Part Eleven [I] When I'm done here on my knees [/I]
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Have you ever looked up at the stars?
I mean REALLY looked at them. Not just a general passing by, 'oh yes, that's nice' and then moving on, but really studying them. Scrutinizing their every aspect, and wondering at the secrets in which they hold. Watching them twinkle down mysteriously at you, almost as if they hold something, almost if they know something that you don't.
It's weird.
I'm still standing on this balcony, leaning against the railing for support, and staring relentlessly up at the sky.
Do you want to know why?
Max just left. Actually he left quite a while ago. I ignore the little pang I feel at the thought of him leaving, and focus on the really weird thing. When he had hugged me, it was like.
It was like.it was like I saw stars. And not just because I was looking upwards either. I had my eyes CLOSED thank you very much. Was it the old cliché that I often hear, about sparks shooting, and stars flying at contact with a certain someone? Or was it something else?
I shake myself. I'm probably just sleep deprived. I DO feel tired. Crying does that to you.
A wave of irritation washes over me. I'm still pissed at myself for letting Isabel get to me. Still angry that I cared so much about such a trivial thing, and wondering why.
All I know is that I am sick of living like this. Always cowering in my shell, in my pathetic self. Not for the first time, I wish I were different. I wish I could just tell off whoever pissed me off and not worry about what they would do to me. I wish I didn't have to be so afraid all the time.
And you know who made me realize this?
Isabel.
Wait, wait. I know what you're saying.
"WHAT!?"
And no, before you ask, I didn't fall of the bed and hit my head, nor did I get into Uncle J's liquor cabinet (its amazing the things you find behind locked doors.)
But it's true. For some cock-brained reason the whole non-thing with Isabel last night made me realize this (several angry tears later, and after some serious contemplation)
I scowl as memories of earlier come back, and I wonder why I was so sensitive.
I sigh, and then do what I always do.
Blame it on PMS. Which, in my humble opinion, is the only perk of going through the 'wonders of womanhood.' Stress the word ONLY. I mean, seriously. What God had against Eve, I'll never know.
But whatever. I'm tired of thinking tonight. This past evening as been a tumult of emotion for me, culminating in utter confusion and fascination with Max's visit.
Max.
I smile despite myself. Suddenly I'm eager to get to sleep, for the first time in my life. Perhaps I will dream of happy things this time. Perhaps.
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"Order up!" Alex barks out in an irritated tone.
What the hell? Cheerful lil Alex? Mr. Grin Grin? He's pissed off today?
Well slap the horse and call me silly. (har har. I've so got these small town funnies down.)
I walk over to the grill and pick up the plate. Giving Alex a "look" I ask, "Alex? Are you ok?"
He sighs exasperatingly. "I'm working a sweltering grill when its ninety- nine degrees outside Liz. How the heck do you think I feel? Peachy keen?"
Ok, first of all, its ninety-EIGHT out, and second, what are we, back in the eighties? Peachy keen?
Well it's Alex. So I guess it's justified.
Hmm, I would believe his sarcasm if it weren't for the telltale looks he keeps shooting behind me. Turning around to see what's got Alex's boxers in a bunch, I see what's REALLY wrong.
Isabel's playing kissy face with some guy. My bewilderment grows. Wait a minute. I thought she and Alex were.
"God, could they BE anymore blatant?" Alex grumbles to himself.
Maria stalks up. I can see she's still fuming over Michael, and I know that the fact that he just walked in with Max wont help her mood any.
Duck I say, and take cover.
Max smiles slightly at me, and I give a small wave back. Oh, the joys of being pleasant. What? I know how to be pleasant. Um, or least I think I do.
Anyways.
Maria looks from my confused face to Alex's gloomy one. Then she glances over and sees Isabel and that guy. She snorts and shakes her head, giving Alex a sympathetic look.
Can I say huh?
I missed something. But then what else is new?
Obviously just seeing my confounded look isn't enough for Maria and Alex. Guess I should voice it. "Hey. What's going on? Who [I]is[/I] that guy?"
'That guy' is referring to the twenty some looking dude with a crew cut and cheap cologne.
Ok, ok. So I'm not exactly close enough to smell the guy (and if I were, I don't think I would want to) but he just seems like that type.
Did the air just get nasty in here, or is it just me? Rraw, draw back in your claws kitty. Normally I try and steer clear of what people always do to me (i.e. judge unfairly) but give me a break here. For Alex's hurt face, I think I can make an exception for pretty boy over there.
Maria snorts again. I'm wondering if I should tell her that that could severely damage her nostrils. But I don't. You know how I feel about deliberately provoking Maria's evil eye. You just don't DO that. It's unhealthy. A tip I should probably pass on to Michael, not that he would listen. But hey. You couldn't say then, that I didn't warn him.
"That's Grant Sorenson. Isabel's boyfriend du jour." Maria flips her blonde curls over her shoulder in disgust. I see Grant buddy ole pal isn't exactly her favorite person.
I have brilliant deductive skills, don't you agree? Sheesh.
"Boyfriend?" I say. Ok, so that would sort of make sense as to why she's smiling all flirty like at him and kissing him on the cheek before he goes.
Sort of.
"What do you mean 'du jour'?" Alex muttered darkly. "He's been the longest relationship she's had for the past three years."
Aww, poor Alex. You can so tell that he wishes HE were ze boyfriend du jour. From the way he looks at her, if not from the way he KNOWS the status of her past relationships. Its sweet. And oh, so Alex.
Maria, Alex and I just stand there, Maria glaring at them, Alex moping and looking anywhere but them, and me. Just staring. And thinking.
I do that a lot.
Ok, ok. Fine. I happen to be glancing at Max and Michael's table out of the corner of my eye occasionally, but it's not the reason you think.
