Chapter Three

 

<><> Chris <><>

 

Checking the dash, it’s after midnight by the time I pull into the driveway. My truck probably woke up half of Buffalo on the way, but I can’t feel too bad about it. I have to get around somehow and my Bronco’s all I’ve got. Besides, I’ll have it fixed by next weekend if Simon pulls through for me, which I know he will. He’s good like that. Reliable.

I get out and slam the door ‘cause it has a tendency of popping open sometimes if I don’t slam it just the right way. No neighbors to wake up near our place anyways. My mom and I rent a house on the corner of Foster’s Construction lot. It’s small and cheap, but it’s home. Walking up the front steps, I notice a light on in the house. Looks like Jackie just got home too. Jackie’s my mom. That’s what my brother Kyle and I have called her since we were kids. Just kinda stuck and she doesn’t seem to mind it. She usually waitresses during the day and tends bar late at night. She’s a hardworking lady and I’m lucky to have her in my life, especially since she’s bailed me out of some crazy situations in the past. Saved my life is more like it. She’s the glue of our family. Well, Jackie and her brother, my Uncle Terry. He’s a big part of my life too.

My younger brother, Kyle, is away at college, so things have been really quiet around here over the last year. He gets home in two weeks and things will be back to normal...for a while at least and then he’ll be gone again after summer break. I should probably be going somewhere too. Just don’t know where somewhere is supposed to be.

“Hi, honey, how was your date?” Jackie hollers from the kitchen as I toss my baseball hat on the couch before sinking onto it myself. She comes in with a smile plastered to her face. That smile’s a permanent fixture despite some pretty hard times. Since my so-called dad, C.J., left eight years ago and things really started to get difficult.

“We broke up.”

“Again? What happened this time?”

“I decided I’ve had enough of her once and for all.”

Jackie straightens the magazines on the coffee table before sitting beside me. She’s usually wired with tons of energy to burn after a shift. It’s hard for her to turn it off and fall asleep, so we sometimes watch TV together or Uncle Terry will come over and shoot the shit. I flip on the TV, surf around and then click it off again since nothing’s on. “Donna needs to move on with her life.”

“So do you, Chris. You know that.”

I’ve heard all this before. “I guess. Feel like I’m spinning my wheels.”

“Where have you been then?”

“Trolling with Simon. We had a run-in with some girls. Simon towed their car and they came back when he was doing it. Not good.”

“Did you give them a break? Sure hope you did.”

“I would have, but you know Simon. Not a chance.”

“Hmm,” Jackie’s smile disappears. “He’s a stickler for the rules, that guy.”

I laugh. “Um, not really, only when the rules apply to someone else. He doesn’t mind breaking some.”

“As long as it doesn’t land him in over his head or getting someone hurt.”

“I know.”

“You don’t break too many rules, do you?”

I meet her stare. “No, Jackie.” She knows how far I’ve come since high school. There was a time when I didn’t think I’d graduate, but I did. Now Jackie’s pushing for college, but that’s not really the way I want to go. Problem is, I don’t exactly know which way I do want to go. It’s all a mystery and I’m scared out of my mind, but it’s hard to tell anyone that. I see friends from my past graduating from college, getting ‘grown up’ jobs and moving forward. I’m still living with my mom and working the same job I’ve been working since the summer before eleventh grade. I feel the same way about this thing with Donna. We’ve been dating on and off for over three years. She’s not the one, so why keep it going?

Jackie slaps her knees and stands. “I’m off to bed. I have tomorrow off, can you believe it? I’m actually going to sleep in.”

“You? Sleep in? That’s impossible.”

She giggles and swipes the air with a hand. “I know, but I’ll try. Night, honey.”

“Night.”

She comes back a second later. “Oh, I almost forgot, there’s a message from Al for you. I saved it. Night.”

“Thanks. Night.”

I hoist myself up from the couch and shuffle to the phone. After punching in the code I hear a booming voice on the other end. 'Chris, it’s Al. I’ve got us a job lined up in the south end. Starts in two weeks and it’s a biggie. Met with the lady this afternoon to discuss her needs. Could be quite the project. I’d like you to go over the details with her, maybe make some helpful suggestions and do a design. Also, let me know if you want to lead that crew or stay where you are with the Herbert’s yard. I could really use you at the new site, but no pressure. Call me.'

Al’s my boss. He’s the owner of Newton’s Landscaping and Design, a company known for it’s quick, quality work. I’m one of the quick, quality landscapers. Started out as a grunt laborer when I was fifteen and now, at twenty-one, I’m pretty much in charge whenever Al’s not at the site. I even have to tell older guys what to do. It’s a lot of responsibility, but I finally feel like I can handle stuff like that. So technically, I guess I have a ‘grown-up’ job too – even if it is manual labor.

Locking the front door and turning off the lights, I make my way to my room in the basement. I’ll call Al first thing in the morning and take on the new project. It’s always fun to start something different and I’m game. Anything to distract me from my troubles with Donna; anything to distract me from thinking too hard about what it is I want in life.

