SCOUT
The red lightwas flashing when I got home. I desperately wanted to push the phone button and hear Desi’s voice, but I wanted to wait. To savor his words, whatever they were. I showered and changed into an oversized shirt and shorts before returning to the kitchen to playback the messages I had.
A moment later, his voice came through the speaker.
“Have you seen this new show,The X-files? It’s pretty freaky. We should watch it together sometime. A new episode every Friday. Do you always work Fridays?”
Beep.
“What do you do when you’re not working? I like to watch movies. I also go to concerts and hang out with my buddies. You’ve met them. Do you have friends that you hang out with?”
Beep.
“I’m so fucking bored.”
Beep.
“You work weekends. I get it. What about holidays? Do you do anything for those? My family doesn’t really do dinners. Maybe you and I could do something?”
Beep.
“Am I getting ahead of myself with the whole holidays thing? I’m not trying to scare you away, I just thought it could be fun. Do you like pie?”
Beep.
“Okay, so maybe I’m scaring you. We don’t have to talk about this unless you bring it up. I’ll eat just about anything, though.”
Beep.
“No, actually. I lied. Not a fan of cinnamon.”
Beep.
“When’s your next day off? I kind of miss you already. Is that too cheesy?”
Beep.
I pushed rewind and played the messages again. And again. And again. I laughed every single time. I understood now why he wanted me to have the answering machine. I missed him too.
Eventually, the kitchen chair grew too uncomfortable, and I went to bed. I had to wake up early to meet with Luis, who was coming to check out his room.
I dreamed of Desi’s words and imagined a life where I cooked him Thanksgiving dinner and baked him Christmas cookies. I had grown up in the system. I was lucky if I had a bed, let alone presents and cookies and Santa Claus. As an adult, I’d struggled weekly. Brenda or whoever I was living with at the time would always invite me to their family holidays, but it wasn’t the same as having your own family traditions. I was never comfortable at those things anyway.
I’d like a small Thanksgiving.
Just Desi and I, with a small turkey and potatoes and pie.
No cinnamon, of course.
I woke up to my alarm blaring in my ear. In my dream, he had been hanging out at the diner again while I worked. I sat up and stretched, then looked toward my jar.
Art school.
I don’t even know why I started that damn jar. Just looking at it made me depressed, so I stood and got ready to meet Luis. He was coming in an hour. I tossed up my hair and tidied up my bedroom. I had a habit of throwing clothes around when I was getting ready for things.
Like dates with Desi.
Shortly after lunch, a red Ford Escort pulled into the drive. I waved as Luis stepped out of the car, followed by a humongous dog. The Rottweiler, while looking absolutely terrifying, bounced next to his owner.
