nowhere (12 page)

Mr. Jenkins and Emma were sitting across from each other at the kitchen table. “Hello there, son,” Mr. Jenkins said, shaking my hand. 

“Hi, Dooner,” Emma said. “Did you hear that I made the cheerleading squad? I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines during all the games this season. Maybe I can even be your cheerleader, if you’re not already spoken for.” She gushed, oblivious to the fact that I was holding her sister’s hand. Mike tightened her grip.

“Ouch!” Emma snarled before I could decide how to respond without being rude. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I saw movement under the table. Mr. Jenkins winked at me as he continued to eat his toast. 

Paying no attention to them, Mrs. Mooney spoke to us instead. “You two kids are going shopping?”

“Yes, Mom,” Mikayla answered.

“I thought we’d get a bite to eat too, if that’s okay,” I added.

Mike smiled. “I’d like that.”

“I won’t wait dinner for you then. We’ll see you whenever you get back. Do me a favor, though, and give me a call if you think you’re going to be real late.”

“No problem. We’ll see you later.” Mikayla waved to everyone as we exited.

Once we were settled into Old Faithful, I reached over and grabbed her hand again. When she was this close to me, I had to be touching her. We held hands and talked the whole ride into the city. Railroad Mills was a half an hour from everything—the tractor supply store, the movie theater, the airport, and shopping. 

“I looked up a couple of specialized art stores on the internet, along with the larger arts and crafts chain stores. Which would you rather go to? I printed directions for each, so take your pick.” I handed her the printouts.

“So you did homework?” I loved how her smile made her eyes sparkle.

“You sound surprised. Didn’t I tell you that I’m an A student? I always do my homework.”

“Hold still, I think you have something on your nose.” She brushed the tip of my nose with her finger. “I got it.” She laughed.

“Very funny.” I chuckled. I’d noticed that I’d been laughing more the last couple of days. Until I met Mikayla, I didn’t really have many reasons to laugh. I enjoyed her sense of humor. She brought out the best in me.

Mike studied the papers and then said, “I’d love to check out one of the smaller stores. Here’s one with a promising name. ‘The Artist’s Studio.’ Its address is 1235 Park Avenue, let’s go there.”

“Sounds good to me.” I liked a girl who was decisive.

A little while later, we pushed open the door to the art store. I could tell that Mikayla felt at home among the endless supplies. A smile never left her face. She browsed the store looking at paints, canvases, pencils, and things that I couldn’t even identify. I wasn’t the artistic type. I could only draw stick figures. Eventually she bought several drawing pads, pencils, and a sharpener.

Skipping on the way out, she exclaimed, “Thanks for bringing me. It reminds me of an art store that I loved to shop at in San Francisco. I didn’t really expect to find one here of the same quality. They even carry my favorite brand of shading pencils.” She proudly held up her shopping bag.

“It sounds like you have another reason to like it here,” I pointed out.

“You’re right. I do.” She grinned.

We reached Old Faithful. Before opening the truck door for her, I said, “I could remind you of the other reason.” My lips hovered an inch away from hers, causing her breath to come in shallow gasps.

“I think you should,” she whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

I touched my lips to hers. Heat instantly coursed through my body. I’d never experienced such bliss from a simple kiss. I wanted more. I pushed my tongue into her mouth and tasted her.  She was like pure honey. I pulled her even closer. I liked feeling her heart beat next to mine. She ran her hands through my hair and I sighed. It was hard not to get carried away, but I had given her my word. I pulled away, and pressed my forehead against hers. “You take my breath away.”

“I know the feeling,” she panted.

Needing a distraction, I reached around her and opened the truck door. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

“You’re always hungry,” she teased. “Where do you put it all?” She shook her head, looking bewildered. She climbed into the cab.

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, closing the door. “Do you like barbeque?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Have you ever been to the Dinosaur Barbeque?”

“No. We hardly ever came into the city during our visits. We always spent all of our time at the farm.”

“You’re going to love the food at this joint.” As if to prove it, my stomach rumbled.

The place was jamming for a Sunday afternoon. We waited to sit down, hanging out on the outdoor patio, watching the motorcycles come and go. Finally we were called and the hostess led us to a table inside. The smell of barbecue made my mouth water.

