by Lucy Smoke
"Well, look who decided to show up this morning." Marv's head came up as Grayson Caruso popped up from an otherwise empty back booth. I groaned and hung my head, debating whether I should just turn around and walk out. Grayson was dressed casually, in a pair of jeans cinched at the waist with a dark brown belt, and a light-purple, cotton t-shirt with a band's logo on the front.
"I was wondering when you would show up. I asked that girl – " He gestured to Shanavia, one of the regular Saturday morning waitresses, as she hurried by with several steaming plates of the pancake special. "But she said you weren't working this morning. Guess she lied. Where's your section?"
"I'm not working," I snapped, hefting the bag I had lugged with me all the way from home onto the other shoulder to relieve the stress on the one it had previously been cutting into. "She didn’t lie, and I'm here to see a friend."
"Here, let me get that for you." Grayson smiled, reaching for my bag. I gripped the strap even tighter and twisted away.
"It's fine. I'm busy. I'll catch you later." I tried to glare him into backing off.
Marv caught my eye, but he wasn't looking at me. Instead, his gray eyes were narrowed on Grayson. I walked around Grayson and headed straight for Marv, my hand rising to touch his arm. Marv's pinched lips separated as he glanced down at me before they lifted in a smile.
"Hey, Sunshine."
"Ready to start?" My smile was strained as I tried to ignore the sneaking suspicion that Grayson was not going away.
"This is your friend?" Grayson asked behind me.
I could have murdered him right then and there. Marv's face hardened and he put a hand on my shoulder, sliding my bag off before placing it on the back of the stool next to him.
"Hop up," he commanded before turning his full attention to Grayson. "She’s fine. You don’t need to concern yourself.”
I bit my lip, peering back and forth between the two of them before flicking a pleading look at Alex. He was just as interested in watching the train wreck about to happen as Shanavia, who had paused in the doorway of the kitchen.
Grayson stared at him. “I see that.” His eyes flickered over to me for a brief moment and he plastered a smile back on his face.
The smile and pleasant expression didn't reach his eyes. It was the kind of smile I had seen him give to teachers and friends alike. It was nice enough, but underneath was a thread of detachment, an apathetic guise that lingered in his blue eyes.
Even in school, he never would have noticed someone like me, while he might have been smiling and ribbing his football friends, he had always smiled an eccedentesiast's smile, the smile of someone hiding something. An actor's smile. A politician’s smile. Something familiar in his expression made me think he wasn't as intimidating as he would have everyone else believe.
Grayson didn't appear offended when Marv moved so that he blocked me. Instead, he pinched his lips even as he smiled and turned towards me. "I guess I'll leave you to it, then. I'll see you in school on Monday, Harlow."
I blinked, shocked that he would give in so easily. When he moved to slip by me I was slow to adjust and his hip bumped into mine. For a second I thought his hand might have grazed my ass, but when I turned he was already distracted, having pulled out his phone. He stopped in front of the booth he had been sitting at and dropped a few bills on the table even though it was obvious he hadn't ordered anything yet, or if he had, it hadn't arrived.
When Grayson passed by us once again, he grinned – the odd remoteness I had noted before buried beneath genuine amusement. "Call me when you don't have a guard dog," he said, handing me the phone he had been typing on.
The weight in my hand was familiar, but he couldn't have – I touched the back pocket of my shorts and sure enough, my phone wasn't where I had put it. That's why he grabbed my ass! I realized. Grayson waved once before he disappeared out the front door.
Marv's voice was a low, fuming presence. "Give me your phone." I didn't have time to hand it over before he plucked it out of my palm and slid away the unlock screen. I watched him in stunned silence – less than a week and I had drawn more attention from boys than I had in the past four years of high school. Maybe someone dropped me in an alternate universe or I was stuck inside an extended dream.
"Damn it." Marv's curse had my attention immediately. I touched his arm again, holding onto the fabric of his expensive shirt. "That asshole texted himself from your phone so he has your number. I was hoping he just put his in your phone. I'm deleting it anyway. If he texts you, don't answer. If anyone texts you that isn't already in this phone, ignore it. I'll talk to Texas and see if we can't get you a new number."
