Amatis

Chapter Four

Mark slowed down and moved into a parking space at Al’s Bowling Allie and killed the motor. Coincidentally, I actually like bowling.

“Are you going to get off? I mean, I like that you’re holding on to me but I think bowling would be more fun,” Mark suggested.

“Oh. My bad.” I let go of him and hopped off the seat of the motorcycle. I walked towards the entrance of the building when Mark hollered at me.

“You might want to take off your helmet.” He chuckled. I stopped in my tracks. I tried undoing the straps on the helmet but they wouldn’t budge. I walked over to Mark and he smiled, “I got it, Boo.”

“Excuse me?” I question him.

“Boo. It’s your nickname.”

“No. No it’s not. No nicknames.”

“Awh why not, Boo?” Mark winked at me.

“I’m going in.” I started walking towards the entrance then stopped again. I turned around and lightly slapped Mark on his right cheek.

“That’s for winking.” I scolded him. He just laughed and continued walking.

Mark was at the counter grabbing our shoes for bowling. He leaned over and asked me, “Shoe size?” My shoe size? I have no idea what my shoe size is. Being a Vita I can just manifest my shoes. I don’t have a need to know my shoe size.

“Um. I don’t know, actually.” I looked down at my feet. Mark moved his foot next to mine.

“I’m a size 12. I’ll just compare our feet.” He looked down and then looked up at me.

“So?” I asked him.

“Sorry I just got distracted by your eyes.” He commented.

“You’re such a dork.” I walked away.

“Size 7, please.” Mark told the guy behind the counter.

I sat down at a table next to our given lane. Mark placed the shoes on the table and asked me, “Would you like me to put on your shoes for you? Ya know, considering your hand.” I had totally forgot about my injury. How am I supposed to bowl when my right hand is useless?

“Um sure.” I told him. He slipped off my flip flops and put on my bowling shoes. “Thanks.” I half-heartedly grinned at him.

Mark returned to the table with two bowling balls; pink and blue. He handed me the pink one then I stopped him and reached for the blue bowling ball instead. He lifted an eyebrow and handed me the blue ball. I smiled and offered up a bet, “loser buys lunch?”

“You’re on!” Mark winked at me.

“Don’t make me drop this on your feet,” I hinted the bowling ball. He laughed.

I walked up to the lane and tried to toss the ball. Instead it rolled a couple of feet, then fell into the gutter. Mark called out to me, “Do you want some help?” I walked back to retrieve my ball.

“No I’m fine.” I grabbed the ball and strolled back over to the lane. Second times the charm? Oh wait, that’s not how it goes. Oh well. I tossed the ball and it went straight down the lane. I was prepared to get a strike, then it curved into the gutter. Damn that weight in the ball! I walked back over to the table and sat down.

“Would you like me to go ask for some bumpers?” Mark offered.

“No, no. I’m just warming up.” I sighed. He got up from the table and walked over to the lane; pink bowling ball and everything. I couldn’t help but to giggle. Mark performed a perfect strike. I had a feeling I was going to lose this bet.