Small Town Life
Carrie leaned against the back of the stool she was sitting on and stared out the door at the people passing by. She sighed as she looked at the clock on the wall. 'Three o'clock. Six hours until closing.' The shrill ring of the phone jolted her back into reality.
"Flicks Video. Can I help you?" She tried to sound professional, but the boredom she felt overpowered her voice.
"Hi. I was looking for the movie 'Scare Me to Death'. Do you have it?"
"It hasn't come out on DVD yet. It's not due out for another three months," Carrie answered as she tucked a loose strand of brown hair behind her ear.
"Well, when it comes out can you call me? My number is 555-1342."
Carrie rolled her hazel eyes toward the ceiling. "Sure," she said, knowing full well she'd never call the anonymous voice on the line. She shouldn't be expected to hold on to a customer's phone number for three months.
She placed the phone back on the receiver, leaned back again, and stared at the ceiling as she sighed. It was such a beautiful day outside, but she was stuck working in the dumpy movie rental store. She had the door propped open so she could smell the sweet spring air. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply as she daydreamed of a million different places she could be besides work.
"Umm, excuse me."
She hadn't heard anyone enter the store, and the sound of his voice caused her to jump.
He laughed apologetically. "I didn't mean to startle you."
She smiled and blushed as she looked up into his chocolate eyes. "It's okay. I was just daydreaming." Her eyes fixed upon his features. His short hair was a pale blonde and very well kept. His black framed glasses balanced perfectly on his face. The white wife-beater he wore under a blue plaid unbuttoned shirt did little to hide his muscular build. She could tell even from the relaxed fit of the jeans he was wearing that he had a very nicely formed ass. She inwardly kicked herself. 'Say something intelligent!' She just sat there with a goofy grin plastered on her face. "Can I, um- Help you with, uh- Something?" she stuttered.
'That's it, Carrie. You are officially an idiot.'
"Yeah." he smiled. "I saw the special advertised outside. All .99 cent DVD's are two for one on Wednesdays. I was hoping you could point me in the direction of those movies."
"Sure. They're all in the back, against the back wall," she said as she gestured toward the back of the store. 'Damn, he's cute.'
"Thanks," he said as he headed toward the .99 cent section.
As soon as he was out of sight, Carrie smacked herself in the forehead. "God you are such a moron!" she whispered to herself. "A good looking guy comes into the store and you flake!" She stood and collected herself as she searched her mind for some form of intelligent conversation she could engage with him. She came up with nothing. She looked up to see him coming her way empty handed. She smiled at him. 'Ask him if he needs help finding a movie, stupid! Don't let him walk out of here so easily! Stop standing there and ask him!'
"Can you help me find a movie?"
She heaved an inward sigh of relief. 'Okay, he's renting. You haven't blown it, yet.' She flashed him her best smile, praying that it didn't turn out crooked. "Sure, what are you looking for?"
"Godfather, all of them, and Scarface, maybe."
"Doing a little research for something? Or are you just violent by nature?"
The man looked taken aback. "Ex- Excuse me?"
Carrie smiled. "I was just playing with you." She allowed him to follow her to the back of the store. She tried not to trip over a rack, or a movie, or the air for that matter. She reached over, picked up a DVD, and tapped it once against his chest. "Here's Scarface. One down, five to go."
The man laughed. "Three. There were three Godfathers. There were five Rockys."
Carrie shrugged, unimpressed. "Whatever. All of them suck anyway."
"What do you mean they suck? All of those movies are good!" Carrie looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Okay," he relented. "So the last two Rockys were a little iffy, but the rest were good!" He smiled at Carrie. "I'm Gustav."
"Carrie," she accepted his outstretched hand.
"So, Carrie, what is there to do for fun around here?"
Carrie thought for a minute. Living in a town as small as Tarboro, there wasn't a whole lot you could do unless you had an excellent imagination. "Uh, not much, really. There are places that locals go to but that's because we're locals."
"So if a stranger takes a local out, is he allowed to get in to those places?"
"Uh-" she stalled. 'Is he asking me out?' Carrie asked herself silently. "I'm not sure. I mean, I'm sure that they, the locals, won't mind. They're nice around here-" she quickly bit her lip to stop her nervous rambling.
Gustav chuckled. "Well then, can you be my free pass tonight?"
"Um, sure."
"You don't have to, if you don't want to." Gustav smiled a shy smile that he knew would get her.
"Oh, no! It's not that I don't want to. It just depends on when we go out."
"How about tonight?"
"I don't get off until 9."
"So we'll go out at 10. All the good parties start then."
"Uh, this is a small town. The parties usually end at 10."
"Don't tell me that a bunch of good ol' boys stop at ten at night?"