"It's not a big deal." I shrugged. "But is it okay if I put my friend Erika's phone number in it?" I asked as he handed the phone back to me. I just wouldn't answer Grayson. He would get the idea that I didn't want to talk to him sooner or later and give up.
Marv eyes and lips tightened again. "Yeah, that's fine. We'll transfer it over when we get you a new phone. I'm still telling Knix. Bellamy said something about a guy, was that him?" I nodded, assuming so. Marv cursed quietly as he retook his seat. "We didn't really think there'd be a problem." He frowned as I began pulling out my books. "We should've listened."
"He's not really a major problem. He's just someone from school," I said. "I don't know him all that well actually."
"We’ll figure it out," he assured me
Alex smiled, and passed me a menu. "Looks like you've become Miss Popularity," he teased.
"Not really." My face heated, overcome with embarrassment and I hid behind the glossy pages of brightly-colored pictures of food.
"Let's get to work," Marv interrupted. "Did you bring what you need?" I nodded and pointed out the study materials I had already laid out on the counter.
For the rest of the afternoon I sat with Marv as Alex, Shanavia, and a few other part-timers worked. Every so often, Marv would allow me a brief break and I would talk to Shanavia when she wasn't too busy. She agreed to work my Sunday shift because Joanna was already working. I picked at the fries Alex had brought out and drank my water. When Shanavia's shift ended and she waved goodbye, Marv closed my History textbook and quizzed me.
"I think you've got most of it covered. We've gone over a lot."
"I still need to write my English paper, but I won't be able to get to that until Monday when I can use one of the library computers to type it up." I sighed, rotating my stiff shoulders. Hunching over the counter while writing out equations for my geometry exam had made my whole back stiff.
"Actually, I have something for you." He produced a slim, silver laptop from the messenger bag I hadn't noticed hanging from the back of his stool, and I nearly fainted. He passed it over and I gripped it, afraid it would slip from my fingers and crash to the tiled floor. I stared at it, and traced the circular logo on the case.
"I can't take this." I had never had a computer before. I wouldn't know how to use it or take care of it. Didn't laptops need cases and antivirus systems? Those would cost even more money. Libraries only had the big box computers. Sometimes they would get the newer desktop computers with flat-screens, but even those were attached to some kind of hard drive with wires and cords and..."I can't take this," I repeated.
"Yes, you can." He sipped his coffee.
Gently, so as not to scratch the surface, I set the laptop down on the counter. "No." I shook my head.
Marv tapped the top of the counter with those refined hands of his. "Don't be difficult about this, Harlow."
I pouted, looking longingly at the laptop. He only called me by my name, I realized, when he wanted me to do something. In this case, it was accepting an elaborate gift.
"I don't want the damn computer," I lied, crossing my arms.
He rolled his eyes, but before he could reply his cell vibrated. We were sitting so close on the stools, I could feel the resonance. He retrieved the phone and held up one finger.
"We're not done. You're keeping the laptop. You need i
t for school."
"School's almost–" I started to protest. He answered the phone and I stifled a frustrated growl.
"This is Marv," he answered. I glared. "Yeah." He smirked my way before whoever was on the other side said something that immediately had his full attention. His hands fell away from the counter, his back straightening. "Now? You're sure?" He paused as he listened to the other person. "I can be there in..." The phone switched hands as he checked his Rolex. "Twenty minutes, give or take. I've gotta take Harlow home."
I shook my head and whispered to keep from interrupting his conversation, but still loud enough for him to hear. "I can walk home. It's not a big deal." Those sparkling, gray eyes of his rolled once again and he ignored my statement.
"Yeah, we're leaving now."
I began gathering our supplies.
Alex came out from the back, wiping his hands on a dish towel.
"We have to go," I said.
