To Be Alive And Desired

Chapter 1: The Meeting

She, was a bored wife and mother, longing for escape. He, was her escape.

2019

Late at night in a small town most people pass by, not caring to give it another thought, a 27-year-old man by the name of Holden Bennet enters a supercenter like many others he has seen before. However, in this town, some may say it's the place to be. The song "Sacrifice" by Elton John plays throughout the store as Holden makes his way around. He passes the 21-year-old Jenna Brie, and she catches his eye for a moment. She's used to guys turning to check her out, so it doesn't make much of an impact on what she is doing. Jenna is happy to be done with her day at work and passes two teenage boys that don't hide the fact that they are checking her out. She waves to her coworker without seeing if she waves back, and exits the store. Another typical day in the books for Jenna Brie.

But this story isn't about her. It's about the 40-year-old female coworker that waved back, knowing she is being ignored. Her name is Elise Campbell. She is a mother. She is a wife. She is a part-time cashier working to make some extra money. She wouldn't be here if it weren't for the money. That's what she tells herself. Elise is used to being ignored and overlooked in many aspects of her life. She fixes her glasses and then stops as she spots Holden coming her way. She catches his eye, and then nervously looks away and starts to clean one of the self-checkout registers. Although Elise is cleaning one and the other seven are open, she wonders if this man she has never seen before tonight will go to the one she is at. She takes a deep breath, and then hears Holden ring up one of his items on one of the other self-checkout registers. Then she hears the beep, signifying that he needs assistance. Elise's eyes grow big and she knows she will have to face this man.

Elise turns around and sees Holden smiling at her. Nervous, she looks down as she goes to him.

Elise: I'll help you with that.

The message on the screen asks if the customer is over 18. Elise punches in her numbers.

Elise: I know you're over eighteen, so you're good.

Holden: You didn't even look at me.

Elise turns and looks into Holden's eyes. Immediately, she feels an attraction. It's as if this man is hypnotizing her with his eyes, in the most pleasant of ways. Elise is mesmerized by Holden's eyes, and now he smiles.

Holden: So, do I make the cut?

Elise looks away for a moment, quickly adjusts her glasses, and hits the enter button on the screen.-

Elise: -You're good. Umm, what did you ask? I'm sorry. I don't know where my mind went there, haha!

Again, Holden smiles. This time Elise sees it and finds him even more attractive.

Holden: It happens. It's ok to daydream. I was asking if I made the cut.

Elise: Cut for what?

Holden: Being over eighteen.

Elise: Oh, heh. Of course.

Elise sees Holden put his Magnum condoms into a bag. She then looks back up at him, seeing that he is still looking at her.

Holden: Is it usually this dead in town at this time of night?

Elise: Oh yeah. It's ten o'clock.

Holden: Ten o'clock. Ooohh, so late.

He puts his Debit card into the register.

Holden: What is there to do for fun around here?

Elise: Not too much, really. People like to go camping, watch their kids play sports, I don't know. We're not too fun around here.

Holden takes his card and puts it into his wallet, all the while keeping his eyes locked on Elise.

Holden: I bet you could be.

Elise: Heh, what?

Holden: I'm sure that's not all that people do for fun. I'm sure there's more. Usually small towns like this have a lot of secrets.

Elise: Oh yeah. You are certainly correct there.

Elise looks over and sees two cashiers watching her. She then looks back at Holden.

Elise: People also love to gossip here.

Holden: Most people gossip because they're too afraid to look at their own lives.

Elise: I completely agree.

Holden takes his receipt, puts it in his bag, and then looks at Elise again.

Holden: What's your name?

Elise smiles.-

Elise: -Elise. What's yours?

Holden: Holden.-

-He puts out his hand and Elise shakes it.

Holden: It's nice to meet you, Elise. I like that name.

Elise: Thanks. I like yours too. Are you new here?

Holden: What gave me away?

Elise: You don't seem like people from here. I mean that as a compliment. Plus, I haven't seen you here before.

Again, Elise finds herself staring into Holden's eyes.

Holden: You'll see me again.

Elise: I look forward to it.

Holden puts his receipt on the register, blank side up.

Holden: Let me get your number.

For a moment Elise pauses, wondering what she should do.

Elise: I. . . I don't think that would be such a good idea.

She shows Holden her wedding ring.

Elise: I'm married, with two beautiful daughters.

Holden: That's nice. I understand.

He puts the receipt back into his bag.

Holden: What's your full name, so I can add you on Facebook? Nothing wrong with having friends.

Elise: Right.

Elise considers telling Holden that she doesn't have a Facebook. This way she wouldn't have to worry about this conversation going any further.

Elise: My name is Elise Campbell. You should be able to find me on there.

Holden: I will.

He smiles again.

Holden: It was very nice meeting you, Elise. Have a good night.

Elise: Goodnight.

Holden starts to turn, but stops and turns back to Elise.

Holden: And by the way, I like the earrings.

Elise smiles and rubs one of her ears.

Elise: Thank you.

She watches her new friend Holden leave, not taking her eyes off of him for a second.

Throughout the rest of her shift, Elise replays her encounter with Holden over a dozen times in her mind. She gets off work at eleven, walks to her car alone, and seems to catch almost every red light on her way home. The streets are empty and Elise feels if she drove through the red light, no one would know. However, she obeys the law and waits for the light to turn green. She thinks about Holden the whole way home. When Elise arrives at home, she hears nothing. Everyone is asleep. Her husband, Nelson, asleep on the couch. Her 14-year-old daughter, Trinity, asleep in her bed with her cell phone in her hand. Her 9-year-old daughter, Minnie, asleep in her bed hugging her frog stuffed animal.

Elise checks Facebook on her phone, hoping to see a friend request from Holden. Nothing. She wonders if tonight was too good to be true. If she will ever see this Holden guy again. Elise showers and gets ready for bed. As she lays down she checks her Facebook one more time, and sees she has a friend request from Holden Bennet. She accepts.