My Summer Girl

Chapter 8

 Chapter 8

~Sam~

After I got home from dropping off Danny at her house, I walked into an empty kitchen. “Mom?” I called out.Huh. No one must be home. I sat at the bar and looked at a little yellow post-it note tucked under the toaster oven.

             Sam, we went out to

      get some lunch and ice-cream

      for Brad. Sandwich stuff is in

      the fridge. Love you,

Mom

I reached across the oven for the cordless home phone I use when I don’t feel like using my cell. I slung the heavy phone book onto the counter and looked up DiVinche’s Restaurant. Finally finding the right page after what felt like ages, I dialed the number and waited for someone to pick up. My foot wouldn’t sit still as I fidgeted.

            Finally I heard a, “Hello, welcome to DiVinche’s. How may I help you?”

“Ummm, I was wondering if I could reserve a table for tonight.” Oh God, please have one.

“Yes, I do believe we have a table opening around eight. Would that be alright sir?”

“Eight? Is there not one around seven thirty or something?”

“Eight is the closest time we have to seven thirty.”

I sighed, “Okay that’ll be fine.”Maybe we can just walk for awhile.

“Remember sir, it’s smart dress. I expect to see a tie.” The man chuckles into the receiver. He sounds nice, like he might have rosy cheeks and smile lines.

I grin to myself, “I sure will, sir.”He asks me my name and puts the reservation down. I really shouldn’t have complained about the time since it’s usually so hard to find a table in the first place. That’s really the earliest I’ve gotten in ever.

You see, DiVinche’s is about the greatest Italian restaurant. Ever. The price shows it too. It’s pretty much the most popular restaurant in town. I heard they have expert chefs from Italy on staff and everyone else is so culinary smart that they can learn anything about everything food related. So, the place always has a waiting list and people dress up in dresses and guys in ties. Parents go there on anniversaries and teens on dates. There are practically no families though because the place is way too expensive for a night out with the kids.

I’m hoping Danny hasn’t been there yet when my phone buzzes. “Hello?” I ask not even glancing at the screen.

I hear a deep breath and then, “Hey, it’s me, Danny.”

“Oh, hi. What’s up?” I ask. This is the first time she’s called and I have to remember to save her number into my phone.

“Ummm… When you said smart dress, did you mean like fancy dress or nice shirt and pants? Or just nice dress, like more casual?”

“Uh, I’m not exactly a fashion expert but probably nice dress but not like a prom dress or anything. Nothing too formal.”

“Ohhhhhh, I thought so but I wasn’t sure.” There’s an awkward silence for a moment.

“So, I guess I’ll see you tonight. Whatever you wear, I’m sure you’ll look amazing.”

She laughs, “Hope so. See you at seven.”

“See you.” And the call’s over.

The rest of the day I pace and waste time, waiting for 6 o’clock to come around. I have a snack around four and lay on the couch watching a stupid movie. It seems like the every time I look at the clock the time goes slower and slower. Finally 5 o’clock comes and I get a shower and put on a nice shirt and tie. I look in the mirror and put some cologne on. Not some axe crap but the good stuff my mom got me for Christmas.

It’s only 5:45 but I’m nervous and I don’t want to be late. Looking at the clock, it’s about 6:30 when I get to her neighborhood and I feel really stupid. I circle the block once and only 3 minutes pass. So, I park the car and take a walk trying to work out nervous energy. I’ve been out a lot with girls but only once had a long relationship with one. That was Janie and that didn’t end out well at all. She was blonde and gorgeous and actually nice. At least, I thought she was nice. Until I walked into the locker room to find her and the quarter back making out against the lockers.

Still, I feel like something good could come from this. I really like Danny. She was amazing and acted like she did take crap from anyone. I know she has baggage from moving away from a giant city to a small town but I can handle that. Danny was just… I don’t know. Different, but in a good way.

I checked my watch and saw I had 15 minutes to walk back to the car and pick her up. I swore as I took off running towards my car. I brushed my hair to the side as I backed up and revved up the engine and sped off. I was determined to make it in time. Her big white house was coming into view when I slammed the breaks right in front of her house. It was seven, and she wasn’t out yet.

I breathed a sigh of relief and laid my head back on the rest. I looked into the mirror and straightened my hair. Finally after waiting for ten minutes, I got out. I thought of ringing the door bell but then decided to take the more… creative route. I picked up a pile of rocks from her drive way and went towards the window I saw her lean out of this morning.

I took aim and threw one at her window. Not too hard but just enough to make a sturdy *plink* noise.I waited a second before throwing another and then another. I see her shadow against the light as she lifts up her shade and opens the window.

She leans out and shouts, “What the heck are you doing? Trying to scratch the window so my mom can kill you? You know, that’ll be your music career sucked down the drain!” I chuckle and she gives a loud, frustrated sigh. She slams the window down and all I can do is grin as I think of her hair curled and gathered at the side. She looked more gorgeous than she normally did. My hands were sweating in anticipation. I heard her yell a good-bye to her mom as she slammed the door behind her. I walked towards her and she and towards me.

She was wearing a beautiful crème dress and black heels. I meet her big brown eyes, took a deep breath and said,“Hey.”