THE OWL NEXT DOOR

2

“Let’s get physical, physical. You wanna get physical, physical…..”
That’s me singing, moon-walking towards the kitchen, getting ready to mess around with food trying to make breakfast. Took out some bread from the bread bin, then I checked the refrigerator for some paste. We were out of cheese. I checked with my mother’s vase for a few coins then headed to the grocery store just around the block.

“Hey yo Tris! Tris!”
“What?”
“Girl don’t ‘what’ me, who is you playing homes? Aye, who that white boy you was whipping around with yesterday?”
“Man, I don’t know, alright! Why don’t you wait around for him so you could ask him yourself?”
“Man I aint trying to hear that shit right now. Tell that fool if I see him I'mma pop him, nahm sayin? Shit go get ugly”
“What am I, your spokesperson now? Nigga just leave me alone ok!”, I said walking away.

That was Dave Peterson, the little punk living up the block, who likes preying on the innocent and vulnerable. He always makes sure to showcase his masculinity by abusing everyone younger than him for no apparent reason. One time I had to bite his pinky so hard it almost fell off after he attempted to snatch my headphones. Boy had to wear band-aid for like two weeks. Right now I was kind of scared as to what he might do to Jason. I wanted to warn him but at the same time I didn’t want to seem like I’m kind of invested in his business. I wasn’t even sure if I was ready to meet him again or what, but deep down I wanted to see that cute face again.

I couldn’t find cheese slices so I decided to pick up a small bottle of Melrose spread. “How much is this?”
“$2.25”
“Dang! I'm like 60c short”
“Don’t worry, I got you”, someone from behind replied. I whirled to check out who it was. Standing majestically with his shoulders upright, chest out and a face full of smile was Jason. “Boy is you following you?”. I was so delighted to see him but not ready at the same time. I had on my old AF1s whose white color was long lost and my hair was so messed up. I quickly pulled my hoodie up to cover it up. “You know you don’t have to hide from me, right?” he said pulling the hoodie down. I don’t want to lie for a second there I felt like an ass. He had on a Hi-Tec vest, Nike shorts and a pair of Dunks. “You was jogging?”
“Nah, I’m from the movies. Of course, I was jogging, almost died today!”
“You got some jokes son. Well don’t worry about dying, you gonna get that soon. Some bloke from the block wants you dead, so just keep it in your pants home boy you have it coming your way”.
Dude had so much composure and wasn’t terrified about what I had just said even a little bit. That scared the hell out of me because I knew Dave was a loose cannon and anyone should be afraid of him. We kept walking slowly up the streets, completely forgotten about my breakfast and stuff. His company was just exhilarating and I got to say I could sense the connection. I got to learn he was the nephew of the sheriff and he was in town for trials at the 76iers for basketball. And there I was walking besides him like a lost puppy because I had no knowledge of sports, I kept saying “Mhh, that’s wonderful” every now and then. I don’t know if he was playing dumb or what because even a blind idiot could see I didn’t know Jack about what he was talking about. He just got into my nerve for a moment right there. “So, what you up to after lunch? I got some Skittles I couldn’t finish the other day, I was hoping you could help me out.”
“Skittles! What’s that, Chinese food?”
“My bad, I didn’t know you was a Martian! Skittles fool, they snacks!”
“Damn! Yeah for sure, we can chill out”
“Alright bet, see you then”

We went to the park and sat on the far east side where there was little to no movements at all. Jason had on some shorts and a botanical printed shirt with the last two buttons unfastened. His cologne was so sweet it had me melting inside. I wanted to tear that shirt down to the last button and have the whole of him. He kept staring at me with his pink lips parted a little. I just kept melting and zoning out. I could here my heart beating out of my chest and lips drying out. We made eye contact and had a fixed gaze. “So, where are the skittles?”
“Oh, my bad, of course the skittles”. I took out two packets from my backpack and handed one to Jason. “So, how are you enjoying Margrave?”
“It's quite a small town from what I am used to but it's fascinating either way. I mean you guys do have beautiful sites to see. For example, your park is way more fashioned than that where I'm from.”
“Oh yeah, tell me about it! Our mayor is indeed outdoing himself on improving this town. He be keeping it so clean the only thrash left would be us!”, we both laughed to that with our foreheads almost smashing against each other. We sat there talking and giggling and lost track of time. My mother rang me calling me home. “Hey I gotta go, I mean I'd love to continue staying but you know mom, she….uhm….she…you know I gotta…..”. Jason grabbed my hands and slowly moved his hands up my arms. I felt his breath brushing my forehead and I closed my eyes as he slowly got closer to my face. I could feel his breath strongly hitting my forehead. I could hear his lips parting and I parted mine a little bit. “It’s fine darling you can go home, it was lovely hanging out with you!” he whispered to my ear then withdrew back. I opened my eyes a little embarrassed, hoping he was not paying attention to all my emotions which were all over the air. But who was I kidding, he absolutely noticed my anticipation and left me hanging intentionally. I stood up and picked up my backpack and started walking. “You aren’t going to give me a hug?”
“Go hug your mama”
“Come on, don’t be silly!”
“Boy if you don’t get out of my face!”. Jason knew what I was so mad about and hysterically laughed at me. I picked up the pace and left him still laughing. He caught up with me and grabbed my hand, “Teresa come on man, we had a great time for you to be mad at me at the end” he exclaimed. I kept walking and not paying any attention to him. He grabbed my hand so hard I swirled. He grabbed me by the cheeks and kissed me tenderly. I couldn’t believe it, my eyes lit up and I felt an electrifying surge down my body. I jumped back up and kissed him more. It felt so good I didn’t want it to end, his lips were so chubby and sweet it was luck sucking a rubber sponge filled with vanilla cream. For a moment there I got carried away, then remembered I had to go home. I withdrew my lips and looked him in the eyes with my hands on his cheeks and said goodbye.