The next morning I wake up groggy and wrapped in a blanket. I check the clock beside my bed and see that it's only 6:15 in the morning, but instead of falling back to sleep I take a shower to get ready for the day. Then I slip on red and white, vertical striped capris and a black short sleeve shirt tucked in. I'm sure Elsa won't be pleased that I'm wearing pants but if I'll be moving all day then I must be comfortable.
To give me an extra boost of confidence I curl my hair into thick ringlets and put a jewel clip in. Last, I slip on flats and quickly do my make up. Since it's my first day I figure I need to impress everyone so I put on a dab of red lipstick so it looks natural, some kohl liner, and mascara.
I glance at the clock and realize I still have an hour, so I whip up breakfast in the tiny kitchen. However, I notice there's no eggs so I run out to the trailer next door to borrow some. While waiting for an answer at the door I realize this must be Lobster Boy's trailer since there's claws painted on it. A minute later the door is still closed and I can't hear anything inside, so I figure it'd be okay to quietly walk in and take the egg; after all, my aunt owns this place.
I knock once more to give him a chance but I suppose he's still asleep. When I finally gather the courage to sneak inside I slowly twist the knob and find it unlocked. Then the door creeks and I step inside. I hear strange noises but ignore them to retrieve an egg. While gently shutting the door behind me I accidentally knock something off the counter. When I spin to pick it up I see something I wasn't prepared for.
Lobster Boy is leaning over his bed, with his back to me, while pumping his arm into something. I notice legs spread apart and dangling off the side of the mattress. Loud moans fill the room and I'm positive they're feminine. "Oh yes! Faster Darling!" A voice demands and now I have an idea of what's happening. Luckily, neither of them spots me but I push my luck and head for the refrigerator.
I tip toe towards it and nearly make it until I trip over a shoe and land face first on his floor. As I stand up and brush the dirt off me I remember that I'm in someone else's home. I'm faced with the shocked face of a woman who is trying to straighten her skirt and the surprisingly calm face of Lobster Boy. I try to explain myself but am embarrassed so I begin to stutter. "I-uh… I'm sorry I wa-"
The woman who Jimmy was pleasuring stands up and cuts me off. "Jimmy! You said no one would know!" she whines as she hits his chest. "I want my money back!" she yells with one hand on her hip and the other fixing her messy hair.
I furrow my brows at her demand. Money? "Darlin' I didn't know someone was going to break in. Relax, she works here. She ain't gonna tell anyone. Isn't that right, Miss…" he trails off when he realizes we haven't formally met. Then he raises his eyebrows at me, indicating to go with the story.
"Ye-yeah. I'm new to town anyways. I won't say a word," I mumble while looking at the ground. This is mortifying.
After all the pleading, the lady scoffs and grabs her purse. "Yeah right. Keep the money. You sure need it," she growls and then stomps out of the trailer leaving me awkwardly tugging on my curls.
Instead of staying for an uncomfortable introduction, I try to escape while he picks up the things the woman threw at him. Unfortunately he's smarter than I am because he grabs my bicep before I can take off. "Wait, please let me explain," he begs with worry in his eyes.
"No, no. It's my fault. I was just coming to borrow an egg. I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have invaded your space."
"It's fine. I pleasure bored housewives on the side for extra cash. You wouldn't believe the amount of women who are desperate for my touch." I crinkle my forehead to his response. What's so special about him? But then he lifts his hands up and it suddenly makes sense. Both of his hands are deformed; the pointer and middle finger are conjoined and the ring and pinky fingers are the same, which leaves him with three fingers on each hand- a thumb and two large ones. Thus, making it perfect for fingering women. "You didn't know?" he asks with concern. I shake my head and he chuckles. "They don't call me Lobster Boy for nothin'." I open my mouth to tell him I'm leaving but he interrupts me. "I'm Jimmy Darling. Maybe I could give ya a free session sometime," he winks and then smiles, which reveals a dimple.
I chuckle but shake my head and widen my eyes. How is he so blunt? "Clementine Murray," I mumble while forcing a grin. For some reason he looks taken back and he actually stays quiet. "Well, I must be running. I'll see you at 10:00," I say and the run out.
When I make it back in my trailer I realize I didn't even get the eggs I needed. Instead of fussing with breakfast I head to the main tent to check everything out before the crew arrives. An hour later the bickering of two females startles me. I try to eavesdrop and realize it is Bette and Dot. Instead of bothering them I decide to organize backstage before Elsa appears so I can impress her.
Fifteen minutes later I can barely hear my own thoughts with the roar seeping from the audience area. I walk from behind stage to see what the ruckus is about and show up at the worst time. "You're a sorry son of a bitch!" Jimmy yells at Dell. I think of something to interject but am stopped by Amazon Eve.