Well not entirely.
See, Max and Michael are conversing in low tones to themselves, and looking up to make sure Maria's not watching.
She's not watching, but the way she keeps pursing her lips leaves me to believe that she senses Michael's presence and is not at all happy by it. I'm still up for the idea of smacking him for hurting her. You hold, I punch. Heh, heh.
Yea, so that was a rip off Mulan. So what. I have an inner child if you must know. Disney rocks my world. And not because of the humor. It's nice to watch something that is GUARENTEED to turn out with a happy ending. Yay. Go team go.
I have I mentioned that I am random?
Well, as long as we got that straight.
So yea. Michael and Max are acting all suspicious like. Isabel's kissing Grant goodbye (much to the relief and revulsion to Alex), and Maria's still glaring. Alex has lost his grinning for like, the first time EVER since I've met the guy.
As long as we got that all figured out. Everyone's accounted for. Wonderful.
Oh yea. Except for me. Me? I'm just standing here, waiting to see what happens next.
Isabel walks over, her face serious. Why is she looking at me? I turn to the side to see if maybe she's looking at Alex, or maybe Maria, but no. She's got her eyes dead center on me.
What the hell did I do now?
For a split second I contemplate turning around and bolting. Looking down at the plate in my hand I see a way out.
Her eyes are unreadable. And surprisingly, they lost the sneering coldness that I grew accustomed to whenever she let her gaze befall upon me.
"Hey Liz."
"I got to go deliver this order. It's almost cold. And you don't want to serve cold food. Because then customers get upset, and when they get upset they usually leave a sucky tip, and sometimes don't come back all together. Which is fine, because they left a sucky tip. So, I'm just going to." Shut up brain! Shut up, shut up, shut up!
Ok. Now that I managed to stop rambling like an idiot.
Just move around her and go to the table. Put on your fake 'Hi! I'm going to be your waitress today, and I'm so happy to do so,' smile and busy yourself with orders so you don't have to deal with.how'd Max put it? Princess icicle.
Isabel touches my arm as I go past her and I flinch. Immediately her face is impassive again, guarded. Despite myself, I feel a wavering of remorse.
Why? Why do I feel sorry that I made her walls come back up? She's the reason MY walls come back tumbling down.
But then again, she's not. [b]I'm[/b] the reason I got upset. Because what did she do anyways? Fine, so she talked about me behind my back. So what. Its not like I'm not used to it. Why did I get all sensitive this time?
Wait a minute. I already have a solution to this question.
It's PMS, remember?
Okay then. As long as that's cleared up.
"Hey Liz," Isabel starts again. "Can I talk you? You know, when you get done with um, delivering your non-cold food."
Hmm, so Mistress Icy is attempting humor. First Alex being pissed for once and now this. I swear, it's like a bad episode of the X-Files. Not that I watch that show. Okay, so that was a bad comparison. How about, it's like entering the twilight zone. There we go.
While I'm trying to make a worthwhile analogy in my head, Isabel's still waiting for something resembling a response. Oh right!
Ah yes. The drawbacks of living inside your mind. Especially when yours is as messed up as mine. But anyways. I have something resembling a conversation going on here. Yes, well lets do get back to that.
"Umm, sure," I say wittily. Good God, I'm brilliant. And then I walk away, trying to take on as many tables as I can so I have more excuses as to why I cant talk right now.
But surely, you all remember Mr. Time. And since you are all smart lil cookies, and not dim or anything, you all remember what time likes to do.
Speed up at the most inopportune moments.
Except, it seems, in the presence of one Mr. Evans. Shooting a quick looksie at him I am shocked beyond belief to see him staring back, and SMIRKING as if to say "I know what you're doing.har har har.." It's unnerving, and surprisingly ok. But then, you knew that.
Dropping my gaze quickly, I sigh and realize that if I want to keep busy, I'm going to have to start sweeping the floor or something. My shifts almost done, and my tables are starting to clear out, the bastards. STAY!
Dragging my feet to meet the inevitable, I notice how most of the restaurant is empty. Strange. My gaze once again falls upon Max and Michael. Except Michael isn't there anymore. Nope, its just Max, sitting there, twiddling his thumbs in an over-exaggerated innocuous manner.
I narrow my eyes. Nuh uh. Don't buy it mister.
So what do I do? Go to plop down next to the guy of course. And NO I am not stalling in going to talk to Isabel. I'm not. Honestly.
Unfortunately, she's on to me (On to me. Like we're in a friggin spy thriller or something. Lord, I have too much free time) and she intercepts me before I get there. I would think that she was going to give me a rehearsed little apology again, except Maria's shooting us a quizzical look as she walks up to us to see what's going on. So I guess Maria has nothing to do with this. Either that, or she's a really good actress.
Um, yea, she has nothing to do with this.
Biting my lip, I look at the side of her face. Not too interested in the eyes still. And I wait. Maria arrives and stops next to Isabel. And I wait.
Still waiting.
Waiting some more.
M'kay, this is getting old and senile.
I'm about to say something so we can just cut the crap when she shifts uncertainly.
Doth my eyes deceive me? Isabel Evans UNSURE of something? UNSURE of talking to me?? Well, do get on with the talking. I must say that she has me quite intrigued as of now.
God, I am being an asshole right now. But hey, at least I'm willing to admit it.
"So, its hot out today, isn't it." Maria says.
No shit Sherlock. Give the girl a prize. A nice shiny big.umm.
I nod my head slowly giving off my "And.?" look. It's quite well known. You might have heard of it. No, what am I saying. You wouldn't have heard of a look. You might have SEEN it. There we go. Nice and sane. HA!
Maria smiles lightly. "So you should come over to Isabel's with me and Alex. Michael would come, but he has yet to redeem himself. If he ever does." She rolls her eyes and then gives me a knowing look.
