Layla:I’m kidding. You’re the only one I know. Not that I mind, but how did you get my number?
Teagan:Ummm… I might have stolen it when you had me put my address in your GPS?
I snort in amusement at how he worded it, like he wasn’t sure if he did or not.
Layla:That’s an invasion of privacy. I’m not sure how to feel about that.
Teagan:Fuck. I’m sorry, I should have asked.
Layla:Kidding again! I really don’t mind. Did you need something?
Teagan:Oh, good! No, I don’t need anything. I was just sitting here zoning out in front of the TV when a commercial for tamales came on. Made me think of you.
Layla:I’m so glad that something wrapped in a corn husk made you think of me. How flattering.
Teagan:You’re a bit of a smart arse aren’t you, Lovely?
Layla:He’s catching on. ;)
Teagan:I like it. What are you doing?
Layla:Working. I’m not supposed to be on my phone, but I’m off in half an hour.
Teagan:Can I call you then?
My heart flops in my chest.
Layla:Sure. Talk soon.
With a new spring in my step, I put my phone away and quickly finish stocking the section I’m in so I can clock out on time. I don’t want to miss Teagan’s call. Why am I so nervous? The butterflies in my stomach remind me of the time in middle school when one of the boys I was crushing on asked me to couple skate at the Brownsville Roller Rink. I was so anxious, I hid in the bathroom for half of the skate.
As soon as my shift ends, I clock out and hurry to the car to plug myancient phone into the charger. I really need an upgrade, but that requires money. The sun is nowhere to be seen, making the day colder than it has been recently. Starting the ignition, I crank the heat and rub my hands together for warmth. Teagan probably won’t be calling right away, so I put the car in drive and head towards my house. What will we even talk about? Will he bring up yesterday? Will I mention it if he doesn’t? Lost in my thoughts, I startle when my phone begins ringing loudly. Chuckling at myself for being so ridiculous, I answer, putting it on speaker.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Lovely,” Teagan greets me, with what I know is a smile. I canhearit in his voice. “How was the rest of your shift?”
The way he calls me “Lovely” sends shivers up my spine.
“Uneventful,” I tell him. “Which is more than I can say for the rest of the day.”
“Another busy day? How many times did you get asked about turkeys?”
“Hmmm. Let’s see,” I ponder out loud. “I think today was only around half a dozen times, but people were less than friendly about it. I had one old man actually ask me why I didn’t just go to the turkey farm myself and bring some to the store. That was a new one.”
Teagan lets out a playful snort. “Did he want you to kill and dress them too? Or bring them alive?”
“That’s a very good question. He didn’t specify. I’ll ask him next time I see him and let you know.”
“Do that,” he orders. “What are you doing now that you’re free?”
“Heading home to do absolutely nothing for the rest of the day. How about you?”
There’s a heavy sigh followed by the kind of groan someone stretching would make. “Shirking my responsibilities. I should be doing homework before work but made the mistake of turning on the TV.”
“Ah, yes,” I say seriously. “Those tamale commercials are quite riveting. I can see how distracting that would be.”
“You have no idea. I’ve been thinking a lot about tamales since yesterday, actually. I’ve been thinking a lot aboutyesterday in general. Very distracting,indeed.”
