact. He seemed genuine and said, “Nice to meet you, too.”

  I then shook Claire’s hand. She was a lovely woman with short blonde hair and fashionable clothes. “Hello, Jax.” She had no accent.

  I nodded at her and then looked at Mina. “You ready to go?”

  She smiled. “Yes.”

  “Have fun, you two,” Uncle Rob called in the same accent as Mina’s.

  I opened my truck door and helped her in. Once we were on the road, I looked at Mina. “So your Uncle Rob, he’s your mom’s or dad’s brother?”

  She nodded. “Yes, my mother’s brother. How did you guess?”

  I laughed. “The accent. Duh.”

  She also let out a nervous laugh. “Oh, I guess that did give it away a bit, I suppose.”

  “Oh, totally,” I replied.

  We were quiet for a bit, then she said, “So, where are you taking me, Jax?”

  I grinned wickedly. “It’s a surprise.”

  She looked down at the radio, then back up to me. “Do you have anything besides country music?”

  “What, you don’t like my music? It’s more country-rock than anything.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Yes, well it’s quite obnoxious.”

  I faked insult. “Get the fuck outta here!”

  With that she laughed, and I flipped the station to some top-40 crap and she seemed to be content with a P!nk song blaring through my speakers.

  When we pulled up to Disneyworld, I looked over at Mina. Her eyes were big. “You’re taking me to Disney?”

  Bam! Got the desired response. Sweet.

  Without answering her, I went around and opened her door. “Since seeing the whole park would take at least two full days, no, we aren’t going inside. We’re going to Downtown Disney, it’s just outside the park, with lots of restaurants and shops.”

  She smiled and almost seemed relieved, and I wondered what that meant. Maybe she didn’t like crowds? The heat? I would have to ask her.

  So many questions.

  I hit the button on the remote to lock the truck and ushered her by placing my hand on the small of her back towards the front of a very popular restaurant called the ‘Earl of Sandwich’. It wasn’t the sort of place that would’ve needed me to make a reservation. We got in line. A very leggy bl
onde woman stood behind the counter. Mina looked up at the large black menu board fixed to the wall behind the woman, who stood staring expectantly at us, waiting to take our order.

  “I thought you might like this place,” I said, looking at the curve of her smooth neck as she read the menu board.

  “How’s that?” she asked without glancing sideways at me.

  “It was the Brits who invented the sandwich, wasn’t it? And don’t you guys have lots of earls and dukes and things?” I tried to sound knowledgeable.

  “Things?” And this time she did glance at me. Her lips turned up at the corners as she smiled.

  “You know what I mean,” I smiled back. “Princes and Princesses and Queens.”

  “Just the one Queen,” she laughed softly.

  “I knew that,” I said, fearing that she might think I was some kinda dumbass. “I just thought it might make you think of home – you know.”

  “I know,” she smiled at me, her right hand gently brushing against mine. Was that accident? I hoped not. I let the back of my hand linger against hers until she moved her hand away and pointed up at the board. “I’ll have the grilled cheese sandwich and some crisps.”

  “Crisps?” I asked. Was that English for something else?

  “That’s what we call chips back home,” she said, glancing at me again.

  “So what do you call fries?” I asked her.

  “Chips,” she said with another teasing smile.

  “But isn’t that what you just said?” I frowned.

  “No,” she said with a gentle shake of her head. “Fries are chips in the UK, and chips are fries.”

  I looked at her, my mind beginning to scramble. It was like trying to solve some freaking word game. Then with a shrug, I looked at the woman still waiting to take my order and said, “I’ll have the same.”

  With a slight roll of her eyes at me, she turned and fetched our order. I paid, then plucked up the tray that our food had been placed on.

  “It’s warm tonight,” Mina said, as she watched me peer through the throng of tourists in search of a table to sit at. “Let’s sit outside.”