Um, Hi? Earth to Maria? ISABEL DOES NOT WANT ME TO GO. Hell, I'm not sure if I want to go.
Isabel sighs. She tosses her slightly curled blonde mane over her shoulder and for the briefest of moments; I wonder how the hell she managed that in this humidity.
"Yea," She agrees in a tight voice. "That is, if you want to."
She's staring at me with a bored expression, but if she's so indifferent to what I say, then why does the air reek of tension?
I'm still waiting for her ulterior motive, or for Maria to tell her she wasn't sincere enough, or something. I'm waiting for something to tell me that I heard wrong.
But it doesn't come.
Whoa.
Gotta think for a minute. Let's go the logical route, shall we?
A. There is no way in hell I am letting them see me in a bathing suit. Especially if Max goes.
B. I don't swim. I just don't. And there's a reason.
And of course.C. I want whatever of the massive doses of uppers she's on. Why else would she invite me WILLINGLY?
So here I am, standing like a moron, biting my lip. And silent. We can't forget silent.
And then it hits me. IF YOU WANT. Oh my holy God, its genetic. So that means if Max and I ever had children, then they would.
Wha-? Where did THAT come from? My eyes bulge slightly and Isabel takes it the wrong way.
"Look if you don't want to come, then." She's getting defensive again, her typical icy self. But wait. Was that vulnerability I saw flash in her eyes there? Wow. Weirdness. Especially since it isn't the first time.
"No, no," I find myself saying. Then I smile weakly at her. "I'll go."
Now. Tell me who took my brain? It's missing again. Sniffle. I miss it. These bouts of insanity, however fun they might be, grow tiring.
What am I saying? I don't suffer from insanity. No, no. I enjoy every God-given moment of it. Whee.
But do you want to know what's even more freaky? Isabel smiled BACK. Granted, it was a thin guarded smile, much like my own, but hey. I'll take what I can get.
And to tell the truth? I still kind of want to see what will happen next.
I look as Isabel walks away, still biting my lip, still thinking. Hmm. Wait, wasn't I going somewhere?
Oh yes. Max. Mr. Inconspicuous as of now, or so I'm betting he would like to think. The carefree twiddling of thumbs? Yea, that's not going to work. I continue on my merry way, faltering only when he gives me this brilliant smile. Um, wow. And down goes the stomach.
Time to get a hold of myself here. So he smiled at you. So what. That's no reason to get all jelly-oid.
Jelly-oid?
Who knows where these thoughts come from. They just appear. Leaving me to deal with them. Pop! Up comes another one. Ignore it or embrace it I say.
"Hey," he says as I plop down across from him.
"Hey," I say in return.
Well that was predictable.
Ok. Time to bust his ass.
"So."
"So."
Ok, this is getting ridiculous. Not to mention redundant.
Suddenly, his face changes into one of concern. "What was that with Isabel just now? Do I have to kick some sisterly ass?" His tone is light, but his eye, those damn eyes that are boring into mine again, they are completely serious. I have to smile.
"As much fun as that sounds, she and Maria just invited me over to her house tonight with Alex and Michael."
"Oh," Max answers. "Hmm, maybe I'll stop by later." He looks at me.
I swallow. Hoo boy.
"Michael's going?" Max asks. Something's odd about his voice. It's like.he's baiting me or something. Like he knows something I don't. Hmm.
"That is if Maria lets him out of the doghouse by then," I smirk.
Max gets that mysterious innocent look again. "Oh, that might happen sooner than you think." He looks like he's suppressing a snicker.
Ok. What is with me, and not getting things today? I mean, seriously.
I cock an eyebrow at him. "What is THAT supposed to mean?"
Max takes a long slip out of his Alien Smoothie thingy, apparently stalling. "You'll see," he says after a while.
You'll see. Grr. No, obviously I WONT see, or else I wouldn't be asking you!
I just glare at him for a bit, trying to read his features.
No dice. He still has on that irritating innocent little boy face that is too cute for its own good.
For a second, I'm tempted to kick him under the table, before I remember that violence is not the way to go. Ah, hell. Screw morale and all its buddies. What the heck do they know?
I'm about to protest and possibly beg if it comes to that (lets hope it doesn't) when I hear music coming from the back room.
Music? Is Jeff blasting his oldies again? Oh God, save us all. There's only so much of the Doobie Brothers that I can take. But no. Actually it sounds like.
"[I]Roman Candles that burn in the night, yea you are shining light.[/I]"
You must be JOKING me.
Out pops Michael through the swinging doors with a karaoke microphone gripped in his hands. And he's SINGING. [I]SINGING[/I]
MWAHAHAHA!
I'm torn between laughing and smirking maniacally or staring in horror.
Why horror you ask?
It's Michael's voice. Oh my god, the look on Maria's face is so fuckin priceless. I catch Alex's eye and we both snigger. I know exactly what's going through Alex's mind. [I] We are so going to torture Michael about this for years to come[/I] Isabel's watching the exchange in amusement, yet pursing her lips in disbelief.
Biting my lip to keep the laughter from escaping, I watch on. As does what's left of our customers. I distinctly hear some thirty-year-old women smack her husband and complain, "How come YOU'VE never serenaded me in public before?"
Needless to say, her husband felt that now would be a good time for the check.
Too bad the staff is a bit indisposed right now.
So far Michael's been flushing slightly and mumbling the lyrics, while Maria smiles sappily at him, but this next line is one he belts out loudly.
Keep your day job Mikey. You'll uh, definitely need it.
[I]You have always been a THORN in the side, but to me you're shining light![/I]
He, honest to God, BELTED that line out. About the only table left jumped in shock at the sound of it. And while he vociferously uh, sang (if you would like to call it that) Michael pointedly looked at Maria.
