After the movie was over, ending in a police chase and someone dying, it immediately started over, so we stayed and watched what we had missed in the beginning until we got to the part we came in during and got up to leave. Walking out of the theatre, standingunder the big marquee all lit up with light bulbs spellingStanley Theatre, with a black background sign below it stating the name of the movie in white block letters.
I was in a better mood. The movie was really good. That James Dean actor is clearly very talented. I can see him having a long career. David is jabbering away next to me, about the movie, doing all the talking for us, which was normal.
“That was awesome! I wish we could race a car. It seems so thrilling,” as he wiped some popcorn debris off himself now that he can see it in the light.
“Someone died,” stating a fact even though it wasn’t technically during the race itself.
“You have a point, but I still think it would be thrilling,” looking around at all the people walking by on Seventh Street. “Are you going to make me go get that book with you now,” sounding none too thrilled about it, rolling my eyes.
“I know what I want so it won’t take long. By the way, your disinterest in my hobby is insulting,” I teased as I started to head to the Liberty Avenue and Sixth Avenue intersection. I heard David groan behind me, reluctantly following.
As we were crossing Liberty Avenue, David gasped when he noticed two nicely dressed men standing in the alcove of Stewart’s Hotel, a row building with two red doors and windows above on the second and third floors.
I was familiar with the place. The men were really close with each other. Too close. If the owner ever found out or they were caught like that, it would cause trouble. Especially in daylight on a busy Sunday.
David looked at me with a shocked expression, “Do you think they are–”
But before he could finish that sentence with too many people around, I cut him off, “Don’t. It is none of our business.”
David looked back at them again just as they were going inside together. I have been there several times. The gentlemen shouldn’t have been loitering outside the door for so long, especially like that. To distract David, because he is still staring at the now empty alcove, I ask him, “Are you hungry?”
“Oh! Let’s get something down here after we pick up your book before heading back up the mountain,” starting to bounce again.
Mission accomplished.
“I guess the popcorn didn’t do much for you, did it,” but really hoping that this distraction will also keep him from complaining as much when I started to window shop other books while I’m at Kaufman’s. But as usual his mind had already moved on.
“Wow, the ladies are out today,” David states, turning his head to oogle the women that we were passing as they walked away from us. “I need to meet someone. My mom has been on my case.”
“What about Mary? I thought you were crushing on her?” looking over at him, seeing him slump a little.
“Buddy, I’ve been trying to get her to agree to go steady with me for so long now and I am not getting anywhere. She is like a bank vault, that’s locked shut. I can’t crack her,” he complained.
“Maybe don’t describe her as an object that has a keyhole and you are the key,” I smirked at him.
“That had to be the dirtiest thing I think I have ever heard come out of your mouth,” David said in shock but laughing, making me laugh in return.
Turning the corner of Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street heading to the store, my mind was on David’sdating predicament. “What about Patricia? I think she’s single and a couple years under us?”
“Richard and Dan’s sister,” David practically screamed, heads turning our direction. “Are you out of your damn mind! I am not marrying into that family and dealing with those two for the rest of my life. It’s already bad as it is,” pointing at his own face and the souvenir he was left with from Friday night.
“Yeah, okay. Good point,” laughing at my own stupidity.
Looking up, I saw the big bronze clock that was stationed outside of the store we were about to go into. As we got closer, I noticed two people with dark hair that seemed familiar from behind, both wearing plaid button-down shirts and pressed jeans. When the smaller of the two turned and I saw that it’s Charlie. “Oh my god,” I whispered.
“What?” He looked in the direction I was staring towards. “Oh cool! What are the odds?”
“Not great, you square,” looking at him. “Mike might not be the friendliest right now after the other night. We don’t know if Charlie got caught.” Hoping to the heavens they started walking in the other direction before we got to the clock and the door to go inside. But Charlie is staring up at it, like it’s the coolest thing he had ever seen, rightly so. The clock was a masterpiece of engineering.
Mike was still facing away from us, watching an orange and white trolley pass by, then looked up at the massive building itself. I could see him say something to Charlie, so when he looked down to respond, he made direct eye contact like there was no one else in the way on the street. His smile immediately faltered and his crystal eyes ballooned to three times their normal size. He turned to grab Mike by the arm to try to get him to walk away but Mike didn'tbudge, standing firm looking confused about what was happening.
That was when my jagoff best friend decided to make ourselves known by yelling out. “Mike, Charlie,” waving his hand up over his head like he was trying to chaotically hail a cab.
The fucker.
“You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” I wanted to be anywhere else but here. I wasn’t prepared for Mike’s wrath. I could get my book another time, but it was too late. Mike looked over and saw us, and I watched his face morph through so many expressions and emotions in five seconds, I was worried he was going to have a seizure.
Once we got to the clock and in their personal space, David slapped Mike on the back in greeting, like they were old friends while saying hi to Charlie. Mike never broke eye contact with me. I couldn’t tell if I should be bracing myself for a verbal or physical assault, when he finally breathed out, “You,” with no affliction. Just the one little tone-deaf word.
