Milk and Cigarettes

Chapter 25

We entered Hollywood around 9:30 P.M. that night. Lights flooded my vision, bright red and green and blue filled every space and I began to forget it was night time. My adrenaline raced as we drove through the streets, Leo and I gazing at the famous city. Music flowed through the smoke scented air and I craved a cigarette. I reached for the pack and lit one up.

"That was just what I was about to do." Leo winked and I pulled one out for him and did the same. We made our way around the streets and then Leo slowed down beside a curb.

"Excuse me, sir." He said in a jokingly old fashioned voice to a young man standing outside of a bar. "I'm trying to find a drive in for me and the lady." Leo puffed his smoke to the side and the man glanced over at me and back at him.

"There's several. What film you two lookin' for?" The man sweeped his nearly black hair behind his ear and smiled.

"Bonnie and Clyde."

"You're in luck, my friend. Every weekday Molly's Drive-In plays that at 11:00." The man explained the directions to Leo as I turned around in my seat to watch the lights which effortlessly glittered around us. When the car began its route, I reached and turned on the radio. It sung 'Twist and Shout' and I sang along.

"Well shake it up baby now!" I danced in my seat as my second cigarette burned in my left hand.

"Twist and shout!" Leo sang the back up vocals with a laugh.

We had our windows down and sang our hearts out to each song on the radio. Leo stopped the car at a diner and ran to my door and opened it.

"After you." He smirked. I got up and blushed as easily as he always got me to.

"You know, we're gonna run outta money soon." I said, giggling as we walked into the 1950s themed building.

"You're right. I guess we'll have to just start street performing." Leo sighed in his dramatic, not-so-serious way, but I had a feeling he was really being serious.

"Alright." I said with a serious tone and a smile. Leo looked at me with a 'really?' face.

We slid down into a booth, sitting side by side. It always bothered me when I saw other couples doing this before, but now I had understood it, because I wanted to be close to him always. Whether we were sleeping, showering, or eating, I loved feeling his touch which radiated a safe atmosphere for me.

A red headed waitress with straight across bangs walked up with two menus. "Can I start you two up with any appetizers or drinks?" She grinned and her perfect white teeth showed.

"I'll have milk, please." Leo spoke.

"Me too." I looked down, feeling slightly insecure around her perfect Californian look.

"Can we get a coffee too?" Leo said. The waitress smiled and promised the quick arrival of our drinks.

"You're getting coffee?" I asked, surprised.

"I got it for you." He leaned and kissed my forehead as he swung his arm around my shoulders, a freshly lit cigarette in his sculpted hand. "I knew you'd want it." Leo smiled and I laid my head on his shoulder. The waitress came over with our drinks and set them down in front of us. "Ready?" Her perky fake smile appeared and I felt the ooze of anxiety come over me again. I quickly skimmed at the menu as Leo ordered pancakes.

"And I'll have strawberry waffles, please." I said, handing her my menu.

She returned behind the counter and I wondered what Leo thought of her and her enormous, too-good-to-be-true breasts. I glanced over at her as she chatted away with her co-workers, looking back at our table. I notice her look at Leo and smile. I turned to him as he turned to me.

"Can she not see I'm with someone?" His eyebrows drew down and he leaned into me, holding my cheek, and kissed me slowly.

"So," I said in between a kiss. "you don't" kiss "think she's" kiss "prettier than me?"

Leo spoke in a soft whisper which pulled me even closer so I could hear. "There is nothing in this world more beautiful than my Wendy. No flower, no mountain, no diamond-" He paused. "no girl, more beautiful than my Wendy." The waitress came over in that moment with our food and I never felt more confident in myself than in that moment. "This is my girlfriend. Isn't my girlfriend fucking beautiful?" I felt my face flood red and Leo's hand tightened around my thigh. I guess I knew I was his girlfriend at that point, but I never actually heard him say it. The red headed woman stood there with a shocked expression and slowly put the food down.

"Yes, yes, she is." She spoke uncertainly. "Can I uh-" She stopped and straightened her apron. "Can I get you two anything else?" Her eyes dodged to the side and for the first time ever, I actually felt fully and completely happy with myself and every small thing about me. Leo loving me taught me how to love myself. I know everyone says to love yourself before you love someone else, and maybe that works for some people. But, it took Leo to come into my life and for me to come into his in order for us to love one another and ourselves unconditionally.

"No, I think we're good." I smiled and took out a cigarette. She left and Leo kissed my cheek. "Thank you." I whispered to him. "But you can't say things like that!" I playfully smacked his arm as he pretended to be hurt.

"Things like what? I'll say or do anything to protect my girlfriend." He smirked in a way that made me want him right then and there. Although he always made me feel protected, I always sensed this dangerous element to him. A dangerousness that seemed to not touch me, but allow me in its orb and affect everyone and everything else around us.

He smiled. "I wonder if they have a jukebox." Leo started to look around as I spotted one in the back of the room and pointed it out. He walked out as I sipped my milk and soaked in our diner moment, a precious memory. Suddenly, a new song began to play. I watched Leo as he smiled like a little boy who had made a parent proud, a small blush arose from his face. He came over to me and took my hand, raising me from my seat.

"What're you doing?" I giggled as he cusped his arm around the small of my back and took my hand in his.

"We're dancing." He said as he leaded my body in a sway to the tune. A nearby older couple cooed at us and smiled. I felt like we were the stars in our own little Hollywood film as we danced around the diner, Leo singing the song to me quietly.

"What can make me feel this way, my girl. I'm talking 'bout my girl..."