Chapter Thirteen

 

<><> Chris <><>

 

As the waiter brings us the first course, Miriam talks about the ingredients in her salad. She’s so polite and interested that it puts me at ease. I use this moment to really admire her since she’s so gorgeous it’s really, really difficult not to stare and drool like a hound dog. When I picked her up earlier, I was blown away when she answered the door. It wasn’t what she was wearing that made me feel good, although it’s nice to see her in a dress. It was her smile. She looked really happy to see me. Any second thoughts about our date or thoughts about Donna disappeared the minute I saw Miriam tonight and I’m still feeling high from it.

“Yours looks good. Would you like to try my salad?” she asks.

“Sure. Thanks.”

We exchange bites and it’s like we’re a longtime couple already. Well, aside from the nervous tension you could cut with a knife. We both eat in silence, acutely aware of chewing with our mouths closed and using the correct utensils. It’s all so proper and formal. Then again, this is my fault. I brought us here wanting to impress her. As long as I don’t end up looking like a complete idiot in the process, it’s cool.

“Even after our talks this week, I still don’t know much about you, Chris. You let me do most of the talking.”

“What do you want to know?” I ask, willing to tell this girl anything.

“I can’t believe I still don’t know how old you are.”

“I’ll be twenty-two at the end of August. What else do you want to know?”

“Um…” Miriam puts her fork down, thinking.

I jump in before she can ask. “I’m six-three, a hundred and ninety pounds, I have a phobia of spiders, and I’m a Virgo. Anything else?”

“A Virgo, huh? Jacinta says Virgos are precise, independent, and can be cold and distant.”

“Trust me, I’ve heard people say that about me before.”

“That you’re cold?”

“Yes, but I’m working on warming up.”

“Do you smoke?”

Wow, talk about going for the jugular. How do I answer that? I decide on honesty. “I used to, but I quit. Sometimes I’ll sneak one here and there.”

“I’ve never even tried smoking.”

“That’s good. Quitting was incredibly hard.”

We continue eating our salads until they’re done. The young guy clears our plates and Miriam thanks him, looking him right in the eyes and smiling. It’s sweet because I know she really is thankful, not just saying it.

She turns her eyes back on me. “So, where do you live?”

“We live at the corner of Foster’s Construction.”

“I used to drive by that lot all the time on my way to swimming lessons at Hartfeld Pool. I don’t remember seeing a house though.”

“It’s at the far corner.”

“Small world.”

“The guy that owns the company, Brian Foster, is our landlord. He’s hot for my mom, but he’s newly divorced and she refuses to be a rebound. She says she may consider dating him after he ‘gets his sillies out’, whatever that means. Some guys never get their sillies out completely, if it’s what I think she means.”

“Are you full of sillies?” Miriam shoots me a playful look, but then it morphs into something shy, like she didn’t mean to say that out loud.

“No,” I lie.

“I’m kidding.” She giggles and looks at the table and it’s adorable.

“Brian Foster offered me a job doing construction once. I think it was because Jackie asked all polite and he couldn’t resist. It was her way of trying to keep me busy and out of trouble. That didn’t work out so well. Besides, I never liked the idea of hammering wooden structural frames together all day. Where’s the creativity in that?”

“There’s an artist in you begging to get out.”

“Landscaping gives me an outlet to be artistic without people thinking I’m artistic. Gotta uphold my tough guy persona as long as I can.”

“You don’t have me fooled, Chris. I think you’re a softy underneath it all. And I think you’re brilliant.”

I poke myself in the chest. “Me?”

“Yes. You’re a genius when it comes to landscape design. You should go into business for yourself.”

Okay, I’m speechless.

“Where do you work in the winter?”

“I work for Newton’s all year long. When I’m not landscaping, I’m plowing snow. Still, there are stretches of time when I don’t work, like when the ground’s too frozen to do anything. It really depends on the year. The guys and I usually take March and November off, depending on the amounts of early or late snowfall.”

“Two months off a year. Sounds a lot like the teaching profession,” she says.

“It’s well deserved time off. Kind of like teaching too, you’re right. They deserve that time to recuperate from the rug-rats.”

“I’m looking forward to working with rug-rats. Al sure seems to give you lots of autonomy on the job.”

“You mean freedom?”

“Yes.”

“Yeah, he does. Lots of freedom.”

“Al seems like a solid role model for you too, right?”

“He’s a hard worker and I guess he is like a father-figure since my own dad isn’t around. Al’s a good guy. I really get along with him and his family.”

“His family? Really?”

“Yeah. He has four young daughters.”

“Four? Talk about busy.”

“He’s an older guy and he married a younger woman, Marie. She’s the nicest lady ever and a great mom. Al views his landscapers as the sons he never had. His dream was to have a son to pass the business onto, especially since he wants to retire soon, but that’s not going to happen.”

“What about you?” she asks.

“Me?”

“Yes, you could take it over someday. Have you considered taking a few business courses? Really show Al you’re serious about running this thing?”

“Not really. Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“Absolutely.”

“There’s this kinda rhythm to landscaping. You get into the flow, the groove, and it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of the creative process.”

“You’re really passionate about it. Sounds like you’ve found what you’re meant to do.”

“You too. Teaching seems like the right fit for you.”

