by L. M. Reed
Chapter 8
“Allison?” a voice asked hesitantly from behind me.
“Jason,” I turned in surprise. “What are you doing in the Home Ec department?”
“Actually I was looking for you,” he admitted sheepishly. “I’d like to talk if you have some time?”
“Um…sure,” I replied uncertainly. “I was just going to grab some lunch somewhere. Would you like to join me?”
“As long as it’s not too expensive,” he half-smiled “I’m here on a scholarship so…”
Jason noticed my sharp intake of breath and asked in concern “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” I assured him quickly, wondering if I would ever be able to hear the word ‘scholarship’ again without thinking immediately of James.
Sadly, everything the past week seemed to remind me of him.
Shake it off, I commanded myself.
Easier said than done, I conceded silently.
“A hamburger and fries are always good.”
“You eat fast food?” he eyed me in amusement.
“Add in a shake and it actually sounds like it would hit the spot right about now,” I replied flippantly. “Gotta love that special sauce.”
“Burgers it is then,” he agreed, grinning. “You could ride with me if you don’t mind an old rusty pickup that’s seen better days.”
“As long as it isn’t parked too far away,” I moaned. “I’ve been on my feet all morning doing my student aide work. You’d think I’d learn by now to wear more comfortable footwear,” I continued, eyeing my high-heeled shoes dolefully.
“They may not be comfortable but they sure do look good,” he commented saucily. “Don’t worry, I’m parked just outside. It’s not far. I’ll carry you if you like,” he added mischievously.
“That’s okay,” I responded quickly, unsure if he was serious. “I’m fairly certain I can make it.”
I hadn’t ever spoken more than a couple of words to Jason and I wasn’t sure how to take him. His eyes sparkled playfully, but he had seemed so solemn and serious whenever I had seen him with Nat that I was confused.
“If you change your mind…” he smiled impishly.
“I’m good,” I hastened to assure him. “Shall we?”
“We shall,” he replied opening the building door with a flourish.
With his hand on my back, Jason guided me to a two-tone blue pickup that, although it was far from new, was extremely clean and well kept.
“Your chariot awaits,” Jason opened the passenger side door and helped me in.
“Thank you kind sir,” I responded, deciding I might as well get into the spirit of things.
I waited until Jason pulled out of the parking lot before saying casually “You seem different today than…” I paused, unsure whether to mention Nat’s name.
“Than when I was dating Natalie?” he finished wryly.
“Sorry, I just…”
“No, that’s fine,” Jason interrupted shrugging. “You’re right. Natalie didn’t appreciate my type of humor, told me I should grow up, and so I tried to be what she wanted, but it wasn’t me and if I hadn’t been so…” as he searched for the right word I decided to help him out.
“Infatuated?” I suggested using the term James had used to describe Jason’s obsession with Nat.
“Infatuated,” he nodded in agreement, keeping his eyes on the road “I would have seen through her a lot sooner. The signs were all there, I just refused admit it. I shudder to think how she would have treated my baby sister.”
“Baby sister…?”
“She’s not really a baby, but she’s the youngest so I always think of her that way,” he explained. “Last year she was diagnosed with leukemia and it’s been a hard year for her. She’s in remission right now, but her hair hasn’t grown back yet.”
“Sounds like she means a lot to you,” I said gently.
“She does, but lately I haven’t been acting like it.”
As Jason pulled into the parking lot, I said softly “I’m glad you dumped Nat. You are way too nice for her.”
“So are you,” he returned quietly as he shoved the gearshift into park and turned to face me.
“Is that what this is about,” I asked, comprehension dawning, “My relationship with Nat?”
“Let’s get some food,” he said briskly, opening his door. “I’m starving.”
By the time I had my door opened, Jason was there considerately helping me out.
“Would it offend you if I offered to spring for lunch…?”
“As generous an offer as that is, I wasn’t raised that way,” Jason shook his head mournfully. “Darned upbringing,” he added ruefully.
“I can relate to that,” I laughed.
Although I have no idea how it happened, I ended up allowing Jason to buy my lunch.
