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.
Boss thinks it’s a good selection, but I could improve it.
You like beer
I like good beer.
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
No. Though not that I’ll stop pressing.
Is there something worthwhile
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
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
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?
she smiled deliciously You are so charming.
her moustache was better than his
Ifya promise to remember ya got a ride
she wrapped him in her arms her head beside his Ooh, you smell so good.
Good until I start sweating
Aww, then you’ll smell even better, smell like who you are.
he chuckled Yare a queer little bird Brielle
Thank you.
she tugged on his right ear to have him go right at the street
she was light
he thought he could carry her forever
she laughed I’M SO HAPPY!
Doesnt take much huh
It shouldn’t, don’t you think?
I think I have simple pleasures too
Birds of a feather! she laughed
he went left
Jesus girl Were becoming mighty familiar mighty fast
I believe you can.
Tell ya wha next time I ride We can take turns
Given our convoluted conversations I think if I could follow our currents and flowsoverflows thisll be a cinch Besides yare my inscentive
Incentive, that’s sweet.
In scent tive Brielle If I misstep all I have to do is put my nose up in the air and inhale find your scent Your scent Inscentive
Are you making up words for me?
I told you I write
You a – muse me
she gave him a big kiss on the back of his head Thank you!
It doesn’t look the same, like the same house, the fascade is . is . different. I’m disoriented.
Whas the address
5135.
Its 5135 Here he set her downfelt like he was going to launch into the atmosphere suddenly feeling so light with Brielle dismounted Here give me your key
Are you okay
I don’t know.
Ill be right back Watch from here
he went up five concrete steps that mounted a berm small decorative lions were to either side at the top he followed the paver walk grass growing up in between them to the front door
the key slipped in
he unlocked the door
pushed it in a bit
The key opened the lock?
Yes
5135?
Yes
I’m not sure.
Asif you were in a dream
she lookedupsuddenly into his face Yes. Exactly. In a dream.
A nightmares a dream
You don’t think they are different?
he stepped behind her and took her by the shoulders pulled her back against his chest then turned her and as he did he embraced her
she was trembling
Therethere Brielle Were okay Yare okay yare okay
Please give me a moment. This is so strange, so strange.
All the time in the world Were okay yare okay he said it with conviction he could feel her beginning to gel feel her strength gathering
Okay Letting go of you Lets go in
she laughedthen laughed harder and bit harder We’d look ridiculous, huh, shuffling in clutching each other.
Ive looked ridiculousbeen ridiculous before wouldnt be skin off my ass
But you’re something else. No. I’m okay. We can go in.
he liked now the firmness of her voiceliked its assuredness returned Then madam if I may Ill open the door all the way an follow you in
he woke perhaps a cowards way out he didnt read fantasy