"Well, no, but-"
"Good, then I'll see you at ten. I'll meet you here. Thanks for the movies!" With that, Gustav handed her a ten dollar bill and walked out of the store.
"Wait! You forgot your-" Carrie called after him as he walked out of the door, "Change."
Carrie stood there dumbfounded. 'Did he really just ask me out?' She replayed the scene in her head analyzing everything that was done and said. Her thoughts were interrupted as Missa entered the store ranting.
"Carrie, you know what? I don't know how you handle this small town life. I mean, I come here from Missouri for one week and I can't handle having only one grocery store and- Carrie? Hello?"
"Sorry, Missa. Lost in thought."
"Uh huh. It wouldn't happen to be about that hunk-a-man that just walked out of here, would it?"
Carrie tossed a pen at Missa and laughed, "Hunk-a-man?"
Missa ducked, the pen just barely missing her head. "Oh, come on. I saw him. You can't tell me he wasn't a ten on the bangability scale."
Carrie nodded, "True. Very true."
"Do they breed fresh meat like that down here?" Missa asked as she picked up the pen from the floor.
"I don't think so. He's not a local," Carrie shrugged.
"Ahh, so you had some conversation with him?" Missa grinned, her brown eyes shining with anticipation of some juicy gossip.
"Of course, Missa, I didn't grunt and point at him as he rented. I'm beyond Neanderthal."
Missa beat her chest and grunted. "Me Carrie. You hunky man. We have wild monkey sex in porno room."
Carrie shook her head and laughed. "You're a nut."
"So what did this conversation consist of?" Missa asked inquisitively.
Carrie shrugged her shoulders and tried not to smile. "Nothing much. He asked me out. He's meeting me after work tonight," She put Gustav's change in her pocket, making a mental note to give it to him later.
Missa grabbed her chest, faking a heart attack. "Oh my God! You're kidding me!" She did a little booty dance and sang, "Go Carrie. It's your birthday. Get busy-"
"Missa, come on. Stop that." Laura said as she entered the store. Laura worked at Flicks Video as well. She had been working there for a little over two years. She took advantage of her seniority and came in late almost every day. Laura had befriended Carrie after she was hired six months earlier. In no time at all, they became friends. Laura looked over at Carrie and threw her hands in the air. "I know, I know! I'm late. Why has that suddenly surprised you?"
Carrie rolled her eyes, "I'm not surprised in the least. It's become mundane."
Laura put her personal belongings away and took her place at her station. "So why were you doing the Humpty Dance around the store, Missa?"
Missa grinned, "Carrie gots her a man."
"Missa, it's just a friendly date. I'm just gonna show him around Taboro," Carrie hissed.
Laura looked at Carrie and raised an eyebrow, "A friendly date?"
Carrie scoffed, "Did I stutter? Friendly. Friendly date." She made sure to slowly enunciate 'friendly'.
"There's no such thing," Missa said. "Men do not have girls as friends. It just can't happen. They're too weak."
"It's possible," Carrie said as she picked up a stack of DVD's to place back on the shelf.
"I won't wait up for you tonight," Missa said as she walked out of the store making kissing sounds.
Carrie shook her head as she put the DVD's in their proper spots. Missa was impossible. She had come from Missouri to stay with Carrie for a few months and was not used to living in such small quarters. Tarboro was a tiny town in North Carolina with a population of 1,000 residents. Missa would tend to exaggerate when she'd talk to her friends back home and joked of there only being one grocery store. Carrie loved her small town life, but secretly envied her friend's love for adventure.
The hours passed by in warp speed, and before long, the alarm sounded to indicate that it was closing time. Carrie handed the change to her last customer of the night and locked the door behind him as he left. Laura counted the safe and the tills as Carrie ran the reports. She was beginning to feel nervous thinking about Gustav. She went into the office to freshen up before leaving. Laura smiled as she watched Carrie fix her hair for the sixth time in less than five minutes.
"Here, let me help," Laura offered.
"Thanks," Carrie said as she watched Laura work magic on her hair. "Ever consider becoming a professional?"
"I actually went to school for cosmetology. I'm a licensed hairdresser," Laura said as she concentrated on a piece of hair that was misbehaving.
"I'm impressed."
"There," Laura stood back and admired her newest work of art. "You look rah-vishing."
Carrie giggled nervously, "Let's hope so."
As they headed toward the front of the store, Carrie's eye caught the front door. Gustav was standing there. He looked up at her, smiled and waved. She held up one finger and mouthed 'One second'. She smiled and through her teeth said, "Laura, that's him."
Laura gasped. "Damn, I'm gonna have to start coming to work on time."
Carrie laughed. 'Here we go,' she thought as she unlocked the door and smiled up at him.
"You're a little early," Carrie said to Gustav as she waved good-bye to Laura.
