Clap Your Hands if You Believe in Me

 

Joey looked in his rear view mirror several times on his way to the track, keeping his eye on Jeanie as she followed him. When he stopped she parked next to him and hopped out.

 

"You have a really cool car." Joey complimented.

 

"Thanks!" Jeanie beamed "I got it recently." She added proudly,  she had bought it with her own money without needing to use her savings.

 

"So this..." Joey gestured "is Martinsville."

 

"Big." Jeanie pointed out.

 

"Yes. It is. Did you live around here?"

 

Jeanie laughed "Hell no, I live hours away. I actually live closer to Dover."

 

"Oh, you could have gone there."

 

"Too late now."

 

"I guess. Ever been to a place like this?"

 

"I've been to a couple of concerts. But not really."

 

Joey led Jeanie around, explaining things. Jeanie had no clue what he was talking about, but  she smiled and nodded attentively. While talking Joey kept considering taking Jeanie's hand but both of her hands were stuffed in her skirt pockets.

 

While they were walking through the garage Jeanie asked "Who's that guy talking with the headphones?"

 

"Oh, that's Zippy."

 

Jeanie looked at him blankly "Does he really like zippers?"

 

Denny suddenly appeared "Hey Joey, what's up?"

 

"Hi Denny. This is Jeanie."

 

"Oh! So you're not made up."

 

Joey felt like dying in embarrasment. but Jeanie looked at him sideways and smiled "No I'm not."

 

Denny held out his hand "Nice to meet you."

 

"Right," Joey jumped in. "this is Denny, I mentioned him. Denny, Jeanie's from Virginia." He pointed out to Denny, whose  mouth was wide open  and definitely not listening.

 

"Oh my god. Are those real?" Denny asked in bewilderment

 

I'm going to kill him. Joey thought

 

"Yes, they are."  Jeanie said, trying to take her hand back but Denny held on to it.

 

"How can you function?"

 

"I manage." Jeanie said with a shrug.

 

"Does it feel weird?" Denny asked as Joey shifted his weight uncomfortably.

 

"No, if it did I wouldn't have them."

 

"You can type?!"

 

"Yes." Jeanie nodded "That's my job."

 

Her job? Joey thought as he pulled Jeanie away. "See you later, Denny, I'm going to keep showing her around."

 

Once they got a distance away Joey turned to Jeanie "I'm sorry if that was awkward."

 

Jeanie smiled "It's fine. I'm thinking of getting a name tag that says 'Yes they're real, Yes I function, No, I won't hurt you.' Because I swear everyone asks me. Except you."

 

"I...um." Joey didn't know what to say.

 

"Don't tell me you didn't notice them! That would break my heart!" Jeanie laughed.

 

"No, I did. I liked the orange."

 

"Aw," Jeanie beamed "So did I, but I ran out of the polish."

 

They abruptly stopped walking.

 

"This is my souvenir hauler."

 

"Whoah," Jeanie breathed "That is a lot of pictures of you. Is that awkward seeing yourself so much? I mean, I get weirded out just seeing my driver's license."

 

"Not really. Hey what did you mean that typing's your job?"

 

"I'm a programmer." Jeanie said dismissively, still staring the merchandise in awe.

 

"But I thought...?" Joey again didn't know how to say it.

 

"That was a 2nd job. Well, 3rd actually. Before I quit."

 

"Quit? 3rd?"

 

"I quit like a month ago."

 

"What's your other job?"

 

"I'm a hand model." Jeanie said shyly.

 

"And you think it's weird that my face is on T-shirts?"

 

"Well, my hand isn't identifying."

 

"Fair point." Joey admitted.

 

"Yep...So!" Jeanie said, turning to Joey. "Where to now?"