She whispers, "Don't get involved. These two love to argue. Besides, Dell was being a jerk to Meep. Meep is like Jimmy's little brother. No one hurts him without goin' through Jimmy." I look up at her and nod. We all watch until the familiar click of heels walks through the tent opening.
"What is going on?" My aunt yells in her questionable accent.
Immediately, we all scurry to our proper positions and try to avoid her wrath. Apparently, Elsa doesn't take mistreatment from anyone, including me. "What are you waiting for? Start reversal!" She then trots backstage to me and throws her arm around my waist. "Oh Clem, I'm so happy to have you here!"
I smile at her and then she begins to show me how to do my job. After an hour I understand and am able to do it in my own. We take a lunch break so I walk towards my little home when a unique hand grabs my wrist. "Can we talk?" Jimmy asks in a monotone voice but still raises an eyebrow.
I dip my brows and squint my eyes. "Uh, sure. What about?" Instead of answering my question Jimmy drags me to his trailer. When we enter I actually believe for a moment that he may rape me, but then I realize he's not stupid or heartless enough. "Are you going to tell me why I'm here?" I demand while rolling my eyes.
"Take a seat," he insists with a smile. I plop on his leather couch and take a deep breath. "Drink?" he asks while mixing some sort of cocktail. I shake my head no and tap my foot rapidly. Finally, he sits next to me and hands me some sort of beverage, even though I declined his offer.
"So, Jimmy, what's the problem?" I place the alcohol on his coffee table and sit up straight.
He takes a long sip of his whiskey and leans back. "I'm not sure how to start this. Hm. Well, when I was younger I was naïve and foolish. I let a great girl slip from me. Even worse, I thought about her all the time but didn't have the courage to contact her. Why? Because I was a coward." He pauses and lifts his hands up. "I was afraid she wouldn't like these. I was afraid of love." He trails off while staring at the wall. I'm still unsure as to what he's referring to but I nod along so he knows in listening. "That girl...that girl is you, Clementine Murray." I open mouth to object but he continues. "I'm Jimmy Radford," he insists as he stands up. I stay quiet because I'm in shock and unsure what to say about this. "This," he opens a small box stuffed with papers, "is every single letter you've ever written to me. I've kept them all Clementine."
When he finished I still am at a loss for words, which only aids to the uncomfortable air. What do I do? What do I say? He admitted he loved me, but why did he write me? More importantly, do I forgive him? "Why did you write me recently?" I ask with my arms across my chest.
He exhales deeply as if he's preparing for a long speech. "The other day I was working my side job and the woman asked if I wanted a Clementine. I...I haven't even hear anyone mention that word since I stopped writing you. I-I suddenly remembered every letter we wrote and how much I loved you. I know that's a stupid reason but I'm sorry Clem, I really am. I just-" he rubs his forehead and cuts himself off.
I furrow my brows and stare at him. He is really attractive with his big cheeks that form a wide smile that allows his dimple to make an appearance. And his muscular arms that flex whenever he attempts to use his hands, or his piercing black eyes that seem to have no end. Jimmy also always smells musky and his hair is messy but in a bad boy way. Overall, I'm absolutely attracted to him. I don't even pay his hands any mind. In fact, ever since I found out what he can do with them they seem like a blessing. "Jimmy..." I touch his cheek with my hand. "I... I don't know wha-" I rack my brain for the right thing to say but hit dead ends because I'm not sure if I even forgive him.
He frowns and turns red. "I knew you wouldn't accept me! No girl can! All the want is a finger fuck and then never see me again!" Then he stands up and paces in a circle.
"Jimmy. I don't care about your hands. It's not that all. I just...don't know if I can forgive you," I murmur and switch my hair from side to side.
I look up and see his face flushed and a pout form on his lips. "Why?" he asks with wide eyes.
"Jimmy, you stopped talking to me for seven years! How am I supposed to just pick up and start from the same spot? You gave no explanation! I thought you were dead at one point! God Jimmy, do you know how selfish that was? I loved you so much! You broke my sixteen year old heart!" I feel tension building up in my eyes and I know I have to leave before I begin to cry, so I stand up to walk out.
Of course, Jimmy grabs my forearm and spins me to face him. "Clementine, I'm so sorry. I know I was such a jerk for doing that to you. I was so afraid. I was so in love with you. I figured once you saw my hands you wouldn't like me, so I chose to save myself from heartbreak. That was selfish- I know that now." I look into his eyes and know he's being sincere. We both stay quiet for a while until Jimmy leans in and closes his eyes. He swoops in for a kiss but move out of the way.