"I figured we should get an early jump on things if what you say is true," Gustav smiled. "So where, exactly, do locals hang out?"
Carrie pointed across the parking lot to a small hotdog stand. Music could be heard coming from a speaker positioned on the roof, and there was a small crowd congregating at the tables that were set up around the stand. A sign on the front indicated the name of the stand. "There you have it. Clubhouse Grill. That's our sorry excuse for a hang out."
Gustav looked surprised, "I thought you were kidding."
"Disappointed?"
Gustav shook his head, "No. It's just different than what I'm used to."
"Come on, I'll introduce you to some of my friends," Carrie said as she stepped off the sidewalk.
Gustav fell into step with Carrie as they headed toward the grill. "So how long have you lived here, Carrie?"
Carrie sighed, "My entire life. Everyone knows everyone here. Kinda like Mayberry without Andy Griffith and Barney Fife." She slowed her pace a little. "So where are you from?"
"Germany, by way of Los Angeles," he said as he slowed his pace to match hers. "A far cry from everyone knowing everyone."
"I'll bet. What are you doing here in Hickville? If you don't mind me asking."
"I was in Manteo looking at some property and got kind of sidetracked on my way back home."
Carrie laughed, "You mean lost."
Gustav looked down at her with a smirk, "No, I mean sidetracked."
Carrie chuckled, "No one gets sidetracked in Tarboro. If you come here, you either have a reason or you're lost." She looked up at him and winked. 'Whoa, did I just wink at him? What's come over me?' She smiled. "I won't make you admit to it though. If you admit you're lost, you'd have to ask me for directions and that will never happen."
"I just stopped at a hotel to rest on my way back home and thought I'd get some movies to occupy my time," he was beginning to blush.
Carrie laughed, "Who are you trying to convince here, me or you?"
"Both."
"Ah-ha! So you are lost!"
"I never said that," he grinned sheepishly.
As they neared Clubhouse Grill, a few people waved or called out a greeting to Carrie. All eyes were on the stranger she was with. Carrie stepped up to the counter. "Who do I have to fuck around here to get some service?"
The dark-skinned woman behind the counter laughed. "Carrie! How the hell are ya?"
"Never better. Kenya, I'd like you to meet Gustav," she said as she motioned towards her date. "Gustav, this is my good friend Kenya."
"Nice to meet you," Gustav said as he extended his hand for Kenya to shake.
"Nice to meet you too," Kenya shook his hand, and then turned her attention toward Carrie. "Did you come here to order, or to show off how lucky you're gonna get later tonight?" Kenya laughed.
Carrie blushed. "Kenya!" she covered her eyes with her hand. 'Find nearest cliff. Jump off.'
Gustav laughed and stepped in, "Lemme get two hotdogs, mustard and ketchup, and- A large cherry Slurpie." He turned toward Carrie, "Anything for you?"
"Just a drink- A Sprite." Her nerves were taking control again. She felt herself fidgeting and quickly scolded herself.
"Coming right up," Kenya said as she winked at Gustav.
Gustav took Carrie's hand and led her to a table nearby. They sat down as Carrie tried to regain her composure.
By force of habit, Carrie picked up the Cosmo that was centered on the table and began to flip through the pages. 'I swear all of these magazines are nothing but a big damn ad.' She looked up at Gustav, who was sitting back in his chair taking in the events that were going on around him.
Clubhouse Grill was the local hang out mainly for the kids in high school, however Carrie liked spending time there. The stand had been opened a year earlier and was decorated in the colors that screamed school spirit for the attendants of Tarboro High School, purple and gold. It was almost as if the town was centered on the school. Everyone who was anyone was at the football games on Friday nights during the cool winter months, and it was unheard of to miss a baseball game during the spring. Carrie listened to some of the conversations going on around her.
"Who are you going to prom with?"
"Devin pulled a muscle in his calf and will be out for the rest of the season."
"I can't believe Ms. Gardner gave me detention!"
Carrie sighed, "I miss high school."
"Come again?" Gustav snapped her out of her train of thought.
"Oh, um- I said that I miss high school. Things were a lot simpler then." She smiled as she reminisced.
"I hear you," Gustav agreed nodding. "What have you got there?" he asked, craning his neck to look at the magazine Carrie was flipping through.
"Cosmo. There's nothing interesting in here. Just a bunch of ads," Carrie handed him the magazine and shrugged.
"Wait, here's something," Gustav pointed to the monthly quiz and read, "'What is Your Romantic Pattern?' Got a pen?"
"You're going to take the quiz?" Carrie questioned with a laugh.
"No," he said smiling. "You are."
Carrie groaned. "That's all I need, a magazine telling me about my romance, or the lack thereof. Hang on, I'll get a pen." She got up and walked up to the counter. She came back with a pen she'd borrowed from Kenya, "Kenya said the hotdogs are almost ready."
