April
It was a silent drive back to my house. I hadn't configured the Bluetooth in the car to my phone yet, but I didn't want to listen to the radio, so I was left to drive in silence. I couldn't believe I had just given my number to a guy I didn't know that well, let alone agree to go out to lunch with him. I know I told myself that I would be bolder once I moved from Moline, but that surge confidence surprised me. My thoughts were interrupted by my buzzing cell phone. It was my sister.
"Hi, Libby."
"Duckie!" I cringed at the nickname. No matter how many time I told my family to stop calling me that, the nickname stuck. "How are things in Seattle? Meet anybody?"
"How many times have I told you not to call me that," I scolded. "The weather here is fine. It's not absurdly hot, but it's not chilly either. Seattle is nothing like Moline. There are so many people here. No, I haven't met anyone yet. I only moved here a few weeks ago. How would I have time to meet someone?" I considered telling her about Jackson but decided against it. Libby would make a huge deal about it and everyone in Moline would know about him in a week. After all, he was just a friend. I pulled up into my driveway and parked. I entered my house and went upstairs to get changed. "Even if I did meet someone, why should I tell you?"
"Because I'm your older sister," Libby retorted, "Anyways, Joseph is getting married and pretty much everyone is invited. That includes you." Shocked, I tripped over the last step and fell. "April! What was that sound?"
"Oh, nothing. I just tripped and dropped my phone." I rubbed my knee as it began to sting. "Joseph, as in, the guy I went to homecoming with and had a major crush on in high school."
"Ugh. You are such a klutz," she groaned, her voice laced with annoyance. "Of course it's homecoming Joseph. What other Joseph is there in Moline?" I rolled my eyes. Of all the weddings I expected to get invited to, Joseph's was not one of them. I turned the speakerphone on and moved towards my closet. I looked at my clothes and decided on a nice, off the shoulder, summer dress with nude flats. "Well if you decide to come, you will need a date. That a problem for you?" My patience with Libby was starting to wear thin. She always had to rub my single status in my face.
"No, it will not be a problem. Jeez, Libby," I chided, "I'm not an acne-prone teenager with braces anymore. I can get myself a date before Joseph's wedding." Crap. I had just implied that I would come. Silently, I facepalmed. My hope of making an excuse to avoid going disappeared.
"That's great April. I'll tell Mom that you're coming and that you're bringing a plus one. She will RSVP for the both of you. The wedding is on October 8th. Make sure your calendar is free for that weekend. Oh, what am I saying? Of course, it is! Bye, sis!"
"Wait! Libby," I yelled out and lunged for my phone, but it was too late. Libby had already hung up. I placed my phone back onto my dresser and rubbed my temples. How would I get a date in a month? My phone buzzed, preventing me from sulking. It had better not be Libby again. I didn't think I could deal with her twice in a day. Instead, it was text from Jackson.
Received: Hey. This is Jackson. I found a restaurant. Pike Place Chowder. 1530 Post Alley. Meet you in 15.
I picked up my phone and crafted a response. Once I was happy with what the text said, I hit send. I put the address into maps. On the way out, I grabbed my sunglasses. I locked the front door and started up my car. I made it to the restaurant with two minutes to spare. Traffic was a little lighter since some people were on summer vacation. I parked and walked towards the entrance with my purse in hand. Jackson stood by the door.
"Jackson," I called out. He looked up and gave me another one of his breathtaking smiles. He was no longer wearing a dress shirt but was instead in a light gray t-shirt with khaki shorts. His shirt showed off his toned biceps and I couldn't stop myself from staring. I jogged over. "Am I late?" I peeked my watch, but Jackson quickly assured me that I was on time. Jackson opened the door for me and I walked through.
"Nice dress," he remarked. I blushed under his gaze and fidgeted with sunglasses. I mentally reminded myself that this wasn't a date, but just a luncheon between two friends. With the back of my hand, I moved my long hair over my shoulder. The ac in the restaurant felt good against my bare shoulders.
"Thanks." My heart started to speed up. I mentally scolded myself for fawning over Jackson. There was no way that a man like him would be interested in a girl like me. The hostess seated us quickly as the lunchtime crowd had died down. As we approached the table, Jackson surged out in front of me and pulled out my chair. "Thanks," I repeated. The hostess placed menus in front of us and a waitress appeared with a notepad in hand.
"Can I get you started with any drinks?" The waitress cast one glance at Jackson and was absolutely smitten.
"One cola please," Jackson requested. The waitress nodded speechlessly. Her gaze was stuck on Jackson and a prickly feeling in my chest arose. She appeared to have forgotten about me. Jackson didn't seem to notice this as he was smiling at me.
"I'll have a glass of water please," I told the waitress, breaking her trance. She left, leaving the two of us alone.
"So," Jackson started, "how do you like Seattle?" He looked at his menu then up to me.
"I only moved here a couple of weeks ago so I haven't really explored the city or gone sightseeing. Seattle is the opposite of Moline. It's such a big city. How do you like Seattle?" I glanced at the menu and decided on what I wanted to eat.
