Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 250(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
I am sitting on the front porch (another thing I don’t tend to do) when Noah backs his vehicle out of the garage. He jumps out of his car to open the passenger-side door for me. Like a gentleman. He’s wearing a pair of blue jeans, a white tee, and sneakers. The man does casual so well. His hair is wavy and brushed back from his face with a day or two worth of stubble on his jawline. I know we’re just friends. But looking at him breaks my heart just a little. There’s still this pull between us and it’s going to take me a while to bury it deep.
I climb into the car. “Ever have to lock yourself out of your home because you keep wanting to change outfits?”
“No.” He smiles. “But you look great.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
He closes my door and walks back around the front of the car to his side. His gaze takes in my fidgeting hands, and he asks, “You nervous?”
“I’m fine. Just the usual.”
“You still want to do this, though, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Thought we could go to the drive-in,” he says, backing the car out onto the road. “That way we’re out, but still have our own space.”
“That’s a great idea. I haven’t been since I was a kid.”
Music plays and a warm wind is blowing through the car windows as we drive north. The vibe in the vehicle is relaxed. I give him a basic rundown about my data entry job (the key point again being that it’s boring but pays the bills). And he tells me about farms he’s found in the local area whose wares he’s eager to try. His knowledge of foodstuffs is awe inspiring.
There’s no longer any need to worry about what he does or doesn’t know about me. And since it’s clearly established that we’re friends, any overt sexual tension seems diffused by the time we reach our destination. It’s nice that we can just relax and enjoy ourselves. I’m happy the night is delivering on the reasons Noah moved to New England. Maybe it means he’ll stay.
The sun is setting as the first film starts. It’s a family-friendly animated movie about animals running wild in a city. Noah hits the snack bar and returns with dinner.
“Most mediocre nachos I’ve ever tasted,” he says, wiping his hands with a napkin.
“Yeah. But the cheeseburgers make up for it.”
“They are excellent.”
“If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, which would you choose,” I ask, “onion rings or mozzarella sticks?”
“Those are the only two options?”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to have to go with the sticks. What about you?”
“Same,” I say. “Onion rings are great. But the answer is always cheese.”
“Very true. What about between corn dogs and hot dogs?”
“That’s a tough call. I’m honestly not sure. Do I want the crunch of the corn or the softness of the bread? Both can come with a stupid amount of ketchup, so that doesn’t help. Which do you choose?”
He pops another fry in his mouth. “It’s truly a question for the ages. How about apple pie logs and fried Oreos?”
“I feel like I should say apple pie logs because fruit.”
“But deep down you really want the Oreo.”
“I really do. Chocolate is just so great.” I take a sip from my bottle of water. “Is there anything the human race hasn’t tried to deep fry?”
“I don’t think so.”
“It’s what separates us from the animals.”
“Yeah,” he agrees. “That kid’s enjoying himself.”
I look over my shoulder to see the small child in the car next to us blowing raspberries on the window. The tongue waggling really adds something. Not something good. Just something.
“Do you want children?” I ask.
“That’s not a first date question.”
“This isn’t a date.”
His smile is there and gone in an instant. Guess you could call it rueful. “I don’t know. Maybe. With the right person. What about you?”
“Same.”
“They seem like a hell of a lot of work. Not something you just want to rush into.”
“No,” I say. “It’s a big decision. Being responsible for bringing a whole new person into the world.”
We both watch the film for a while. There’s a small chance I shouldn’t have asked such a personal question. I’m not exactly up to date with etiquette. But with him knowing the worst thing about me, it seems any boundaries are unsubstantial at best. And he did talk to me about his divorce. So, he must trust me at least a little.
The first film ends. Coming in second is an action and adventure movie. A car chase followed by a gunfight with the discovery of a lost city thrown in for good measure. I think it’s fun, though the couple sitting inside the flatbed truck in front of us get distracted. Noah and I might not be on a date, but they obviously are. And we’ve got a prime view of all their activities care of a back window.