hot summer nights (danny wagner)

maxine jordan

The clock on my desk clicked. I obsessively checked it, until the digital numbers turned to 4:30 PM. I was eager to go home, I was exhausted and it was finally Friday, meaning I had the whole weekend to be lazy and finish unpacking some stuff. I gathered up my work things, throwing them haphazardly into my purse. I slipped my laptop into it's case, and slipped that into my purse as well. I popped my head into my boss's office. Her name is Chelsea, she was really nice, and so far a great boss. It was nice to have a woman boss in such a male dominated industry. "I'm heading out," I said. "Do you need anything from me?" I asked. Chelsea lifted her head from her laptop, flinging her voluminous blonde hair from her face. She smiled, bunching up the loose skin by her big brown eyes. "Not at all, Honey. Have a good weekend," She said in her sugary sweet southern accent. "You too!" I smiled, then headed back to my desk, grabbing my blue raincoat and throwing it over my white blouse, and black pencil skirt. My heels tapped on the tile floor, while I headed toward the elevator to exit the building.

I am a recent transplant in Nashville, Tennessee, from Spokane, Washington. I work as a computer programmer, receiving a huge title change within my company, and a very handsome raise. The only condition was having to relocated to Nashville. So far, Nashville is somewhat similar to Washington. It's been gloomy and rainy here, despite it being the middle of July. I'm not complaining though, I love the rain.

I threw the hood of my coat over my wind blown mess of brown hair once I left the building, and looked across the wet street before running to my car in the parking lot across the street. I unlocked my light blue Subaru, and threw all of my items into the backseat. I quickly slipped into the front seat, pressing the start button beside the wheel. I backed out of my spot, and headed toward my new apartment building I shared with my long term boyfriend, Jack. The building was beautiful, and offered many amenities to its tenants. I would've never been able to afford to live somewhere like this if it weren't for my promotion. I felt so accomplished, and proud of myself. I'm making enough money to support both Jack and I, although I do wish Jack would get maybe a part time job, or something just to get out of the house.

My phone rang through my car bluetooth as I drove, and I clicked my steering wheel answer button. "Hello?" I said. "Hey Max, do you mind picking up some stuff from the store for me?" Jack was on the other line. I sighed. "Jack I'm almost home, I've been awake since 5. I'm really tired," I said, turning right down the rainy street. "Can you please just grab a few things and not be difficult," He demanded. I rolled my eyes to myself. "Sure, Jack. What do you want," I asked, begrudgingly, prepared to memorize a shopping list. I carefully and irresponsibly pulled up directions on my phone to the nearest grocery store, which happened to be Whole Foods.

"Could you grab some beer, a frozen pizza, and some chips?" he asked. I could see him now, sitting on the couch in his boxers, Xbox controller in hand, leaving the apartment a mess. I sighed. "Yeah, I'll- I'll be home soon," I said. "Okay, I love-" Jack started before I hung up the phone. I turned my car around, and started heading the opposite direction to Whole Foods.

Once I got to the store, I grabbed what was requested, something for me to make for dinner, and a bottle of red wine for myself then checked out in self check out quickly, trying to avoid the after work rush. I threw the paper bag on the passenger seat, realizing I probably put too much shit into one flimsy paper bag.

Finally, I arrived to my building. I parked my car in my spot. I got out, and started carefully grabbing everything into my arms then situated the bags to where I wouldn't drop anything, almost performing a balancing act. I glanced in the car to see if I missed anything, and saw my water bottle sitting in the cup holder. Stealthily, I shifted all of my stuff to one arm, and reached my free hand into the car, grabbing the metal bottle. I slammed my door shut with my hip, and walked to the elevator, hearing the puttering of rain on the building, and the clicking of my heels.