A minute passed, then two.
Mark kept looking around, his mind demanding that he say something to spark a conversation. Take charge, don’t make her initiate anything. She’s already done enough in that department. Show her you’re a man and up to the task of being a good choice for a future get together once this one concludes.
“So,” he asked, voice catching for a second. “Have you been in the area long, or did you just move here for school?”
“Just moved here a few days ago,” she said. “I’m so nervous; I’ve never been away from home and on my own before. It’s kind of scary.”
“I know what you mean. The first time I was away from home was quite an experience. You’ll get used to it pretty fast though, and then, when you go home for the summer or holidays, you’ll wonder how you could ever live with your parents again because they’ll drive you nuts. It’s funny.”
“Hmm.”
The silence that followed caught him off guard and made him worry that he had hit a sore spot without meaning too. Such a mistake was never good, especially this early in the initial conversation.
“So, what kind of yummy custard treat are you going to try?” he asked in an attempt to get things moving again.
“I don’t know. Last time I was here I got something that was great, but can’t remember what it was called. Some kind of Sunday thing.”
“Ah, well maybe you’ll recognize it when we get closer to the menu.”
Knowing the line would be long the place not only had a menu on the inside behind the registers, but also one displayed on the sidewall where people waiting in line could see it. A few more steps and it would be in view.
“I hope so. It was delicious.” Then, a few seconds later, “So, where do you live?”
“Right now I’m back at my parents place, but starting in September I’ll be in an apartment off of Annie Glidden. I would be in my own place now, but my stupid roommate got us evicted while he was living there himself during the summer.”
“Oh, that sucks.”
“Yeah, but this new place is cheaper, so maybe it was all for the better.”
“You never know,” she said.
Silence returned as they were finally able to study the menu, each one carefully scanning the selections while continuing to move forward in line.
“Know what you’re going to get?” Mark asked as their time in front of the first menu ended, their bodies rounding the corner.
“Yep. Same thing I always get. Strawberry Hill Sunday.”
“Oooo, that sounds interesting. I’m going with the Black Forest Sunday.”
“Black Forest? Isn’t that usually a kind of ham?” She chuckled
“Hopefully not in this case,” Mark replied. The levity made him feel good. It meant they were already growing comfortable with each other.
The space in front of the register opened.
Mark and Amy moved in and placed their order. Less than three minutes later the two were looking for a spot to sit, their custard treats ready to be eaten.
“I guess we’ll have to curb it,” Mark said.
“Looks that way. Wish they could get more tables.”
“Yeah.” Only they’d have nowhere to put them. He kept this second part to himself, his mind thinking he didn’t need to point out the obvious.
The two took a seat, their bodies almost in the shade.
“So, why NIU?” Mark asked.
Amy spooned a mouthful of her dessert into her mouth, and allowed it to start the journey to her stomach before saying, “No real reason.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I need a college degree to go into my field of study and this place was the closest and the most attractive of all the schools I got accepted into, so it was the one I chose.” She took another spoonful. “You?”
“Pretty much the same I guess. I still don’t really know what I’m going to do as far as a career goes but figured having a bachelor degree in something would be helpful.”
“What are you studying?”
“Economics.”
She gave him a ‘yuck’ look.
He shrugged. “I figure there will always be room somewhere for someone that understands how the economy works and hell, if the world ends next year like so many people think, maybe I can help rebuild a financial structure with whatever new society grows out of the rubble.”
“You don’t actually believe all that stuff, do you?” she asked.
“Not really,” he admitted. “But it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”
“Hmm.”
The two took several more bites of their desserts, their spoons seemingly in a race against the heat. While in the midst of this, a couple a few feet down on the curb finished their own items and got up to leave. Without a word, Mark and Amy moved in and took their spot, the shade giving them a wonderful reprieve from the glaring sun.
“So, if you don’t mind my asking,” Mark started. “What was it that drew you to my profile?”
Amy blushed. “Do I have to say?”
“No,” Mark said, mind scolding himself for making her uncomfortable. “Not at all.”
“But you want to know.”
“I was just curious, that’s all. If it embarrasses you or makes you uneasy, that’s okay; you don’t have to tell me.”
“No, no, it doesn’t.” She waved a hand. “I’m just being silly I guess. Your profile seemed more real than everyone else’s, like you weren’t just out there to get under a girls skirt or something.”
“Really?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good romp as much as the next girl, but there has to be substance beforehand. I’m not looking for a flesh and blood vibrator. If I was I’d have no trouble finding one.”
The comment caught him off guard.
“Sorry, that was crude,” she said.
“No, don’t worry. I prefer people that are up front about things and I know exactly what you’re saying. Most of the guys out there only want one thing. They see sites like this as a place to cast out many lines like they’re fishing and will reel in the easiest catch.” He popped a fudge covered cherry into his mouth.
“But not you,” she said.