"Good, I'm hungry." Gustav took the pen from Carrie. "Okay. Question one. When it comes to romantic relationships you tend to: A. Get too serious, or B. Not get serious enough?"
Carrie thought for a minute, "B."
Gustav marked her answer. "Question two. Do you believe everyone has a soul mate? A. Definitely, B. When I find mine, I'll believe it, or C. Not really."
"B. I gotta see it to believe it."
Gustav smiled at her. "Question three. What's the most attractive quality for a mate to have? A. Intelligence, B. Power, C. Good looks, D. Wealth, or E. Sincerity."
"Should we really be taking this quiz on a first date?"
Gustav laughed, "Just answer the question."
"Okay, um, E. I guess."
Gustav nodded his approval. "Question four. Romantically speaking, the majority of your teen and adult years have been spent: A. Single, B. In a relationship, or C. Both in relationships, and single."
Carrie scratched her head. "A. Single. This is getting depressing. When you tally up my answers it'll say, 'Wow, we've never had anyone get this low of a score. Please write to us so that we may feature you in our magazine as the loneliest woman on earth!'"
"It will not!" he laughed. "Okay, question five. On a date you usually: A. Make the first move, or B. Wait for the first move?"
"Is that really a question?" she grabbed the book and read it for herself. Gustav looked puzzled. "I just wanted to make sure we were still doing the quiz and you weren't just taking notes for later." Gustav winked at her and it made her blush. She looked away quickly and answered, "B."
Gustav went on to the next question. "Question six. How neat is your bedroom closet?"
Carrie interrupted him laughing. "What the hell does my closet have to do with anything?"
"I don't know. I didn't write it," Gustav said with a shrug. "So, how neat is your bedroom closet? A. Every shirt and skirt is in its place, B. Very organized, but full of stuff, I can't wear anymore, C. Some things are on hangers, most things are on the floor, or D. It's a disaster area."
"B. Well, I try to stay organized."
"Mine's a disaster area," he said marking her answer. "Question seven. Last one. Do you eat the same thing for breakfast every morning?" He paused. "Who makes up these questions? They suck." Carrie laughed and he continued, "A. Yes, B. No, or C. I don't eat breakfast."
"I don't eat breakfast so C."
Gustav looked appalled, "You don't eat breakfast? I couldn't function without at least a bowl of cereal."
Carrie smiled. "I don't have time for breakfast."
"Oh, a woman on the go, huh?" He quickly tallied the answers and searched for the correct column. "Okay, Carrie, your romantic pattern is 'Love Conquers All'. This means that you are romantic, triumphant, and full of courage to face yourself with honesty. Very nice," he smiled.
"Food's ready," Carrie said quickly changing the subject.
Kenya walked up to the table and placed the tray in the middle, "Two hot dogs, a cherry Slurpie, and a Sprite. That's $3.65, plus a tip for me walking my ass out here to bring it to you."
Carrie laughed as she reached in her pocket to pay for her Sprite, but Gustav stopped her. "This is a date. I'm paying."
Carrie smiled at him and pulled her hand out of her pocket. She looked up at Kenya who shrugged. Gustav handed Kenya a five dollar bill. "Keep the change." Kenya thanked him and headed back to the stand with Gustav's money.
"Those hotdogs smell good," Carrie said sniffing the air.
"You want one?" Gustav said holding out a hotdog for her.
"No, thanks," she said, shaking her head as she picked up the pen and started drawing on a napkin.
"Suit yourself," Gustav shrugged and took a large bite spilling some ketchup onto the table. He quickly wiped it up with a napkin. Carrie looked up and smiled as he grinned at her. She turned her attention back to her drawing.
There was a long silence while Carrie allowed Gustav to eat. Finally she broke the silence, "Are you on the run?"
Gustav nearly choked on his hotdog. "What?" He wiped his mouth with a napkin and laughed.
Carrie looked him in the eye, "Well, you did just rent a lot of gangster movies."
Gustav snorted, "No, I'm not on the run from anyone or anything." He took a sip of his Slurpie before starting again. "To make a long story short, I left L.A. to start over. I want to live in a smaller, calmer place," he took a bite of his second hotdog.
"I still think you're lost," Carrie said and arched her eyebrow.
"Okay, so I admit it, I got lost. Sue me!" Gustav balled up a napkin and threw it at her. She laughed as she ducked away from it. She continued with her drawing so that he could finish eating.
"What are you doing there?" Gustav asked as he finished his last hotdog and sipped the last of his Slurpie from the cup.
"Drawing," Carrie said without looking up.
"Am I that boring?" Gustav said with a pout.
Carrie smiled at him, "No, of course not."
