Second Street // Part Ten

A Story by David

Second Street

Part Ten

Well my friend, Andy said to Charlie as she patted him on the knee, I have to get back but this was fun and it looks absolutely beautiful. Charlie got up and retrieved her coat. He said, this was a fun day, thanks for all your help and expertise. If I did these decorations by myself it would look nothing like this. He walked over and opened the door for her. He watched as she made her way home, just in case some weirdo happened by. She opened her door and he closed his. He went to his kitchen table, locating his journal and sat down to write, the radio playing softly in the background. Fifteen minutes went by, he yawned and looked at his watch. He unplugged everything and blew out the candles. This was an early night and he was looking forward to a good nights’ sleep.

Andy let the dogs out one last time before taking off her coat. They were quick about their business this time. It was cold and they wanted back in the warm house. She brewed up a couple cups of decaf and turned on her computer. Danny wasn’t home yet and she might have a chance to write a bit more of her new poem. As she wrote, she could not help but think of the day. No one had taken the time to be nice to her in ages. No one talked to her like today, caring what she thought and her opinion of things. Her life had become one long period of orders being barked at her. Told what to think and what to do. Her brief glimpse into another life thrilled her ever so and inspired her to write. Words just poured onto the screen. She could barely type fast enough to keep up with her thoughts. She heard the door open and the dogs went running. Danny was home and as always fussing over the dogs. He came to the dining room and popped his head in, Hi. She turned in her chair. Danny, I want to get a tree tomorrow she said. The reply that came was, we’ll see. He turned and went to play with those damned games. She wasn’t going to take no for an answer, she had decided.

Friday morning came early and Andy was up to fix Danny’s breakfast and make his lunch. He came to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee, not so much as a good morning. Andy looked him square in the eye and told him, we’re getting a tree when you get home. He was a little taken back by her tone but just grunted. She did the breakfast dishes and put fresh water in the dog bowls, went and dressed. The next part of her morning was always the same. Picking up after Danny. Dirty clothes just dropped on the floor next to the bed, the hamper three feet away. Strip the bed and remake it with clean linens. She gathered all the colored items and took them to the washer. Next, on to the living room or more succinctly put, the game room. There were candy wrappers, soda cans and just general mess everywhere. She just shook her head and proceeded with the cleaning. She headed to the freezer to see what she would cook for dinner. Standing in front of the open door, she gazed inside and just shut the door. There wasn’t going to be any cooking tonight. Danny was taking her out. Right after they got her tree he could buy her dinner. She didn’t even care if it was a burger, she was done with food preparation for the day.

The mundane tasks pretty much wrapped up she turned her attention to the process of cookie making. Eggs, flour all the stuff she got yesterday neatly laid out over the counter. She proceeded to make her snowballs first. These were treasured by all the young ones, even the teen across the street perked up around this time of year in anticipation of these cookies. These were a mix of crushed Oreo and cream cheese rolled into small balls. She figured she needed around seven hundred of these. The chocolate chip, sugar cookies, peanut butter with kisses and the rest came after these were done. Of course the dogs came and lay down at her feet. Get! She hollered at them not wanting them underfoot. They looked at her with a rejected look and slowly moved off. She had to laugh. There were buckeyes to be made. These were a mix of peanut butter mixed with powdered sugar, rolled into a ball and coated with melted chocolate chips.

Charlie started his day refreshed for a change. This break from school was going to be good for him. He had only been off two days and felt different already. He had little bits of painting left to do and decided that was the course of action. He brewed some coffee and got to work. He had never been big on breakfast except on a holiday proper. He sucked at cooking but wasn’t so bad with eggs. He had learned how to make Eggs Benedict as a special treat to his ex. He liked serving her breakfast in bed on her birthday and Christmas. Really wasn’t too hard dropping some eggs in hot water. He thought he might make some for himself this Christmas. He found a rock station and turned up the volume on the radio. He wasn’t depressed or hung over. What a feeling, he thought. The skies were clear as a bell and the temperatures in the mid thirties. Not bad. He wondered what he should do the rest of this fine day after painting.