He nodded and waved us away. Marv threw a few twenties on the counter, much more than necessary, but I didn't comment. I followed Marv outside and scrambled to get into the seat the moment he opened my door, with his other hand still holding the phone to his ear.
"Alright, I'll be there." He said his goodbyes and hung up, slamming my door shut behind me.
I left my seat belt unbuckled since we were only five minutes or so away from my house, something that made Marv frown. When he pulled up to the curb, I reached for the door handle.
"What are you doing?" he snapped. "I got it." Before I could assure him that it was fine, I could open my own door and had for the first eighteen years of my life, he was out of his seat and striding around the front end of the BMW.
"It's fine, I can open my door," I argued when he pulled it open.
Marv scowled down at me as I stepped out. "What would my Mother think? She raised me to always open doors for the elderly and beautiful women." My feet refused to move, and I stood on the sidewalk like an idiot, blinking up at him until he ushered me to the house. "Go on, I'll see you later." Before I could turn and follow his orders, he reached into the car and pulled the laptop out, putting it in my hands. "Take that."
"Wait!” I called, clutching my bag and the laptop as he rushed around the car back to the driver's seat.
"No more arguing!" he yelled back.
I watched him drive off, glancing down at my overflowing arms before turning and heading inside. The front door slammed behind me and I flinched, pausing to listen for my mom. I sighed when there was no responding call. Cleo meowed from the living room, drawing my attention, and I made my way to her for a quick pet. She purred and slid her small, furry body in circles around my ankles for a few minutes until I finally managed to pry myself away from her. I slipped into the back hallway, and peeked into my mom's room to make sure she was asleep. The pills I had measured out for her that morning were still there and I huffed in frustration, but I couldn't force them down her throat. At least the sandwich I had put next to them was gone.
Cleo brushed against my feet and ankles as I managed to make it to my room without creating any more thunderous noises. I cracked the bedroom door in case my mom called for me and sat down, opening the screen of the brand-new laptop. The monitor lit up with a beautiful picture of the ocean. The white sands and the clear water resembled something I had seen in brochures to the Caribbean and not the actual beach that I had spent the night on with Erika only a week before.
"Boys are crazy, Cleo." I sighed, rubbing one hand over her soft back as I opened the word processor and began typing an outline for my English paper.
Hours and several high-lighted Chbosky passages later, I was ready to gouge my eyes out with Cleo's little claws. I rolled over and slid my phone out of my pocket to check for messages. There were none, but I was bored. This was my first Saturday night off since I had started working at Alex's Diner. I didn't quite know what to do with myself. I was all studied out for the time being, though. So, I clicked through to Knix's number and started a new message.
Harlow:is Marv ok?
His reply was almost instantaneous.
Knix: Hey, Little Bit. Marv's fine. What are you doing?
I giggled, his texting voice was so proper, then again, so was Texas’. I wondered if they were all like that.
Harlow:nothing, bored. U?
He ignored my attempt to change the subject to something he was doing.
Knix:You should be studying.
I groaned, and rolled over onto my other side. Cleo meowed her disapproval as I unseated her from her sleeping place.
Harlow:noooooo
Knix:You better not fail your exams. Retaking them will not be fun.
Harlow:I'll pass
Knix: Go to sleep, Little Bit. I know for a fact that your mom has an early appointment tomorrow and that means you'll be up as well.
In the past, I had pulled all-nighters several nights in a row and no one noticed. My chest ached and tingled at the fact that someone was worried about me for a change. I didn't need it, I could be independent if I wanted to be, but he cared and I liked that. I liked having someone remember me and taking time to worry about me even if I didn't need it. It made me feel cared for.
Harlow:What about u?
I asked because it seemed likely enough that he and the guys were always constantly busy. I didn't know nearly as much about them as they knew about me. I recognized that if I agreed to work with them that would need to change.
Knix:I’ll be going to bed shortly. Goodnight, Little Bit.
Lying awake in my bed, I decided that I liked it. I liked them. The pet names were sweet, even them trying to give me things that I didn't want or need was sweet. I looked over at the half-opened laptop. I wouldn't keep it, but for as long as I had it, the computer reminded me of Marv, of all of them. Cleo curled up behind my knees, the warmth of her little body and sleepy purrs lulling me to sleep.