"Seattle is just slightly bigger than Boston so I adjusted pretty quickly. I moved here around a month ago right after I got confirmation that I got the job." Jackson flashed me a smile. "A friend of mine does this thing where she tells five facts about herself to get to know someone. I'll go first. One. I love waffles. You can never have enough of them. Two. I can't cook so I order takeout every day. Three. I hate eating leftovers. It's so depressing to heat up a container and then eat out of it. Don't even get me started on throw pillows. Those things are a waste of fabric. That was four. Hmm. What else? Oh! Five. When I was little, I had an imaginary friend who was half troll, half gremlin. He feasted off the tears of my enemies." I laughed a little nearly choking on the water I was sipping. "Hey, no judgment. Froddo was the best friend a kid could ask for." I placed my cup down.
"Well, for starters, I'll have you know I love throw pillows." Jackson chuckled and took a sip of his cola, his eyes never breaking contact with mine. "I like to watch Oprah and I cry at weddings. I have a dimple on my right cheek." I smiled and pointed at it. "I enjoy photography. Instead of an imaginary gremlin-troll, I had a fish tank, a pet pony, two hamsters, two dogs, and a pet duck as a child." Jackson was shocked by the number of pets I had. "What? I lived on a farm. I love to cook so I don't order takeout nearly as often as you do. All my siblings are married so I'm the only one left who is single. That has to be at least five."
"Why didn't you-," Jackson began, but my phone buzzed. I looked down. It was my mom calling me. I declined.
"Sorry. You were saying."
"You-." Instead of my phone interrupting him, it was the waitress. She arrived and took our orders. Jackson ordered a sandwich. I ordered a salad. My phone buzzed again. My mom was calling me again. It must be important.
"Sorry Jackson. It's my mom. I have to take this."
"No problem," I answered the phone and brought it to my ear. Jackson sipped on his drink and stared at the diners next to us.
"April, sweetie. Libby told me you are coming to Joseph's wedding and that you're bringing a plus one," she squealed. "I'm so happy you finally found someone." I moved my phone from my ear and winced.
"Mom stop squealing. Yes, I am going to Joseph's wedding and I do have a plus one, but that doesn't mean I'm dating him." This piqued Jackson interest.
"Are you going to tell me who this mystery man is or do I have to wait?"
"I'm not telling you who he is. Just be patient and you will see Mom."
"I'm so excited April! This is the first time you will be bringing a guy to Moline. You should stay for the whole weekend. The wedding is on the Sunday before Columbus Day. School should be off for that day. You and your date can stay with us." My mom continued to talk as I started rubbing my forehead wondering what I got myself into. Jackson seemed to be enjoying the conversation.
"Mom," I cut her off, "Again, I'm not dating him and I'm actually out to lunch with somebody right now. Can I call you back later?"
"Ohhh. Are you with your date?"
"Okay. Bye, Mom. I love you." I hung up the phone before she could get any more nonsense in her head. "Sorry about that." Jackson shook his head and said it was no problem. I looked at my lap to fidget with the hem of my dress.
"So," Jackson started, "Who's Joseph?" I looked up and saw that he was genuinely interested.
"Joseph was my homecoming date in high school. I had a major crush on him. I wasn't expecting to get invited to his wedding since I sorta ditched him at the dance."
"Why did you leave him?"
"My older sister, Libby and her friends said something about the two of us and I couldn't handle it so I left."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to pry."
"It's no big deal," I responded with a shrug. The food arrived and I was famished. I started to eat my salad when Jackson caught me mid-chew.
"Why were you being so mysterious about your plus one?" I chewed at a rapid pace and swallowed before I probably should have just so there wasn't an awkward lull in the conversation.
"Uhhh. I originally didn't want to go to the wedding because it would have been awkward, but my sister implied that I wouldn't be able to find a date and I wanted to prove her wrong. I don't know why I did that because now I have a month and a half to find someone who is willing to go to Moline with me and attend this darn wedding."
"So, you weren't giving your mom any hints because you don't even know yourself." A mischievous look appeared in Jackson's eyes. I stabbed a piece of lettuce with my fork.
"Yeah. I really don't want to go back because everyone has settled down and started a family and I haven't, so whoever I bring is going to be the talk of the town of ages. You know, gossip spreads like wildfire in small towns."
"I get that," Jackson started. "My mom is always up in my business. She is always bugging me about my love life. She keeps pressuring me for a grandchild." He picked up his sandwich and took a huge bite out of it.
"That's cute. I don't have that issue. All my sisters are married and have children. They got married young so everyone is wondering why I haven't settled down yet. I keep telling them that I haven't found the right guy yet, but they think that I'm afraid of commitment. My parents are a little worried that I'll end up alone." I looked up from my salad. "Sorry. I didn't mean to get all deep like that and spoil the mood."
"No, it's fine. What happens if you can't find a date in time?"
"I guess I would have to go alone and disappoint everyone."
"Well, if you can't find anyone to go with you by the end of September, I'm down to go." I dropped my fork and scanned Jackson's face. He was serious. I let out a nervous chuckle. "I'm serious April. I understand what it's like to have your whole life under observation. My mom does it to me every time she visits. I'm willing to sacrifice a weekend to save a friend from scrutiny. I'll have you know I'm quite the gentleman." He winked at me. Imagining Jackson in Moline was hilarious. A city boy living on a farm for a couple of days. He was nice and genuine and very easy on the eyes. "It's like you said April. You don't have to be dating your plus one. You can bring a friend."
"I'll think about it." To me, it was a simple solution to my problem. The start of school was soon approaching and my work was beginning to pile up. Taking Jackson to Joseph's wedding would allow me to focus solely on work and Jackson would definitely show Libby that I could find a date.