“Well,” he said once the cherry was down. “I have to admit, I’ve cast out lines too, but my goal isn’t just sex. I want a relationship with a person. In the end that makes sex more appealing anyway.” He couldn’t believe they were talking about this. “I also know that what they’re doing doesn’t work, at least most girls don’t go for it.”
“And the ones who do?”
“I don’t know. The only ones I’ve ever run into were fakes. For some reason they get off on teasing guys like me. Doesn’t make much sense really, but they do it anyway.”
“Wow, that’s just weird. I don’t get why someone would go to all that trouble to waste someone else’s time – and their own.” She shook her head. “And just think if they did it to the wrong person. That could cause some serious trouble.”
“Yeah.”
“But at least you know I’m not like that, and I know you’re not just working to get under my skirt so you can move onto the next girl that comes your way.”
He smiled.
After that the rest of their desserts were eaten in silence, one that didn’t seem uncomfortable at all.
7
Bill couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at his fighting abilities after the small confrontation in the front yard, and wanted to post about it to the world via his blog and Facebook. At the same time, he knew the encounter had upset Kimberly, and that a part of her frustration was directed his way. Why exactly he wasn’t sure, he had simply defended himself (and her), but he could tell this was the case. Thankfully, knowing this didn’t dampen the overall gratification he felt. It did, however, make him feel odd being up in his apartment, especially knowing she was down there. In fact, given the layout, he almost felt as if the two were living together but had separated themselves on opposite sides of the house. Wit
h this feeling came an urge to go down and work things out with her, something he wouldn’t even have contemplated if the two weren’t within walking distance of each other.
And why do you even care? he asked. It’s not like you two are dating or anything.
This troubled him because he knew what it was pointing toward, which was something he didn’t want. At least he told himself he didn’t want it. One serious relationship early in his adult life had been enough for him to realize he didn’t want a woman in his life. Sex from time to time, yes, who didn’t, but a relationship, nope. Yet here he was growing more and more attracted to her, and not just on a physical level. If it had been just that, he wouldn’t be worried about her being upset with him, nor would he have the helpful protective desire he was displaying. This wasn’t to say he wouldn’t stand up for her or anyone that needed help, he just wouldn’t be this focused on it.
Even knowing he was partially to blame for the trouble she was facing wouldn’t have really fueled any need to be part of the solution, not without the foolish desires that were growing.
And now, because of all this nonsense, you’re taking her to breakfast, paying for parking spots at the college, and growing worried about the possibility of upsetting her.
He didn’t even realize it until that moment, but he was trying to be as quiet as possible while moving around, his hope being he didn’t aggravate her any further with his pacing.
Just relax.
Following this advice was easy, but only after he heard her leaving for work. Once that happened he almost felt like a guy who had the house to himself for a while, a house that had had an unbearable amount of tension within it.
It was ridiculous, he knew, yet something that he couldn’t help.
Boredom followed.
Making it worse, he couldn’t read. His mind was just too preoccupied. He also didn’t want to pop in a movie, not when his mind wouldn’t be able to focus on it. What he needed was TV, some mindless show to eat away time.
Eat up time until what?
The question went unanswered; at least, that’s what he told himself. Deep down inside he knew what he was waiting for. He wanted Kimberly to come home from work. He wanted to hear the car out by the garage and then, by design, happen to be taking down some garbage as she walked to her side door so he could casually ask if anything had happened.
You’re hopeless, he said.
Admitting this didn’t change anything.
He walked to the window and looked out at the street.
Ten minutes came and went, his eyes not really focusing on anything in particular, his mind pretty much shut off.
Then, without warning, go to the library you idiot and access that email.
Earlier, while driving back from the NIU campus, he had planned to ask Kimberly if they could open the Nikki email address from her computer, his thinking being they could start working toward finding out if the person who had sent it was also responsible for everything that had followed. Being confronted by Kyle had knocked the idea aside. Now that it was back, he knew he had to act upon it. Unfortunately, he also knew that he had no idea where to go from there.
Once you have the address, then what? Email the guy and ask if he was for real?
Obviously, the answer to that was no, yet at the same time it was the only thing he could really think of, unless . . .
The possibility that Nicole’s roommate’s boyfriend could somehow help entered his mind, and for a moment he considered calling her to find out. He then realized that she was probably working, and figured it would be better to have the email in his possession first.
And if nothing else you can always just give it to the police.
Fear of getting in trouble for the things he had done with the blog last spring followed, but only lasted a second. Nothing he had done had been illegal. In fact, given how many of those men Nikki had promised to meet with at the Sleepy Time Motel out on Route 64, he had probably helped boost the economy a bit. If nothing else, the motel owner was probably happy during that two-month period when he had really put the screws to the men, his goal of earning enough money from the renewed subscriptions to pay his rent for at least three months having been met. He (or she) had probably been a bit confused too as to why so many lone men had stopped in to get a room during the first week of March and then again in April.
