Mike's interview with Sergeant Matheson had been a nerve-wracking experience, but he felt relieved that he had been able to provide all the crucial information about everything he saw at Emily's shop. His heart still raced from the adrenaline, and he couldn't help but think about the extent of the damage that Steve had caused. The thought that he had taken photos of the mess before starting the cleanup and repairs brought him a sense of cautious relief. The sergeant attentively listened to Mike's explanation about the complexity of the repairs. The high cost of the repair reflected the unseen damage that Steve's ferocious attack had caused to the intricate joinery that adorned Emily's original fitout. Mike had realized that his meticulous record-keeping had paid off as the sergeant nodded in agreement to his diligent and honest assessment.
As he drove back home, the clock on the dashboard read close to midnight. He had missed his father's calls during the interview, but Emily had stepped in to relay the message that everything had gone well at the police station. His dad, though understanding the importance of the situation, had to retire early for the night, a long drive to Millerton awaiting him early the next morning.
In the quiet of his home, Mike made his way to his bedroom with the utmost care, not wanting to disturb his father who was already sound asleep in the adjacent room. Collapsing onto his bed, he stared up at the ceiling, the weight of the evening's events and its uncertain aftermath pressing down on him. While there was a sense of relief that he and Emily had been able to formally document the incident, a lingering unease pervaded his thoughts.
The summer night air felt heavy, and Mike tossed and turned, unable to find the comfort of sleep. The emotional turbulence of the evening still coursed through his veins, leaving him wide awake. He reached for his phone, seeking a distraction from the thoughts that stormed in his mind. Sports scores and social media updates provided a brief respite, but his mind continued to race, seeking an outlet for the mix of emotions he was experiencing.
Switching to the messaging app, he scrolled through his list of friends, searching for someone to share his thoughts with. It wasn't easy to find the right person. He needed someone who would understand, someone who could provide a sense of companionship in this uncertain moment. As he browsed through the names on the screen, he paused, realizing that one particular friend might just be the perfect choice
—-
Becky's name hovered on Mike's screen, memories of her kind, sweet smile and understanding demeanor making her seem like the perfect person to talk to at this moment. However, he hesitated, knowing that she was likely already asleep, adhering to her disciplined routines. The last thing he wanted was to disturb her rest.
Next on the list was Dan, someone he felt no qualms about disturbing and a trusted confidant. Plus there was a chance that Dan was still awake anyway, but Mike remembered that Dan had already returned to his apartment in Millerton, it would have been impractical for a late-night meetup.
Mike scrolled past several more names before Lisa Taylor's name caught his attention. Mike pondered the idea. Was Lisa the kind of person who would lend a sympathetic ear like Becky? He recalled that Lisa was a bit of a night owl, having seen her active on various social media with her other friends late into the night. It was worth a shot.
Switching to a social media app, Mike navigated to Lisa's profile.
Lisa had recently shared a photo of herself with her colleagues at the granary office, smiles all round as they enjoyed the pastries that Lisa had bought. Lisa was dressed in a charming white sleeveless sweater, its thick collar folded over adding a touch of sophistication. As soon as Mike caught sight of Lisa in the photo he could see and think of no one else.
His fingers danced across the phone keyboard as he composed a message to Lisa, expressing his desire to talk and asking if she was awake. He grinned at his audacity, surprised by his own actions. As he waited for a response, he sat up expectantly, watching as a message from Lisa popped up on the screen, only seconds later.
"Took you long enough to message me!" Lisa's reply came.
"I had a big night, I want someone to hear my ramblings." Mike quickly typed back.
"Big night? You drinking on a weekday? Bad boy." Lisa playfully replied.
Mike was enjoying the light-hearted exchange. "I wish I was drinking. I was at the police station with Emily tonight. She filed a report about the incident. Wanna hear about it?" He shot back, keen to keep up the intensity.
Lisa's response was almost instantaneous, reflecting her concern. "How did it go? Is Emily OK? Let's talk."
Mike considered for a moment. Seeing Lisa's reassuring smile and sharing some back and forth with her felt like just the thing he needed.
