Progress (Progress #1) (6 page)

“Finding anything interesting?” he asked, appearing behind me.

“Oh!” I gasped. “Um, have you read all of these? It’s quite a collection. Varied.”

“Most of these are Dennis and Jake’s. Jake is a good buddy, and Dennis is his dad. But I’ve read a few of them, I guess.” He shrugged. “Are you ready?” He gestured toward the front door.

I nodded and followed behind, quietly contemplating.

***

“Where are we going?” I asked, watching the woods zip past as he drove. It was early afternoon, and the sun was beating down through the windshield.

“Just a quiet place I used to go. Good greasy food.”

The greens, yellows, and browns of spring blurred together outside as we sped down the freeway. I rolled down the window, and my short red hair whipped around my forehead, hitting the lenses of my sunglasses. I couldn’t stop smiling.

He plucked a CD from his visor and switched the music. Looking over at me, he grinned and took a cigarette from my pack. “If you like this kind of music, I’ll copy one of my favorite albums for you.”

I nodded enthusiastically. “Thanks.”

We drove forty-five minutes west, passing cornfields and woodlands. Approaching a large field of young sunflowers, he signaled his blinker and turned down a narrow dirt road.

“You found a place to eat down here? What were you doing?”

His grip around the steering wheel tightened, and a quick frown disappeared from his face. “I’ll explain later. We’re here.”

I looked up, and a small log house with an oak porch out front came into view. It was a small clearing in a mass of sunflowers, with the dirt road being the only way in and out.

We stepped out of the car and I studied the house further. A handwritten
OPEN
sign hung from the window and an old Labrador sat in the yard. It attempted to get to its feet, wagging its tail.

“Come ’ere, Sadie.” Jesse slapped his knee and the dog jogged toward him. Scratching her ears, he knelt down and whispered, “Yeah, that feels good, doesn’t it?”

Sadie looked more than happy to see him, turning in a circle before plopping down on her back so that Jesse could reach her stomach.

“Jesse Anders! Is that you?” a woman called from the porch.

He stood, wiping the dog hair off his hands, and slid them into his pockets. “Hey, Lily,” he said, squinting his eyes in the bright sunlight. Forgetting I was there, he strolled toward her and stretched his back from the long drive.

“Get over here, young man,” Lily laughed. The petite middle-aged woman wore old jeans, a blue T-shirt, a blue bandana, and an apron around her waist. She took quick steps toward Jesse and greeted him in a bear hug in front of the stairs. The gray-brown bun in her hair bobbed as he picked her up from the ground.

I turned my attention to Sadie and scratched her behind the ears, giving Jesse a moment alone with his friend.

“Charlie?” he yelled.

I swung around and walked toward them. “Lily, this is my friend, Charlie. We were hoping you had some patty melts and fries for a couple of strays.”

My stomach growled at the thought. I was famished. Almost an entire week had passed, and I could probably count the amount of calories I’d consumed. Far less than I was used to, anyway. “Hi, Lily. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too.” She nodded. “Come on, kids. My lunch rush of four just left. The best seats in the house just opened up.” She whistled for Sadie, and we all climbed the steps into the entry.

I could see why Jesse chose the place. Decorated in antiques and checkered tablecloths, the interior of the house had scuffed hardwood floors, an old jukebox, handmade curtains to match the tablecloths, and a small counter in the corner with an old-fashioned cash register.

A small breeze carried with it the fresh scent of spring and soil, masking the aroma of greasy comfort food, while John Denver played softly in the background.

“Have a seat. I’m going to see if Lily needs some help,” he said, walking into the kitchen.

“Okay.”

I chose a table next to a window, and opened the curtains so the sun could beat down on my face. I closed my eyes, breathing in and out, and when I opened them again, the sunflower stalks swayed gently in unison with the wind.

“Okay, okay, I’m leaving!” Jesse laughed, walking from the kitchen with a handful of freshly-grated parmesan. Popping it in his mouth, he joined me at the table. “She didn’t want my help.”

His blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. They were bluer than I’d ever seen them, and I tried not to stare.  This man, this creature, was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever laid eyes on. With the blond stubble on his chin, his hair disheveled and unkempt, and without fancy designer clothes, he was far from perfect. He was exactly who he wanted to be.

And exactly what I needed him to be.

Eyes like that didn’t lie. And as much as he’d flipped upside down, back and forth, and right side up again, there was nobody who could convince me that he’d harm a single hair on my head.

Not at that moment, anyway.

“So you used to live around here? I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I love it here,” I said.

“Kind of. I was pretty young. And when I saw the sunflower field…” He stopped. “Do you want something to drink?” he asked, abruptly rising from the chair.

I shook my head at the rapid subject change, and he walked toward the cooler behind the register. “Um, sure. Anything is fine. So you were saying?” I pried.