“What do you usually order?” Mikayla asked me while poring over the menu.

“I have lots of favorites. Sometimes I get the pulled pork sandwich, the beef brisket, or the ribs.”

“I love ribs. Do you want to get the sweetheart deal for two? It says it comes with a full rack of ribs and four sides to share. You can pick two sides that you like and I can pick two that I like.”

“Sounds great.” I didn’t tell her that usually I ate the full rack and four sides all by  myself. I didn’t want to seem like a pig.

We placed our order and then I grabbed her hand. I couldn’t believe my strong desire to be close to her. I’d never felt like this before. I couldn’t seem to get enough of her. “I’ve never met anyone like you,” I confessed, staring into her deep brown eyes.

She raised one eyebrow. “What exactly does that mean?”

“It’s a good thing. You’re different than all the other girls I’ve ever met. You’re honest, you aren’t afraid to speak your mind, and you’re fun to be with.” She relaxed. I wanted to tell her that I was falling for her, and hard, but I didn’t want to scare her. “I like hanging with you.”

She blushed—she looked adorable when she blushed. “I like hanging out with you too.”

“Do you want to play twenty questions again, while we wait for our food? I’ve been thinking of questions I want to ask you.”

“Sure, but I go first,” she said with a devilish grin.

“You went first yesterday.” I sounded like a little kid on the playground.

“I know.” She shrugged.

She was so beautiful, and I wanted her so badly, that I knew I’d have a hard time denying her anything she wanted. “Okay. Shoot.”

“How many girlfriends have you had?” she asked, surprising me. Now I understood the grin.

“Why do you want to know?”

“Just curious? You said I wasn’t like any girl you’d ever met, so it got me wondering how many girlfriends you’ve had.”

“I’ve never had a girlfriend,” I stated, which was the truth. I’d hooked up with a couple of girls, but I’d never had a girlfriend.

“No way,” she exclaimed. “You expect me to believe that you’ve never had a girlfriend?”

“It’s true. I’ve never had a girlfriend,” I repeated, hoping she’d see I was telling the truth. “Why’s that so hard to believe?”

“You’re totally hot, for one thing.” It was my turn to blush. I knew girls thought I was handsome, but to hear Mikayla say it point-blank made me feel uncomfortable. She continued, “You’re the star football player in a town where people eat, sleep, and breathe football.” My cheeks got even hotter. “You’re smart.” I was speechless. “And fun to be with. I thought for sure you’d had lots.”

“I guess I could’ve had a girlfriend if I’d wanted one. I’d never met anyone who I liked, until now.” I was still holding her hand and I squeezed it. “What about you? I bet you’ve had lots of boyfriends.”

“No. I’ve never had a boyfriend. Like you, I never met anyone I cared enough about, until now.”

Suddenly I was the happiest I’d ever been in my life. I couldn’t believe I met someone as special as Mikayla, and like me, she’d never been in a serious relationship. Things were beginning to sound too good to be true. I never had anything I ever really wanted before, and I kept waiting for something to go wrong. Pushing all negative thoughts out of my head, I seized the moment and kissed her full lips. We were here together now and that was all that mattered.

“My turn. What’s on your playlist?” I asked, pulling away and totally changing the subject.

“I have songs by Cold Play, the Fray, Katie Perry, Adele. I don’t have any country, that’s for sure.”

“You’ll come around. You’ll see.” I loved country music and if I had any say in it, Mikayla soon would too. She’d look hot as hell wearing a pair of her short jean shorts with cowboy boots and a hat.

“I doubt it,” she declared, shaking her head. I enjoyed a good challenge and couldn’t wait to prove her wrong.

“What’s your favorite subject at school?” she asked. “I already know you do your homework.”

I smiled at her light teasing. “Math. What about you?”

“Art.”

Just then the waitress arrived with our food. We made quick work out of the ribs and the accompanying sides.

“You were right. That was the best barbeque I’ve ever had. Thanks for bringing me here.” She leaned back and patted her stomach. “I’m stuffed. I think I ate as much as you.”

I laughed. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

I threw enough money down on the table to cover the bill and we left.

“Thanks,” she said as we walked back to my truck.

“My pleasure.”

“Where to next?” It made me happy that she wasn’t ready for our date to end. 

