Chapter Eleven: Blue Eyes and Pumpkin Patch
Josh woke up to the familiar buzzing of his alarm. 10:30pm to 4:30am, a whole six hours of sleep, just like he promised her. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept that long without interruption. Josh smiled and shook his head. She had been right, of course she had been right, he felt energized and well-rested, and he could only hope that she would feel the same way too when she woke up.
Turning his bedside light on and fiddling through his backpack, he grabbed one of his Tort Law books and decided to peruse through it. After about 20 minutes, he tossed the book unceremoniously onto the floor and wandered into the kitchen. He wasn't sure what he was quite in the mood for, Lucky Charms or Coco Puffs. The milk in his fridge had just a few more days before it expired, so he figured he should try and finish it so it didn't go to waste. He ended up having a bowl of each cereal while drinking his coffee, and watching CNN, which focused on several Soviet republics declaring their independence from the U.S.S.R. Tossing his empty cereal bowl in the sink, Josh padded down the hallway to take a hot shower. It was the last day of September, and early mornings and late evenings were accompanied by cold weather, so he was feeling a little chill run through his body.
Once he had showered, Josh threw on some jeans and a flannel shirt, packed up his backpack with his Tort books, and headed out the door to Cabbot's. It didn't really take Josh a long time to figure out which of Donna's favorite drinks he should get her that morning. He chose the large Caramel Macchiato, since it had caffeine in it, and he didn't want her to be tired. The Apple Cider, he thought, would be a nice treat to get her one night during her shift at Cabbot's, or on their first date. Or both. Probably both. Definitely both. Only 18 more days of work, and then they could have their first date together in the park. Josh had never been one for patience, so the waiting game was tough for him, but he would wait forever for her.
"What name should I put on the drink, sir?" The barista asked. Josh had never met this guy before. He was just glad that it wasn't Sean. He was pretty sure he would screw up a Caramel Macchiato or any other drink for that matter.
Josh grinned and looked at the barista, "Blue Eyes."
"Ahhh, must be a coffee for a special someone."
Josh still had the grin on his face. He really couldn't help it. Doing anything for Donna made him happy, but what made him even more happy was the fact that he was going to see her in about fifteen minutes. "Yeah, someone special," was all Josh could manage to say.
"Hey Josh! What are you doing here so early?" Cody asked as he walked around the corner.
"Cody, hi. I'm ahh getting a coffee, ya know like any normal person. Don't you normally work Monday nights with Donna?"
"Oh I'm doing a split shift today. Not getting your normal drip coffee? Wait, does this say "Blue Eyes" Caramel Macchiato? Awwww this is for Donna, isn't it?" Cody couldn't help but smile and wink at Josh.
"Wait. What? Do you mean our Donna? Donna that works here? Donna's got a guy?" The other barista asked in a somewhat shocked voice.
"Yes, Jason. Our Donna has a guy."
"And this is the guy?!"
"Yes, this is the guy."
"Well lucky guy."
"Go make the drink, and make it extra good, since it's Donna's."
The other barista walked off, looking just a little too disappointed for Josh's liking.
"Josh, as you can see, Donna has a fan club."
"I'm not surprised. She's ummm, well ya know. She's . . ." Josh was stumbling for words.
"Amazing?"
"That doesn't even begin to describe her."
Cody smiled. "Don't worry about the fan club, Josh. You think she gives anyone else who walks through here free coffee and lasagna?"
"Well, she did give my dog a free puppuccino."
They both chuckled a little at that. "Alright, maybe you have a little competition from your yellow lab. She did gush about him a little."
"CARAMEL MACCHIATO FOR BLUE EYES!" Came a voice from the coffee bar.
"That's me," Josh laughed, handing Cody $5.00. "You can keep the change. See you later."
"Thanks Josh, say hi to Donna for me and ya know, her fan club. Bye!"
Josh rolled his eyes, "I will tell her you said hi" . . . "But I'm not passing along any message from her fan cub," Josh mumbled that last part as he walked out of Cabbot's.
Josh waited on the steps outside the Ralph Mayer Learning Center. He was there for about two minutes when he saw her walking towards him. He jumped up from the steps and met her halfway. Smiling, he took in her appearance: a cute little blue floral pattern dress with tights, a denim jacket, brown short boots, and that little gray beanie hat he had seen her wear before, she had on matching mittens. Her hair was pulled back in a braid, a black art portfolio bag was slung over her left shoulder. She was absolutely adorable.
"Good morning Donnatella."
"Joshua," she said with a beaming smile. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked in the morning. Hell, he thought she looked beautiful all the time, but early in the morning, not long after she had woken up, she just shined.
"I brought you a coffee, as promised. Caramel Macchiato. I thought about the Apple Cider, but uhh, ya know caffeine so, yah- Caramel Macchiato won."
