Massachusetts is Fucking Cold.
I reached into my pocket tracing for my car keys. A few fumbles later I was in the car, hands on the wheel, staring out. I traced my palms against the cold leather of my 1995 BMW. For some reason, I had not turned on the heat yet. I felt the icy chill from Massachusetts’ November weather trace down my spine. I felt this overwhelming feeling of regret, heartache, angst. Should I even go? I mean funerals were never my thing anyway. I don’t feel the sentiment at a funeral or gravesite as I did when the person was alive.
“Tsk.” I clicked my teeth and rolled my eyes, turning the engine on.
The check engine light flickered per usual. My car was a genuine piece of garbage, but she was mine. I glanced at my messy curls brushing them back with my palm as if that would tame them. Dark circles reached around the underneath of my eyes. I wasn’t sure what day of no sleep it was, however, I heard that one nigh 3 hallucinations would begin so that was something to look forward. Maybe it was night seven and then on night eleven, you die. Either way works for me. Letting out a deep breath I backed ole’ girl out and proceeded out of my apartment complex. I lived in a not too big, not too small apartment with 1 bedroom and 1 bath. Big enough for me and me alone. I spend much of my time alone nowadays. Perhaps due to my self-destructive personality is why I couldn’t keep a healthy relationship to save my life. It seems everyone in my life has either left or died. Morbid, I know.
“Clack! Clack!” the engine sneered.
“Great” I groaned. She’s probably not waking up from this one. I turned into Roy’s Diner and Gas! to investigate the damage. Funny, I actually know nothing about cars. Smoke flowed from underneath the hood. Steam billowing out, fogging the lens of my glasses. Wiping the condensation from my face, I reached forward messing with something resembling a burnt pretzel.
“Y-ouch!” I yelped, smelling my freshly burned flesh sizzle. A voice called out from behind me.
“Y-You okay there?” she stuttered.
I quivered in pain looking for the right words. She was rich-figured woman with large, framed glasses shielding her face. Long brunette hair fell down her back and shoulders. She wore a thick worn tan cardigan with a Bon Jovi pin in the top right side. Her Staind tee almost hidden by her Roy’s Grub Gal-stained apron.
“Not really.” I breathed under my breath, glaring at my hand. She too gazed at my newly exposed flesh.
“That looks pretty gruesome, would you like to come inside the diner and I’ll fix ya’ up?” She sounded sincere and cheerful.
I paused, rummaging for my keys, wallet, and phone. I decided against my greater judgment.
“I’d appreciate that.” I tried to match her cheerful tone and ended up coming out like an uncomfortable pubescent boy. I followed her to the back of the diner where an Employee’s Only sign commanded the opposite as we slipped through the swaying door.
“Is it okay that I’m back here?” I asked.
“Of course, it is for an injury after all.” She smiled.
Her smile was a delicate as her frame. Something seemed too perfect about her. Her teeth were white as paper, straight, her skin was cool and clear, her frame was evenly distributed and in all the right areas (if you know what I mean). I was almost drawn in by her smell as she flipped her hair around to place it in a tight high pony. Her hair still touched the nape of her back. Wow, I thought. Who is she?
“Am I hurting you, hello?”
I snapped out of my daze and realized she was talking to me as I stared blankly at her face.
“Oh. No, sorry. Just got lost in thought” I tried to play it off.
Her face became bright.
“What were you thinking about?” Her smile became bigger
“Oh nothing, just sometimes blank out I guess,” I said.
“That is interesting, Parker.”
I stopped in my tracks.
“Ha... do we know each other?” I was becoming very uncomfortable. The atmosphere changed to a still, chilling basement style.
“Not yet, but soon” She winked.
Within seconds she leaned into my palm lightly kissing my injury then proceeded to my forehead. Stunned I drew away quickly.
“What the hell-” Suddenly my vision drew to blackness and my breath faded away.