“You can be very persuasive,” I accused him good-naturedly as we sat in a booth pigging out on burgers, fries, and shakes.
“Good,” he replied with satisfaction as he shoved more fries into his mouth. “Now, about Natalie…”
“Ah…” I acknowledged, cheerfully slurping on my shake “The real reason for this…um…date.”
“Look,” Jason said contritely “I know this is none of my business, but you don’t belong with that group of…of…okay I can’t think of a politically acceptable way to describe them without offending you.”
“That’s okay,” I smiled understandingly “I’ve known Nat and Richard a long time and even I’m at a loss at times to find descriptive terms I feel comfortable using in mixed company.”
“So why do you hang out with them?” he questioned curiously around a mouthful of burger.
“I don’t mean this in a snobby way, but it’s hard to explain to someone not in the same social circle,” I said grimacing. “Suffice it to say that I have very little control over my life right now although I’m hoping…”
I stopped abruptly wondering if I’d said too much. I liked Jason and wanted to trust him, but I didn’t really know him and had no idea what he might do with that type of information.
“You’re hoping what?”
“I’m hoping it will be different once I’m out of college,” I finished lamely.
“You mean once you and Stover are married?” Noticing the frown on my face, he continued ruefully “Natalie told me you two have been unofficially engaged for years.”
“Married people usually find it easier to break away from their parents,” I hedged, unwilling to lie but still unsure how much to tell him.
“Is that why you’re marrying him,” he asked incredulously “to get away from your parents?”
“So have you been dating anyone else since you dumped Natalie?” I inquired pointedly changing the subject.
He held up his hands laughingly in surrender saying, “I get it; too personal. Sorry. I just hate to see you settle for someone like Stover. You could do better you know.”
I shrugged in an attempt to appear nonchalant. “Maybe,” I conceded noncommittally. “He’s not so bad. I should get back to campus,” I added as I piled all of our trash onto the tray.
“The night of the concert I thought for sure you and James…”
“Oh wow, look at the time,” I interrupted abruptly, pretending to glance at my watch.
I had no place to be, but Jason wouldn’t know that.
“Okay, I get it, another taboo topic,” Jason conceded ruefully. “James is pretty touchy about you, too.”
“You talked to James about me?” I asked incredulously, my stomach suddenly full of butterflies.
“Tried is the operative word…he practically bit my head off and told me in no uncertain terms to butt out.”
“Sorry,” I said unrepentantly “but you’ll get the same response from me.”
“James is a great guy, Allison, don’t believe anything Natalie said about him,” Jason pleaded earnestly. “I wish you’d give him a chance.�
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“You think I rejected him?” I asked disbelievingly. “Is that why you sought me out?”
“I just hate to see him in such bad shape.”
“Look, Jason, I appreciate you wanting to help out your friend, but if James is in bad shape it isn’t because of me. I practically threw myself at him and he…he…” I stopped, breathing hard, trying to control the tears I hadn’t allowed to fall since that night.
“I didn’t realize…” he shook his head, perplexed. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to upset you…I just thought…”
“I have to get back,” I said briskly as I pushed the tray over to the edge of the table.
“Allison,” Jason put his hand over mine as I attempted to slide out of the booth “one other thing.”
“Jason…” I began in warning.
“It’s nothing to do with…it’s about something else.”
I looked at him expectantly, trying to control my unease, wondering what other serious subject he was about to unearth.
“I’d steer clear of Becky if I were you,” he suggested gravely. “There’s something creepy about her and she doesn’t like you at all.”
“I’ll steer clear of her,” I assured him as I managed to exit the booth and empty the tray into the trashcan. “Thanks for lunch.”
“Sure,” Jason grinned as he followed me to the door and opened it for me. “We should do it again. I promise I won’t be such a downer next time.”
“Okay, but only if you let me pay,” I qualified relieved he was back to the lighthearted banter he seemed to enjoy so much.
“Yeah, like that’s gonna happen,” he laughed as we headed to his pickup.
“Chauvinist,” I accused blithely wishing with all of my heart I could feel something for Jason and forget about James.
“And proud of it,” he retorted cheerily.