Brielle part 1

 

         finally   finallyfinally he met her  she was a young womanhed had glimpses of herhad glances

suddenly therethen she was not  

he had assembled these facets of her in his mind and sliver by sliver he found himselfrecognised that she intrigued him 

he liked her 

finally  they met 

 

he stopped into a small liquorstore it also sold gasoline some groceries he stopped to look at its boasted – the sign said -- collection of craft beers 

                          he was looking for something out of the ordinary 

and then there she was behind the counter   unmistakably her                    

turning to greet him she said Hi, hey. . I’ve seen you around. 

it is nice to be recognised Hey Ive been around Though curiously I . . think . Ive seen you around too In profile never head-on like this

Well, it’d be impolite to stare, huh? Worse getting caught.

he smiled he liked she was frank Well let me say this bout that had I the opportunity to stare at you I would have an had you caught me I would think by the expression on my face you would recognised that I wasnt leering at you rather appreciating you

Oh, aren’t you a charmer?

I am though only because my mother said that about me She wasnt wrong about a lot of things about meHa whether she liked them or not

she smiledshook her head slowly side to side Men. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em.

maybe he wasnt In Like Flintbut more In than Out 

                                                      I stopped because of your sign yourah unparalleled selection of craft beers Im crossing my fingers

Boss thinks it’s a good selection, but I could improve it.

You like beer

I like good beer.

Girl after my own heart Youll excuse me 

                                           other customers had entered and were beginning to form up for their purchases Gas

he had the crafts that were there they werent what he was looking for

leaving he made eye contact with her 

                                        Nothing, huh? she asked 

Not that I havent had

Ah. My name’s Brielle.

Joe

Hope maybe I’ll see you again; this is my gig and I’ve been pushing hard to take over ordering. I think I could please you.

I think you could he smiledshe returned his smile quicker  Ill look forward to next time Brielle

the smile hadnt fallen from her face and grew larger she then returned her attention to the customer and sale she was ringing up for them

 

a week and a half later he returned 

                                     JOE! as he came through the door 

Brielle her enthusiasm made him laugh Were you able to wrestle control of the ordering

No. Though not that I’ll stop pressing.

Is there something worthwhile

Me.

harp music went off in his ears You 

Me.

Well I suppose well have to do something about that huh

Yes. We should. Im off at eightthirty this evening, you could walk me home.

Walk you home Any books I can carry for youbeen a long time since I walked a girl home 

No books.

Well we wont let that hinder us Lets call it a date

Yes, please, let’s call it a date.

hmm  they had a date

 

as he walked her home she was enthusedlike a small child shed rush ahead of himwalk backwards talking rushing back to his side circling one way round him then circling the other like a drunken square dance

she had a lot to say was very animated 

                                           Youah  a bit of a conversationalist  he asked smiling

Hell, yah, with customers it’s like pulling teeth, they’re automatons, WhamBamThankyouMa'am.

WhamBam Yaknow how quickly yare winning my heart

Good! Good. her lips spread in a small delighted smile Say, there’s a small dinner ahead, could I buy you a grilled cheese sandwich, they make the best grilled cheese. I’m hungry.

Buy me a sandwich

Sure, I think I owe you, I haven’t given you much a chance to chime in, you been listening carefully, and when I’ve given you a chance to say what you say has been on point, spot on, very insightful.

Thank you

No, thank you.

Though I am concerned that your food will get cold

My food’s always cold. Besides, eating should be about sharing, breaking bread, breaking inroads, sharing different perspectives, sharing thoughts.

Brielle I gotta admit I like you

I like you too, Joe.

Yes Please Lets have a bite to eat and talk some more

she clapped her handsrose up of her toes Yes!

damn good grilled cheese

Brielle was tickled when he order a glass of cold milk 

                                                         Milk? Really?

Really Im surprised when people are surprised Why You think Im too old to be drinking milk

No, it’s just that it’s been a long time since I’ve been with someone who’s ordered milk with their food, usually soda pops or coffee. What the hell, I think I’ll join you.

Great Well compare moustaches

Moustaches. Oh you’re bad.

Wha I think youll look great with a blonde moustache Against your complexion your auburn hair the redhighlights Im thinking Neapolitan ice cream

Neapolitan. Neapolitan. she said it asif it was strange in her mouth Do they still make Neapolitan ice cream?

Somewhere Id bet though Im not keen I like Butter Pecan However for you Ill make an exception

Butter Pecan, shesh. then her eyes went bright So, ah, you think I’m exceptional?

he laughedsounded like a dogs bark 

                                       Brielle Yes You are exceptional but don let it go to yer head I still gotta getya out of here through the doorway to walk you home

she smiled deliciously You are so charming.

So you an my Maw say 

the grilled cheese was good cold

her moustache was better than his 

it was because of the shape of her mouth

 

1021,  Sunday,  17  11. 19

1249, Saturday,  6  3. 21