The Apple Tree

by Kara Jimenez

  “No, tell me.”

  “Well, I make up recipes for healthier food, using whole ingredients instead of boxes and mixes and stuff. Then I post them up on my blog and sometimes I do reviews on cookbooks or special interest pieces. The other day I wrote up an article about why everyone is going gluten free nowadays.”

  He kept one hand on the steering wheel and pinched his arm hair with the other. “That’s like no wheat, right?”

  “Yeah, and barley and rye have gluten. Oats are usually contaminated also.”

  His brows furrowed. “You eat wheat though. You ate pizza the other day.”

  “Gluten doesn’t bother me. But I like coming up with things for people who do avoid it. And my blog has all kinds of recipes. I just like playing around with different ingredients.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to make me dinner?” His eyebrows rose.

  She laughed. “Isn’t that a little presumptuous?”

  “What? A guy can try. What is it they say? The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?”

  “I believe that is what they say, but who says I want to get to your heart?”

  His face fell.

  Oh, God. Why had she said that? She’d meant it in a joking way, but obviously it’d hurt his feelings. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

  He waved his hand. “Don’t worry about it.”

  She bit the inside of her cheek and sat awkwardly looking out the window until they pulled into the park, stopping next to the play structure.

  “Alright, let’s do this.” He reached behind his seat and pulled out two shiny discs.

  He hadn’t needed to buy new discs. She’d brought extra for him. But this time, she kept her mouth shut.

  They walked to the course behind a row of lanky trees and blackberry bushes. An open meadow with a wire basket target in the far corner made up the first hole. Their feet slogged through the wet grass and she was glad he’d listened to her about wearing boots.

  She set her bag against a tree, removing a disc. “It’s basically the same rules as regular golf, but instead of a club and a tiny ball, you throw the discs into the basket.” With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the disc into the air, landing about ten feet from the goal.

  “Nice.” Levi waited for her to step aside and then pulled his arm back, sending his disc flying into a tangle of blackberry bushes.

  She chuckled. “Good luck getting that back.”

  “What? You’re not going to help me?” he teased, walking toward the bushes and reaching his arm through the labyrinth of vines and thorns. His jeans pulled tight around his form and his jacket stretched across the muscles of his back.

  She licked her lips and blinked, making herself look away. This was going to be ridiculous if she didn’t stop checking him out.

  Levi wrenched backward, yelping like he’d been electrocuted, clearing the bushes by several feet.

  “What was that?” she asked, startled by his sudden reaction.

  Hands on his hips, he leaned forward and closed his eyes, laughing, a deep pleasant sound. “Sorry,” he finally said. “I’m afraid of snakes. I always overreact.”

  “So, a mountain lion is no problem, but a snake has you shrieking like a little girl?” She laughed along with him.

  Levi’s face grew serious as he studied a hole ripped in his shirt from one of the thorns. “My father was killed by snakebite. It’s an ingrained reaction, however illogical. And it is completely illogical. Let’s get back to the game.”

  Her laughter stopped. He was all alone then. No mother and no father. She picked up her disc from where it lay on the grass. “Your father’s gone too. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” He motioned toward her disc. “Shoot.”

  Weird, how quickly he could go from friendly to reserved. She threw, landing the disc in the target with a clang.

  He learned the game quickly, keeping his disc clear of thickets for the rest of the time they played, but she still beat his score by several throws.

  “Good game.” He gave her a high five and they sat down at a picnic bench.

  “Alright, let me try one of those banana cookies,” he grumbled.

  “Well, don’t sound so excited about it.” She rummaged in the bag until she found the container. “Honestly, they’re good.” She handed him a cookie, taking one out for herself as well.

  He examined it in his hand. “I’ve never been a very adventurous eater.”

  “I’ve noticed.” She broke a chunk off of hers, tossing it into her mouth. “Just take a bite.”

  He sighed and shoved the entire cookie in his mouth.