“The mall? I need to buy a new pair of jeans.”

“Sounds good to me.”

I wasn’t much of a shopper. We weren’t at the mall for more than five minutes when I grabbed two pairs of jeans and got in line to pay.

“You’re not going to try them on?” She sounded surprised..

“Nope, I already know these fit. I buy the same ones every time. Guys are all business when it comes to shopping. We get in and we get out. However, when it comes to important things, I take my time.” I winked.

She playfully bumped me in the arm. “Good to know.”

Searching for something else to do, I suggested, “Hey, let’s go check out a new game place that opened up earlier this summer. It’s in a plaza across the street. I haven’t been there yet.”

“Let’s go.”

A few minutes later I held open the door to the arcade. This place had it all—video games, simulators, carnival games, pool and air hockey tables, and even a five-lane bowling alley. I bought a card with unlimited games for two hours. She tried to pay, but there was no way I was allowing it. I asked her out and I wanted to do things right, and that included paying. 

“So what’s your favorite game?” I asked.

“Skee-ball,” she answered without hesitation. “My dad took Emma and me to the Pier Saturday afternoons when we were kids. He gave us each our own money to spend. I always went straight to the Skee-ball machines. I saved all of my tickets, week after week, until I had enough to turn them in for a giant stuffed animal. I picked a huge, brown teddy bear that was twice as big as I was.” She laughed. I could easily picture her standing there, the giant bear almost knocking her over, but too proud to let anyone else carry it for her. “Emma turned in her tickets each week. She always ended up with the same carnival garbage. I’d rather be patient and walk away with the grand prize in the end.” She grinned and then looped her arm through mine.

“We have something in common then.” Mikayla was my grand prize. “There are things worth waiting for.” We wandered around, looking for the Skee-ball machines.

“What about you? What’s your favorite game?”

“I don’t have a favorite game.” Her face fell. Not wanting to disappoint her, I quickly said, “I do, however, have a favorite carnival ride.” I took a deep breath. I rarely talked about myself, and least of all my childhood, but this felt right. “One summer when I was seven, my dad took me to the carnival when it came to town. I’d never been before and I was thrilled to finally go. I couldn’t believe my luck when he handed me a five-dollar bill and told me that I could spend it on whatever I wanted. Then he disappeared into the beer tent, saying he’d find me later. I immediately ran over to the ticket booth and used all the money to buy tickets for the rides before he could come back and change his mind. The scrambler was my favorite ride. I loved the speed and the way it tossed me around inside of the cart. I rode it again and again. By the time I ran out of tickets, it was getting dark and my dad still hadn’t come to get me. I was sure he’d gotten drunk and forgotten. I was hungry and ready to go home, so I started walking, when suddenly my mom pulled up in a borrowed truck.”

“You must have been scared,” Mike declared.

“No, I wasn’t scared,” I answered truthfully, shaking my head. I’d been relieved. My father had forgotten me, so I actually got to enjoy myself. He was a mean drunk. I didn’t tell her that though because I worried it would change how she felt about me if she knew.

“I would’ve been scared,” she stated.

“I doubt that.” I smirked, thinking back to the night I met her. “Aren’t you the girl who wanted to walk home alone in the dark on unfamiliar country roads?”

She laughed and her cheeks turned pink. “Yeah, but some rogue cowboy wouldn’t hear of it.”

“He must be one of the good guys,” I teased.

Suddenly she shouted excitedly, “I see the Skee-ball machines. Right over there.” She pointed to the back right hand corner. “Let’s go play.”  Her enthusiasm was contagious. For the first time in my life, I was looking forward to playing Skee-ball. 

The two hours flew by. We played everything from Skee-ball to video games. We raced each other on motorcycles and on ski-dos. It was an afternoon I wouldn’t soon forget. We left carrying an oversized horse between the two of us.

I carefully placed it in the back of my pick-up and tied it down with some old rope while Mikayla jumped in the cab. When I got in, I smiled to find her sitting in the middle, right next to me. 

“I can’t believe you won that huge horse for me. It took me months of saving tickets to get one. Thanks.” She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. 

“My pleasure.” She was positively beaming. I loved how easy it was to make her smile. I only hoped I could continue to make her happy. Because making her happy felt so good. Not even football made me feel like this.