Halle-friggin-llujah. When I exited the restaurant onto the busy street, I felt relief as the cold air hit my face. I waited for the valet to bring out my Audi and gave him a higher than normal tip, patting him on the back, simply because I was so friggin’ happy to make it out of there in time.
I wouldn’t have time to go back to the condo and change, so I would have to see Allison dressed up the same way I was that first visit. She is definitely going to remember me now. I am not sure how I felt about that, given what an ass I acted like that day.
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I revved the engine and sped onto I-93.
It was 10:20. I would be just getting there in time if I were lucky.
I passed a broken down Toyota Corolla and thought about the fact that if this were any other night, I would have helped the poor bastard. Not tonight, though…not tonight.
10:45…I was almost there. I started to feel my heart pounding, knowing how my body would react when I saw her again. I continued to drive focusing on that beautiful haunting face.
10:50…I exited the off ramp and made my way down the side streets, noticing the black and orange lights adorning the houses and stores on Main Street in preparation for Halloween.
I could see the Stardust in the distance, but noticed that the Open sign was not illuminated.
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Fuck.
I slid fast into the space right in front and without thinking, rushed out of my seatbelt and slammed the car door closed.
When I looked up, my heartbeat ac-celerated as I saw Allison standing with her coat on facing me through the front window as I opened the door.
She looked like a doll, standing there in a fitted brown coat and a pink knit cap, with flushed cheeks. She was gorgeous.
The chimes sounded as I opened the door, bringing us face to face and into a few seconds of silence where I stood in awe of her before speaking.
“Hi…I, um, am so sorry I’m so late…I’m Cedric. You called about the credit card I left here earlier today?” I couldn’t stop looking into her eyes. They were so unique, yet familiar.
“Hi…yes, that was me who left the message. It’s no problem. We aren’t 94/727
technically closed. I’m waiting for Max, the owner to finish up before we lock up. Let me get your card,” she said.
She definitely seemed nervous.
“No rush,” I said.
No rush…stupid thing to say. Why wouldn’t she want to get the hell out of here?
It’s the end of her shift.
I watched as she walked behind the counter toward the register. She was the perfect height, about five feet six inches, not too tall, not too short and was wearing light beige Uggs. She must have changed out of her work shoes. She is really ready to leave. I am inconveniencing her. She looked frazzled as she rummaged through papers and folders near the register. I heard her whispering to herself. I thought I heard a faint ‘fuck’.
I hadn’t moved yet from my spot near the door, so I walked over to her.
“Is everything ok?” I asked.
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“No…um…it’s not. My co-worker told me she left your card in this folder and it’s not in here. I am afraid I have to call her and find out where she put it because it’s not here.”
I smiled, wanting her to relax. “No worries…it’s gotta be in this place somewhere, right?” I am in no rush. Please take your time, Allison.”
The credit card was the least of my concerns right now. It could be on its fucking way to Nigeria now for all I cared.
Just then, an older black haired man with a moustache who looked like Super Mario came out from the kitchen, dressed in a coat and hat with a newspaper stuffed under his arm.
“Ready to go, Al?” he asked. This must be Max.
“Max, if it’s okay, I need to use my key to lock up. This customer left his credit card here earlier today and I don’t know where 96/727
Sonia put it. I just tried her cell and there is no answer, so I am gonna look around for it.”
“No problem. You know how to lock it, right?” Max asked. He didn’t seem worried. You can tell he trusted her.
“Yup…done it before plenty of times.
Thanks.”
The bells chimed as Max left the diner, leaving me alone with Allison.
Alone with Allison.
This was my one and only chance to get to know her. It’s now or never. I hope she never finds that goddamn card.
“Cedric, I am really sorry about this.” She looked over at me quickly, while still rummaging through cabinets and drawers, her big eyes frantically searching. “I know Sonia wanted to put it someplace for safe keeping, but apparently, that backfired.” Her cheeks looked red. She was actually really upset about this. I wish I could tell her how happy the situation was actually 97/727
making me, but then if she knew that I’d probably end up in the back of a cop car heading back to the city.
“Allison, it’s really ok. Please, don’t worry about it. Do you mind if I sit down while you look?” I asked.
“Please…yes…can I get you a slice of pie or something?” she asked.
“That’s really sweet of you, yes, I would love some.” Pie actually sounded really good.
“Apple or coconut cream?” Allison held the door open to the kitchen as she waited for my reply with the sweetest look on her beautiful face.
My heart was fucking toast.
“Aw,
man…that’s
easy…coconut
cream…thanks.”
Could this night get any better…now there’s pie in the mix?
Allison walked out of the kitchen with a small plate that had a huge slice of pie and 98/727
a generous dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top.
“Here you go.” She smiled and placed the pie in front of me.
“Thanks.” I stared up at her again for a few seconds. This time, she was staring back at me, her hand slowly backing away from the pie plate and it reminded me of the awkward pause we experienced the first time I came into the diner. God I just want to grab her and sniff her hair. Thank God she can’t read my mind because if she could, this pie would be in my face and the cherry up my ass.
Allison abruptly walked away and said, “I am going to try Sonia again.” She picked up her iPhone and scrolled down to a number and this time she got an answer. I watched and listened to her as I stuffed my face with pie.
“Sonia! she shouted. “Where the hell did you put the credit card? I looked there; 99/727
it’s
not
there!
You
said
the
green
folder…what do you mean top shelf? Oh, the shelf in the pantry…crap, alright…yes, he is…later…later…I
can’t
now…
al-
right…thanks.”
She hung up and ran into the kitchen.
When she came out, she flashed me a big smile showcasing her perfect teeth.
“Cedric, I am so, so sorry. Apparently, she left it in a green folder, but it was a different green folder in a different spot…anyway, I am really sorry for the mix-up.” Allison handed me the card and our fingers brushed together, the feel of her skin sending a shiver down my spine and an awareness somewhere else. That was the first time I actually touched her.
“Please, don’t apologize, Allison. Sitting here enjoying this pie has seriously been the highlight of my day. And I should be apologizing to you for putting you through the 100/727
trouble of having to look for it, when it was my asinine mistake, leaving it here.”
“Well, it all worked out, I guess.”
“It did,” I said.
Then, there was more tense silence, as I got lost in those gigantic green eyes.
“Allison, I hope you have a safe way of getting home tonight…it’s pretty late.”
“I actually usually walk to the train station with Max, but…wait, what time is it?” She looked at her watch. “Crap,” she said.
“What…what’s wrong?” I asked.
“The last commuter train left at 11:20.