Weeping Willows

Chapter 26

Learn Something New Everyday

                The bells tinkled as Ryan opened the door of the diner for Elizabeth.  She found that the sound slightly reminded her of wind chimes.  She always loved the sound they produced but couldn’t have any at her apartment due to the noise complaint they would cause.  It was one of the few things she didn’t like about her old home.  Now that she had a house in the middle of nowhere Elizabeth could put up as many as she wanted.  The prospect sent a thrill through her.

                “Just what’s got you smiling so big?”  Ryan asked curious to know what had made her glow like a kid at Christmas.

                “You’ll laugh.”

                “I won’t, promise.”

                “I don’t know.”

                “If I laugh you have my word you can hit me for it.”  That made Elizabeth laugh but she gave in and decided she would take him at his word.

                “I just realized I can hang as many wind chimes as I wanted.”  Ryan waited a beat for the punch line before he responded.

                “Couldn’t you before?”

                “I had a studio apartment before with a noise ordinance.  I couldn’t even have one.”

                “You like them that much huh?”

                “I love the different sounds each one makes.  I usually go for the thinner pipes because I don’t really like the hollow gong of the big metal ones, but my favorite are wooden chimes.”

                Elizabeth waited for Ryan to laugh at such a childish thing but to her surprise he seemed to be deep in thought.  Looking back at her he winked and sauntered away to the counter.  What on earth was that about?  She wondered to herself as she slowly followed behind him.  She would like to say it was because she was lost in thought that she moved so slowly but honestly it was probably more the view then anything.  Jenny’s giggle brought her eyes up to meet the knowing gaze of the other woman.  Damn she had been caught again. 

                “Just what were you looking at I wonder.”  Ryan teases obviously having caught her staring as well.

                “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”  Ryan and Jenny both chuckled at that causing Elizabeth to make a mental note to be less obvious in the future if she was going to check someone out.  Sitting down on the stool next to Ryan she glanced around looking for Jan slightly disappointed she wasn’t there.  While she had been distracted Ryan had ordered burgers for the both of them so Jenny could get back to her other customers.  Elizabeth let out a dejected sigh leaning her head down on the cool counter.  It felt good against her heated skin that was damp from sweat and humidity.  She would be thankful to get home to her very cool house and out of the heat of the day.  Ryan laid his head down too facing her looking at her like he was trying to dissect her. 

                “What?”

                “Why are you laying down?  Are you tired?”  Elizabeth shook her head in response lifting her head from the counter only to be followed by Ryan.  Bracing his elbow on the counter he placed his head on his palm and watched her.

                “It’s really hot today.”  His statement was preceded by the waggling of his eyebrows making Elizabeth blush.

                “It’s not because of what you’re thinking.”  She accused making Ryan shoot his eyebrows up in innocence.

                “I was thinking it’s hot and humid out.  You’re the one with her mind in the gutter here.  I advise you to stop that because I’m an impressionable young man.”  Elizabeth blushed a brighter red but snorted while rolling her eyes in disbelief.

                “It’s true.  I am a very impressionable person.”  Somehow, he managed to turn the innocent sentence into something lascivious as he leaned forward a little invading her personal space.  Elizabeth’s temperature began to climb again but for reason’s other then the weather.  Just as things were getting uncomfortable for her Jenny noisily put their plates down.

                “Get a room you two.”  She teased sending a wink Elizabeth’s way.  Gratefully she smiled at her then turned to the heavenly smell invading her nose.

                “I see how it is.  You’re going to ignore me in favor of food.”  He pouted at her playfully making Elizabeth want to play along.

                “Yep, a girl needs to eat.”

                “If that's how you're going to be.”

                “Of course.”  She agreed taking a rather large bite of her burger forcing her cheeks to puff out to make room for the food.  Ryan chuckled at her.

                “How could you ignore me like that?”

                “Easily, now hush while I eat in venerated silence.”

                “But I’m better then some hamburger.”  He pouted while batting his eyes trying to get her to laugh.

                “Debatable.”  She said instead causing Ryan to gasp in mock indignation as she took another large bite causing her to have to talk around the food still in her mouth.

                “Oh, hush you, my stomach is very demanding.  If you don’t keep quiet, I’ll eat you instead.”  The minute she realized what she said Elizabeth’s eyes widened in horror and she began to choke on the food.  Ryan for his part looked just as shocked as she did before he rushed to help her breath.  Jenny having overheard the whole thing doubled over in laughter at the two of them.  By the time Elizabeth could breath again she was purple in the face and glaring at Jenny who was unabashedly wiping away her tears of mirth.

                “I didn’t mean for it to sound like that.”  Elizabeth rasped out causing Jenny to snort in disbelief.  “I’m just going to shut up now before I dig this hole deeper.”  She amended taking a fry from her plate.  Ryan nodded sagely in agreement while still gently rubbing her back.

                “You probably should, impressionable remember?”  He stated while pointing a finger at himself.

                “If you make me choke on food again, I’ll hurt you.”  Ryan lifted his hands in surrender turning to his own meal as she glared at him.

                “Yes dear, shutting up now.”  He teased but began to eat leaving her to finish her lunch without further harassment.

                They spent the rest of the meal in companionable silence as each enjoyed their food.  When they finished without further incident Ryan paid for the check refusing Elizabeth’s efforts to split it.  She would make sure that next time she beat him to it.  She amended to herself plotting how to get to the check before him.  They exited the cool diner making Elizabeth visibly wilt in the mid-day heat. 