Removing two bottles of soda, he walked back to the table and sat down. “Yeah. I used to live near here.” He sighed, twisting off the caps. “I…I ran away from a foster home when I was fourteen. This place is where I ended up. Lily took me in for a couple of months and I helped her out with this place.” He gave a tight smile and his leg bounced quickly under the table.

I fought the chills that crept up my arms, and sensed his hesitancy. “Do you
want
to talk about this?”

He exhaled in relief. “No, not really.”

“Okay. Then tell me more about third-wave ska.”

The dimple popped into his cheek again and he dove into the subject with ease, starting with first wave and rattling off the bands that influenced each one. It was his passion about the subject that resonated with me. With each word he spoke, his animated body language and energy lit up the room. It was as though he’d never gotten a chance to talk about it before that day, and his mind burst with information. It was likely that I’d only retain a fraction of the knowledge, but I’d never forget the way he told it. He could’ve spoken about an economical crisis in a third-world country, and I still would’ve been fascinated.

“Here we go!” Lily said, carrying two plates from the kitchen. “Do we need anything else here? Ketchup? Water?”

“A side of Ranch, if you have it. Otherwise it looks delicious.” My stomach growled.

Lily stepped back into the kitchen and Jesse waited in anticipation for my first bite. He wore a funny smile, and gave me a nod. “Go ahead,” he said.

I took a small bite, and my eyes closed at the buttery crisp goodness that lingered in the back of my throat. Maybe it was because I’d survived solely on coffee for the past week, but it was the best damn sandwich I’d ever had in my life. Savoring every chew, I licked my lips and then swallowed. “Oh, my. Yum.”

As evidenced by his smile, Jesse took pride in sharing the restaurant with me. “I take it you approve?”

I couldn’t answer because I’d already taken another huge bite, but I covered my mouth and nodded with a wink.

Bite after bite I devoured the sandwich, upset that I didn’t have room left in my stomach for the fries and Ranch. Jesse managed to clear his plate, however, and I hadn’t spoken during the entire meal.

“Well I managed to eat the entire sandwich. I blame you for the six pounds I gained this afternoon.” I slouched in my chair. “Sorry, this has to be done,” I said, unsnapping the button at my waist.

“No apology necessary. I’m about to do the same.”

“Do you two kiddos want some dessert? I just made lemon meringue,” Lily said with a smile, wiping her hands on her apron.

“Lily, you’ve been great, and the sandwich was to die for. But I. Am. Stuffed.” I chuckled, patting my belly.

“I’m good too. We’ve got to get going. I’m on a double,” Jesse said.

“Tonight?” I looked at the clock on the wall.
Four thirty.
“Aren’t we going to be late?”

“No, it’s a bussing shift. I don’t have to be there until six. Plenty of time to get back.”

Lily smiled. “You liking your job then? How’s your mom?”

“Everything is good, Lil. I’ll stop back next week when I have more time to chat.” He threw some money down on the table and gave her another hug.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard that before, Jess. Charlie promised me she’ll keep an eye on you.” Lily winked at me and I nodded my agreement.

“Say ‘hi’ to your mom for me—Molly and Donny too.”

“Will do. Charlie, can you give us a second?”

“Of course! I’ll be outside,” I said, and walked out the front door. “Thanks again, Lily!”

I lit a cigarette and wandered the front yard.

Sadie ran over and sat in front of me, smiling. I smiled back and gave her a pat on her head. “Good girl.”

“You ready?” Jesse asked, bounding down the steps as the screen door clattered behind him.

“Sure.”

I dozed on the car ride back, with a satisfied stomach that I’d neglected for some time. I hadn’t really noticed, but since I’d met Jesse my thoughts had spiraled out of control. Keeping my stomach empty was not only the best way to avoid throwing up, but also the only way I felt I had control. My emotions bounced from one extreme to the next when he entered my mind. Which was often.

By the time I woke, we were only five minutes from the restaurant. “Sorry,” I gurgled. “I fell asleep.”

He lit a cigarette and laughed. “Don’t be. Are you going to the patio party next weekend?” he asked.

I yawned. “The what?”

“You know, the grand opening party for the patio. At The Crimson. Remember? Your job. The place you work? I guess they have it every year,” he said.

“I’m probably working it. I hadn’t heard about it.”

He chuckled. “It’s an excuse to drink, and I’m always up for one of those.”

“Sure, then. I suppose.” I shrugged.

“Good, good.” He pulled into the parking lot and parked next to my Taurus. “Have a good night. See ya, Red.” He leapt out of the car and jogged to the employee entrance.

I got out and shut the door. “Thanks!” I chirped, wondering why he’d leave me alone in his car. “See ya,” I whispered.