"What are you trying to say!?" Maria shouts over the music and Michael's monotone-ish voice. She's trying to sound all indignant and offended, but the corners of her lips keep twitching.
Once the song ends, Maria smiles beatifically at him and says softly, "Ok. I guess I forgive you now." And then she kisses him. And the table that's still gaping? Yea, they burst into applause. Well, everyone except the husband, who, tongue in cheek, looks like he would like to strangle Michael for putting such an idea in his wife's head. Yes, well, have a nice day. Leave a big ole tip. Ta ta.
Sighing in content in the fact that Maria and Michael are happy go lucky in love now, and I wont have to walk in on any more fighting or see Maria sad (who wants to bet how long that's going to last? Five bucks for this time tomorrow? K, you're on. And don't give me that look. Harmless bet. How else are you supposed to make/lose your money? It's like that circle of life thingy. Again with the Disney) I turn and glance at Max. He looks smug.
Little light bulb goes "DING!"
"Okay. Out with it. What did you do?" I say, laughter evident in my voice.
Max raises his eyes to the ceiling, feigning ignorance. "I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about."
"Sure you don't Maxie. And I'm the Queen Mother incarnated. We could go all day sorting through our pathological lying tendencies but frankly I have no patience for that. So kindly cut the crap and tell me,"
Max just looks at me for a minute, shocked beyond belief I'm sure. I'm sure, because hell, I'M shocked beyond belief that I actually said that out loud. Calm, control, contain. Remember that? Your daily motto? No? Well OBVIOUSLY not.
Umm.
And then, to my utter surprise, Max [I]laughs[/I]. And it's a nice laugh. Not the "Oh my God, how dorky are you, kind of laugh, or the mean condescending laugh. But in a friendly way, in a "HA! I'm dying of laughter, you are so brilliantly hilarious' kind of way.
And to tell the truth? I'm enthralled by it. My breath catches in my throat and I just stare at him, AMAZED for some reason, and well, PLEASED that I caused that.
Go Parker go. (Damn that uncle of mine and his fanatic ESPN viewing obsession) Rah rah rah.
He stops laughing when he notices my stare, and his features become unreadable. Flushing at being caught gaping like that I clear my throat. "So, um, are you going to tell me?"
He smiles softly at me.
Softly. It's weird. It's not overly cocky, like guys usually give. Its not a grin grin, like good ole Alex over there, but its.
I thought we already covered this. It's NICE; it's MAX, its blah blah blah. Damn my wandering thoughts. Calm, Control, Contain. Da de da de da.
Deep breath and pay attention. There we go.
Is there a reason I must continue to have these little talks with myself?
"Yea, I'll tell you," Max says, laughter still reflected in his voice. Leaning closer to me, he starts. Why is my heart speeding up? Is his Max smell or whatever making me have like an allergic reaction or something?
Or something is right. Ok, fine. So he smells.decent. Lots of things smell decent. Like flowers or laundry detergent. But that's only if you get the brand name stuff. All the rest just.Argh! Get over and listen to whatever the hell he's saying!
".tried everything. From flowers, to notes, to phone calls. But she wouldn't have any of it, saying he had gone too far this time."
What? Who?
"So I told Michael."
Ohh. Michael and Maria's fight. But wait.
"Hold up a minute. What did Michael do in the first place? Maria kept changing the subject whenever I brought it up."
Max snorts, muttering something like 'typical' and tells me. Turns out it was Michael and Maria's anniversary couple days ago, and instead of remembering or anything, Michael was out with this girl, Courtney or whatever. He claimed nothing was going on but I knew Maria. Hoo boy, did I.
So. Go on.
"So anyways," Max continues, "Michael came to me of all people for help. No idea why. So I suggested he, you know."
Aww. That's sweet. Lookie at his ears turn pink. I wonder if I can get them to turn red.?
"Aww, that's so cute Max. I bet you're a real lady-killer. Did you suggest the song too?" I COO. Coo. What the hell? Never have I heard that tone of voice come out of my mouth.
But it apparently works. Max flushes deeper but tries to play it off. "Nah, that's a song Michael likes to listen to when Maria's bugging him. The line about being 'a thorn in the side' it, uh, it cracks him up." He clears his throat and shifts.
Have I mentioned how cute he is when he's stuttering?
Cute. Since when do I use the word cute? Except of course, when describing a lovely lil stuffed animal or something of the sort resembling Disney. Not real live animals of course. Vicious little varmints. It's in my opinion that dogs and such should be shot. Either that or run over. [i]Shreech[/I]
Yes I'm morbid at times. But excuse you, that's a fact that's been covered, over and done with. Like English class. They bring up the same shit over and over again, making sure that it broke through that obtuse barrier known as your skull.
And that, my friends, is why I am a science person. Of course, if you don't get it the first time, you're pretty much screwed since the same stuff tends to pop up again later.
Why the hell am I babbling about school subjects?
WANTED: Lost brain.
REWARD: Um, whatever's in my pocket? No, actually, surprise! I do have a bit of cash. Good ole tips. I told you this whole waitressing thing had perks.
ANYWAYS.
"Riiiiiiight," I say to Max in a teasing skeptical tone. And then I nudge my foot with his and then stand up to go.
GASP! What is with the boldness today? But again, I don't know, and rarely ever do. Just a going with the flow I say.
Oh wait. Hehe. I'm forgetting something. MY brilliant reply. MY claim to fame and all that hoopla. Time to mess with his head. Do you want to know what I said? You want to know what I said. Hell, you already know what I said. So.
I turn around and smirk after a dramatic pause. "See you later."
His face is struggling against the massive grin that is threatening to spill over. Still smirking, I guess its time for me to get off this shift.