 

~ ~ ~ ~

 

Two weeks pass and I’m in the same old routine; landscaping by day and cruising the bars by night. Tonight, Simon is waiting for me at the corner in his purple Mustang. It idles like some growling animal out on the street. Like it’s taking over. You couldn’t miss him if you wanted to. And trust me, he wants everyone to notice. He’s parked in a tow-away zone as if mocking the system he’s ingrained himself in, right under a bright streetlight to showcase his precious wheels. Advertising.

I slide into the passenger seat without a word, knowing the drill. Simon pulls out into traffic and we cruise Swan Street looking for something to do until we have to pick up Casper from work at Medieval Ages Feast and Tournament. He’s a Squire or 'Knight in training'. Takes himself very seriously these days too, like this job is his destiny. Whatever.

Casper Best is one of my best friends and the hardest working guy I know. He’s a farm kid, grew up around horses, but his older brothers will get the farm. Cas is kind of ignored by his family. He doesn’t mind it too much, though, since his dream is to go to Hollywood and be a stuntman. He’s burning the candle at both ends lately, working on my landscaping crew in the day and training as a Squire by night. I admire him for setting goals, no matter how bizarre they are. Besides, there are perks to his job that we benefit from. We’re always allowed in the back door to watch the end of the show, but tonight we aren’t in the mood. I’ve had enough horse shit on the job today, literally. Shoveled it into what seemed like bottomless flowerbeds. Besides, the guys that work at Medieval Ages are all chivalrous and fake. It can really get under your skin the way they think they’re actually Knights of the fucking Round Table. Casper’s not much better. In fact, he’s getting worse the longer he works there...laying it on thick. We overlook it though because we know how important this is to him, how much he views it as a stepping-stone into Hollywood. I hope it happens for him.

“Cat n’ Cradle?” Simon asks.

“Sure.”

He turns left at the next light and we do a huge square until we come back around and park a few doors down from the pub. Place is quiet tonight, just the regulars. We nod at the bouncer since he knows us like family. We notice the banner above the bar right away and Simon points to it.

“Your brother playing in the Guitar Riff Contest?”

“Nope, not this year.”

“Why the hell not? He won last year. He’d totally win it again and the spoils are bigger. Two thousand bucks.”

“That’s just it, he’s gotten really good since spending the year at the Curtis Institute. You know Kyle, he feels like it’d be cheating.”

My brother has been at college for music this past year on a full scholarship. He’s really come a long way and it shows. This girl he’s with, Bettina Richards, is the right fit. When they first got together I thought it was a big mistake ‘cause she’s so popular and in with a snobby crowd, but she really set him straight. I’ll be the first to admit they make a great couple. She was the one who suggested he go to college in the first place. If it hadn’t been for her, he’d be landscaping along with me forever.

“He thinks being that good is cheating? What the fuck!” Simon sighs. “I swear, if I had half his talent. He’s gotta strike while he’s hot to get that money, Lo. You’ve gotta tell him. Why deny it if you’re the best? Own it.”

“You’re probably right,” I mumble, wanting Simon to drop it already.

“I know I’m right. I can say ‘I knew him when’ after he makes it big. He’ll be gettin’ laid every night by a different girl while he’s on tour.”

“Nope. He’d never do that to Bettina.”

“Totally thought they’d break up once they went away to different cities last year.”

“Nope, saw each other every weekend. She’s actually not that bad.”

“Yeah, to look at. Totally hot.”

“Can’t look at her that way anymore. It’d be creepy.”

“Hey, you’re not dead. Whatever, I’ll still look.”

I laugh, but deep down I know Bettina’s off limits. She’s with Kyle now and he’s really fallen for this girl – hard. I’ve never seen him like this before and it’s pretty clear she’s crazy about him too. Must be nice to have that kind of love so young. Hope I find it soon – if I ever do. “No one’s here. Wanna go?”

Simon scans the room then looks at his watch. “Yeah, gotta pick up Cas sooner than I thought. Lets come back later when there’s some life here.”

Back in the car, Simon pulls into traffic just as the baseball game lets out and all the spectators flood the street, jaywalking endlessly so it’s gridlock. We’re going nowhere fast, just like my life.

“Looks like this is what we’re doing ‘til we pick up Cas.”

“Looks like it.” I pull my baseball hat down low and slump in my seat, taking a little rest until we can move again. People ahead are honking at the crowds to move out of the way, but each time they honk the baseball fans cheer and throw their arms up, laughing like the person honking is joining the celebration. The guy’s license plate up ahead says Maryland, so he’s oblivious to the ways of Buffalo’s hardcore fans. They don’t give a rat’s ass where you have to go – unless you’re late for a game. Then they’d part the sea to get you there.

“Hey, isn’t that the friend of the girl whose car I towed two weeks ago?”

I sit up like a slingshot. “Where?”

“Over there with that skinny dude.” Simon nods toward the sidewalk.

I’m scanning the crowd like my life depends on finding her. My eyes are working overtime, but I don’t see the tall brunette anywhere. “Where?” I practically shout.