"Can I see?" Gustav craned his neck to see what she was drawing. Carrie turned the napkin so that he could see it. The ink on the napkin formed a picture that was the very likeness of him. He looked up at her impressed. "This is good, really good." He picked up the napkin from the table and studied it.
"Boy, please," Kenya said as she walked up to collect the trash. "Have you seen the mural on the other side of this stand? She painted it."
Gustav looked at the stand. "What mural?"
"It's on the other side," Kenya said. "Come on, I'll show you."
Gustav stood up with the napkin still in his hand and extended his other hand out to Carrie. She accepted it and stood to follow him and Kenya to the side of the hotdog stand that was facing the street.
As they rounded the corner, Gustav gasped in awe. He looked over at Carrie who just smiled meekly. "This is amazing." He stood there gazing at the painting of the landmarks from the town; the Cotton Gin, the Town Hall, the high school, the fountain. They were true to life, so realistic. He walked over and placed his hand on the painting, as if to feel if it were real. His fingers traced the letters of Carrie's signature. "This is true talent."
Carrie blushed. "Thank you."
Gustav thrust the napkin toward Carrie. "Autograph it. I wanna keep it." Carrie's face contorted into a puzzled expression. "I'm being serious. Please?"
Carrie took the napkin and signed her name on the bottom right-hand corner, then handed it back to Gustav. Gustav pulled Carrie in for a hug and whispered, "Thank you." Kenya took her cue and silently slipped back into the stand. Gustav pulled back from the hug and looked into Carrie's eyes. He quickly licked his lips as they slowly closed the gap between them.
As their lips met, Carrie felt her knees get weak. She could smell his cologne and the aroma made her dizzy with excitement. His arms slid around her waste and pulled her closer. She snaked her arms around his neck as their kiss deepened.
Without warning, a thick sheet of rain began to pour on them. Thunder resonated throughout the parking lot as lightening streaked across the sky. Carrie and Gustav broke their kiss to see everyone scrambling for the shelter of their cars.
"We'd better get out of the rain," Carrie said.
Gustav nodded, "I'll call you tomorrow?"
Carrie nodded. Gustav gave her a quick peck and ran in the direction of his car. Carrie stood for a second watching him fumble with his keys. Thunder boomed again causing her to jump and run for her own car. She slid into the driver seat and quickly slammed the door, shutting out the rain that pelted her car. She sighed and leaned her head on the head rest. She suddenly had a thought, 'How is he supposed to call? He doesn't have my number.' She looked in the direction that his car had been only to find the spot empty. "Great," she muttered as she turned the key to start the ignition.
'Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world'
Carrie rolled over and hit the button on her alarm clock to block out the sound of The Beatles singing Across the Universe. She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling, dreading the thought of actually getting up and getting ready for work. She looked over at her nightstand and her eyes focused on the money that was placed there from the night prior. 'Gustav's money.' She'd forgotten to give him his change. She sighed as she thought about the night. She felt herself beginning to doze off again, so she yawned and stretched. She finally sat up, swinging her feet over the edge of the bed.
Skylar jumped up from his position on the floor and rubbed against her legs meowing for breakfast. Carrie scratched the top of his head before standing up, sliding her feet into her slippers, and shuffling into the kitchen to retrieve the box of Meow Mix from the pantry. She nearly tripped over him as she made her way to his food bowl and poured a generous amount of the round kibble into his bowl. She placed the box back in the pantry before retreating into the bathroom to begin her morning ritual of hygiene.
After a little over an hour, Carrie grabbed her purse. She made sure her keys and Gustav's money were inside, and stepped out the door for work. She stopped by McDonald's along the way and picked up a small coffee, hoping it would help bring her into the world of the living. She pulled into the parking lot of Flicks Video and maneuvered her car into her usual space. Making sure the doors were locked, she headed into the store to begin another long day of movie rentals.
"What are you doing here?" Carrie asked as she saw Laura behind the counter.
"I needed some overtime. I'm working for Faye this morning, so I'll be here with you all day," she said, not looking up from the paper she was reading.
Carrie simply shrugged and went to her station. She set her belongings under the counter and powered up her computer. She prepared her station for the day, then plopped down on the stool and looked over at Laura who was laughing hysterically at the paper in her hand. "What are you reading?"
Laura looked up. "Hmm?"
"I asked what you're reading. Apparently, it's funny."
"Actually, it is. You know Mayonnaise?" Carrie nodded as her mind created a mental picture of the man Laura was speaking of. He had a difficult name to pronounce, so the nickname 'Mayonnaise' was given to him. Laura continued as she walked to Carrie's station, "He got this email so he printed it out and gave it to me to read. It's pretty funny." She handed Carrie the paper and returned to her station.