Now all I have to do is survive the afternoon at Isabel's.
Have you ever looked up at the stars?
I mean REALLY looked at them. Not just a general passing by, 'oh yes, that's nice' and then moving on, but really studying them. Scrutinizing their every aspect, and wondering at the secrets in which they hold. Watching them twinkle down mysteriously at you, almost as if they hold something, almost if they know something that you don't.
It's weird.
I'm still standing on this balcony, leaning against the railing for support, and staring relentlessly up at the sky.
Do you want to know why?
Max just left. Actually he left quite a while ago. I ignore the little pang I feel at the thought of him leaving, and focus on the really weird thing. When he had hugged me, it was like.
It was like.it was like I saw stars. And not just because I was looking upwards either. I had my eyes CLOSED thank you very much. Was it the old cliché that I often hear, about sparks shooting, and stars flying at contact with a certain someone? Or was it something else?
I shake myself. I'm probably just sleep deprived. I DO feel tired. Crying does that to you.
A wave of irritation washes over me. I'm still pissed at myself for letting Isabel get to me. Still angry that I cared so much about such a trivial thing, and wondering why.
All I know is that I am sick of living like this. Always cowering in my shell, in my pathetic self. Not for the first time, I wish I were different. I wish I could just tell off whoever pissed me off and not worry about what they would do to me. I wish I didn't have to be so afraid all the time.
And you know who made me realize this?
Isabel.
Wait, wait. I know what you're saying.
"WHAT!?"
And no, before you ask, I didn't fall of the bed and hit my head, nor did I get into Uncle J's liquor cabinet (its amazing the things you find behind locked doors.)
But it's true. For some cock-brained reason the whole non-thing with Isabel last night made me realize this (several angry tears later, and after some serious contemplation)
I scowl as memories of earlier come back, and I wonder why I was so sensitive.
I sigh, and then do what I always do.
Blame it on PMS. Which, in my humble opinion, is the only perk of going through the 'wonders of womanhood.' Stress the word ONLY. I mean, seriously. What God had against Eve, I'll never know.
But whatever. I'm tired of thinking tonight. This past evening as been a tumult of emotion for me, culminating in utter confusion and fascination with Max's visit.
Max.
I smile despite myself. Suddenly I'm eager to get to sleep, for the first time in my life. Perhaps I will dream of happy things this time. Perhaps.
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"Order up!" Alex barks out in an irritated tone.
What the hell? Cheerful lil Alex? Mr. Grin Grin? He's pissed off today?
Well slap the horse and call me silly. (har har. I've so got these small town funnies down.)
I walk over to the grill and pick up the plate. Giving Alex a "look" I ask, "Alex? Are you ok?"
He sighs exasperatingly. "I'm working a sweltering grill when its ninety- nine degrees outside Liz. How the heck do you think I feel? Peachy keen?"
Ok, first of all, its ninety-EIGHT out, and second, what are we, back in the eighties? Peachy keen?
Well it's Alex. So I guess it's justified.
Hmm, I would believe his sarcasm if it weren't for the telltale looks he keeps shooting behind me. Turning around to see what's got Alex's boxers in a bunch, I see what's REALLY wrong.
Isabel's playing kissy face with some guy. My bewilderment grows. Wait a minute. I thought she and Alex were.
"God, could they BE anymore blatant?" Alex grumbles to himself.
Maria stalks up. I can see she's still fuming over Michael, and I know that the fact that he just walked in with Max wont help her mood any.
Duck I say, and take cover.
Max smiles slightly at me, and I give a small wave back. Oh, the joys of being pleasant. What? I know how to be pleasant. Um, or least I think I do.
Anyways.
Maria looks from my confused face to Alex's gloomy one. Then she glances over and sees Isabel and that guy. She snorts and shakes her head, giving Alex a sympathetic look.
Can I say huh?
I missed something. But then what else is new?
Obviously just seeing my confounded look isn't enough for Maria and Alex. Guess I should voice it. "Hey. What's going on? Who [I]is[/I] that guy?"
'That guy' is referring to the twenty some looking dude with a crew cut and cheap cologne.
Ok, ok. So I'm not exactly close enough to smell the guy (and if I were, I don't think I would want to) but he just seems like that type.
Did the air just get nasty in here, or is it just me? Rraw, draw back in your claws kitty. Normally I try and steer clear of what people always do to me (i.e. judge unfairly) but give me a break here. For Alex's hurt face, I think I can make an exception for pretty boy over there.
Maria snorts again. I'm wondering if I should tell her that that could severely damage her nostrils. But I don't. You know how I feel about deliberately provoking Maria's evil eye. You just don't DO that. It's unhealthy. A tip I should probably pass on to Michael, not that he would listen. But hey. You couldn't say then, that I didn't warn him.
"That's Grant Sorenson. Isabel's boyfriend du jour." Maria flips her blonde curls over her shoulder in disgust. I see Grant buddy ole pal isn't exactly her favorite person.
I have brilliant deductive skills, don't you agree? Sheesh.
"Boyfriend?" I say. Ok, so that would sort of make sense as to why she's smiling all flirty like at him and kissing him on the cheek before he goes.
Sort of.
"What do you mean 'du jour'?" Alex muttered darkly. "He's been the longest relationship she's had for the past three years."
Aww, poor Alex. You can so tell that he wishes HE were ze boyfriend du jour. From the way he looks at her, if not from the way he KNOWS the status of her past relationships. Its sweet. And oh, so Alex.
Maria, Alex and I just stand there, Maria glaring at them, Alex moping and looking anywhere but them, and me. Just staring. And thinking.
I do that a lot.
Ok, ok. Fine. I happen to be glancing at Max and Michael's table out of the corner of my eye occasionally, but it's not the reason you think.
Well not entirely.
