Hometown Hero

Chapter Seven: Rhythm and Blues

It rained Sunday, and all of Sunday night. I laid in bed, staring out my window and wondering if Indie couldn't sleep, either. When I woke up early Monday morning and got ready to go, I knew I had one opportunity to get this right. I didn't work today; covering Becca's shift maxed out my hours, so I was going for one reason.

Dads were still sleeping when I walked out the door, and I was thankful that they weren't awake to grill me about what happened last night. I made it to the diner just in time to see that Mitch had opened up shop right on time. I looked at my clock; ten to seven. Only one person would be here.

I took a breath, and walked in to see Indie at his usual spot; I marched up, determined not to break character. I stopped short, thinking back, and thanked him silently for facing the wall instead of the door. I focused, and started to speak.

“Damn.” I said, just loud enough so he could hear me. He tilted his head, and I knew he heard me, so I started again, a little louder “Damn.”

He turned, and as soon as he saw me, he smiled.

“Oh, damn. Okay, okay, okay.” I walked up, seeing him try to resist laughing out loud as I performed my monologue “'Scue me, can I talk to you for a minute? I said e'scue me, can I talk to you for a minute?”

He covered his mouth, nodding and letting me continue, “Hi, my name's Dawson. I get that it's a boy's name, but my name's Dawson. Yeah, I just wanted to let you know, um...The back of yo' head is ridic-o-lous.”

“Thanks.” He choked, biting his lip.

“Yeah, you are welcome.” I tried, pretending to be flirty and resting my elbow on the table with my cellphone in my hand “So, can I have your number? Can I? Can I please?”

He laughed, extending his hand “Sure.”

Sliding it across the table, I watched him reach into his pocket and pull out his, handing it to me. I typed in my number, writing my name at the top and saving it before handing it back.

“I was going to ask you for it on Saturday,” He looked up, “But I couldn't get the words out.”

I smiled, “That's okay. I just kind of thought that if I wasn't going to sleep last night, I might as well bug you.”

He looked at me, eyes set “It wouldn't have been a problem.”

I swallowed down the giddiness that danced around inside me. I mentally warned myself, Don't think about him in bed. Don't do it. Stop it.

“I couldn't sleep either.” I heard him say, and I wondered if he meant to keep his voice low, or if I was just trying not to...

Too late.

I bit my lip, trying to focus on the task at hand “Um, did you want your usual?”

He glanced at the bar, scanning the case “Hm. I'm thinking I should probably try something moderately healthy today, so how about the Veggie?”

Shocked, my eyes widened, “Wow. Someone's stepping their game up this morning. Fruit or potatoes?”

“Um, just the potatoes, thanks.” He smiled, “And a coffee, please.”

I smiled, “Of course. Coming right up.”

The order was placed, and I looked around, seeing that there wasn't anyone else in the diner but us. And of course Mitch, but he remained silent and specifically non-comment as I sat down across from Indie.

He smiled, and as I placed my hand on the table, I could see him hesitate to move it just a little bit closer. Before I realized the thought, I jumped up and walked to the counter “It's too quiet in here.”