"'Rejected Bumper Stickers', this should be interesting," Carrie laughed. She sat back on her stool and began to read. She giggled over some of the sayings. "This one should be my motto; 'I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it'."
Laura joined in Carrie's laughter. "I actually thought of you when I read that."
Carrie pouted, "Thanks a lot!" She continued reading. She suddenly dissolved into a fit of giggles. Laura looked at her as if she'd grown a second head. Carrie stared at Laura with a serious expression and said, "'You're just jealous because the voices talk to me'!"
"What?" Missa exclaimed as she entered the store.
This time it was Laura who couldn't contain her laughter when she saw the expression on Missa's face as Carrie blurted out the words from the paper. Missa, feeling like she'd just stepped out of an episode of the Twilight Zone, just stood there confused.
"I was reading this email from Mayonnaise. 'Rejected Bumper Stickers'. That was one of the sayings," Carrie said trying to assure Missa that she wasn't completely insane.
Missa chuckled, "I was beginning to think that all this fresh air was getting to you, or me for that matter."
Laura butted in. "Oh, believe me; the air has nothing to do with it. You both are a few of french fries short of a Happy Meal."
Carrie came back with, "'I'm not a complete idiot… some parts are missing'. Hey, this email can come in handy."
Laura just rolled her eyes as she got to work on casing the new releases to prepare them for display. Carrie turned her attention back to the paper and she read the rest of the email to Missa. "Oh, I think I've found my favorite. 'Friends help you move. REAL friends help you move the bodies'."
"No," Missa retorted, "Real friends tell their friends how their date with Sexy McFine went."
Laura stopped what she was doing, "Hey, yeah! You haven't mentioned it at all. Spill."
"I dunno if I'm the type to kiss and tell," Carrie began.
"Oh my God! He kissed you?" Laura exclaimed.
"Don't leave us hangin'!" Missa shouted.
Carrie stood up from her stool and picked up some of the new releases. She began to shelve them. "I swear, you guys are horrible when it comes to gossip." Carrie turned her back to the two women as she placed movies on the shelf and continued, "If you must know we went to Clubhouse Grill. He had two hot dogs and a Slurpie, and I had a Sprite. We took a love quiz out of Cosmo, and Kenya insisted on showing him my mural on the side of the stand. He was impressed."
"And? And?" Missa asked, urging Carrie to continue.
"Well, I had drawn a picture of him on a napkin and he asked me to autograph it, and that's when it happened." Carrie stopped and sighed. "The most earth-shattering, leg-wobbling, make-you-tingle-all-over kiss. It was perfect. Not too hard, not too soft." She sighed again. "It was so good that the heavens began to cry and the thunder boomed its acceptance."
She turned around with a grin plastered on her face, just dying to see the expressions on their faces. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes fell upon the person standing at the door. Her face began to burn with embarrassment as she realized that Gustav had just heard every word she said. 'Kill me now. Better yet, just dig a whole and push me in. Being buried alive would be less painful than the embarrassment right now.'
"And to think, I thought it was just a rain storm," Gustav said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the door frame. He had come in just in time to hear Carrie's entire monologue.
Carrie looked from Laura to Missa for some sort of support. 'Bitches! You were supposed to let me know he was standing there!' Laura just shrugged and removed Gustav's returned movies from the counter where he'd placed them. Missa carried a smug grin and an arched eyebrow. Watching Carrie squirm was awfully amusing to her.
"Hi, um- Gustav," Carrie stammered and fumbled with the DVD's in her hand. She dropped one and quickly stooped down to pick it up. Gustav chuckled and walked over to help her. "Thanks," Carrie said as she tried desperately to stop herself from blushing. 'Open mouth. Insert foot.'
"No problem," he replied and gave her a helpful smile. He took a couple of movies from her hand and helped to put them on the shelf. He leaned over closer to her. "So it was that good, huh?"
Carrie shot him a sideways look and smiled. 'You just don't know…'
"I wanted to rent some more movies. Can you show me where the horror section is?" Gustav asked as he placed the last movie on the shelf. "I'm in the mood for something really scary."
Carrie finished with her movies and nodded, "Yeah, it's back here." She led him to a rack near the back of the store. "These are the newer ones and the older ones are around the corner. Need anything in particular?"
"No," he said shaking his head. "I'll just look around for a minute." Carrie nodded and turned to go back to the front of the store. Gustav placed a hand on her waist to stop her. "Wait." She turned back to him and he pulled her closer. He gave her a short kiss, "There. Now I can concentrate on the movies."
'I wonder if he'd be offended if I were to ravage him right now.'
"Flirt," she said as she turned again and made her way back to the front of the store. Missa and Laura stood, waiting patiently for details. "What?" Carrie mouthed when she saw their expressions. Missa smirked and Laura batted her eyes innocently. "You guys make me sick," Carrie whispered.