See, Max and Michael are conversing in low tones to themselves, and looking up to make sure Maria's not watching.
She's not watching, but the way she keeps pursing her lips leaves me to believe that she senses Michael's presence and is not at all happy by it. I'm still up for the idea of smacking him for hurting her. You hold, I punch. Heh, heh.
Yea, so that was a rip off Mulan. So what. I have an inner child if you must know. Disney rocks my world. And not because of the humor. It's nice to watch something that is GUARENTEED to turn out with a happy ending. Yay. Go team go.
I have I mentioned that I am random?
Well, as long as we got that straight.
So yea. Michael and Max are acting all suspicious like. Isabel's kissing Grant goodbye (much to the relief and revulsion to Alex), and Maria's still glaring. Alex has lost his grinning for like, the first time EVER since I've met the guy.
As long as we got that all figured out. Everyone's accounted for. Wonderful.
Oh yea. Except for me. Me? I'm just standing here, waiting to see what happens next.
Isabel walks over, her face serious. Why is she looking at me? I turn to the side to see if maybe she's looking at Alex, or maybe Maria, but no. She's got her eyes dead center on me.
What the hell did I do now?
For a split second I contemplate turning around and bolting. Looking down at the plate in my hand I see a way out.
Her eyes are unreadable. And surprisingly, they lost the sneering coldness that I grew accustomed to whenever she let her gaze befall upon me.
"Hey Liz."
"I got to go deliver this order. It's almost cold. And you don't want to serve cold food. Because then customers get upset, and when they get upset they usually leave a sucky tip, and sometimes don't come back all together. Which is fine, because they left a sucky tip. So, I'm just going to." Shut up brain! Shut up, shut up, shut up!
Ok. Now that I managed to stop rambling like an idiot.
Just move around her and go to the table. Put on your fake 'Hi! I'm going to be your waitress today, and I'm so happy to do so,' smile and busy yourself with orders so you don't have to deal with.how'd Max put it? Princess icicle.
Isabel touches my arm as I go past her and I flinch. Immediately her face is impassive again, guarded. Despite myself, I feel a wavering of remorse.
Why? Why do I feel sorry that I made her walls come back up? She's the reason MY walls come back tumbling down.
But then again, she's not. [b]I'm[/b] the reason I got upset. Because what did she do anyways? Fine, so she talked about me behind my back. So what. Its not like I'm not used to it. Why did I get all sensitive this time?
Wait a minute. I already have a solution to this question.
It's PMS, remember?
Okay then. As long as that's cleared up.
"Hey Liz," Isabel starts again. "Can I talk you? You know, when you get done with um, delivering your non-cold food."
Hmm, so Mistress Icy is attempting humor. First Alex being pissed for once and now this. I swear, it's like a bad episode of the X-Files. Not that I watch that show. Okay, so that was a bad comparison. How about, it's like entering the twilight zone. There we go.
While I'm trying to make a worthwhile analogy in my head, Isabel's still waiting for something resembling a response. Oh right!
Ah yes. The drawbacks of living inside your mind. Especially when yours is as messed up as mine. But anyways. I have something resembling a conversation going on here. Yes, well lets do get back to that.
"Umm, sure," I say wittily. Good God, I'm brilliant. And then I walk away, trying to take on as many tables as I can so I have more excuses as to why I cant talk right now.
But surely, you all remember Mr. Time. And since you are all smart lil cookies, and not dim or anything, you all remember what time likes to do.
Speed up at the most inopportune moments.
Except, it seems, in the presence of one Mr. Evans. Shooting a quick looksie at him I am shocked beyond belief to see him staring back, and SMIRKING as if to say "I know what you're doing.har har har.." It's unnerving, and surprisingly ok. But then, you knew that.
Dropping my gaze quickly, I sigh and realize that if I want to keep busy, I'm going to have to start sweeping the floor or something. My shifts almost done, and my tables are starting to clear out, the bastards. STAY!
Dragging my feet to meet the inevitable, I notice how most of the restaurant is empty. Strange. My gaze once again falls upon Max and Michael. Except Michael isn't there anymore. Nope, its just Max, sitting there, twiddling his thumbs in an over-exaggerated innocuous manner.
I narrow my eyes. Nuh uh. Don't buy it mister.
So what do I do? Go to plop down next to the guy of course. And NO I am not stalling in going to talk to Isabel. I'm not. Honestly.
Unfortunately, she's on to me (On to me. Like we're in a friggin spy thriller or something. Lord, I have too much free time) and she intercepts me before I get there. I would think that she was going to give me a rehearsed little apology again, except Maria's shooting us a quizzical look as she walks up to us to see what's going on. So I guess Maria has nothing to do with this. Either that, or she's a really good actress.
Um, yea, she has nothing to do with this.
Biting my lip, I look at the side of her face. Not too interested in the eyes still. And I wait. Maria arrives and stops next to Isabel. And I wait.
Still waiting.
Waiting some more.
M'kay, this is getting old and senile.
I'm about to say something so we can just cut the crap when she shifts uncertainly.
Doth my eyes deceive me? Isabel Evans UNSURE of something? UNSURE of talking to me?? Well, do get on with the talking. I must say that she has me quite intrigued as of now.
God, I am being an asshole right now. But hey, at least I'm willing to admit it.
"So, its hot out today, isn't it." Maria says.
No shit Sherlock. Give the girl a prize. A nice shiny big.umm.
I nod my head slowly giving off my "And.?" look. It's quite well known. You might have heard of it. No, what am I saying. You wouldn't have heard of a look. You might have SEEN it. There we go. Nice and sane. HA!
Maria smiles lightly. "So you should come over to Isabel's with me and Alex. Michael would come, but he has yet to redeem himself. If he ever does." She rolls her eyes and then gives me a knowing look.
