“Uh-Ms.-”
She walked back over to me and placed her hand on my shoulder telling me to hush.
“It’s okay, Zeke. I just wanted some privacy, that’s all. No need to freak out, yet.” She grabbed the seat beside me and pulled it directly in front of me and sat down, slowly crossing her legs. “So, you’re willing to do ‘anything’ to alleviate my stress?”
My palms started to sweat, and I swallowed hard, nervously shaking my head yes.
“Good. Now I’d like you to help me sort and organize the papers on my desk.” I wasn’t exactly sure where she was going in that moment, but helping her with paperwork sounded a lot better than what was originally going through my mind just then.
***
We spent the better half of three hours together. She signed and graded papers, while I sorted and filed every single one. We seemed to make a pretty good organizational team.
After she graded the last homework assignment in the pile, I took it and filed it away.
“Hey Zeke, thank you for your help tonight. Would you like to go and grab a bite to eat? I could give you a lift home afterwards.
Part of me wanted to say, ‘Hell yes, we can do whatever you want.’ But, I said “Sure, I just have to let my mom know I’ll be home late so she won’t freak out.”
Me: Going out 4 dinner, be home late.
She gathered her things and I tossed my bag over my shoulder and followed her out of the room and into the parking lot. A black Mazda coupe was the only car left in the lot and I was quite surprised as she clicked the receiver to unlock the doors. “This is nice.”
“It’s not what you expected, is it?”
“No, not at all.”
“I bet you thought I drove a van, or some beat up Toyota or something, huh?”
“Maybe,” I laughed.
“I’m in the mood for burgers. What about you?”
“I’m good with burgers.”
“I know a great place, Frankie D’s Burger Hut. They’re right on the oceanfront and have the best burgers in town!”
“Then we need to get there as soon as possible, Ms. Sheppard.”
“After school you can call me, Max.”
We drove around for quite some time before I saw the water appear beside us. A huge neon sign that said Frankie D’s appeared and there were a bunch of people lined up in front of it. The building was small and I hoped we didn’t have to wait forever for a bite to eat.
She got out of the car and I soon followed. “Ready, Zeke?”
“Do we really have to wait this long?”
“Nope.” She said unbuttoning the top clasp on her shirt.
She grabbed my hand and led me to the front of the line. “Hey Max,” a tall bald guy said.
“Hey, this is my friend Zeke, he’s a first timer.”
The guy looked just like a club bouncer. He gave me a once over, laughed and let us right in. Once we were inside, I realized this was more than a burger joint, it was actually a club. “Uh, I feel like I shouldn’t be here, Max.”
“Don’t worry, Zeke. We’re only here for food. We don’t have to dance, unless you want to.”
She led us to a small window, where a guy with the name tag Marty was. She ordered two bottomless fry baskets and the ultra burger with the works. I had no idea what that was, but I made sure to let her know I was allergic to mayo.
He told us our order would be ready in fifteen minutes and gave us a huge red table sign with the number twelve on it. Max brought us to a table out back. We had the perfect view of the water and it was surprisingly quiet.
“So, Zeke, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why don’t you and your brother get along? Sometimes I can’t stand my sister, but I don’t have as much hate for her as I can sense between you and Zach.”
“I don’t even know where to start. Uh, I guess things changed between us about three years ago.”
“What happened?”
“A girl happened.”
“Oh, well if you don’t feel comfortable telling me the full details, I totally understand.”
“I’ll tell you when the time is right.” I wanted to bask in the moment and not kill it with my past. The moon reflected off the water and illuminated the area around us. She was even more beautiful under the moonlight. I could feel my forbidden love for her grow at that moment.
Chapter 11
Day 7
Zach
“And where the hell were you at so late last night, Zeke?”
“None of your business.”
“It’ll always be my business. You’re never out past eight, especially on a school night.”
“All right, Mom. I was out grabbing dinner with a friend.”