feelings to keep me from meeting her even though those
feelings were justified?
The mall proved no better than school. I parked around
front instead of in the back, of course, but was still anxious as I
worked and dreading the walk out. Every tall guy in a hoodie who
bought a taco came under suspicion. I couldn't stop thinking about
the upcoming walk to my car, even though the lot was way brighter
and there would be people making the same trek.
Shannon asked over and over if I were okay. Analena cut me
no slack. I couldn't count the times she yelled at me and got so
frustrated at one point that I almost walked out. Luckily she left
around six when her teenage son Julio showed up. Though he wasn't
as old as most of us, he was still the "boss" in her absence. But where
Analena yelled, he joked around and shamelessly flirted with the
female crew, which also had an adverse effect on efficiency. And
clean up after closing was accomplished way faster than usual
because he always had someplace to be.
At around ten-thirty, I walked out of the mall with straggling
customers and my coworkers, my stomach in knots even though I
was perfectly safe. Just as I started across the lot to my car, Zander's
truck wheeled in. He stopped beside me and shoved the passenger
door open. "I thought you got off at eleven."
"We were early tonight." Thrilled he was there, I hopped
aboard and leaned across the console to give him a sideways hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"Hey, I've got your six."
Although I didn't know what that meant exactly, I could
guess. As he drove me to my car, I looked back and found that we
were the object of many a curious stare, Shannon's among them. I
didn't mind. Zander's having my back meant everything.
He followed me home. On entering the apartment, I realized
he'd had a very busy day unpacking the boxes and moving the desk
and computer to a corner of the living room. I liked seeing some of
his personal items sitting around amongst mine--a photo of a young
family, possibly his sister's; some auto magazines, and what
appeared to be a hand-carved chess set. I promised myself I'd check
everything out the first time I could do it alone.
Zander had also added DVR capabilities to the cable TV
package, something I couldn't afford before. He apologized for
recording the Monday night football game, but I didn't mind.
Watching Zander yell at the TV reminded me of Clint and my cousins
Dustin and Micah. Ages eight and six, they'd both played on boys'
teams someone's dad coached, games that were hilarious to watch
since most of those little dudes could barely hold up their
helmets.
I loved the feel in the room at that moment. Companionable.
Relaxed. Safe. We could've been brother and sister except for one
thing. I just couldn't think of him that way. Sitting there in his sweats
and tee, totally focused on the game, Zander was just my type
physically speaking. A guy I could easily love. In fact, there wasn't
one thing I didn't find appealing, from his messy brown hair to his
size twelve--at least--Nikes. Every thoughtful thing he did only added
to the attraction. I just wished I knew how he felt about me.
Around nine, Zander got a call. Since he didn't leave the
room, I shamelessly listened in.
"So you got my new address." Pause. "No, it's a duplex, and I
have a housemate." Pause. "Definitely better." Pause. "It's fine. I'm
fine. I can't talk about that stuff now." A quick glance at me and a
long pause. "I've forgiven them, okay? I'm struggling to forget, I
guess." Pause.
I kept my eyes on the TV.
"Yeah, well, words are cheap. Did Mom put you up to
asking? Tell her I have no idea when I'll be home. At this point, never
might be too soon." Pause. "Miss you, too, Ang. Bye."
Setting his phone on the armrest, he caught my eye. "My big
sister."
I didn't comment or ask any questions, though my curiosity
raged.
When I went to bed later, rain slashed the window. It was a
sound I loved. Nothing was cozier than being buried
feelings were justified?
The mall proved no better than school. I parked around
front instead of in the back, of course, but was still anxious as I
worked and dreading the walk out. Every tall guy in a hoodie who
bought a taco came under suspicion. I couldn't stop thinking about
the upcoming walk to my car, even though the lot was way brighter
and there would be people making the same trek.
Shannon asked over and over if I were okay. Analena cut me
no slack. I couldn't count the times she yelled at me and got so
frustrated at one point that I almost walked out. Luckily she left
around six when her teenage son Julio showed up. Though he wasn't
as old as most of us, he was still the "boss" in her absence. But where
Analena yelled, he joked around and shamelessly flirted with the
female crew, which also had an adverse effect on efficiency. And
clean up after closing was accomplished way faster than usual
because he always had someplace to be.
At around ten-thirty, I walked out of the mall with straggling
customers and my coworkers, my stomach in knots even though I
was perfectly safe. Just as I started across the lot to my car, Zander's
truck wheeled in. He stopped beside me and shoved the passenger
door open. "I thought you got off at eleven."
"We were early tonight." Thrilled he was there, I hopped
aboard and leaned across the console to give him a sideways hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"Hey, I've got your six."
Although I didn't know what that meant exactly, I could
guess. As he drove me to my car, I looked back and found that we
were the object of many a curious stare, Shannon's among them. I
didn't mind. Zander's having my back meant everything.
He followed me home. On entering the apartment, I realized
he'd had a very busy day unpacking the boxes and moving the desk
and computer to a corner of the living room. I liked seeing some of
his personal items sitting around amongst mine--a photo of a young
family, possibly his sister's; some auto magazines, and what
appeared to be a hand-carved chess set. I promised myself I'd check
everything out the first time I could do it alone.
Zander had also added DVR capabilities to the cable TV
package, something I couldn't afford before. He apologized for
recording the Monday night football game, but I didn't mind.
Watching Zander yell at the TV reminded me of Clint and my cousins
Dustin and Micah. Ages eight and six, they'd both played on boys'
teams someone's dad coached, games that were hilarious to watch
since most of those little dudes could barely hold up their
helmets.
I loved the feel in the room at that moment. Companionable.
Relaxed. Safe. We could've been brother and sister except for one
thing. I just couldn't think of him that way. Sitting there in his sweats
and tee, totally focused on the game, Zander was just my type
physically speaking. A guy I could easily love. In fact, there wasn't
one thing I didn't find appealing, from his messy brown hair to his
size twelve--at least--Nikes. Every thoughtful thing he did only added
to the attraction. I just wished I knew how he felt about me.
Around nine, Zander got a call. Since he didn't leave the
room, I shamelessly listened in.
"So you got my new address." Pause. "No, it's a duplex, and I
have a housemate." Pause. "Definitely better." Pause. "It's fine. I'm
fine. I can't talk about that stuff now." A quick glance at me and a
long pause. "I've forgiven them, okay? I'm struggling to forget, I
guess." Pause.
I kept my eyes on the TV.
"Yeah, well, words are cheap. Did Mom put you up to
asking? Tell her I have no idea when I'll be home. At this point, never
might be too soon." Pause. "Miss you, too, Ang. Bye."
Setting his phone on the armrest, he caught my eye. "My big
sister."
I didn't comment or ask any questions, though my curiosity
raged.
When I went to bed later, rain slashed the window. It was a
sound I loved. Nothing was cozier than being buried
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