Cherry - S01 E37

Story 1 year ago

Cherry - S01 E37

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 37

Surprised, I asked, "You could see me?!"

Cherry said, "No, last night I didn't know you were there. I just

figured it out now." Even more surprised I asked, "How?"

She explained, "You said that Olivia's parents were conservative. I never told you that. There's only one way you would know that..." I said, "I'm really sorry. Are you mad?"

Cherry said, "No, don't be sorry, I'm not mad. It's actually kind of funny. So, did you leave as soon as you saw her there or did you watch us?" Her tone was teasing and she sounded sure she already knew the answer.

"I'm a little embarrassed to say that I couldn't leave; I had to stay." Cherry laughed and asked, "Remember that reward for your attention to detail that I owe you?"

"Yeah?"

She said, "Well, consider that debt paid!"

I joked, "Hey! That's not fair: you didn't know you were rewarding mel That doesn't count!"

She asked, "Were you surprised?"

"Yes.."

"Did you enjoy it?" she asked further.

"Yes.." I admitted.

She said, "Debt paid!"

I gave a well defeated sigh and said, "You're right that is fair. In fact, that was so hot, think I might owe you now...

Cherry laughed and agreed, "You're darn right you do!"

"Me and my big mouth..." I said. "Can you do me one favor though: don't tell Olivia?"

She said, "Knowing her, she'd probably think it was funny, too. But I won't tell her."

"Why on Earth would SHE find it funny?" I asked.

She explained, For one, she isn't at all shy about her body. And,

because you came over to spend time with me and had to sit

outside and watch her spend time with me instead. She loves irony like that." I nodded and said, "Yeah, when you put it that way, It is pretty funny..."

Our coffee was served to us and we barely took notice, content in just the conversation and spending time together. We were excited about having the night to ourselves again and began trying to figure out what do. Cherry said that she was feeling adventurous and wanted to do something that had an element of 'danger' to it. But it was up to me to come up with the idea, that was how I had to 'repay her for watching her and Olivia last night.

I was still brainstorming on an idea when it was time to go so she could start getting ready for the game. Fortunately, her cheerleading uniform was in her locker at school. She went inside to change and meet with the other girls while I sat in the car thinking about the night's plans.

A few ideas were coming to mind, but nothing seemed just right". She wanted something adventurous and with an element of danger, but I also wanted to make sure it was relatively safe (meaning we wouldri't get caught/arrested), too. I was deep in thought when I noticed the parking lot was starting to fill with cars and people were lining up at the gate.

I got out of the car and, as i suspected, Cherry was coming over to get me. She escorted me through the gate as she did the week before and the ticket guy didn't even look at us this time. I took the same spot as I had the week before so I could watch Cherry during the game and continued brainstorming as they went through mostly the same routine of welcoming the football team on the field.

Moments after the kickoff, a familiar voice came from my right.

"I see you are back again. Did you ever get that coffee," he asked. I turned to look and was not surprised to see my "buddy". "Oh, hey.

'Jim', right?" I said.

Jim nodded and asked, "Was it Dan?"

"David," I corrected.

He said, "Oh, right. So, how about it: did she meet you for coffee or what?"

I said, "Yeah, we sure did."

Not accepting minimal answers he asked, "And-how'd it go?"

I said, "It was great. We are going out again after the game."

"You're fucking lying!?" he asked in disbelief. I said simply and matter-of-fact, "I'm not."

Jim said, "Shit: got to hand it to you-you have skills!" I just shrugged my shoulder like it was nothing.

We continued making small talk; mostly he was making the conversation-i was just answering him. He got around to asking me what I do for work and I told him that I was a firefighter from the next town over.

Jim said, "Oh, that's pretty cool. Did you hear about that accident a few weeks ago with the lady and her kid that got hit by a big rig?" I clammed up a bit but answered, "Yeah. I heard about it."

He said, "Yeah, man; that was pretty fucked up. But I hear they have a plan to fix that intersection now. Did you hear about that?" I replied, "Yeah. I heard that, too." Not wanting to continue the

subject, I asked, "So, what do you do?"

Jim said, "I'm a security guard."

I looked at him and said, "Yeah, I can see you as a security guard."

Jim said, "I'm not a mall cop, though. I work at the trucking distribution center a few miles from here. It's a pretty cool job. I usually work the midnight shift so, there isn't really a lot going on- I just do my own thing and no one messes with me. Trucks come in and, because the place is pretty much locked down, sometimes the drivers just park it and leave until morning. Or they opt to sleep in the back of the cab. Either way, it means a peaceful night for me."

I said, "That sounds like a pretty cushy job. You are working after the game, then?"

He said, "No, not tonight. Another guy is covering for me. But he's a bit of a slacker. He is always asleep at the desk. This school's marching band could practice in there tonight and I'd bet he wouldn't notice."

I shook my head and said, "Yeah, some people are like that: no pride in their work. What can you do?"

Jim continued talking but I was only half listening: a light had turned on in my head. I could take Cherry there and we could do some sneaking around or something. The more I thought about it, the better my plan became. Before long. I had a great idea that promised to bring every element Cherry requested and I found I couldn't wait for the game to end.

The game was a much tougher battle for the home team that week and I groaned with feelings of torture as it went into overtime. Eventually the game ended with Cherry's school squeaking out a win and we were soon free to go.

On the way to Olivia's house, I told Cherry she would need to go home and grab a change of clothes and put them in her overnight bag (without her Mom's knowledge, of course). And the darker the clothes, the better. She asked if we were going to a heavy metal concert to which I scoffed and only replied with 'you'll see'. We pulled up to Olivia's place and Cherry ran down the road to her home to get the requested apparel while I waited there for her. Olivia invited me in, her tone much more accepting of me now.

Olivia said, "I want to apologize to you."

I asked, "Apologize? For what?"

She said, "I've been a real bitch towards you. You didn't deserve that. I'm sorry."

I said, "Don't give it another thought, honestly. Believe it or not, I get how you felt."

She said, "Cherry said she told you about us-her and me- especially about me-you know. Are you really ok with me being..."

her words trailed off as though she couldn't finish saying it. I asked, "You mean a lesbian?"

"SHHHH!" Olivia looked around reflexively, clearly nervous.