Um, Hi? Earth to Maria? ISABEL DOES NOT WANT ME TO GO. Hell, I'm not sure if I want to go.
Isabel sighs. She tosses her slightly curled blonde mane over her shoulder and for the briefest of moments; I wonder how the hell she managed that in this humidity.
"Yea," She agrees in a tight voice. "That is, if you want to."
She's staring at me with a bored expression, but if she's so indifferent to what I say, then why does the air reek of tension?
I'm still waiting for her ulterior motive, or for Maria to tell her she wasn't sincere enough, or something. I'm waiting for something to tell me that I heard wrong.
But it doesn't come.
Whoa.
Gotta think for a minute. Let's go the logical route, shall we?
A. There is no way in hell I am letting them see me in a bathing suit. Especially if Max goes.
B. I don't swim. I just don't. And there's a reason.
And of course.C. I want whatever of the massive doses of uppers she's on. Why else would she invite me WILLINGLY?
So here I am, standing like a moron, biting my lip. And silent. We can't forget silent.
And then it hits me. IF YOU WANT. Oh my holy God, its genetic. So that means if Max and I ever had children, then they would.
Wha-? Where did THAT come from? My eyes bulge slightly and Isabel takes it the wrong way.
"Look if you don't want to come, then." She's getting defensive again, her typical icy self. But wait. Was that vulnerability I saw flash in her eyes there? Wow. Weirdness. Especially since it isn't the first time.
"No, no," I find myself saying. Then I smile weakly at her. "I'll go."
Now. Tell me who took my brain? It's missing again. Sniffle. I miss it. These bouts of insanity, however fun they might be, grow tiring.
What am I saying? I don't suffer from insanity. No, no. I enjoy every God-given moment of it. Whee.
But do you want to know what's even more freaky? Isabel smiled BACK. Granted, it was a thin guarded smile, much like my own, but hey. I'll take what I can get.
And to tell the truth? I still kind of want to see what will happen next.
I look as Isabel walks away, still biting my lip, still thinking. Hmm. Wait, wasn't I going somewhere?
Oh yes. Max. Mr. Inconspicuous as of now, or so I'm betting he would like to think. The carefree twiddling of thumbs? Yea, that's not going to work. I continue on my merry way, faltering only when he gives me this brilliant smile. Um, wow. And down goes the stomach.
Time to get a hold of myself here. So he smiled at you. So what. That's no reason to get all jelly-oid.
Jelly-oid?
Who knows where these thoughts come from. They just appear. Leaving me to deal with them. Pop! Up comes another one. Ignore it or embrace it I say.
"Hey," he says as I plop down across from him.
"Hey," I say in return.
Well that was predictable.
Ok. Time to bust his ass.
"So."
"So."
Ok, this is getting ridiculous. Not to mention redundant.
Suddenly, his face changes into one of concern. "What was that with Isabel just now? Do I have to kick some sisterly ass?" His tone is light, but his eye, those damn eyes that are boring into mine again, they are completely serious. I have to smile.
"As much fun as that sounds, she and Maria just invited me over to her house tonight with Alex and Michael."
"Oh," Max answers. "Hmm, maybe I'll stop by later." He looks at me.
I swallow. Hoo boy.
"Michael's going?" Max asks. Something's odd about his voice. It's like.he's baiting me or something. Like he knows something I don't. Hmm.
"That is if Maria lets him out of the doghouse by then," I smirk.
Max gets that mysterious innocent look again. "Oh, that might happen sooner than you think." He looks like he's suppressing a snicker.
Ok. What is with me, and not getting things today? I mean, seriously.
I cock an eyebrow at him. "What is THAT supposed to mean?"
Max takes a long slip out of his Alien Smoothie thingy, apparently stalling. "You'll see," he says after a while.
You'll see. Grr. No, obviously I WONT see, or else I wouldn't be asking you!
I just glare at him for a bit, trying to read his features.
No dice. He still has on that irritating innocent little boy face that is too cute for its own good.
For a second, I'm tempted to kick him under the table, before I remember that violence is not the way to go. Ah, hell. Screw morale and all its buddies. What the heck do they know?
I'm about to protest and possibly beg if it comes to that (lets hope it doesn't) when I hear music coming from the back room.
Music? Is Jeff blasting his oldies again? Oh God, save us all. There's only so much of the Doobie Brothers that I can take. But no. Actually it sounds like.
"[I]Roman Candles that burn in the night, yea you are shining light.[/I]"
You must be JOKING me.
Out pops Michael through the swinging doors with a karaoke microphone gripped in his hands. And he's SINGING. [I]SINGING[/I]
MWAHAHAHA!
I'm torn between laughing and smirking maniacally or staring in horror.
Why horror you ask?
It's Michael's voice. Oh my god, the look on Maria's face is so fuckin priceless. I catch Alex's eye and we both snigger. I know exactly what's going through Alex's mind. [I] We are so going to torture Michael about this for years to come[/I] Isabel's watching the exchange in amusement, yet pursing her lips in disbelief.
Biting my lip to keep the laughter from escaping, I watch on. As does what's left of our customers. I distinctly hear some thirty-year-old women smack her husband and complain, "How come YOU'VE never serenaded me in public before?"
Needless to say, her husband felt that now would be a good time for the check.
Too bad the staff is a bit indisposed right now.
So far Michael's been flushing slightly and mumbling the lyrics, while Maria smiles sappily at him, but this next line is one he belts out loudly.
Keep your day job Mikey. You'll uh, definitely need it.
[I]You have always been a THORN in the side, but to me you're shining light![/I]
He, honest to God, BELTED that line out. About the only table left jumped in shock at the sound of it. And while he vociferously uh, sang (if you would like to call it that) Michael pointedly looked at Maria.
