From Old to New

Chapter 3

Two days after breakfast with Steve...

Would Bucky cave or win the showdown? His adversary, the daunting digits of a number written in permanent marker on an old coffee cup. Bucky at his small kitchen table while fidgeting with the cellular device in his hands by twirling it about as he brain played tug of war with his heart. Should I call? Should I not? It's funny how the air of the moment could change priorities and sensations-- after seeing the spark of interest from the barista, his adrenaline surged through him and in a joyous, more overwhelmed fight or flight reaction, chose to attempt to talk immediately, but it had been replaced by doubt and uncertainty. Bucky hardly knew her. Yes, he found her genuine cheerfulness intoxicating from her voice to the lines of her smile. Yes, he found her kind for being willing to sacrifice her time to tutor the Spider Boy. Yes, he found her laugh enchanting and her appearance beautiful. However, part of his uncertainty stemmed from not knowing what to say. He didn't know her. He didn't know what her intentions were-- a superficial fling or a potential for a far deeper relationship. He didn't know what she liked-- except for white coffee, brunch, and English, which on their own, as he would learn were only layers in the complex human being he would grow to love. There could've been something to ask her to, brunch, but Bucky's mind second guessed that proposition as he imagined that as someone who worked serving pastries, coffee drinks, and stacks of French toast, it would be something she'd get sick of after awhile. He could just throw away the cup and never step foot in that book shop again to save him and her from the awkwardness.

The words of Steve played on repeat like a popular record on the radio, "You gotta put yourself out there, Buddy."

Then with a groan, he jumped up his chair, sliding the phone smoothly into his pocket, and said with a large exhalation of oxygen, "Okay, Steve. I'm putting myself out there. Here I go."

Before exiting the apartment, he smoothed out his long-sleeved red shirt, combed through the hair that went to his shoulders and gave him the appearance of being a wild man, and sucked on a mint, so he wouldn't be breathing the strong odor of scrambled eggs with spinach, garlic, and onions all over her. When he felt confident in his appearance, he practiced his charming, debonair grin like the man he used to be-- going on a double date to the man with two dates. He exited the apartment with newfound gumption and prayed it wouldn't be extinguished by flat out rejection. 

He caught sight of Susie Langham leaving her flat for what looked like a job interview as she wore the cleanest and modest clothes he'd ever seen her grace-- a white tucked in button down, a pencil skirt, and nude heels. Her eyelashes were coated with mascara and her lips were ruby red blossoms. Apparently she had either invested in a hairdresser or purchased a semi-reputable box die as her dark locks were a beautiful solid color now. Plus she even looked like a forties pin-up girl with the curls that were on top of her head. Usually she looked forty or even older, but now she was thirty, and possibly younger. For once, she smelled of jasmine rather than cigarette smoke.

In her usual fashion though, she chided her children, who were terrorizing their babysitter most likely as the rambunctious heathens they were as she locked the door, "Leon, stop pulling your sister's hair! Behave for Aunt Joyce! I don't need to be cleaning the apartment on my knees again!"

Usually, Bucky would have continued on his way without a word, digging his hands into his pockets, and looking back to see the faces of those he left behind, but instead as he was feeling differently and wished for others to feel it as he did, he told Susie, "Good morning and good luck, Ms. Langham! You look lovely!"

The lady was startled for a brief moment as he she had never heard Bucky speak and she let out a miniscule squeak like a mouse. She blushed and placed a hand on her chest. In return, she said to him, "Thank you, Jeremy."