Chapter11
As they walked over to the hill to watch the fireworks Janet was amazed how many people actually were there. It seemed as if the entire town turned out. It had been years since Janet had seen fire works at the park. Usually she would sneak out to the loading dock for the finale. Somewhere inside her she was getting excited. Her step quickened and Pizza Girl smiled.
Eddie had grabbed the bag with the lap top and video equipment. Janet had the bags from Sully's and Pizza Girl carried the blanket for sitting on. Her plan was working perfectly.
The trio found a spot on the hill and settled down. Eddie helped connect Phil to the fireworks as Janet set up the blanket and snacks. The four of them watched families, friends and lovers arrive. Eddie noticed a sadness come over Janet as she watched parents with children settle down, play, and laugh.
"Hey Eddie could you get the girls some Good Humor for me?" Phil asked via lap top.
"You got it buddy." Answered Eddie hopping up and heading to the line at the Ice Cream truck. There was no need to take orders. Pizza Girl pretty much lived with them and had been doing their shopping and Janet…. Well he knew Janet better than he knew himself.
Janet watched Eddie walk away with the longing of a woman still in love. Phil watched all of this thanks to his girlfriend's helmet camera. He was surprised when her gaze looked up at a stranger.
"Hey dart-man!" she said getting up. "How's things."
"Good, wow, you look great" he said giving her a friendly hug. "Smell good too."
"Thanks" answered Janet blushing.
"You girls here alone?" asked the stranger from March's girl's night. Janet never bothered to learn his name even though he came in nearly every week.
"No." announced Phil in his most stern voice.
"What the?" dart-man said in a shocked tone. Turning his attention away from those he perceived as weird and back toward Janet. "Mind if I join you?" he asked as he sat himself down.
"Yes I do. I'm here with my friends and we'd just like to spend the evening with just the four of us." Janet replied.
"Four? I see two beautiful women and some psycho on a computer. I think I'll stay."
"No." said Eddie approaching from behind. "You will leave us now." He added sternly. He had been watching exchange from the truck and even though he couldn't hear them he knew that Janet was uncomfortable and when the guy started talking to the computer he knew he crossed a line that Phil didn't like. Eddie arrived with the most intimidating stance he could muster while carrying 3 ice creams.
"Eddie, I'm sorry I thought Janet was available." Dart-man hopped up off the blanket. "I, I, I heard you two broke up. I was hoping to get a chance at one of your ex's."
Eddie handed the sitting Pizza-Girl her choco-taco and took a step toward Janet who was still standing. They were standing less than a foot apart. Eddie reached out offering Janet her Fudgesicle and looking in her eyes he said, "That's up to Janet. Would you like to spend the evening with him?"
Janet returned his gaze, closed the gap between them and took her ice cream. "No. This is where I plan to spend my evening." Then turning her attention to their intruder she finished. "I believe I already told you I was spending the evening with my friends." And as if to emphasize the point she sat down.
Pizza Girl smiled and looked down at Phil and Phil smiled back.
"Good Night" Eddie added sarcastically as he sat next to Janet. Dart man had no choice but to walk away.