"What are you trying to say!?" Maria shouts over the music and Michael's monotone-ish voice. She's trying to sound all indignant and offended, but the corners of her lips keep twitching.
Once the song ends, Maria smiles beatifically at him and says softly, "Ok. I guess I forgive you now." And then she kisses him. And the table that's still gaping? Yea, they burst into applause. Well, everyone except the husband, who, tongue in cheek, looks like he would like to strangle Michael for putting such an idea in his wife's head. Yes, well, have a nice day. Leave a big ole tip. Ta ta.
Sighing in content in the fact that Maria and Michael are happy go lucky in love now, and I wont have to walk in on any more fighting or see Maria sad (who wants to bet how long that's going to last? Five bucks for this time tomorrow? K, you're on. And don't give me that look. Harmless bet. How else are you supposed to make/lose your money? It's like that circle of life thingy. Again with the Disney) I turn and glance at Max. He looks smug.
Little light bulb goes "DING!"
"Okay. Out with it. What did you do?" I say, laughter evident in my voice.
Max raises his eyes to the ceiling, feigning ignorance. "I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about."
"Sure you don't Maxie. And I'm the Queen Mother incarnated. We could go all day sorting through our pathological lying tendencies but frankly I have no patience for that. So kindly cut the crap and tell me,"
Max just looks at me for a minute, shocked beyond belief I'm sure. I'm sure, because hell, I'M shocked beyond belief that I actually said that out loud. Calm, control, contain. Remember that? Your daily motto? No? Well OBVIOUSLY not.
Umm.
And then, to my utter surprise, Max [I]laughs[/I]. And it's a nice laugh. Not the "Oh my God, how dorky are you, kind of laugh, or the mean condescending laugh. But in a friendly way, in a "HA! I'm dying of laughter, you are so brilliantly hilarious' kind of way.
And to tell the truth? I'm enthralled by it. My breath catches in my throat and I just stare at him, AMAZED for some reason, and well, PLEASED that I caused that.
Go Parker go. (Damn that uncle of mine and his fanatic ESPN viewing obsession) Rah rah rah.
He stops laughing when he notices my stare, and his features become unreadable. Flushing at being caught gaping like that I clear my throat. "So, um, are you going to tell me?"
He smiles softly at me.
Softly. It's weird. It's not overly cocky, like guys usually give. Its not a grin grin, like good ole Alex over there, but its.
I thought we already covered this. It's NICE; it's MAX, its blah blah blah. Damn my wandering thoughts. Calm, Control, Contain. Da de da de da.
Deep breath and pay attention. There we go.
Is there a reason I must continue to have these little talks with myself?
"Yea, I'll tell you," Max says, laughter still reflected in his voice. Leaning closer to me, he starts. Why is my heart speeding up? Is his Max smell or whatever making me have like an allergic reaction or something?
Or something is right. Ok, fine. So he smells.decent. Lots of things smell decent. Like flowers or laundry detergent. But that's only if you get the brand name stuff. All the rest just.Argh! Get over and listen to whatever the hell he's saying!
".tried everything. From flowers, to notes, to phone calls. But she wouldn't have any of it, saying he had gone too far this time."
What? Who?
"So I told Michael."
Ohh. Michael and Maria's fight. But wait.
"Hold up a minute. What did Michael do in the first place? Maria kept changing the subject whenever I brought it up."
Max snorts, muttering something like 'typical' and tells me. Turns out it was Michael and Maria's anniversary couple days ago, and instead of remembering or anything, Michael was out with this girl, Courtney or whatever. He claimed nothing was going on but I knew Maria. Hoo boy, did I.
So. Go on.
"So anyways," Max continues, "Michael came to me of all people for help. No idea why. So I suggested he, you know."
Aww. That's sweet. Lookie at his ears turn pink. I wonder if I can get them to turn red.?
"Aww, that's so cute Max. I bet you're a real lady-killer. Did you suggest the song too?" I COO. Coo. What the hell? Never have I heard that tone of voice come out of my mouth.
But it apparently works. Max flushes deeper but tries to play it off. "Nah, that's a song Michael likes to listen to when Maria's bugging him. The line about being 'a thorn in the side' it, uh, it cracks him up." He clears his throat and shifts.
Have I mentioned how cute he is when he's stuttering?
Cute. Since when do I use the word cute? Except of course, when describing a lovely lil stuffed animal or something of the sort resembling Disney. Not real live animals of course. Vicious little varmints. It's in my opinion that dogs and such should be shot. Either that or run over. [i]Shreech[/I]
Yes I'm morbid at times. But excuse you, that's a fact that's been covered, over and done with. Like English class. They bring up the same shit over and over again, making sure that it broke through that obtuse barrier known as your skull.
And that, my friends, is why I am a science person. Of course, if you don't get it the first time, you're pretty much screwed since the same stuff tends to pop up again later.
Why the hell am I babbling about school subjects?
WANTED: Lost brain.
REWARD: Um, whatever's in my pocket? No, actually, surprise! I do have a bit of cash. Good ole tips. I told you this whole waitressing thing had perks.
ANYWAYS.
"Riiiiiiight," I say to Max in a teasing skeptical tone. And then I nudge my foot with his and then stand up to go.
GASP! What is with the boldness today? But again, I don't know, and rarely ever do. Just a going with the flow I say.
Oh wait. Hehe. I'm forgetting something. MY brilliant reply. MY claim to fame and all that hoopla. Time to mess with his head. Do you want to know what I said? You want to know what I said. Hell, you already know what I said. So.
I turn around and smirk after a dramatic pause. "See you later."
His face is struggling against the massive grin that is threatening to spill over. Still smirking, I guess its time for me to get off this shift.
Now all I have to do is survive the afternoon at Isabel's.