                “I should get you home before you melt on the pavement.”

                “I need to pick up some groceries first.  My fridge is down to condiments.”  She admitted sheepishly.  Ryan chuckled but escorted her to her car.  Not wanting to part ways with her just yet he offered to go with her.  Sighing in relief she agreed hating shopping alone.  At least now she would have someone to keep her company as long as he behaved himself.  Heading to his own car he backed into the street taking the lead to the store.  Elizabeth cranked her A/C before following behind.

                A few minutes later she was pulling into the space beside him in the lot of the small store.  Looking through her windshield she smiled at the quaint building in front of her.  It was a mom and pop type store and the only grocery the town had.  The brick front was faded and weathered with age.  A large green and white striped canopy hung out over the sidewalk offering patrons a bit of shade.  Gladys’s Goods was written in cursive on the large tinted front windows. The white letters of the store’s name faded over time.  Elizabeth joined Ryan on the sidewalk as they walked in together.  Cool air pushed away the heat as they entered making them sigh in relief.  She hoped the summer wasn’t always this hot around here or she may never leave the comfort of her home until winter.

                Ryan grabbed a generic metal shopping cart from the small cache inside.  He crossed his arms on top of the bar leaning into the cart waiting for her to join him.  Smiling at his ease Elizabeth walked over to him and they set out on the mission to replenish her fridge.  She listened as he pointed things out around them nodding each time before picking out what she wanted.  For the most part she was a relatively healthy cook but of course she couldn’t pass up the snacks offered too.  Junk food was of course a staple of her house and she figured as long as she ate the other food groups diligently, she was allowed to have her goodies too.  Ryan laughed as she explained that snacks were an underrated food group as well and without certain necessities, she would be a bear to put up with at least once a month.  A shake of his head was all the response he gave as he patiently waited while she indulged in her chocolate obsession.  Elizabeth didn’t know why they say diamonds were a girl’s best friend.  If they had bothered to ask women their opinions, they would have said keep your gems and give me smooth, creamy, melts in your mouth goodness any day instead.  There were needs to be met and priorities to consider after all.  Coffee in the morning and chocolate during the day.  How do men think women have managed to tolerate them this long?

                Ryan and Elizabeth meandered around the relatively quiet store getting everything she could think of that she needed.  She really needed to bring shopping lists with her instead of just deciding she could remember everything.  By the time she was done the I’ll remember everything turns into why do I feel like I’m forgetting something?  And of course, it was only after getting home that she would discover what it was that she had forgotten.  Which inevitably would turn out to be something relatively important, like toilet paper.  As the two of them neared the end of the shopping trip the familiar sense of foreboding was upon her.  Trying as hard as she could though, Elizabeth just couldn’t seem to think of anything she was missing.

                They made their way up to the front of the store to the only one of three registers that had a cashier in it.  Elizabeth was glad it wasn’t busy right now as she hated when only one check stand was open, and you had to stand behind numerous people until it was your turn.  It was a minor pet peeve of hers that never got better no matter how many times it happened to her.  As they placed her things onto the counter Elizabeth looked over the girl manning the register.  The girl couldn’t be more then 16 or 17 with her baby face and of course put-upon teenage air of boredom.  The girl had long straight overly processed dyed black hair.  Her light blue eyes were heavily rimmed in black eyeliner giving her a ghoulish look.  Her clothes were baggy hanging on her thin frame and completely drab in dull dark colors.  The bright green canvas vest stood out in contrast and her name tag made Elizabeth chuckle.  It was a bulky white square with the name Kim printed in black.   Little skull and crossbones stickers were placed in a line after it insinuating her name was longer, but she went by the shortened version.

                The girl silently rang up Elizabeth’s purchases while sneaking glances between her and Ryan.  A sly smirk pulled at her chapped lips as she continued ringing things through.  Ryan went to the other end of the counter bagging things up oblivious to the girl’s watchful gaze.  Once she was done, she boldly met Elizabeth’s gaze and told her the total in a bored monotone voice.  Rolling her eyes at the young girl she paid for her things and walked with Ryan out the door both of them carrying a few bags a piece.  Once they were back outside however Ryan burst out laughing causing Elizabeth to look at him in curiosity.

                “Sorry but that was too funny.  I don’t think Kimmie has ever been so quiet before.”

                “She normally talks?”  The thought baffled her as Ryan nodded his head.

                “She’s usually very chatty.  I’d say she gets that from her grandma.”

                “Do I know her grandmother?”  Elizabeth asked completely thrown when Ryan laughed heartily again.  By the time he settled down they had made it to the trunk of her car and were loading her things into it.

                “Kimmie is Mabel’s granddaughter.”  Elizabeth’s mouth nearly hit the cement in her shock.  The brightly colored genial old woman was related to the dark and dreary teen.  The thought blew her mind.

                “That’s not all.  She’s Tyson’s girlfriend too.”  If she was shocked before she was thunderstruck now.  Ryan laughed at her stupor as he closed the trunk of the car.  He kissed her lightly on the cheek and told her he would see Elizabeth tomorrow bright and early.  With that he left her standing there dumbly staring at the store front trying to process what she had just heard.  She wouldn’t have believed it either if aforementioned boy wonder hadn’t come sauntering up the walk wearing baggy jeans, red converse, a white football jersey, and the world’s cheesiest smile on his face while entering the store.  Well who would have guessed.  She thought shaking herself out of her trance.  It was only then that Ryan’s words had registered but by then he was already gone.  Just how early was bright and early?