Milk and Cigarettes

Chapter 27

Surprisingly, I woke up before Leo that morning. The bright sun beamed through the cheap curtains and I went to the bathroom to wash my face. When I came back out, Leo was still asleep and sprawled all out on the bed. I went and laid a kiss on his cheek before grabbing a pen and paper.

Went out to get breakfast. I'll be back before 10. I love you xxxx Wendy

I went through my wallet to count how much money I had left. Three 1's and a 10 were all that remained, combined with Leo's, we probably had somewhere around $25 left. I threw on my jeans and one of Leo's loose T-shirts and headed out the door. I remembered passing by a McDonald's the night before, so I turned left and began walking. What are we going to do about money? I can't go back to Spokane. I worried as I noticed the McDonald's sign up in the distance. Maybe we can get a job. We'll figure this out. I tried comforting myself, but Leo was all the comfort I ever needed. Hell, we could've been homeless back then and it would like a dream come true with him by my side. I crossed the very empty street over to the side of the fast food joint. I can't remember what day it was, but it must've been a Saturday or Sunday, because it seemed like no one was awake yet, save for the two cars I saw parked in the front. I walked in and a breeze of cool air blew in my face, causing me to shiver. The boy behind the counter looked maybe a year younger than me and very tired. I examined the menu and decided on breakfast burritos, milk, and coffee- if I had enough left over money. I order the first two, which came down to $5.87, so I added the two coffees.

"Alright. That'll be $7.25." The boy mumbled out as another customer walked in.

I handed him my last $10 bill. "Okay, thanks."

"Your order will be out shortly, ma'am. Next." I moved over, putting my change in my wallet, as the bald man behind me came up to order. I stared outside at light blue sky, clear from any clouds, and wondered what everyone back in Arizona was thinking. Lost in thought, I was startled when I heard my order number yelled out in the quiet place.

"Order #54!"

I walked up and took the bag and drink carrier. "Thanks again." I lazily spoke as I pushed the door with my back and walked out.

As I headed back to the motel, I wondered what the beach looked like. I had never been to one before, nor had I ever seen an ocean or sea.

•

"Wendy!" Leo exclaimed with a smile as I walked in. He was sat on the bed and his hair was in a beautiful mess.

"Good Morning, handsome." I grinned as I set the food and drinks down on a dinky wooden table. "Breakfast is served." I laughed with a wink. I walked over to Leo who hugged me as he still sat on the bed, his head lying on my chest. I ran my fingers through his hair as he spoke,

"I was thinking," He paused and kissed my skin, "that we could actually start performing, you know, to get some extra cash." His voice vibrated my skin.

I laughed. "Well, what would we perform?"

"Anything!" Leo raised his head up but kept his arms around my waist. "We could sing!"

"Sing?" I thought about the idea for a while before responding. "What the hell, why not?" I laughed. This could be fun, and a whole lot better than getting a job.

"Whoo hoo!" Leo yelped and jumped up, kissing my cheek. "After we eat, let's figure out what songs we'll do!" He said full of excitement which made my eyes glitter in adoration.

"Okay." I smiled and kissed him. "Cheers!" I joked, grabbing my milk carton.

"Cheers!" Leo clinked his plastic container against mine.

•

We gobbled down our delicious but incredibly unhealthy food and began planning.

"Hey, how about that song that was playing on the radio? When we were sitting on the car and watching the sunset?"

"Danny's Song!" Leo exclaimed. "God, I love you." He leaned in and covered my face with kisses. "That's perfect, babe."

I giggled as he sat back down on the chair across from me. "And we can alternate singing the versus and sing the chorus together!"

"Just what I was thinking." Leo winked as he sipped his milk and pulled out a cigarette.

•

After a couple hours of pulling together a few songs and trying them out, we had 6 ready to be performed. Danny's Song, I Got You Babe, Always On My Mind, and Blue Moon were the four we'd sing together. Leo decided on Free Fallin' to sing alone, which he dedicated to me, and I decided on Hotel California, which I dedicated to us and our travels.

"What about instruments? Or are we going to sing acapella?" I questioned, considering the fact that I couldn't play any instruments.

"Well, I know how to play a few chords on guitar. I bet I can find a cheap one around here."

"And I'll play the tambourine!" I joked as I finished my coffee.

"That isn't a half bad idea, though." Leo suggested. "It's not hard to learn, you just gotta know the beat. Plus, you'd be a pretty damn cute tambourine girl." He blew smoke out the side of his mouth and smirked.

"Whatever." I smiled and lit up a cigarette. "Let's go to the beach today."

"Okay, babe." Leo smiled and easily agreed.

After we finished our cigarettes and talking about theories we had on life outside of Earth, we went to take a shower. I always loved being able to talk to Leo about those kinds of things. I could say anything to him and he never judged me, because he'd have thought of the same too.

•

As we showered and Leo shampooed my hair, I realized, "Damn! I don't have a swim suit."

"I bet we can find a nude beach around here." Leo chuckled.

"Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes and laid my head on his chest. "Actually, do they have those?" I considered the idea, surprising myself.

"Probably." Leo shrugged. "But, I don't want some Hollywood hunk stealing you from me, we'll have to find a secluded place." He spoke and I could tell he was grinning.

"Leo, no one could steal me from you. Not even Corey Haim!" I giggled. "No, honestly, you're kind of stuck with me now." I looked up at him as water trickled down our faces.

Leo weakly smiled and gazed down at me. "Good. You're stuck with me too."

The moment was still and sweet, and then Leo leaned in and licked my face like a dog. "Oops." He laughed as I scrunched my face.