“Right over there, that blond girl.”

I slump. “Yeah, I think so.” To be honest, I can’t even remember what the other two girls looked like. I only had eyes for the mystery brunette and now I’ll probably never see her again. And then an idea hits me. “Back in a second.” I jump out of the car and take off running, dodging people as Simon’s voice calls after me swearing a blue streak. I finally catch up to the blond, reach out and tap her on the shoulder. She turns to look at me and as she does, her preppy companion turns too like they’re twins.

“Hi, um, you probably don’t remember me, but...”

“Oh, I remember you. The car-towing incident, right?” She stares at me but doesn’t smile. I can’t read her at all. Is she mad? Annoyed? My face gets hot with humiliation. Then I see her crane around me in Simon’s direction. “Isn’t that your trusted partner in crime?” She points and I suddenly get the impression she’s amused. Her boyfriend, well, he isn’t amused at all.

“Yeah, that’s Simon. Hey, what’s your friend’s name from that night? You know, the girl with the dark hair.”

The blond looks at her boyfriend all perplexed, probably wondering if she should tell me or not. Maybe it’s too risky because I’m not the right kind of guy for her friend. Maybe the blond and her boyfriend are having some sort of preppy telepathic conversation about what she should say.

“It’s no big deal, I…”

“Jacinta. Why?”

“I was just curious.” I hesitate and then decide I’ve got nothing to lose. “Is she seeing anyone?”

Again, the blond looks at Mr. Square-Peg as if debating. “No, but she doesn’t date much. It’s a cultural thing.” They take a few steps in the direction they were going, but still look back at me, trying to give me a hint that this conversation is officially over.

“Huh,” I scratch my jaw. “Thanks.”

“Bye.”

“Bye,” I say and turn to walk back to Simon’s car like I’m in a haze. It’s a cultural thing? What the fuck does that even mean? I’m racking my brain for what kind of nationality limits dating, but I come up blank.

“Why’d you need to talk to her, Lo? Thought you’d left for good. You’re not into her, are you?”

“No. Just asked about her friend.”

Simon laughs. “Opportunist. Which one?”

“The brunette.”

“What’d she say?”

“Said her name’s Jacinta and she doesn’t date much ‘cause it’s a cultural thing.”

“What?”

“I know. What the hell, right?”

Simon pulls forward as the baseball crowd thins out. “Which brunette?”

“The tall one.”

“Did you say that to the blond?”

“No.”

“Maybe she thought you meant the other brunette.”

“Hmm, never thought of that. Shit.”

Simon shakes his head as we motor through downtown toward the outskirts of the city. Casper will be waiting since the baseball crowd held us up. “Why bother, Lo, she’s in high school. You’re finally a free man, have some fun and play the field. There’re plenty of girls with way more experience just waiting for you to show 'em what you got, bro. Don’t waste time. Buffalo’s like a fucking candy factory of Cougars. Try it, you’ll like it.”

Although he’s single, Simon is notorious for sleeping with older women. Probably because girls our age find him repulsive. “I thought I’d try being alone for a while and see how that works out.”

“What for?”

“Just because.”

“Yeah, sure.”

We sit in silence for a while. I can’t explain it, but for some reason the thought of another mindless fling with some random girl makes me feel really depressed. I have this sense of urgency, almost like I’m running out of time. I sure as hell don’t want to wake up when I’m thirty still playing the field and hanging out with a single Simon. That would be the very definition of failure.

“Lo, what’s wrong?” Simon stares at me as we idle at a red light. “You’re practically hyperventilating, buddy! Need me to pull over?”

I hadn’t even realized I was doing it, but yeah, I can hardly catch my breath. I can’t even talk.

“What the hell, man, you don’t have asthma all of a sudden, do you?”

I can tell Simon’s scared and doesn’t know what to do. This came on so suddenly. “I think… I’m having a…panic attack,” I wheeze. I swing my hat around and lean forward with my forehead on the dashboard and my hands on my knees. This can’t be good.

“Want me to drive you to the hospital?”

I look up and shake my head while trying to take deep breaths. It’s impossible, so I try another tactic and take quick, shallow ones instead and this seems to work. “I’ll…be…okay.”

Simon pulls into the Medieval Ages Feast and Tournament parking lot and cruises around the building toward the Employees Only area. By the time we pull up to a now waiting Casper, I’m in control of my unpredictable body.

Simon stares over at me like I’m a complete stranger. “Dude, that was freaky.”

“What was freaky?” Casper asks as he gets into the backseat. “What, pray tell, have I missed?”

“Cut the medieval crap, Cas, Lo just about died a minute ago. Couldn’t catch his breath.”

They both stare at me again and I don’t like it. “Stop. I’m fine. Can we go now?”

Simon starts driving slowly, still looking over the odd time as if to check on me. It’s annoying. I hunker down and look out the passenger window. We drive back downtown with Megadeth blaring and my mind fixating on how and why that just happened and hoping it never happens again.