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She handed me the toaster and I frowned. Completely confused.
“Flip it over.”
There was a piece of paper taped to the bottom. It was old with wrinkled edges. Lavender in color and had a handwritten list.
I glanced at Lindy. “This is the list? Why is it on a toaster?”
“My mom wanted it on the fridge so I could always see it and be reminded. Like any other fourteen-year-old girl, that idea was mortifying, especially since my dad would see it. Or anyone else who ever came to the house. Like boys or my friends. Anyone.”
That made sense.
“In a teenage girl snit, I taped it to the bottom of the toaster, which was right next to the fridge. I could look at it whenever I wanted, but who else would pick up a toaster and snoop?”
I smiled, imagining the whole thing.
“It’s been there ever since. Through the first bowling date to the others that followed. Through my parents’ deaths and as an adult. All this time.”
I look down at the list.
* * *
Kind.
Smart.
Doesn’t smell bad.
Chews with his mouth closed.
Doesn’t go to other girls if he’s talking to me.
Isn’t ashamed of me.
Will stand by me.
Protective.
Likes ketchup and mayonnaise on fries.
* * *
“Ketchup and mayonnaise on fries?” I asked.
She smiled and rolled her eyes. “I was fourteen. Then I added more when I was seventeen. Then in college. And… after.”
The handwriting changed a little, along with the color of the ink.
* * *
Doesn’t kiss other girls.
Asks permission.
* * *
I didn’t want to even wonder why she put that down.
* * *