His cell phone suddenly rang. He couldn’t imagine who it might be. Good morning he said. Charlie? Is that you Charlie? Yes, of course, he replied. It’s me, Pam. Well hello, how are you? It’s been awhile, Pam said, I’ve been thinking about you. Now it’s a weekend and was wondering if you would like to do something with me? He wasn’t going to tell her but she had been on his mind this very morning. I would absolutely love to. Great, she said. I’ll come over in a couple hours, ok? Sure, can’t wait to see you. He was excited and couldn’t wait to see her. He cleaned up his painting equipment and headed for the shower. Climbing into the shower, he glanced out the window just as the two low life drug dealers entered the trailer out back. Great he thought to himself. They probably have me blocked in. He finished showering and shaved. He did a real good job today, real close just in case the occasion came up where it may matter. All of a sudden sounded like a bloody murder! He looked out the window. Lisa was standing outside the trailer in her bra and jeans, screaming her head off. She was giving the two men the finger with both hands and was exceedingly aggravated. The two men exited the trailer and she ran towards one of them to get in a punch. Instead he fended off the weak attempt and gave her a slap across the face that knocked her to the ground. She wasn’t getting up quickly and they walked away. Charlie went to the side window and watched the pair head upstairs to the apartment next door. He returned to the bathroom window and was relieved to see no body lying in the snow and the trailer door closed. Charlie looked at his watch. He had a little time before Pam arrived and he stood in front of his closet wondering what to wear. He found a clean pair of Khakis, a white oxford shirt and a dark green cable knit sweater. Charlie always liked saddle shoes and put on a pair of tan on beige. It wasn’t long before there was a knock on the door.

Charlie answered the knock and there was Pam standing in front of him. She looked just sunning, something seemed different about her. Come in, come in Charlie said as he smiled broadly. She entered and he shut the door behind her. He turned to say something to her and was greeted by a sensuous wet kiss. He thought to himself he should shave close all the time. Hmmmm, he said sliding his arms around her waist. He looked into those big beautiful brown eyes, her makeup just perfect and adding to the depth of her eyes. Her lips were so full and soft, even a little sweet. There is something different about you, Charlie said? She tossed her head back and smiled. She gave him another quick kiss and squirmed free. She took off her coat and looking at Charlie, said, buy a girl a drink? She looked simply fantastic, her hair seemed different, maybe a little darker, longer. How about a glass of wine? Sure, that would be nice. Charlie thought he would impress her with his new glasses and knowing which one to use. He went to the kitchen and got the drinks. Pam said, your tree is just beautiful. He stuck his head around the corner and grinned. He handed her a glass and they toasted with a clink. Very nice she said holding up the glass. Did you break all your water glasses, she said giving him a little dig. He started laughing, smart a*s, came the reply! So did you have anything in particular that you wanted to do, he asked? It’s early and have some ideas. There is a new Imax movie I wouldn’t mind seeing, and we could have a nice lunch and then there is a stroll in one of the little villages just a few miles away. My, you have a full day planned for sure, Charlie chuckled. Pam got up from the sofa and went over to the tree examining all the ornaments and Charlie was examining her. This girl sure did fill out her jeans and he was happy about that. He let out a quiet little sigh. Charlie told her, my neighbor from next door came and helped me. Pam turned and said, Really? That was awfully nice of her. She turned back and gave everything a new look. Well shall we go he asked?

Pam asked Charlie if he minded if she drove? It would be a pleasure, he replied. Your car is far nicer anyway. Charlie was enjoying being chauffeured for a change and had the time to watch all about him. People were everywhere, shopping, buying presents and looking in the windows of the small shops. The Imax Theater was at the very far end of the Mansfield Mall. Both the mall and the theater were a fairly new endeavor. The next show was to start in about fifteen minutes. She parked and locked the car. She put her arms around him and they walked to the lobby and Charlie bought their tickets. They entered the theater and Charlie was surprised by the sight. The seats were set at a very steep angle. He said to Pam, I’ve never been to one of these. Why are the seats so steep? She explained that this seating was so that everyone had an absolutely unobstructed view. They found seats about half way up one of the isles. He could have followed her all the way to the top, those hips mesmerizing him. This movie was about Alaska and Charlie sat watching just amazed how spectacular this film was. It was not like a regular movie that lasted hours. This was just about an hour but surely worth the experience. The house light came up and the crowd started leaving. On the way out , Pam took him past the projection room. It was a huge room with a glass wall allowing people to view the goings on. My God, he said! The film itself was twenty inches wide. The projector took up the entire room. It reminded him of a newspaper printing press, the film winding from reel to reel to reel. Pam slipped her arm around his and said, How about lunch? Of course, where to? Trust me, she said. She led him into the mall and walked past many stores, arriving at El Torrito. It was a chain of Mexican restaurants but had good food.