A Bounty of Pictures

Chapter 3

I rub my eyes before opening them for the first time today. Sunlight warms my cool green room.

I look around the room, waiting for my phone to turn on. Jade jumps on top of the comforter and curls up by my arm. I stroke her brown fur with my eyes closed.

My phone vibrates the bed as millions of texts flood the screen. Most of them from Parker.
One o'clock! I jerk up, making Jade bark and jump off the bed.

Me: I'm so so sorry. I slept in late. Diner in half hour?

My feet hit the cold wood floor and a yawn lets loose. Not even eleven hours of sleep can help night like last night. Memories of the night roll through my mind as I fumble downstairs with Jade at my heels.

I refill her bowls and make a cup of tea.
A note sits on the table with a twenty dollar bill.

Harlow said to meet him at eleven. And be safe, stay with Parker until your shift.
Love, mom. Xoxo

I groan at the thought of a four hour shift of making coffee. Maybe I'll take off. Peppermint tea warms my body as Parker texts back.

Parker: good. I was worried when u didn't meet w Harlow. We can meet him on the way. Be there in ten instead.
Me: food first please. I'm starving.
Parker: I guess. Call Harlow.
Me: ugh fine. See you in ten.

                                •••

The truck door slams and I meet Parker's face, shielding the sun with a camo ball cap.
I blush at his smile.

"Don't look at me. I don't have makeup on." I cover my face. Have I ever been with him with makeup before? I mean I'm insecure with my acne sometimes, but Parker has acne too, just not as bad. Parker shakes his head.

"You look fine." We turn into Pine Hollow Road.

"No, I don't." I look at my phone to avoid his glance. "Harlow said to meet him by three."
Parker only nods, focusing on the road in front of us.

The town's buildings come into view. A diner sign swings in front of the brick, colorfully painted building.

"Where are you going?" I ask as he drives past I catch his glance in the rear view mirror.

"The open spot looked too small. Besides, I need the exercise." He attempts parallel parking but then glances in the mirror again and pulls out towards the school parking lot.

"Parker," I mumble.

"What? That old woman needed a close parking spot."

I roll my eyes, "since when did you actually, and I mean actually, care that much about old people? And stop looking in the mirror!"

"I've always cared and no."

I unbuckle the seatbelt and hop down to the high school black top.

The waitress takes the menus and places our order. Parker insisted to sit facing the door in the booth.

The red, plastic booth cushions have never been more comfortable. I scroll through my social media as Parker plays around with the jelly samples for his toast.

"So..." I try to break the awkward silence growing between us.

"So?" He stops fiddling with the jelly and crosses his arms. "Are we gonna act like nothing happened last night or...?"

"I don't know. I'll get a paper." I walk over to the front desk where the local newspapers sit in an untouched stack.

I sit back down and we read the front headline: