It's a Girls Job

Why Did He Open His Mouth

Thea stands next to me at Baskin Robbins contemplating one of life’s toughest questions. -- which ice cream flavor to get.  The air is chilly in here but feels good after working up a good sweat in class.  Behind us is a family with a small child who has chocolate ice cream all over his pudgy little face. Occasionally Thea sneaks a glance at him making a funny face at the baby every time he turns to look at her. The third time she does it the parents catch her and her face turns beat red with embarrassment but looks the other way and goes back to the big debate.

.           “I can’t decide” she says turning to me. “Orange sherbert or chocolate chip?”

            “Chocolate chip,” I say.

“But maybe I should get cookie dough! I always love love love cookie dough.  But orange sherbet does sound really good. But I also really like cookie dough. Ugh! Why is this so hard?!”  

            I shrug and walk over to the other side where I can see more flavors! Eric comes up behind me and whispers in my ear, “Bet you, I know which flavor you’re going to get.”

            I turn my head to look at him and say “Oh yeah? Well then let’s hear it Madame Dorothea.” I am all too aware of just how close we are together so I take a step back but only manage to run into the counter.  He smirks, as if knowing what I was thinking.   

Right then the ice cream girl looks at the two of us and asks if we are ready to order, saved by ice cream.

Eric looks at me, “Sure I will have the rocky road, double scoop hmmm... on a waffle cone please, and the lady will have pistachio, one scoop, sugar cone.”

I look at him, laugh and say, “Please, you’re my best friend, you're expected to know that.”

We stand there laughing as we wait for our ice cream. Eventually Thea solves all the problems in the world and decides on a triple scoop, one of orange sherbert one of cookie dough and the other of chocolate chip. Honestly, neither of us should be overdoing it with the sweets. We have to be in the best shape of our lives for this coming fall.  

Didn’t I mention Thea and I are both training to become America’s next top undercover secret agents?  Yeah I said it, seriously no joke. A secret agent for Pan-Ams secret wings – or more formally known as the Underground forces for spies. Basically unheard of and more prestigious than any other agency out there. I could run through the story of Pan-Am female agents during the 60s, but that could take forever. Needless to say there is nothing that I have wanted more in my entire life. I have my dad to thank for that, more or less. Thea, on the other hand, did not want to be an operative for any agency until she met me.  She was on the track to becoming an operative anyway because of her parents but it was not until I came along and opened her eyes to the possibilities that she truly wanted it.  Right now, we are in a college  called "The School". The School directly deals with all of the alphabet soup clandestine agencies. 

We prep for a minimum of four years. Learning everything from languages to breaking bones and blowing things up, only when it is absolutely necessary. The best of the best get into the Underground forces for spies, and only the top notch gals become Pan-Am female agents.

After we graduate from here, the two of us will petition with the "Council" in hopes of joining the underground forces. We’ve both been accepted to Pan-Am training phase one. Then from there we will be official wings-women in the sky and on the ground.  Eric on the other hand, is already an agent for Pan-ams brother agency "Men of night"(MON). Pan-AM only accepts females. But he is fantastic at what he does, or so I think. He was the first person under the age of 22 to be awarded....well something or another I don't actually know. They tend to keep things a secret, and I mean all things. 

He works as an evidence analyst and briefs the council on new Intel. Once in a while he gets to be out in the field, which is where I want to be. But I guess his job is pretty important, and doesn’t just go to anyone.  He isn’t just good for fighting folks, the kid has brains. The ‘man’, I guess I should say -- thats what he has become. I have no clue when this happened. When I look at him, I still see the goofy eight year old, with fire in his green eyes. He has grown just a few feet taller, and has definitely filled out a bit. Standing at six foot four  he basically towers over my 5’3 stature. His eyes are my favorite; he is part Chinese and part Italian and it gives him a unique look.  

Suddenly a cell phone rings, it takes us both a second to realize it’s his and he answers it.  I notice his expression become grim. All the while I am still staring at him. Looking up he gives me a crooked grin.  He also has a dazzling smile. 

 Slipping the phone back into his pocket he says something that I am not able to catch. Did I just say dazzling? Talk about being a creep. 

I clear my throat and ask “What was that about?”

“Oh nothing, just work stuff.  Don’t worry about it.” He nods his head to the general direction of Thea “See you guys later?” 

“Seriously how many times do I have to say it, I. Am. Not. A. Guy.” Thea says punctuating every word between mouthfuls of ice cream. 

I roll my eyes at her then turn my attention back to Eric.“Work stuff? I thought you were on mandatory vacation and you’re not even supposed to be on call?”

            He quickly replies, “Not anymore shortcake, catch you later.” Then heads out the door. 

  As I watch him go, I notice a black Ford Explorer pulling up to the curb surprisingly he hops inside. Why doesn’t he just drive himself? --weird. The driver doesn’t look like any agent I have ever seen, but of course there are dozens of agents with the "Men of night".  The Men of Night wouldn’t be the "Men of Night" if it didn’t keep its agent’s covert. But this guy, well there was something off about him and its not just the scar running down his cheek. His long black hair is pulled into a low ponytail and those eyes... His eyes creep me out the most, dark vacant beady eyes.  Eyes that were cold and distant. Would it kill the guy to smile? He and I make eye contact for only a moment, then the two of them drive off. I catch the license plate number and make a mental note of it (JN18).  It’s  habit we’re trained to notice everything, every single detail counts, sometimes it is the difference between life and death. 

“Hey Thea are you ready to go we have to get back to campus?’

“Yeah yeah, let me run to the restroom.” She says through a mouthful of the last of her ice cream then leaves me to stand awkwardly in the middle of Baskin Robbins by myself. As soon as she walks away, a handsome guy strolls into the ice cream shop and starts walking towards me. Which is kind of odd, this isn’t something that happens often. I am not particularly pretty. Not like Thea anyways.  She has those bright hazel eyes, beautiful fair skin and curly blond hair that some girls would literally kill for. Let’s not forget that she is 5’8 and could probably pose as a model. I am the exact opposite. I stand at the average 5’3, with long average black, hair and average dark brown eyes. But for some reason Prince Charming is still walking towards me.  I won’t deny it, he’s attractive. 

“What happened to your face?”  He says

Never mind. Who needs a prince anyway? They always ruin the appeal when they start talking.  

“What happened to my face?” I feign seriousness

“It’s bruised” he looks closely as if to see that the bruises are real. 

Apparently he doesn't get sarcasm. “Oh, yeah” I laugh slightly “I got into a fight. You should see the other guy”

“Oh?” he looks shocked “Well if you see him again let me know, I’ll take him down for you.”  He winks at me with a half smile.  

Just then Thea walks up and rests her elbow on my shoulder “Oh I think she can take care of herself. By the way,” She reaches out her hand to shake his “I’m the other guy.”  

I don’t have time to see his shocked expression before Thea laughs, takes my hand and pulls me away. “It’s always the cute one’s who sound completely moronic” 

“Yes well I suppose I will have to live out my days with you?” I sigh dramatically

“Yeah right, you and Eric will get married someday.”

I nearly trip over myself as we walk towards her Minnie coop 

“Are you kidding me?”

“You two have it bad for each other Jaelle, it’s only a matter of time.”

She giggles as we get into the car. I think of what to say next but come up short. Why in the world would Althea think that Eric and I had a thing for one another? Complete nonsense if you ask me.