Chapter 5: Crazy For You by Adele
I saw Sheila roll her eyes yet again in the rearview mirror. "She could have at least worn the heels," she grumbled under her breath. But I did not care. If she and Beth were going to force me into this strapless dress in a moving car, I would at least keep my dignity. Which was, at this moment, my sweater and comfy slip-ons.
"Oh, she looks fine," Beth retorted from the passenger seat, turning around to give me a once over. "Besides, it's Friday night! T.G.I.F., am I right, or am I right, ladies!?" She giggled and both she and Sheila shrieked with glee. Despite my discomfort, I softly smiled at their enthusiasm while Sheila turned up the radio.
Back at work, a thousand schemes had run through my head before we even got to the car. A doctor's appointment, a hungry pet that needed to be fed, a broken leg. Anything! Then, in the car, something came to mind.
"Have you guys heard of those disappearances around the city?" I asked, a little hint of well-played fear in my voice. Sheila and Beth exchanged worried glances.
"Yeah," Beth piped up, "But we'll be in a public place, Emma. Don't worry yourself. We'll stick together and everything will be fine." Sighing in defeat, I leaned back into the back seat once more.
So, when we pulled around the corner and towards a very crowded-looking dance club, I told my heart to stop hammering its way out of my chest. And when we parked in the tightest spot possible, I told my face to find a pleasant expression. And when we got out of the car, and walked towards a wild, scandalous-looking line, I told my lungs to keep breathing. Just a couple drinks, I thought to myself. Then we'll go.
Clutching my purse and pulling the sweater closer around me, I felt like I just landed on a foreign planet; surrounded by aliens. I followed Sheila and Beth while they
both chattered excitedly and made their way to the front. I recognized the bigger man with a clipboard to be the bouncer. Before I could stop her, Sheila stalked right up to the man and planted herself in front of him, with crossed arms. This was not the way they did it in movies. If you wanted to get in the club faster, you have to toss your hair and fake-giggle. Hadn't Sheila watched any of those?
Apparently, the Sheila-Method was quite different. I heard another bouncer tell this one, "Remember, Ice. Nobody gets a free pass," before walking into the club. The bigger bouncer looked at Sheila and said, "You heard what the man said."
I was about to take a step back towards the line, but Sheila stopped me. "Wait," she commanded, and looked "Ice" straight into the eyes. "Hello, Anthony. Seeing as how we both share the same mother, I'd say this would be a great time to call her up and tell her that cute story about how you and Marcus smoked it up in her basement last Thanksgiving."
Suddenly exasperated, Anthony replied, "Damn, Sheila! Why's it gotta be this way?"
Looking up from her nails, Sheila said, "It doesn't. Let me and my friends in, and I'll keep it to myself."
Sighing in desperation, Anthony whispered, "Fine. Just don't let anybody see you."
Sheila smirked and looked over her shoulder at me and Beth. "Let's get our party on, ladies!"
The sound of cries of disbelief and complaints of unfair treatment behind us
were soon drowned out as we entered the club. Instead, a loud bass shook the building. It was a popular song, and had Sheila and Beth singing along while they walked to the bar, me following close behind. I had no idea what the song was except that it was very repetitious and loud. It seemed to do the trick though, because at least fifty people were dancing in the middle of the floor. Panic echoed through my stomach as I saw just exactly how these people were dancing. This did not look fun at all.
"You look like you're in pain," Beth snapped me back into attention, and I looked to see that Sheila had a drink for me.
I took it. "Sorry. I guess I'm just not used to dance clubs."
Beth nodded in reassurance. "Just enjoy it. You don't even have to dance, if you don't want to."
Sheila snorted. "Speak for yourself. I am breaking me off a piece of that tonight," she indicated towards a flirtatious-looking guy to our right.
I half expected them to leave me immediately, and go find dance partners. When I asked, though, Sheila shook her head and said, "Girl, that's not how this works. You have to do a little observation. Kind of like…a predator to a prey. And honey, I am on the prowl…" Beth snorted into her martini, but followed Sheila's gaze into the mingling crowd. I placed my barely touched drink on the table and looked towards the DJ, willing him to play something worth listening to.
Suddenly, two gasps came from beside me. I snapped my head back towards Sheila and Beth, but they weren't looking at me. They were looking- gawking, more like, towards the crowd. "What?" I asked, and glanced toward the crowd again. However, they didn't need to explain to me what was going on.
Sauntering through the crowd with an inconspicuous smile and embodying every word that defines confidence, was Jerry Dandridge. I barely heard Beth frantically whisper, "Is he…is he coming toward us?" because I felt every melancholy thought and feeling start to melt away under his dark gaze. A thoughtless smile started to spread upon my lips as he approached us, his eyes still upon mine-only mine.
"Hey," was all he said, when he had at last stopped in front of us. Although joy and relief had suddenly seized my brain-surprise flitted through as well.