"I can't forgive you Jimmy." Uttering those words is the hardest thing I've done but it's for the best. He assumed I was like every girl. He uses me when he needs me, and I won't allow that. "I'm sorry," I mutter as I step out of his trailer.
Later that night I eat dinner in my mobile home to avoid Jimmy. While munching on a burger I hear a knock at the door. Instead of opening it I yell come in and hope it's not Jimmy. Luckily, it's Elsa. "What's wrong my niece? Why are you here and not with everyone else. Surely it's not because you think you're better than them, right?"
I put down my hamburger and wipe my face. "Goodness no, Auntie! It's not that at all...I love them all. They're sweet and just like anybody else. It's just-"
Elsa cuts me off, as usual since she has no patience. "It's just what darling? You don't feel well? What?"
I inhale and exhale loudly to prepare for the reveal of a lifetime. "Jimmy Radford. He-"
She gasps. "He wrote you again?"
"No, he...he's here." I pause for her input.
"What! Where?" she yells and clutches her robe.
"He's Jimmy Darling" I confess while taking another bite of my dinner.
"What!" she screams as she stomps her foot. "I swear I'm going to beat that boy!"
I nearly choke on my meal when she heads to the door. I jump out of my seat and block her. "Elsa, please! We talked. He said he feared I wouldn't accept his hands. He was being a coward- for right reasons, but I told him I can't forgive him." I frown but reassure her I'm fine.
"He's a trouble maker anyways, love. He's always breaking hearts. And if you don't know about his side job-" she chuckles but I cut her off.
"I do. I don't care. I want nothing to do with him outside work."
"Well don't hide away in here, darling. Jimmy doesn't usually eat dinner with us anyways." She then walks out in her silk robe.
"Do I look okay, Auntie?" I twirl in a circle to show her my outfit for my date with Dandy. I'm wearing a white quarter sleeve shirt with blue embroidery, a bright red skirt that hits mid-calf, and black mary janes. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and tied a blue ribbon around the hair-tie. I check the mirror and touch up my lipstick and make sure my mascara and eyeliner is still fresh. Once I get the approval from Elsa, I grab my purse and head out.
"Are you sure you don't need a ride sweetie?" My aunt asks for the tenth time.
"The dinner isn't more than two miles away and it's not even sunset. I'll be alright." She then kisses my cheek and shoos me out of the tent.
On way to the road Eve and Ma Petite stop me. "You look gorgeous!" Ma Petite squeaks and hugs my leg. I blush and smile when Eve compliments me as well.
I'm just about to thank them when someone cuts me off. "She does look gorgeous, don't she?" The voice I didn't want to hear- Jimmy. I feel my cheeks burn from the attention but thank him anyways. "Where you off to Clementine?" Jimmy asks while following me to the road.
"The diner," I mumble.
"Need company?"
I turn around to tell him off when I see his smile. It's so genuine and contagious. "Uh, no thanks."
"Well, at least let give ya a ride" he demands while pointing to his motorcycle.
"No thank you. I'll walk." I speed up to get far away from him.
"Please, I insist!" he says while grabbing my wrist.
By now I'm fed up with him so I snap. "I don't want a ride! I have a date!" Then I keep walking and don't dare to look back.
During my walk I take out the paper Dandy gave me and make sure I'm headed in the right direction. I arrive twenty minutes early so I use the telephone booth outside the restaurant. "Hello?" My mother yells into the phone being most likely drunk.
"Mother! I miss you so much!" I squeal. Although she is a pain, she's all I have and supports me no matter what.
"Clementine! How are you my dear?" she slurs.
"I'm fine. I'm actually at a diner waiting for my date," I mumble into the receiver incase Dandy's around.
Of course, my mother screams of joy and I can also see her dancing around. "That's wonderful Clementine! Tell me about him!"
I hear a car door slam and turn around to see Dandy. "Another time, Mother. He's here! I have to go. I love you." I hang up before she can protest and then wait in the booth to pretend I haven't spotted him.
"Why hello Clementine. I'm so glad you made it." Dandy says with a smile as I look up from a book I brought with me.
"I thought for a bit that you wouldn't make it yourself Dandy," I chuckle as I shove the novel into my purse.
"Nonsense." He says as he extends his arm for me to latch onto. I stand up and he immediately gawks at my appearance. "My goodness, Clementine. You look absolutely stunning." I instantly know my cheeks are crimson red but I smile anyways.
"Thank you," I breathe out and take in his appearance. He's wearing a navy suit with a white button down shirt underneath and a white handkerchief tucked in the pocket. Suddenly, I feel extremely underdressed. "You look great as well, Dandy."
Then he takes my hand and leads me inside where I'm shocked to see the entire place empty and a corner decorated with candles, special tablecloths and wine. "Have a seat beautiful. Heaven knows you're worth it."