  She watched him chewing. It sure would be nice to be a cookie right about now. Okay, that was just weird. Get a grip. She was acting like a sex-crazed sixteen year old.

  After swallowing, he said, “You’re right. I need to start trusting you when it comes to food.”

  She gave him a smug smile.

  “Just don’t eat too many of those. I was counting on you being hungry,” he said.

  “Hungry for what?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “For food, of course.”

  She blushed, suddenly aware of the double meaning. “I mean, did you want to get some food?”

  “Yes, I was hoping we could go have dinner.”

  “I’ll have dinner with you, but under one condition. I get to pick what you order. Call it a little trust exercise.”

  He sighed. “I must be extremely desperate to spend time with you.” Then he chuckled and gave her a gentle shove. “Okay, you can pick out my food.”

  She chose a little café, nestled among the coffee shops and bookstores near the Oregon State University campus. Harmony Café was one of her favorites because it served only local and organic food and the atmosphere was relaxed compared to some of the more romantic places nearby. It wasn’t that the thought of being romantic with Levi didn’t give her all kinds of tingles, but she didn’t want the extra pressure.

  They found a table against the chalkboard painted wall, scribbled with messages from previous dinners like Jennifer was here and stick figure families. In the center, someone had drawn an incredibly accurate rendition of Garfield the Cat.

  “Nice.” She nodded toward the wall as they sat down.

  “You like that?” He removed his jacket, grabbed a piece of chalk and began drawing.

  She laughed and lifted the menu, scanning it for something he would like. He seemed like the average meat and potatoes kind of guy. It probably wouldn’t have to be very exotic to be something new for him.

  “Have you ever had pumpkin ravioli?” she asked.

  “Doesn’t cheese belong in ravioli?”

  A smile crossed her face. “Okay, that’s what I’m ordering you. It’s not that weird, I promise.” She set the menu down. “So, what’s with your complete lack of culinary experience anyway?”

  “I just make really simple meals for myself at home.” He dropped the chalk back in the jar. “Okay, finished.”

  The wall now showed a surprisingly accurate cartoon sketch of her holding a pizza.

  She chuckled. “That’s pretty cute.”

  He grinned and ran his hand through his hair.

  The waitress appeared wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt and a smile that was much too large to be real. She must be hoping for a big tip.

  Bianca ordered two raviolis and Levi asked for a beer.

  “I’ll have a beer also,” Bianca said. Was it weird to order the same meal? Too matchy matchy, like one of those annoying couples who wore identical t-shirts?

  The waitress nodded. “I’ll need to see both your ID’s.”

  They produced their driver’s licenses and the waitress studied Levi’s for a minute longer than seemed necessary. Finally, she handed the cards back and left.

  “So where are you from? Did you grow up here?” Bianca asked.

  He fiddled with the chalk jar, spinning it around. “I was born in Illinois and came to Oregon in my late teens.”
/>   “Is that before your parents… died?”

  “My father died about that same time.”

  “So, they moved for a new job or something?”

  “I guess you could say that. They came for new opportunities.” He chucked like she’d missed some inside joke.

  “You’re different than other guys.” She studied his face. “I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

  He shrugged and set the chalk jar back along the wall.

  The waitress appeared, setting two micro-brews on the table between them.

  Levi nodded a quick thanks, then took a swig. “Did you grow up here?”

  “Yeah, I was born in Corvallis.” Bianca rolled her eyes. “Boring I know, but I like it here. I don’t think I want to go anywhere else.”

  He set the beer down. “I’ve seen a lot of places, but I always find my way back here. I like it too.”

  When the food came, Levi took a deep breath, scanning his plate. “Okay, I trust you.” He speared a ravioli with his fork.

  She smiled. “Don’t be so dramatic, it’s just pasta.” The scent of sage and hazelnuts drifted up from her plate and her mouth watered.

  He took a bite, his face remaining stoic as he chewed. “It’s okay.” He took a gulp of beer. “I think I’d prefer a steak though.”