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I know the profession is flooded right now, but that will change. As long as people keep having kids I’ll always have a job. Besides, it’s so much more than a job. It’s a calling.”

“Wow, you already kind of sound like a teacher.”

“Something tells me that’s not a compliment!” she giggles.

I put my hands up in defense. “A compliment, I swear.” I hold her stare, wondering if I should even say what I’m about to say. I go for it. “You know, it’s alright to have some fun too. You don’t always have to be so serious.”

Her body suddenly straightens like there’s a rod in her back. “What do you mean?”

I shoot my hands up again. “Hold on. Again, not an insult. I just don’t want you to look back and regret not taking some chances. You can always be a teacher, that’s all I meant.”

“Maybe I’m taking a chance by going on a date with you.” Her tone is soft and kind, but the words are edgy. I’m impressed.

“Well, that’s a start then, right?” I smile to put her at ease.

“What kind of chances are you talking about?”

“Hmm, maybe travel?”

“By myself?”

“No, with friends or...”

“Or who, you?”

“Maybe. I think I’d make a great travel buddy.”

“How do you know? Have you been anywhere?”

I take a sip of ice water. Okay, Mr.Know-It-All, now what? “No, not really. Not unless you count Mexico and Florida. But my brother took off to Spain by himself to learn the flamenco guitar and he had an amazing time.”

“You should go too.” Her full pouty mouth pulls into a grin.

“You wanna come with me?”

Miriam goes quiet. “I...I don’t think so. I can’t leave my mom right now. I have to spend all my time with her.”

“I’m not going anywhere either. Not until the time is right. Besides, I have to finish your backyard first before I can think about jetting around the world.”

“Maybe next year.”

“Maybe.”

Miriam smiles, “What other chances should I take? Rob a few banks? Maybe start a business dealing drugs? We are near the border and it would be convenient.”

“Trust me, that is not the kind of chance I’m talking about either. Stay away from drugs.”

“Why, do you speak from experience?”

“I’ve been down a road of drugs before. Not going there again. Jackie really put me straight. I wouldn’t want to disappoint her.”

“You’re a momma’s boy, huh?”

“Not really.”

“I’m kidding, Chris, don’t worry. I think I know the difference. Jacinta’s brother Lamont…now that’s a momma’s boy. He is totally inept. Never leaving home. He’ll be there when he’s thirty since she does everything for him.”

We laugh and lean back as the waiter places our meals down on the table. We spend a few minutes inspecting the goods and comparing notes, just like with the salads. Again, we try each other’s and this seems to ease the tension. I have no idea what Miriam’s thinking, whether she’s having a good time, or whether she’s just being polite being here with me in the first place. I wish I could read her mind.

I take a bite and mull over what to ask her. Not that I’m reaching for ideas, but maybe I am a little. This entire situation seems forced and fake. My guess is it’s the restaurant, all formal and proper and getting under my skin. If only I’d taken her to Picorelli’s. “So, have you been with anyone?”

Miriam practically chokes on her food. “Pardon?”

My fork falls and clangs on the plate and I run my hand through my hair. “Oh man, I didn’t mean it to sound like that, sorry.”

“What did you mean then?” She gives me this look like I’m a complete pervert.

“I meant have you been in a relationship before, you know, long term?”

“Oh.” She looks at me like she doesn’t believe me.

“I honestly didn’t mean it any other way, Miriam.”

She gives me this shy smile. “No, it’s okay. Um, I had a boyfriend in grade eleven for the entire year and part of grade twelve. He moved to Arizona for College and we tried to keep it going, but it didn’t work out.” She smiles wider, showcasing straight white teeth. “That was hilarious by the way.”

“What?”

“Seeing you sweat. Did you think I was mad?”

“For a second, yeah.” I wipe my forehead with my napkin, amazed that everything is okay after I potentially fucked things up with one sentence.

“What about you, since we’re getting personal. Has Donna been your only long term?”

“Yes.”

“And is she still in your life?”

This comment has me floored. “No. If she was, I wouldn’t be here with you.”

“I know you two were on and off again. A few people have told me that you usually get back together and that I should be careful.”

“You have nothing to worry about. That’s over for good.”

Her eyes sparkle at the news, as if she can’t contain her happiness and it makes me want to shout how much I like this girl to everyone in this snooty place.

“So, what finally ended things?”

“We haven’t gotten along in a year.”

“That’s no fun. Sorry.”

“I guess I’m not used to being treated like I matter to the girls I date.”

“Am I the exception?”

“So far, so good.”

“And Donna?”

“Not so much.”

“Hmm. That’s not very nice...or supportive.”

“You get what you deserve I guess.”

“You honestly think you don’t deserve to be treated like you’re someone that matters? I disagree. You matter.”

This is getting complicated. I don’t think I could walk away from this girl now even if I tried. We eat for a while in silence. I want to tell her how different she is than Donna; how Donna only cares about herself and always has, but I keep that to myself.

“What happened exactly between you and Donna?”

Wow, where do I begin? “She cheated on me.”

“What did you do when you found out?”

“I taught him a lesson he’ll never forget.”

“What does that mean exactly?”

“Well, I went to his house and introduced my fist to his face.” Did I really just say that?