Confused, but happy. In fact, if he knew the why of everything he probably would have started his own Nikki-like profile and lured men in himself.
That might be illegal, though.
It was one thing for him to send guys to a random motel as if he (Nikki) would be arriving shortly after they paid for the room. It would be another for the motel itself to do it in hopes of just getting guys to pay for a room. Chances were good that there was some type of business law against such actions.
But if the right precautions were taken . . .
He shook the thought away since it didn’t really matter. Maybe in the future, if he used this situation as the basis for some horror tale focusing in on a motel and the things the owner would do to acquire guests, he might look into it more, but now all he needed to focus in on was getting the email.
After that . . .
His mind once again drew a blank, but that was okay. He had his next step planned out. Once it was achieved he would send Nicole a text asking for her to call him once she got off work, if he was right about her working tonight, and would find out if her roommate’s boyfriend could help.
Laptop in hand, he left the apartment and headed toward the library.
8
Mark had hoped he and Amy could spend more time together once the desserts were finished, and kind of figured she was going to suggest something more they could do after asking him if he had any fun plans for the rest of the day, but nothing had followed. His answer of no had simply earned a skeptical look, and then a comment that that said, “I don’t want to get in the way of anything.”
“You’re not,” he said. “Trust me.”
She studied him for several seconds, an odd smile in place, and then shook her head, “No, you had something planned, I can tell.”
“Okay, I did tell a friend I might get together with them, but that was only if nothing else came up. If you want to do something, they’ll understand completely.”
“You say that now, but it won’t be long before me getting between you and your friends would be a burden that caused conflict.”
“No, really, I’d rather – “ he started.
She laughed. “Don’t worry; I’m not bailing or anything. I think this was fun and we’ll get together again soon. I like you and given that we’ve been sitting here talking for nearly an hour even though we finished our treats I think it’s safe to say you like me too.”
“I do,” he said. “And I’m glad you messaged me. Any idea when you want to get together again?”
“Is it a long drive out here for you right now?”
“A bit, but I don’t mind.”
“I’d say tomorrow, but then you’re going to have to go back and forth between here and your house again the next day for class, and that just seems like so much driving, so – “
“I could get a motel room tomorrow night,” he blurted before she could finish. “That way we could get together for dinner or something, and then I’ll stay here so I can go to class the next day and we could get together again afterward or something.”
“If that is what you want to do. Are there many motels in the area that don’t cost much?”
“Oh yeah, tons. I’ve even – “ he stopped himself from blurting out that he had stayed at one all day once waiting for Nikki to show up last spring after the two had agreed to have sex.
“You’ve even what?” she asked.
“Oh, nothing. For some reason I add in pointless little tidbits from time to time when talking.”
“I don’t mind. Pointless little tidbits are how people get to know each other. Share away – unless you’re it
ching to get home and away from me.” She gave a fake pouty look.
“Not a chance. We could sit here all day talking and I wouldn’t mind.”
“Awww.” She leaned over and hugged him. “You’re so sweet.”
He smiled.
“How is it that such a sweet charming guy is still single?” she asked.
The question caught him completely off guard. He also knew that answering it could be dangerous, though given their conversation thus far he doubted she would suddenly decide not to see him again if he said the wrong thing. The fear didn’t completely disappear, however, so he simply said, “I really don’t know.”
“Me either,” she said and smiled.
Mark had no idea what to say after that.
Silence arrived.
Inside he screamed at himself to think of something so that they didn’t have to end their time together. Get another topic going, he said. Suggest you two go do something that makes her realize it’s okay that you had ‘plans’ with a friend, that you’d rather spend time with her. Do something!
Nothing.
The two sat there in silence, one that grew a bit awkward, for nearly five minutes before she suggested they go their separate ways.
“You have fun with your friend,” she said during their drawn out goodbye.
“I will, and tomorrow, what time did you want to get together?”
“I don’t know. Maybe give me a text in the morning and let me know if you still want to come out here and we’ll go from there.”
“Okay, I will.” Should I kiss her?
She hesitated a moment, then said, “Well, thanks for the ice cream.”
He almost corrected her by saying it had been custard, but caught himself. “You’re welcome.” Do it.
“Well . . .”
“Let me walk you to your car,” he said, an inner statement about kissing her there rather than right here following.
In the end no kiss happened, his sudden reasoning being this wasn’t really a date, more of a just meet and greet, and that a hug would be more appropriate. Naturally, concern about this arrived shortly after she left, his mind pretty sure she had wanted a kiss.
Now she’s probably second guessing getting together with you again, he said. Tomorrow he would message her and she would tell him something had come up. The simple excuse could be genuine, so he wouldn’t panic right away, but then, as the excuses continued day after day, he would realize the reality of the situation. After that . . . Hello Bunny Ranch.
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