"Can you come out? It's better to talk in person," Mike suggested, hopeful for her agreement.
A brief pause followed, during which Mike could see Lisa typing a reply.
"You're on. I know a place," she agreed, providing the address of the gas station at Stephenson's Corner.
Mike sprang into action, rummaging through his clothes basket in search of his best shirt. To his dismay, he found it crumpled and smelling like a high school locker room. He settled for his second-best shirt, which was in much better condition. He excitedly typed out his reply with one hand whilst spraying on some aftershave with the other.
"I know the place. See you in fifteen. Donuts are on me. If you're not scared of getting fat," he teased.
Lisa's reply brought a huge smile to Mike's face.
"I'll eat you broke! I'll need thirty, gotta get out of my night dress and doll up. Drive safe, no speeding!"
The thought of Lisa in a night dress sent a surge of excitement through Mike, propelling him out of his room and toward the garage. A sudden realization struck him—he had forgotten the keys to his pickup. Hastily retracing his steps, he retrieved the keys, being careful to close the house door silently to avoid disturbing his sleeping father. Driven by a mix of eagerness and urgency, he navigated the streets attentively, resisting the urge to speed to Stephensons Corner, where a meeting with Lisa awaited, anticipation coursing through his veins.
–
The familiar, vintage-themed sign of Stephenson's Corner gas station emerged into view as Lisa drove her white Subaru Forester down the dark country road. The sign's charming juxtaposition of old-timey handwriting illuminated by a dazzling array of modern LED lights never failed to delight her. It exuded a familiar, inviting charm that brought back memories of warm summer nights during high school that were spent with friends, making many treasured memories.
The gas station also held memories of her relationship with Dan, the many late-night rendezvous they had shared in this very parking lot. Conversations under the starry sky, dreams and desires exchanged over shared cups of chilled soda, and fiery embraces in the back seat of Dan's pickup were all etched into her memory.
As she approached the gas station, Lisa couldn't help but feel that being here tonight might mark the beginning of a new chapter in her life. She contemplated the uncertainty of this moment, the possibility of building a meaningful relationship with Mike and the thrill it stirred within her.
The gas station's parking lot, abnormally full for this late hour, suggested that others too were drawn to the pleasant weather and the warmth of the night. Lisa carefully navigated through the crowded lot, seeking a parking spot. She spotted Mike's red pickup parked near the gas station shop, but proximity to him proved elusive. Settling for a spot five cars down, she turned off her engine, sitting in her car, her reflection in the vanity mirror reflecting the nervous anticipation on her face.
Lisa took a deep breath, offering herself a pep talk.
"Take it cool, Lisa. Just be yourself, and listen to what Mike has to say. Just be a friend." The words became her mantra, a reminder to be authentic and receptive.
Checking herself in the soft glow of the car's vanity mirror, Lisa noticed a patch on her lips where she missed applying lip gloss, a detail she had overlooked in her haste to get to the gas station. She quickly applied the lip gloss, completing her effortless yet alluring look. Confident with the result, she smiled, certain that she would hold Mike's complete attention.
Closing the vanity mirror, Lisa spotted Mike standing just outside the shop under the front awning. She took a moment to observe his distinct demeanor. He looked cool, dressed in one of his signature dark, long-sleeved shirts with the sleeves neatly rolled just above his elbows.
Lisa noticed the way he engaged with his surroundings, closely observing the passing cars, even appearing to read the license plates in the dim light of the parking lot. His eyes gleamed with childlike excitement as he tracked the movement of different customers as they came and went. A warm smile gracing his lips, as if he had recognized a local celebrity but didn't want to seem overly eager.
Mike's openness and enthusiasm gave Lisa hope. She wondered what kind of adulations Mike would offer this time as she approached him. His positivity and adoration were endearing, yet she couldn't help but harbor reservations about his fawning.
What if his adoration only skimmed the surface? Lisa was no stranger to the superficial attention that guys in her wider social circle would lavish on her. She had become adept at identifying and deflecting such insincere flattery, striving to protect herself from its influence.
