When We Were Young

St. Benedict's

Midtown, Manhattan - Present Day

"You're into movies, right?" Brock asked as he and Sabrina strolled down the sidewalk.

"Of course."

"Scary ones?"

"I love a good scary movie. Is that where you're taking me?"

"Yeah but it's a little different than your traditional movie theater experience, so just keep an open mind, okay?"

"Ohhh-kay..." his lead-up made her wary and Franklin's premonition kept running through her head. The night wasn't that weird yet, just a little outside the norm. It seemed that the real weirdness just hadn't happened yet.

"Here we are," he said proudly as they stopped in front of the gates of Saint Benedict's cemetery.

Oh hell no, she thought as the warning bells sounded in her head.

"Brock, why are we at--?"

"Keep an open mind, remember?"

"But it's a cemetery," she hissed.

And it's Saint Benedict's...come on. All signs point to: get the hell out of here.

"Alright, I can tell you're a little weirded out--"

"More than a little, Brock. I think this is where I'm going to bow out for the night."

"Sabrina, they haven't buried anyone here in a long time. They show horror films here sometimes--"

She shook her head vigorously as she backed away. His flippant attitude toward the departed disturbed her. The night had gotten away from her and she began to wonder why she'd agreed to go out with Brock in the first place.

"Thank you for dinner, Brock. This just isn't for me. I'll see you at the book shop sometime, okay?"

He just nodded and watched her as she turned to leave, disappointment written on his face. When she got far enough away, she pulled out her phone and dialed Franklin's number. A few rings and he answered, a loud commotion muffling his voice.

"Hello?"

"You were right."

A din of voices, thumping bass and laughter made it nearly impossible to hear, so he stepped outside to finish the call.

"Start again," he said, once it was quiet.

"You were right. That was the weirdest date I've ever been on."

Franklin cackled into the phone and she could picture him, doubled over, having a good laugh at her expense. "Where did he take you?"

"The Butcher--"

"On twenty-fifth? The vegan place?"

"Yep and that's not all--"

"Where are you now? I'm at a party on thirty-seventh, you should come...tell me in person."