"Jerry! It's so nice to see you again," I said, and both Sheila's and Beth's heads snapped in my direction.
"You know him?" asked Sheila, blatantly taken aback. I paid no attention to it- I couldn't pay attention to it. His eyes were still on mine.
"Um, yeah," I tore myself away from him for a moment. "Yeah, sorry," I shook my head at myself. "This is Jerry Dandridge, my neighbor. Jerry, this is Sheila and Beth; we work together." As I introduced everyone, I noticed Jerry briefly but respectively greet both of them, and the girls answered back feebly with unabashed awe.
"So, what brings you ladies out here tonight?" He asked.
Sheila suddenly found her voice. "We're uh…celebrating Emma's first work week at the office," she said.
Jerry beamed at me. "Congratulations. Wasn't too hard, I hope?" He asked, almost knowingly. Maybe he caught the slight wince I made when Sheila mentioned work.
"No, it was alright. Just, you know…exhausting." I smiled up at him.
His expression suddenly turned a little more serious. "Maybe, uh, this isn't the best place to be at the moment, huh?"
I glanced around at all the energetic dancers and flirting girls. "No, not really." His smile returned.
"There's this place downtown, pretty low-key. It's got great music and good food." Hunger. Can that be a something so easily forgotten? And low-key music! "What do you say, Emma?" Jerry inquired, and I all but hopped off the bar stool.
"Sure! That is…if you guys say it's okay," I turned towards Beth and Sheila.
Sheila seemed to be in some sort of trance.
"Uh…oh, yes, Emma, of course it's okay," Beth said as she came back to life. "That actually sounds more like you than all this. Have a good time." She beamed.
"Alright, you guys have a good time, too," I answered. Jerry nodded to them with a grin and also wished them a good time.
"Have fun, ladies."
Sheila continued to gawk while Beth frantically nodded at him. Jerry indicated that I should lead the way. I paused, though, and turned back toward my friends. "Be safe," I said, before turning back towards Jerry. For a moment, he had an unreadable expression as we walked together to the exit. Soon, though, he recovered his normal way of ease.
I sighed as soon as the door closed behind us. Jerry laughed (I will never get used to that.)
"That bad, huh?"
I smiled back into his all-knowing eyes. "Yeah, it's just not really my scene."
He glanced down as he pulled out his keys from his pocket. "Yeah, me neither. I prefer something more quiet. The truck's right over here." Jerry lead the way over to his spotless, ebony truck. "It's unlocked," he murmured, perhaps accidentally, but definitely close to my ear. A small shiver passed through my spine.
I opened the door but a thought slowed me down; a thought that made my feet feel instantly heavy. I realized I had given my trust to this man. Amidst fear of an unknown force that was kidnapping and possibly killing people in the city I resided in, I was getting into a car with a man I had only known for a few days. This thought should be very troubling. And yet…
And yet, this man is Jerry.
The same Jerry that was already in the driver's seat, watching me with that same unreadable expression as before. I looked up at him again, and he said, softly, "You can trust me. I promise."
I climbed up into the passenger seat.
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This isn't a date, I thought repeatedly, trying to convince myself that Jerry was only rescuing me from yet another 'scary' situation. Don't blow this out of proportion.
How could I ignore this, though? Not when I breathed in his scent that filled the entire truck. Not when his hand rested so close near mine, and definitely not when he turned to grin at me. Just…focus on something else. My subconscious wasn't all too helpful that night.
Jerry parked in the back of a small coffee house. The neon sign in front said, The Coffee Blues.
Jitters of excitement rose from my tippy-toes and all the way up to my buzzing head as Jerry and I entered the coffee house. That deep smell of coffee filled the small restaurant, and a vacant stage stood at the back. "Thought they'd be playing tonight," Jerry murmured, but I reassured him.
"No, it's wonderful," I said. The hostess greeted us and led us to a table. My heart, lungs, and everything seemed to stop when Jerry put his hand on the small of my back to guide me forward.
His soft touch left though when we were finally seated. I cautiously sat down in my chair, watching as he did the same. The man now across from me leaned back and crossed one of his legs. His mouth formed into that smirk he seemed to always possess; confident, shameless, perfect. Always perfect. Every movement Jerry made seemed so delibrate, so concise. My eyes traced along the details of his face. That is, until I realized what I was doing. Clearing my throat, I glanced away, deciding to observe my surroundings instead of the heartbreakingly handsome man sitting only a couple feet away from me.
A slow song was lazily playing from the speakers, and apart from Jerry and I, only a few other people were there. "How do you know about this place?" I asked in wonder. Jerry, in a thoughtful tone, explained. "Heard about it from a friend." The waitress came and took our orders. Jerry, nothing. Me, tea and soup.
My curiosity went a bit further. "Do you go to dance clubs often?" I asked nonchalantly, taking a bite of soup after the waitress came back. I glanced up at him when he chuckled in response.