"If I had something like that in the back of the store, no cameras, privacy- You don't think I'd jump him?" Missa said placing her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, well, I don't have the animalistic tendencies that you do," Carrie said, grimacing at Missa.
"Riiiiight," Laura said. "Don't tell me that you didn't think about it back there."
Carrie stood silent for a moment. "Okay, I admit it," Missa nudged Laura. "But I'd never act on it! How appreciative do you think he'd be if I pushed him against a rack and started dry-humping his leg?"
"Well, aren't we colorful today," Gustav said while coming around the corner from the drama section.
"Okay, that's it! I've embarrassed myself entirely too much for one day," Carrie said as she threw her arms in the air. Missa and Laura burst into laughter. "I'd just like to state, for the record, they started it," Carrie said, pointing to the hyenas.
Gustav set his movie on the counter. "You don't have to explain. I know how women are with their girlie gossip."
Carrie grabbed his movie. "I'm really not gossipy."
"Is that a word? Gossipy?" Gustav said making the girls' laughter recur.
"If it wasn't before, it is now," Carrie replied, ignoring her friends. "Pet Sematary. Good choice," she said, referring to the movie in her hand. She rang it up on the register. "That'll be $2.12."
Gustav pulled out his wallet and handed her a five dollar bill. She took it and gave him his change. Remembering his change from the day before she reached for her purse, "Before I forget," she said, pulling out his change. "From yesterday."
"You could have kept that," he said putting the money away. "Do you have a pen?" he asked, grabbing a Flicks Video business card.
"Keeping your money would be dishonest," Carrie said, handing him a pen.
"Honesty. I like that in a woman." He took the cap off the pen and looked from the card in his hand to Carrie. "Now, how can I reach you, outside of spending all my money to rent movies?"
"I'm sorry. I don't give my number to strangers," Carrie said with a smile. Gustav pouted. 'Could he possibly get any sexier?'
"Please?" he asked and cocked his head to the side.
'Do not lick him right now! That would be bad. Very, very bad'! Carrie sighed and quickly licked her lips. "Okay, I guess, but you'd better not stalk me!" She rattled off her cell phone number and he quickly jotted it down on the card.
"I promise. No stalking." He grabbed his movies and waved to Missa and Laura who were looking on with interest, "Ladies." They waved back to him. He turned back to Carrie. "I'll call you later."
"Okay," she said and waved. She watched as he left the store and climbed into his car. She turned her attention to the nosy onlookers. "Enjoy the show?"
Missa sighed, "He is truly breathtaking."
"I have got to stop hanging with you guys. You get me into too much trouble," Carrie said as the phone rang. She answered. "Flicks Video, can I help you?"
"Hi. I was looking for a movie," said a male voice on the phone line.
"Well, you've called the right place," Carrie said. "What did you have in mind?"
"I was looking for a movie by the name of 'Slow Learner'."
Carrie punched a few keys on the computer. "I'm sorry we don't have anything by that title."
"I'm sure you do," he said. "I've rented it from there before."
"Are you sure it was from us?" Carrie asked with a sigh.
"I'm positive," he insisted. "It's a drama. I can tell you exactly where it is on the shelf."
"Okay. Lemme grab the cordless and you can direct me as to where it is." Carrie put the phone down and rolled her eyes.
Laura looked at her. "What do they want?"
Carrie picked up the cordless and pressed the button to turn it on. She hung up the other phone and placed her hand over the mouth piece of the cordless. "This guy swears he rented a movie called 'Slow Learner' from here but it's not in the computer so I think he's delusional."
Laura laughed. "I love the customers who insist that we have no clue how to do our job."
Carrie placed the phone to her ear, "Okay, sir. Where was this DVD?" she asked as she walked toward the drama section.
"It was somewhere near 'The Green Mile'. It was about one shelf away from it."
Carrie giggled. "I feel like I'm playing the hot and cold game." She heard a soft chuckle come from the other line. "Okay, I'm standing in front of 'The Green Mile'. Which side was it on? The left or the right?"
He thought for a second, "The left."
Carrie chewed her bottom lip. "Odd. All these movies are supposed to be alphabetized. I wonder why it's over here near 'The Green Mile'. Are you sure it's called 'Slow Learner'?"
"Yeah. That's the name of it."
Carrie shrugged and continued to look for the movie. After a few moments, she sighed, "I don't see it. Do you remember what the cover looked like?"
"I really don't remember," he said apologetically.
'I'm gonna be here forever!' Suddenly her eye caught a light pink envelope perched on one of the shelves. 'What the hell?' She got closer and saw her name scrawled across the front of it.
"Are you still there? Have you found it?" His voice startled her.
