Page 32 of Finding Parker

Green.

My tires screeched as I lurched forward and into the intersection. Fuck yeah. I shifted into second gear without letting up off of the gas pedal, released the shifter, and flipped my hair over my shoulder. Confidently and quickly, I glanced in the rear view mirror. As I shifted into third gear, I squinted and moved closer to the mirror. It almost looked like…

Great, I’m covered in sweat.

For some reason, since I started seeing Parker, I began to sweat. Either that or I began to notice I sweat. Regardless, in the last month or so, I’ve been sweating profusely. Without any activity or reason, I look like a gym rat or a professional athlete – one who has just finished a competition. As I attempted to blot my brow with the palm of my hand, I noticed the light at the intersection in front of me turn yellow.

And red.

I pressed the gas and accelerated through the light. A few honking horns reminded me it wasn’t the best of ideas, but it was over now. I pressed the clutch pedal to quiet the engine and turned into the alley which led to the parking in the rear of the restaurant – where the employees park.

Parker wouldn’t see my car if I parked it here.

Parker always parked in the street so he could keep an eye on his car, and for good reason. He had a very nice car and he needed to keep it that way. Mine, on the other hand…I dreamed someone would steal it. No one, however, dared. Hell, maybe several have tried for all I know, and weren’t able to keep the engine running. One advantage of owning a piece of shit car is that no one wants to steal it. In my particular case, no one was probably able to steal it.

I stepped out of the car and slammed the door. I turned to face the car, my key firm in my hand, and began to lock the door. As I started to turn the key in the lock, I laughed to myself and hesitated. Without locking the door, I pulled the key from the door lock, unzipped my clutch, and dropped my key inside then zipped it closed. Still smiling, I peered around the corner of the back of the building into the alley toward the street.

Clear.

I took a shallow breath and walked briskly toward the street. At least for now, I had no desire to have Parker find out what I drove or where I lived. Introducing him to my mother was not an option. Not that she’d have a problem with it. Hell, she’d love him. But I had a problem with it. Her condition was embarrassing. I truly believe she remains in pain of some sort, but not as much as she continues to claim. And certainly not at a level which requires the degree of sedation she remains in. For now, I’ll have just a few secrets.

As I approached the restaurant entrance, I heard a shout from across the street. Parker, as always, stood outside his car waiting. He motioned for me to come to him, which I found a little odd. His being parked across the street and nowhere near an intersection would require me to jaywalk – or walk to the intersection and use the crosswalk. I looked toward the traffic light. Two hundred yards. I looked at Parker.

And ran.

“Stupid bitch!” a motorist screamed as he honked his horn and flew past me.

He was close enough my dress blew against my legs. I stopped in the center of the street and allowed the cars to zip by me as I waited for another break in traffic. As soon as I saw an opening, I sprinted for the other side.

And Parker.

With his mouth open and his eyes widened, Parker caught me in his arms as soon as I hopped onto the curb beside his car.

“That was exciting,” I gasped.

“I can’t believe you did that. There’s a crosswalk right over there,” Parker said as he nodded his head toward the intersection a hundred yards away.

“Yeah,” I took a deep breath and smiled, “but I wanted you to catch me.”

He shook his head and scowled, “Had I known you were going to do that, I would have brought it to the restaurant.”

“It?” I asked.

“Well, I got you something. I wanted to give it to you. I’ve been standing here waiting, but I didn’t see you drive up. Where did you park?” he asked as he released me from his arms and stepped toward the car.

Got me something?

I tilted my head toward the restaurant, “Other side of the street, duh.”

Got me something?

He shook his head as he pulled an envelope from the car. Smiling, he stepped in front of me as he held an envelope close to his chest. Standing in front of me grinning, he looked like a little boy. A very handsome little boy. A very handsome little boy clutching an envelope.

Got me something?

I pointed toward the envelope, “Is that for me?”

He nodded his head once sharply.