  She laughed and scooped pasta into her mouth.

  The sun slid below the horizon as Levi pulled the truck along the curb, in front of her apartment.

  “I’ll walk you to the door,” he said, as they came to a stop.

  She nodded. The end of the date. Was he expecting a kiss? Was she? She glanced at his lips and heat spread over her cheeks.

  They walked silently up the stone pathway as the cold wind blew through her hair and she shivered. Levi shoved his hands in his jean pockets.

  Her heart pounded erratically as they stepped onto the patio. This was it.

  The curtain on the living room window had been pulled back a few inches, spreading warm light over the patio from inside.

  “So you didn’t totally suck at disc—”

  “Wait.” He placed a hand on her arm, his voice hushed and urgent. “There’s a man inside. Do you know him?” His gaze pointed at the window.

  She leaned toward him to see inside the curtain crack. A man she’d never seen before rummaged through items stacked along the TV stand. He clutched her laptop under his arm.

  Holy shit. Were they being robbed? And where were Owen and her mother? “No,” she answered.

  “Wait here then.” He crept to the door, turning the knob. It opened easily and he stepped inside.

  “Who are you?” Levi’s forceful voice carried from inside the apartment.

  Bianca stepped through the door. Her muscles tensed and a bead of moisture slid down her back.

  The stranger turned toward Levi. Greasy blond hair fell over his forehead and he wore a tie-dyed t-shirt. Who was this slime-ball?

  “Hey, man. I’m a friend of Lisa’s.” He backed away from Levi, almost tripping over a toy fire truck.

  “Why are you rifling through their stuff?” Levi’s eyes narrowed. “And where is Lisa?”

  “She’s passed out in the bedroom. I was just leaving.”

  “Put my laptop down.” Bianca’s voice came out much stronger than she felt.

  Levi flashed her a look that clearly meant, I told you to wait outside.

  Slime-ball set her computer on the coffee table. “I was just looking at it.” He started toward the door.

  Levi held his hand up. “Stop. Sit down on the couch, now.”

  Slime-ball’s eyes darted between Levi and the door. Finally, he clenched his jaw and slumped down on the futon.

  “I’ll go look for my mom and Owen.” Bianca ran upstairs.

  Her mother lay on the bed in a flimsy, violet tank top and panties, passed out cold. A toppled wineglass lay beside her, its contents forming a deep red stain on the sheets.

  Bianca shook her shoulder. “Mom, wake up.” She didn’t move and reeked of alcohol, but she had no obvious bruises or scrapes.

  “Owen?” Bianca called, looking around the room. There was no answer. Where could he be? Adrenaline rushed through her body as the terror struck her. He was only two, what if something horrible had happened? No one was watching him for Christ sake! After checking under the bed and in the closet, she went across the hall to her own room.

  Owen huddled in the corner between her bed and the dresser. His hands covered his face and tiny whimpers escaped his mouth.

  “Owen, oh, God. Owen!” She scooped him in her arms and his little fists clung to the fabric of her shirt. Tears sprang from her eyes as relief filled her body, and then enraged fury at the man who had frightened him. Pulling Owen away from her shoulder, she examined his little face. An angry purple mark was beginning to form on his left cheek.

  He cried for her to pull him close again and when she did, he buried his face in her hair.

  She stormed downstairs, still clutching Owen. Slime-ball was going to die.

  “What did you do to him?!” she screamed, her heart jumping out of her chest.

  Levi rushed to her side. “What’s wrong? Is he okay?”

  She set Owen down on the stairs, and lunged at the couch.

  Levi jumped between them. “Whoa, whoa. Tell me what happened.” He wrapped his arms around her.

  She glared at Slime-ball, her eyes as sharp as knives. “Owen has a bruise on his cheek.”

  The stranger sat on the futon, his eyes darting toward the door. “I-I d-didn’t do anything to the kid.”