She took the coffee from his hands and closed her eyes as she inhaled the flavor of her drink, reveling in the heat. Mmmm, smells good. Thank you Pumpkin Patch."
"Welcome Blue Eyes," he said with a smirk.
"Blue Eyes, aye?" She said as she tilted her head, smiling brightly.
"Mmmmhmmm, that's what your drink says. So it must be your name."
She looked at the cup and smiled, "Is that my nickname now?"
"That's your nickname. Jacob calls Daniella that, so it only makes sense that I call you that," Josh said as he referred back to their chalkboards from the day before.
"Does Daniella call Jacob Pumpkin Patch?" She asked playfully.
"She sure does, but Jacob has no idea why."
"Well, a little mystery never hurt Jacob. But, he is quite the detective, I'm sure he will figure it out."
"Oh, he will get to the bottom of it, trust me Donnatella."
"I trust you Josh. But Josh?"
"Yes?"
"It's 52 degrees out."
"Uhhhh, is it?"
"It is."
"Ahh-kay . . ."
"Joshua?"
"Yes?"
"Where is your jacket?"
"Ummm, I uhh, left it at home."
"Why is it at home?"
"Uhh, I left it there."
"Yeah I got that. WHY did you leave it there?"
"Because I never packed it when I moved into my apartment."
"Wait. You mean your jacket isn't even at your apartment? It's at your home-home? As in your parents house in Westport?"
"Ummm something like that, yeah." He said as he began rubbing the back of his neck, voice becoming a little more high-pitched.
"Joshua David Lyman!" He knew that tone, and was coming to learn that most of the time she used his full name, that he was in some sort of trouble. He loved when she got on his case and lectured him. He couldn't help the twitch that came over the right side of his mouth as he tried to suppress a smile. She saw it anyway.
"You better not be smiling Joshua. What am I going to do with you?"
"I didn't smile!"
"Yes, you did. You're holding it back! I saw that quiver."
"What did I do?" He asked, feigning ignorance. He knew she was going to get on him about not wearing a jacket.
"You know what you did. Or rather what you didn't do. You didn't wear a jacket. Josh! It's cold outside and you have wet hair. I don't want you getting sick! Here, hold this," she said as she handed him her drink. He did as asked. Curious as to what she would do next.
She took off her beanie and pushed back the stray blonde hairs. Taking her hat in both hands, she started to efficiently dry his hair. He closed his eyes and wrinkled his nose, but her motions quickly began to feel like an affectionate scalp massage, and he soon let himself lean his head forward into her touch. He felt her thumbs lightly rub his temples, but it was over too soon when she whispered, "I have to go to class now."
He couldn't help himself. He brushed her stray hairs behind her ears, "K," he said as he handed her back her coffee. They were so close that their noses were almost touching. The urge to kiss her was becoming too strong. He stepped away just a little, knowing all too well that he would have given in to that urge had he stayed there for five seconds more.
"Thank you for my coffee," she said shyly, giving him a radiant smile.
"Thank you for drying my hair."
"I don't want you to get sick Josh."
"You would have to take care of me, if I got sick . . ." he said mischievously.
"Yupp. So that would mean no coffee and no blueberry muffins for you."
"Donnnnna. That's not fair. Those things would make me feel better if I were sick."
"Starting the whining early on a Monday morning, aren't you?"
"Donna you can't take carbs and coffee away from me. They're my lifeline."
"Then don't get sick, Joshua. Wear a jacket."
"K, I will wear a jacket."
"Thank you."
"Welcome. Oh, I was supposed to tell you that Cody says hi. Your fan club too, but I'm not passing that message along."
"I think you just did, and what Fan Club?"
"The gomers at Cabbot's."
"Gomers?"
"Yeah gomers. All those guys who want a date with you."
"Are you a gomer, Josh? Should I be worried?" she asked playfully.
"No, no. I am gomer defense. I keep them away from you. Gomer Protector."
She bit her lower lip, "Well, you're sweet. But I will have you know that those gomers are harmless and you have no need to worry."
"Yeah?" He asked with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah," she said with a little laugh. "Plus, I like dimples, guys with yellow labs, and pumpkin patch hair," she said as she started to back away, a wide grin on her face.
"Yeah?!" he asked excitedly.
"Yeah Josh. And it's a total bonus if they buy me coffee too," she said with a wink.
"Wait, what's pumpkin patch hair?"
"Bye Josh!"
"Donna, you aren't gonna ya know, go and and paint a naked handsome Heathcliff looking model right now, are you?"
"Oh Josh, no."
"K, good."
"That's tomorrow's class!" She said as she laughed.
"Donnnnnnna!" he whined.
"Bye Josh!"
He was speechless. She was perfect. Absolutely perfect. All he could do was shake his head, smile, and walk to class.