However with Mike, she sensed a difference. Despite his at times overenthusiastic approach, there was no hint of ill intention. His compliments felt genuine, straight from the heart.
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Perhaps this is how it feels to be chosen every day without hesitation. It was a feeling that had become unfamiliar to her. Lisa took a moment to consider this and a cold chill ran down her spine. Suddenly, the gravity of the moment became almost too much to bear.
Lisa finally got out of her car, striding with a practiced confidence towards Mike. She watched as his sweeping eyes eventually caught onto her, the small smile on his face grew into a wide grin, eyes radiating with joy as if he had not seen her for years. Lisa continued towards Mike, arms open for a hug.
They come together for a quick hug, Lisa giving Mike a few soft pats on the back of his shoulders.
At the close distance, she could smell his aftershave, the first time she noticed such detail. Lisa was cautious not to be overly jovial, sensitive to the stress that Mike may have felt from the night's events at the police station.
"Hey Mike, how are you holding up?" Lisa asked, concern evident in her eyes.
"I'm good, Lisa. Seeing you here just made my night a whole lot better," Mike responded with a grin, his eyes reflecting a mix of relief and genuine happiness.
Lisa chuckled. It was a short, awkward silence before Mike pointed towards the gas station shop.
"Wanna grab something from the shop? Maybe a donut or some pop? I'm up for anything," Mike suggested.
"Thanks, Mike. I appreciate the offer, but I'm trying to cut back on sugar. Although, I admit it may not look like it, especially after how I practically devoured that pastry you shared with me the last time we met." She recalled and savored that memory before continuing, "You can get something if you want, I'll accompany you." Lisa replied with a smile.
Mike looked over at the shop and decided against it.
"Yeah, I think I'll pass too. How about we find a place to sit down and chat? There's a bench out the front of the shop window. It should be quieter," Mike suggested.
"Sounds perfect," Lisa agreed with a nod and a growing smile.
Together, they strolled towards the bench, the soft glow of the gas station lights casting a warm ambiance around them.
They settled into their seats across from each other. A bewildered smile played on Mike's lips, his silence unusual. Amusement twinkled in Lisa's eyes as she observed his expression.
"Mike, everything alright?" Lisa asked, her tone curious.
Mike's face grew slightly serious, a shift Lisa wasn't accustomed to.
"Yeah, everything's okay," Mike replied, his smile fading a bit. "I just have a lot on my mind, especially about what happened tonight with Emily at the police station."
Lisa's hands found their way to Mike's arm, gently sliding down to his thigh. She looked up at him, her expression one of support and understanding.
"We can talk about it if you want to," Lisa offered, her voice soft and reassuring.
Mike's gaze met Lisa's, a fleeting hint of guardedness in his eyes. She sensed his hesitation, his smile masking deeper thoughts. The sudden gravity of their meeting tonight began to weigh on both of them. Lisa withdrew her hands from Mike's thigh, the touch suddenly feeling too intimate.
Nervousness crept into Mike's demeanor, erasing the earlier confidence he had exhibited. His hand ventured into his left pocket, extracting a brass cigarette case.
"Mind if I smoke?" Mike asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Lisa's face adopted a stern expression, a withering look aimed at Mike.
"What kind of guy smokes without offering one to a lady first?" Lisa teased, her lips curling into a playful smile.
A moment of stunned surprise crossed Mike's face before he burst into a relaxed smile. He fished out a purple, Vikings branded Zippo from his pocket and extracted two cigarettes from the case. After lighting one cigarette, he offered it to Lisa. She accepted it with a smile and instead placed it between Mike's lips. Her fingers softly dabbed Mike's dry lips as she adjusted it so it sat firmly in his mouth.
In a deliberate motion, she then reached down, sweeping her hand across his chest and onto the other unlit cigarette that was held loosely between Mike's fingers. With a sense of intimacy, she brought the cigarette to her luscious lips, her gaze never leaving Mike's as she peered into his soul.