"Um, no- I don't see it but there's an- Envelope-" she said absentmindedly at no one in particular. She picked up the envelope.
"Come again?" he asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Can you hang on one second?" She didn't wait for an answer. She placed her hand over the mouth piece again. "Laura? Did you leave this envelope back here?"
"What envelope?" Laura yelled back.
"Never mind," Carrie said. 'Obviously she didn't leave it.' She placed the phone back to her ear and it suddenly occurred to her who'd left it there. "Gustav?" There was no response. "Gustav? Is that you? Are you there?"
He laughed. "Have fun!"
'It is him!' She heard a click as he hung up. She pressed the button to turn the phone off and opened the envelope slowly. The butterflies in her stomach danced to the rhythm of her heartbeat.
The envelope held an invitation. The writing was done in fine lettering
"What's that?" Laura asked as she and Missa rounded the corner.
Carrie smiled slowly. "It's an invitation. It's from Gustav. That was him on the phone."
Missa squealed, "This is so romantic! Read it!"
Carrie sighed and began to read the words off the page.
The honor of your presence is requested
On the twenty-fifth of March
In the year of two thousand and two
At the Town Square at two o'clock.
Someone will present you with further
Instructions upon your arrival.
Carrie looked up at Missa and Laura with a puzzled expression. Laura smiled, "It's a game. Like a treasure hunt."
Missa laughed, "You've got a regular Blue's Clues kind of guy on your hands. I'm surprised the message didn't self destruct."
Carrie's expression changed from puzzles to amusement. "This is gonna be fun!" She was absolutely giddy with excitement. She bounced on her toes just thinking of the adventure that awaited her.
"I told him you'd love this," Laura muttered.
Carrie stopped her little dance of joy and stared at Laura. "What did you say?" Laura batted her eyelashes at Carrie. "You mean- All along? He came in- You knew?"
Missa looked over at Laura in astonishment. Laura threw her hands in the air. "Okay, I confess. He came in right when the store opened and asked some things about you."
"Oh Lord." Carrie rolled her eyes. "There's no telling what he knows about me now."
"I didn't tell him anything incriminating. I promise." Laura reassured her. "Anyway, he ran the idea by me, and I knew you'd love it. He checked your schedule over and decided that since you're off tomorrow-"
Missa laughed, "Little does he know, Carrie's always 'off'."
Carrie jabbed Missa in the ribs with her elbow. Laura looked at them with annoyance, "May I continue?"
Missa grimaced at her, "By all means."
"As I was saying, he looked over your schedule, and since you aren't working tomorrow, he figured he'd get a jump on things. He went and had the invitation made and is busy doing some research now."
Carrie's brows furrowed in thought, "Research? What for?"
Laura grinned. "You'll see."
Carrie tucked the invitation into the envelope. The three girls headed back to the front of the store. Carrie went to her station and placed the envelope in her purse. She sat on her stool and leaned back, deep in thought. 'Research?' The butterflies in her stomach did a somersault. 'I can forget about sleeping tonight.' She knew the anticipation would keep her awake all night but it was well worth it.
That is where I left off. I doubt I'll ever get a chance to complete this story. This is how the story is meant to end:
When she arrives at the Town Square, someone will give her another clue. Each clue is a riddle that will lead her to all the places around town that Gustav saw painted on the mural. Each place holds another clue and you (the reader) would get to learn a little bit about Tarboro's rich history in the process.
The final clue leads her to a home that is in the historic district of town. The house isn't huge like most of the historic homes here, but it's not small either. It's a little weathered because no one has lived in it for a few years. Sitting on the steps of the house is a box, and inside the box is a key which fits the front door of the house.
There is a small table with 2 chairs centered in one of the empty rooms of the 1st floor. There's a nice candlelit dinner and champagne. Gustav is waiting there for her. She's a little confused, but the hopeless romantic in her has already fallen for him.
He pulls out her chair for her and they get situated to begin to eat. She finally asks what it's all about and he admits to her that he's chosen not to get a place at Manteo. She's disappointed because she hoped he'd be near her so she could see him more often. Manteo is at the beach and is almost 2 hours from Tarboro. She had talked herself into a long distance relationship. She sadly asks how long before he goes back to L.A. and he says, "No, you've misunderstood."
He explains that he was really enjoying the beauty of a small town life, especially if she's a part of it. He tells her that he has bought the house they're in and says he hopes he'll get to see more of her because he needs a tour guide so he can fit in with the locals.
She's excited and quips about him getting lost in Tarboro. The story ends with him saying, "No, I found myself in Tarboro. I got lost in your eyes."
This story was originally written in 2002 with a different lead male character. The ending to the story is planned out, I've just never gotten around to sitting down and writing it all out, so THIS IS AN ABANDONED STORY.