Chapter 9
Mrs. Grace's house smelled like bleach and old lady perfume, specifically Chanel No. 5. It was a nice smell, but the acidic taint of bleach and Lysol to hide other smells made it unbearably sweet and nauseating. Jazzy and Devin, Mrs. Grace's five and three-year-old grandkids were already up by dawn, sitting on the living room floor, pop-tarts in hand, watching Sunday morning cartoons.
I clicked around on my new phone, finding the game Slither where I led a snake around eating dots for several minutes before that, too, became boring. Erika had been overjoyed at me finally getting a phone. She had texted me the best apps to download from the app store that the phone came preloaded with, but I was too scared to download anything. I knew those things costed money. I only had Slither because Texas had apparently downloaded it beforehand.
I set the phone down on my stomach and watched Jazzy and Devin munch on their sugary breakfast and stare, wide-eyed, as a cartoon pig danced on the screen to an upbeat song about cleaning the house. The phone vibrated to life midway through the episode, startling me so much that I dropped it over the side of the couch. I scrambled after it, picking it up with a prayer that the screen hadn't shattered upon impact. My sigh of relief drew Devin's attention as he glanced at me for a moment before returning to his show.
Texas:Tomorrow 3:15pm.
I sighed. Wonderful. I now knew something was happening tomorrow, but not what. I grinned as I typed a reply, deciding to turn up the sass and tease him.
Harlow:3:15pm, huh? Sounds like a great time of day.
I grinned as I hit send. I'd been texting Texas a lot since I got the phone and one thing I had learned was that trying to sound sarcastic with texts was difficult for others to interpret. I still tried and even though he rarely got it, it was still funny to me.
Texas:Bell will pick you up in front of the school.
I thought for a second; how could I turn that around before typing my reply.
Harlow: I'm pretty heavy, do you think he can carry me wherever it is that we're going?
There was brief pause between texts and I could pi
cture his face, dumbstruck and unsure. I giggled, drawing the attention of Jazzy and Devin who, with their mouths half-full, turned their heads towards me at the same time. Jazzy, the younger of the two, stood on her chubby legs and shuffled over to me. Her fat toddler fist, clutching the pastry, raised it to my face.
Her, big, brown eyes were curious and loving. I couldn't bear to disappoint her, so I leaned down and took a small bite, thanking her for sharing. She smiled, her skinny, white, baby-teeth contrasting with the darkness of her skin, before waddling over to her brother who returned his attention to the TV show once again. They were the sweetest kids. My phone buzzed.
Texas:You're not heavy and you'll never refer to yourself as such again or I'll tell Knix. Bell will be picking you up in a car.
There was only a brief second before my phone vibrated again, alerting me to another text from someone else.
Bellamy:Smartass.
I grinned, unrepentant, before I sent him a winky face and reopened my conversation with Texas.
Harlow:What's Knix gonna do?
I was taunting him, I knew it. It was too much fun, more fun than I’d had in a long time. My phone lit up again, but this time Knix's name crossed the screen and I gulped as I opened the message.
Knix:If I hear you calling yourself heavy, I'll spank you. Be good.
I wasn't even offended that Texas had tattled. I simply grinned and sent an angel Emoji before putting the phone away. Mrs. Grace came home a little after lunch while Jazzy was playing dress up and Devin sat at the kitchen table coloring his way across some computer paper I had managed to find, with a few broken crayons.
"How were they today?" she asked, setting her giant purse on the counter as I wiped away the PB&J mess they had left after lunch.
"Good, Jazzy is in the den," I said. Mrs. Grace was quiet as she went over to Devin and brushed his springy curls lightly with her hand, kissing his forehead. He grumbled and whined, pulling away from his grandmother's affection and continued to color on his paper. "How was the appointment?" I finally asked. She sighed, petting her grandson's head again as he dutifully ignored her.