Leaning in as if for a kiss, she stopped short as the tip of her cigarette met his, and with a gentle inhale, hers caught fire from his. Lisa exhaled a plume of smoke, the aroma of tobacco mingling with the night air.
Leaning back in her seat, Lisa radiated satisfaction, her eyes heavy with a newfound confidence.
"I want to know why you broke up with Dan," Mike's voice broke the silence, his words direct and unwavering. "I want to know everything."
A wisp of smoke curled upwards as Lisa withdrew the cigarette, letting it rest between her fingers.
Lisa gazed at Mike, her eyes a blend of curiosity and a touch of annoyance. "Why is that matter so important to you?" she inquired, her tone tinged with skepticism. "And why didn't you just ask Dan about it? After all, he's supposed to be your best friend, isn't he?"
Her gaze turned frosty, as if challenging Mike's intentions.
"Or has Becky Jones taken back the title of Dan's best friend now that she's back in Sommerfield?" her words laced with a hint of venom.
Mike's grin widened, a sense of triumph lighting up his features.
"Is there something you're dying to share?" he prodded, a playful glint dancing in his eyes.
"I thought you wanted to talk about what happened at the police station with Emily tonight," Lisa retorted, her voice laced with mild exasperation.
"True, I did," Mike admitted, his smile softening a fraction. "But right now, I'd rather hear what you have to say about Dan. It's a distraction, you know. Helps keep my mind off the serious events that happened tonight."
Lisa crossed her arms, her gaze shifting towards the passing headlights in the distance, as if seeking solace in their fleeting glow.
"There's not much I can say," Lisa began, her voice carrying a wistful undertone. "Things started off smoothly. Dan found a good job in Millerton, and I decided to move out with him into the apartment he rented above the deli."
A fond sparkle entered Lisa's eyes as she recounted the memories.
"We were in seventh heaven," she continued. "We were having the best sex of our lives and Dan was feeding me these amazing home-cooked meals using the stuff he brought back from the deli. It was perfect, like a dream come true. But now... well, everything's fallen to shit."
Lisa's voice trailed off, her thoughts absorbed by images of Dan's delighted expression as he fed her a spoonful of his homemade ragu. She glanced at Mike, a touch of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.
"Sorry, didn't mean to get all soppy and sentimental," she mumbled.
Mike's smile remained warm. "No need to apologize. You're fortunate to have experienced something so happy with someone so dear to you. Treasure it.
"I do cherish it," Lisa affirmed earnestly. "But I don't want my whole life to be defined by my relationship with Dan, as much as it meant to me. I don't really want to talk about it anymore."
"I understand," Mike said, his voice sympathetic. "I wouldn't want anyone defining me by that unfortunate period in high school. You know, when I was called to the police station on four separate occasions within a span of six months."
Lisa's eyebrows arched, her head tilting slightly, as if she was leaning in for a secretive conversation. "Is it true then?" Lisa asked, her voice hushed yet excited. "Did you really do all those things that I heard from rumors?"
Mike leaned in closer to her, a small smile playing on his lips. With a puff of smoke in his mouth, he blew it away from her before whispering back, "Half of what they accused me of was true. But I would never steal anything from the drug store."
Lisa's grin grew wider, admiration sparkling in her eyes. She slid back slightly in her chair before quickly leaning back in, her curiosity unabated. "There's something I've always wondered," she began, her tone conspiratorial. "How on earth did you manage to hotwire old farmer Addison's tractor?"
Mike recoiled slightly, his arms flung up in mock protest.
"Hey! I never claimed to be the one who drew that giant dick in Addison's cornfield with a tractor."
Allowing his hands to rest on his thighs, Mike continued, "I swear. And, you know, no one could ever prove that it was me who did it. But hypothetically, if I were to do something like that, I'd probably use a screwdriver. I heard from somewhere that Addison's tractor ignition was probably so worn down that it would probably turn like a bearing in a tub of grease."
Lisa arched an eyebrow, a mixture of skepticism and amusement in her expression.
"Like a bearing in a tub of grease?" she repeated incredulously.