  Levi let go of her and got in Slime-ball’s face. “Tell me what happened. Now!” he spit through his teeth. His muscles tensed as he leaned over the couch, his nose almost touching the other man’s. Levi slammed the back of the futon with his fist, right behind Slime-ball’s head, making the man flinch.

  Good, he deserved to be frightened.

  Owen cried from the stairs and she hurried back over to pick him up.

  “It’s nothing! He was in my way, so I gave him a little push. But then he ran and hid. Nothing else happened!”

  Bianca clenched her jaw. It’s a good thing she was holding Owen or she’d charge the couch again.

  “Oh, just a little push? He's two! Then, you decided to top it off by robbing them!” Levi’s fists shook and his face was rigid. It looked like he was going to lose it any second and beat the daylights out of the man. He stepped back, taking a deep breath. “Bianca, where’s your phone? Call the police.”

  Her mother woke sometime during the police interviews. When she heard what happened, she started bawling. “He seemed like such a nice man. Owen. Oh, God! I’m a horrible mother.”

  Bianca tried to comfort her as best she could, but her arms shook as she gave her a hug. She always had strange men in and out of the apartment. They were damn lucky nothing had happened before this. Not to mention, she was drunk when she was supposed to be watching Owen. He deserved better. Her head filled with curse words, most of them directed at her mother.

  The police lectured her mother, told her someone would come check-up on Owen soon and then carted Slime-ball off to the station.

  As soon as the cruiser pulled away, Bianca turned to her mother. “I can’t believe you let that happen.”

  Her mother flinched. “Well, I didn’t do it on purpose.”

  “You never do anything on purpose, Mom! How about adding a little purpose to your life? And let’s call that purpose, I don’t know, motherhood?!!”

  Hands flew in the air as her mother scoffed. “How would you know anything about being a mother? You have no idea what it’s like!”

  “Considering I do almost everything for Owen, I think I have a pretty good idea. And I know damn well it doesn’t involve drinking until you pass out!” Anger flooded Bianca and her nostrils flared.

  Levi crossed the room and placed a hand on Bianca’s back. “Remember that Owen’s been through a lot tonight. Maybe this can be saved for later?” He
nodded toward the boy watching from the futon.

  A deep breath cleared Bianca’s head and she nodded. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

  “No… I-I deserve it.” Her mother mumbled an embarrassed thank you to Levi, and then carried Owen upstairs.

  Levi rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to interfere. I know it’s not my business…”

  “No, you were right.”

  His gray eyes held her gaze. “Are you okay?”

  She grimaced. “Um, not really. Sorry this is a horrible end to our date.”

  He wrapped her in his arms. “Hey, this isn’t your fault. Don’t worry about our date.” His body felt so comfortable. It was warm and like… home.

  She clutched the soft fabric of his long sleeved shirt. “Thank you, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been with me.”

  He shuddered. “Does your mom have men she hardly knows over a lot?”

  “Yep.”

  “That scares me. It could have been a lot worse, you know. How can I be sure you’re safe?” He pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. Worry crept across his face as he held her cheek in his palm.

  “I don’t know.” She bit her lip and ran her hand along the hard muscles of his back. Heat rose in her cheeks as she realized she was practically feeling him up. “Put a lock on my bedroom door and have Owen sleep with me?”

  He sighed. “You shouldn’t have to do that. Not in your own house.”

  No, she shouldn’t. She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand.

  “You’re tired. You’ll be safe for tonight, so I’ll let you get some rest.”

  Stay please. But she couldn’t speak the words out loud. Instead, she nodded.

  He stepped back, dropping his arms until he stood in front of her holding her hand. “Despite all this, I’m really glad I got to spend some time with you.”

  “You know, I can think of plenty of foods you probably haven’t tried yet.” Her eyebrows rose and the corner of her mouth turned up.

  He grimaced, but humor colored his expression. “I guess I could try more food, as long as I get to see you again.”

  “It’s a deal.” A wide grin spread across her face.