metanoia

Chapter Four

I went to work the next day with puffy eyes. The girl never called me. She never told me her name. I was absolutely traumatized by our experience. I'd developed a crush on her, although we hadn't spoken much, and I'd already messed it up. I cried a little, but I am male. I had to pull myself together. So I went to work, and albeit distracted, I did everything I needed to do throughout the day.

She never came in.

Every time someone came in, the bell above the door rang, and I ran to the door. It was never once her. I kept thinking about her. She'd been really distraught. I pass her house on my route home, I thought, maybe I'll stop by after work.

The day passed by, each minute slower than the last. Nobody ever comes to our hardware store. They'd rather go to the one on the edge of town with more items to choose from. We'll go out of business soon. Then where will Mystery Girl buy her blades? Maybe she'll stop if she can't get ahold of any weapons.

"Mike. Mike. Mike. Mike. Mike! Mike! Michael!"

"What?!" I shouted.

My boss jumped. "You were spaced out. What's up?" He asked.

"Oh, just a girl..." I muttered. Of course, he smirked.

"Not like that!" I shouted. "She's just a friend."

He nodded. "Yeah. Sure." he winked, laughed, and walked away.

"I'll let you off early today, Mikey. Go get her. She's wreckin' ya." He shouted as he left. I grinned.

"Thanks, boss!"

"Yeah, yeah. You're working Lil's shift tomorrow, though. No matter how late you stay up with that girl." I heard him chuckle.

"I'll be in! Thanks!" I called, as the bell clanged behind me.

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I parked my bike in front of her house and knocked on the door. She answered.

"Hi." she said softly.

"Hey. I never got your name." I replied.

"Evangeline. Wanna come in?" Her house smelled awesome.

"Sure." I walked in, and the smell of cookies baking hit me like a ton of bricks.

"I'm making cookies. I work at a home for elderly people, and they love my cookies. Want one? They're fresh out of the oven."

This was a whole new girl. This wasn't the sex-crazed girl I met yesterday. This was an angel. An angel that could bake. The cookie I took off a porcelain platter was bite after calorific bite of warm, gooey heaven.

"Mmm." I sighed as I chewed.

"They call me Betty Crocker." she smiled. "You can take some if you want. I have tons."

I had to politely decline. I could make myself sick on these.

"No thanks, I have to pass. I'm not supposed to eat too much sugar. I gain weight fast." It wasn't true. I'd been the same weight for 4 or more years, but I needed some excuse.

"Oh, okay. That's fine, the nurses at the home will eat them. How are you?" she asked, untying her frilly pink retro-style apron and folding it over the back of a chair. "I put your number in my phone," she said. "I was just too scared to call. We got off on the wrong foot. I like you, and I'm sorry I snapped at you." Her candy-pink lips curled into a smile.

"It's okay. We started off fast. I'm Michael." I said, extending my hand.

"I'm Evangeline. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir." she took my hand and grinned again.

"So, want to stay awhile? Maybe watch a movie, or go on a walk?"

"Sure." I replied. "It's a nice day for a walk."

"Then a walk it is." Evangeline said. "Grab your jacket."