So much for sentimental goodbyes.

I plopped my ass into my driver’s seat and stuck the key into the ignition, but just as I was about to pull out of my spot, I heard a knock on my window.

“You scared the crap out of me!” I yelped, rolling down my window. “What’s up, Jess?”

“I almost forgot: Lily told me to give this to you. You know, for ‘watching out for’ me.” He grinned and handed me a large silk sunflower.

I smiled. “That was sweet of her. Tell her I prefer daisies…” I laughed.

He tapped the roof of my car twice and nodded. “Good to know, Charlie. Goodnight.” With a wink, he ducked back into the restaurant.

Chapter Six

Charlie

I looked in my closet, mortified.

Shit, shit, shit!

Angie!

Quickly, I picked up my phone and dialed Angie’s cell.

“Hello?”

“I need you. Like right now,” I said in a frenzy.

“Okay, what’s up?”

“Are you going to the patio party tonight?”

“Yeah, I’m working it, why?” she asked.

“I have absolutely nothing to wear. I look fat in everything!”

I hadn’t seen Jess in over a week. To date, I’d lost seventeen pounds. Only about eighty away from my goal. Still, it was too important to me to arrive in anything that wouldn’t accentuate the positives and eliminate the negatives.

She paused, and I wasn’t sure if she had hung up.

“Angie?”

“Okay, where is my friend Charlie and what have you done with her? Since when did you become all choosy with your wardrobe? No offense, but up until last year you were wearing your dad’s sweatshirts and a pair of balloon pants you got in the seventh grade.”

Angie had always been a big girl. But she either didn’t get teased as much as I did or she didn’t let it bother her. I envied that about her. I also envied her wardrobe. She knew what to wear to flatter her figure.

“I—uh—I…” I stuttered. “I just want to look good, that’s all.” I was a terrible liar.

“Mmmm…Hmmm. Who is he?” Angie saw right through me.

“Oh jeez. No one. Can’t I just want to look good?”

“No,” she giggled. “But I’ll drop it for now. If you want, you can come over this afternoon and raid my closet. But I have to be at work by four o’clock. You have two hours to get your ass over here before I start getting ready for work.”

“I’m coming now. Be there in ten.” I hung up the phone and grabbed my purse.

Nine minutes later, I pulled into her apartment parking lot and raced to the door. After two rings, the door buzzed and unlocked. I rode the elevator up to the fourth floor and banged on her apartment door.

“Come in!” I heard from behind it.

“You’re a lifesaver,” I called. “Hey, you have any coffee?” I walked into the kitchen and ran water into the carafe.

“Yeah, it’s in the freezer! When you’re done, come into my room!”

I prepared the pot and then walked down the hallway. She was still in bed, wearing pajamas and watching a rerun of
Jersey Shore
.

“Have you ever watched this show? It’s addicting,” she said, never taking her eyes from the screen.

“Oh, um. No, never. Can I rummage through?” I asked with a one-track mind, pointing toward the closet.

“Go ahead,” Angie said.

“Any suggestions on what you think would look good? I’m horrible with this kind of thing,” I said, overwhelmed by the two long rows of clothes hanging in the walk-in.

“Um…let’s see.” Angie joined me at my side with one hand on her hip, tapping her lips with her fingers.

Hanger by hanger, she hand-selected a dozen different styles and threw them on her bed. “Your body is perfectly proportioned. You’ve got a great hourglass to work with—you’re tall, have long legs, smaller around the waist, and your curves are kickin’, so all we have to do is punch up your style a little bit.” She stood at her bedside and tilted her head. “Have you lost weight?”

I blushed and looked down. “Not that it matters much. I’m still huge.”

She rolled her eyes and walked to me, putting her hands on my shoulders. “You’re not that big, Charlie.” She lifted my chin. “Whoever he is, we’ll make sure he notices you tonight.”

I nodded. “Okay. But please don’t make me try on that one.” I pointed to a zigzag patterned orange-and-blue dress. “I don’t want him to notice me
that
much.”

After an hour of trying on Angie’s clothes, I settled on a black wrap dress that came to my knees and a three-quarter-length sleeve. Nothing designer, but it made my boobs look big and my waist look small
ish
.

“Okay, next problem…makeup,” I pleaded.

“Seriously, I have, like, an hour before I have to leave for work. I’m in my pajamas, hon.”

“That’s okay! Just tell me how I should do it and I’ll attempt it myself.”

Angie nodded, and after a few tips on how to separate the bush that comprised my eyebrows and a suggestion to go shoe shopping, she waved me out the door.

I stopped by a discount shoe store on my way home and found a cheap pair of chunky heels. When I got home, I stared at the mirror for twenty minutes before I finally picked up the foundation and powder.

Here goes nothing.