Dark Horse

Murder Mysteries and Coffee

       All through dinner, I can feel Mason looking at me. Every time I try to catch him, he turns and talks to my mother. The talk is pretty boring the moms complain about how the school should have a higher budget for class parties. Then Mrs. Lorne turns to me.
"Sophie, what after-school activities are you doing?"
I gulp. "Um...none."
"So what do you like to do on your free time?"
"Mom," Mason interjects. Mrs. Lorne ignores him.
"I like to write, mostly," I re-organize my utensils. "I also like to read, I guess."
Mrs. Lorne ruffles Meg's hair. Meg swats her hand away.
"This little one likes to read too."
"What do you like to read?" I ask, trying to ignore Mason's mother.
"Murder mysteries," Meg pipes up, smiling mischievously.
"No you don't," Mrs. Lorne says quickly. Her tone comes out sharp.
"Meg, honey, you like nonfiction," Mrs. Lorne reminds Meg.
"Honey, I think Meg knows what she likes," Mr. Lorne says something for the first time all dinner.
"I'm going to freshen up," Mrs. Lorne says curtly, exiting the room. The mood seems to lighten after that.
Meg tells us about a story she's writing where the murderer wears their victim's skin as coat. My mom tells us about movie from the 1950s that features Marilyn Monroe. My dad challenges Mason to a presidential debate. Mr. Lorne actually engages and talks to me about F. Scott Fitzgerald (one of my all-time favorite authors). When Mrs. Lorne returns, she chats more and more than before. Not the sharp carefully cut words before, but mindless chatter that gives everyone a headache. Everyone quickly starts to get fed up. I've never heard Mason talk badly about his mother, but if I had a mother like that, maybe I would already be gone.
"Jessica," My dad interrupts Mrs. Lorne, "could we please talk about something other than split ends?"
The rest of the night was a disaster.

I breathed a sigh of relief when they left. Not because of Mason of course. Mason's kiss still lingered on my lips. My first kiss.
Tonight.
The one I had been waiting for my entire life happened tonight. The terrible dinner, the kiss, all replayed back in my mind. I went to bed floating on air.

What do you wear on a date for coffee?
Something nicer than usual, but not too nice? But what is too nice? Should I go heavier on the makeup? Should that make me look weird? Finally, I settle for cropped jeans and a red blouse. A gold necklace with a raw amethyst. We got that at a metaphysical shop in Florida. The lady said it provides peace, balance, and patience. This was before the cuts appeared. This is the first time I've worn it after.

     I was early.
But so was Mason. I waved shyly at him as I walked over.
"You want coffee?" He asks as I sit down.
"No, I'll have some tea, please," I tell the waitress. Her eyes don't even move from Mason. Once she leaves, I lean in to Mason and whisper,
"She totally likes you," my eyes flicker to the waitress who is still watching Mason. Mason blushes, then kisses me again. Deeper and longer this time. I feel like the whole room is staring at us. When he pulls away, I say, "What was that for?"
"I wanted to people to know that you were mine," he says.
I give him another kiss, a light one.
I think I'm in love.

And guess what?
The waitress's eyes are now glued to another guy that isn't half of what Mason is.