My Old Pickup Truck

At the Park

[just play the video, it's the chapter's truck theme]

12:30pm Sunday

I first met her at the Park near my favorite convenience store. She was under a tree with this thick book she was so immersed in. She wore this black punk-style jacket that made her stand out because of that dark atmosphere she gave off.

Most people were on the far side of the park and just a few were close making it quieter and comforting.

I got off my pick-up and set my picnic near her on the grassy lakeside park. I noticed her because she sneezed and cussed. So the talking started.

"Language, Miss." I said with a little seriousness.

"Oh. Uhm. Sorry. I'm just so frustrated, my nose has been itching and I've been holding in this sneeze and I--"

"Okay, okay. I was just kidding. Calm down. I swear too. I swear a fucking lot." I said whispering the last part. I was surprised that her voice is softer than what I had expected. Like the sound of the wind, calling out to you when you're alone in the woods.

"Okay, I don't know you or what the fuck you just snorted before going here, but don't doze off from speaking." She suddenly spoke jolting me from my imagination.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry. I'm not on crack. It's just been so long since I've had human interaction." I worked out a stupid excuse. Ugh. "Join me here, in my very lonely picnic." I tried to invite her and she just looked skeptical at me.

"Hmm. I don't think I could trust you." She said smiling.

"Oh, okay. I understand. But I have peanut butter and jelly.." Why the fuck did I say that? I don't even know if she likes pbj's.

She then giggles cutely. "I don't even like pbj sandwich but with that invite, how can I say no?" She then walked closer and my heart is beating so fast. Oh my god, human interaction. Here it comes. She removed her shoes and sat on the picnic cloth.

I'm so fucking nervous. Why the fuck am I so fucking nervous? Oh god..

"Claire." Then she held her hand out.

"What?" I said confused. I looked at her hand and back to her eyes. "Oh. Oh! Louise." And we shook hands.

Louise, you are a dumb bitch. Keep up, will ya? She could be your first friend after a long time. My god you're so stupid. You assfa--

"Uhh."

Let go of her fucking hand, weirdo!

"Oh shit." I let go of her hand. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't have friends so I don't know how to socialize without being weird. Uhhh." I said, embarrassed.

"It's, uhm.. it's okay. So, what do you got in that basket?" She asked, avoiding an awkward situation from me. She's really good at this.

"I got beer, and coke, both in can. What do you like?" I say casually.

"You are so unexpected. Beer? At the park?" She giggles. "I'll take the coke." And I'll have a beer. I gave her the coke and we both drank from our drinks.

We talked and talked for hours about random things that come up from our minds. I learned that we're both in college, and that she's 18, and that she's not a goth, and that she lives with her mom in an apartment a few blocks away from here.

3:30pm Sunday

She told me that she's supposed to be home by 4pm. So we got up and fix the picnic.

"I wish we could hang out some more some time again." She said.

Oh. My. God. I have a friend now.

"Oh yea, of course! I would love that!" I said with low-key excitement.

"So, be seein' ya." She walks away and waves me good-bye.

"Byeee!" I got to my truck and set everything at the back.

She literally lives a few blocks away from here.

Ughhhhhhhh.

I drive towards her direction and rolled down my window. "Hey, Claire! Long time no see." Corny.

"Hey!" She exclaimed, shook.

"I was wondering if you wanted me to give you a lif--" I was cut off.

"Oh, no. I'm okay walking. Thank you." She smiles.

"You live a mile away from here, and it's hot out. You know you need it." Please, say yea.

"Hmm. Okay, but only because it's hot and you're cute." She said smiling and whispering that last part.

"Hey, I heard that! I'm not cute. I'm cool, charot." I am not cute. Ehe

So she sat next to me, and turned on the radio. The song Ako'y Sa'yo at Ika'y Akin Lamang comes on and she turns the volume up a little.

"Hey, I like this." Then she sang along the radio.

She's cute. I hope this goes on forever.

We're going 30 km/h because we were coming in close to a residential area. When we entered the gates of her subdivision, she lowered her body after looking out the window, trying to hide.

"Why, who was that?" I asked.

"My mom. She doesn't like it when I stay out for too long." She said with frustration in her voice.

"Oh. That's too bad.." we both stayed silent.

When we arrived at her apartment, she got down quickly and and bid me good-bye. She gave me one last smile before closing the door.

And I went off.

I drove to the nearest convenience store to buy some food and a few beers and a gin, and I got back to driving.

5:30pm Sunday

On my way home, I found a clearing that leads to a cliff. So I drove there, avoiding a few rocks and parked near the cliff, back-side front. (Yea i know, it's reverse parking)

I got out the car, climbed the truck bed floor and drank a few cans.

I just sat there for a few hours, watching how beautiful the sky is, with all the lights turning on one by one as the sun sets over the city.

"How come I never saw this part of the city? I live near here!" I burp after that question.

I felt a little drunk a few hours later, so i decided to rest my back and watch the sun more relaxed. I saw the sun kiss one of the buildings from the city. I looked up and noticed how beautiful in orange and blue the sky is. I can't help but smile stupid.

Then I remember her, Claire, what a beautiful name for such a beautiful girl.

"You are like this beautiful sky to me." That's the last thing I remember saying before falling asleep.