"Only once in a while. It…had been a long week. I guess I had a similar idea as your friend, Sheila. I just wanted to relax a little."
I grimaced. "I'm sorry."
His face immediately changed; confusion and curiosity spread across his brow. "For what?" Surprise coated his voice.
"For always bothering you with problems you don't have to deal with. You could be enjoying yourself right now, instead of being here with me."
I thought I detected a flicker of amusement flash through his eyes, but he leaned forward, ever so slightly, and murmured, "You don't bother me." I could feel the warm rush of blood beneath my cheeks. "And I am enjoying myself," he added, smiling softly. The napkin in my lap suddenly became really interesting.
"I should have told you, back at your place," Jerry's tone became a bit more serious. "When I was looking for that snake, and you told me about your parents." I was aware of how he noticed when I stiffened. "I should've told you, my parents are gone, too. Long ago."
Painful memories threatened to flood through my mind, but my only thought was of him. "I'm so, so sorry, Jerry," I said softly, genuinely.
A hint of a smile played at his lips. "It's alright. You know, it eventually happens to everyone." I nodded slowly. He slightly narrowed his eyes, as if trying to see through smoke.
"Do you miss them?"
The intensity of his eyes impossibly strengthened. "Yeah." It took a moment for everything else I had unintentionally tuned out to tune back in. We both listened in silence as a new song started to play in the restaurant. I recognized it immediately.
"Great song," I murmured appreciatively, closing my eyes to the sweet vocals and lovely guitar melody. Smiling to myself, I remembered sitting in my old apartment listening to this song. I had closed my eyes that same way, but never dreamed that I would some day open them to see the very person this song was meant for.
"Do you want to?" Jerry's voice, suddenly so near, caused my eyes to snap open. He was there, standing above me, his hand out in invitation for mine. I hadn't even heard him get up. I stared at it for a second, thoughts racing. The last time I had danced was at my cousin's wedding in the fourth grade. I didn't want him to think I was a bad dancer.
Then, I looked up into the dark abyss which were his eyes. And at the gentle
smile tugging at his mouth. "Okay." I accepted, and placed my hand, familiarly, into his.
He gently pulled me up and away from the table. Guiding me to the vacant dance floor, Jerry turned towards me. I could not help but return his smile, as he pulled me closer, now with two strong arms, into his hold. Everything, was all I could think of, when I tried to describe him. My heart pounded when masculine scent that surrounded me, when he grinned as I came closer, when his smooth, cool cheek came into contact with my temple. I felt the soft touch of his long, pale fingers as they guided my left hand onto his shoulder, then drift down to my waist, puller me closer…holding me. I watched as Jerry did this; but my gaze retreated to his eyes when he held my right hand in his.
He's everything.
I felt so small and delicate compared to him, what with this height, muscular body, and capable hands that held my own. Jerry slowly began to rock us back and forth, matching our movements to the wonderful song being played. I breathed him in, slowly; again and again. I hoped he wouldn't notice, but knew he inexplicably would when I moved my head slightly so that my gaze was towards his throat. A perfect, porcelain throat. He shifted his head too, then, but the movement only made my breath hitch. His lips were so close to my hairline, I could feel his cool breath upon my skin.
I closed my eyes then, and, out of some sort of happy delirium, rested my cheek against Jerry's shoulder. The song would end soon. Crazy for you, indeed.
Sighing, I realized it had ended, and Jerry stopped our movement. He was, though, waiting for me to pull away first. I hid my reluctance, and slowly retracted my hands while he let them slide out of his grasp, and looked to see a grin on his face.
"You look tired," he chuckled, but continued. "It's probably time for you to get home." I nodded, still hypnotized by what had just happened. "Yeah," I agreed, and walked back to the table with him, where he subtly placed a twenty dollar bill without me even noticing him take out his wallet. I retrieved my purse and felt my heart rate go up when he walked towards me, but returned his smile. His hand floated to my back again as he lead me to the door.
The drive back to our neighborhood took a toll. Even with all the bright lights passing through the windows, sleep was creeping up on me. I felt all the exhaustion from that day hit me like a big, black truck. That pleasant, all-encompassing smell didn't help much, either. Dazed, I was vaguely aware of Jerry turning the volume of his radio down before my head drooped, and I was fast asleep.
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Dreams are never-ending.
It was a world of colors, then a land of infinite computers and the incessant the
ringing of a telephone. Then came a circus, the clowns strangely all clad in tight dresses and leering at me with thick, electric-blue eye makeup. Then it was all dark, as if someone had switched a light off, and I could only feel. And smell. And hear. I felt the coolness of touch, and the strength of that touch, and the impossible beauty under my own touch. I could smell something familiar, surrounding me, intoxicating me. And, I could hear soft laughter, from a deep voice…
Then all was silent.
I woke with a start, fully dressed, in my own bed.