"Yeah, like I said, so I've heard," Mike responded with a chuckle. "But enough about me. How've you been? I heard from Mary that you've been attending a study course for work."
A spark of excitement flickered in Lisa's eyes as she hastily straightened up, inadvertently dislodging ash from her cigarette.
"Oh, it's been incredible!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"My boss gave me this amazing opportunity to go on an administrative office specialist course at the technical college at Elkridge. And get this, it is all expenses paid! I got time off work with pay and meals and travel allowance thrown in."
Lisa turned thoughtful for a second, "It's been a bit of a juggling act trying to balance work with study, but you know, with me and Dan not being together and everything, I've had a bit more time to focus on study, to upskill myself."
Mike's eyes brightened, his smile radiating genuine pride as he leaned towards her, captivated by Lisa's energy.
"That's fantastic, Lisa!" he exclaimed, sincerity resonating in his words. "Mary also mentioned that you've even been teaching her a few spreadsheet tricks. I wish I had that kind of skill. It'd be a game-changer over at my hardware shop."
Lisa's smile took on a playful edge as she leaned in herself.
"I could always give you a few computer tips, you know.", her voice dropping into a sensuous murmur, "Private lessons, if you're up for it."
Mike's eyes narrowed in thoughtful contemplation, his demeanor growing more serious. Lisa shifted gears, sitting up again and raising her voice.
"You know, Mike, what you're doing at the hardware shop is pretty impressive too. The way you fixed up Emily's pastry shop, I saw your handiwork myself. You really put your heart and soul into it. You might not realize it yourself, but what you're doing is important."
Mike's eyes met hers, a mixture of surprise and gratitude shining in his gaze. It was as if her words struck a chord within him, resonating with sentiments echoed by those close to him.
"Yeah, I've heard a few people saying the same thing," Mike responded, a modest smile gracing his lips.
"It seems like there's a lot of belief in what I can do. Some folks I really respect have told me the same. I guess I'd be a damn fool to ignore their praises."
Lisa leaned back slightly, her eyes conveying a depth of understanding. "Sometimes, when you've been caught up doing the wrong things for a while, it's easy to forget the good you can do," she mused. "But having good people around you can remind you of your worth and the positive impact you can have."
Lisa took a final draw from her cigarette, her contemplative gaze fixed on the smoldering end. A faint disgust flickered in her eyes as she stubbed out the cigarette and tossed it into the ashtray beside the garbage can.
"Dare to dream a little, Mike," she encouraged, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "You'll be surprised by what you're truly capable of. I'd always thought that computers were only for the smart kids like Eli Peterson and Becky Jones. But look at me now."
Mike's eyes locked onto Lisa's, his expression a mix of sincerity and awe. "You're amazing, Lisa, you know that?" he said softly.
Lisa's pause was charged with emotion, her gaze holding his. In a sudden, unexpected move, she reached forward and swiftly plucked the cigarette from between his fingers.
"Smoking's bad for you," Lisa chided assertively, gracefully flicking Mike's cigarette into the ashtray, joining her own.
Mike chuckled, his laughter a mix of surprise and amusement. "I know," he admitted, his voice tinged with honesty. "I only smoke when I'm nervous, it's just a security blanket."
"But you're not nervous anymore now, are you?"
Lisa brushed aside strands of her golden hair from her eyes, her expression patient for his next move.
Mike stood up, a newfound confidence emanating from his posture. With resolve, he extended his arm towards Lisa, his hand open and inviting. Without hesitation, Lisa reached out and took his hand, the warm roughness of his work worn hands sending a pleasant sensation down her spine.
Side by side, they made their way into the bustling gas station shop. The shop clerk nodded at Lisa in recognition as they passed by, his eyebrows raising slightly at the sight of her holding onto Mike's arm. Lisa winked back at him with sheer delight as she followed Mike towards the donut shelf.
Hand in hand, Mike and Lisa walked without a care in the world. Their laughter harmonizing with the lively atmosphere around them, joining the small group of eager midnight snackers, united by the simple pleasure of indulging in sugary treats on a warm summer night.