4. Cosmic Love
Chapter four
Cosmic Love
B rad raced out to the hallway and stopped short when he saw no one. She probably went to the bathroom. He realized how unsettling it would be to find a stranger waiting for her and decided to control his emotions and leave the building.
You don’t have time for romance anyway.
But the impression of her was seared onto him. She had grabbed hold of him and she wasn’t letting go. Something about her felt so familiar, so much like… home.
But you don’t even know where your home is.
He tried to shake off the thought of her, of Talia. He turned to the front building exit, and there she was, looking at him with a smile on her face. The golden flakes in her brown eyes danced even more in the light outside of the dark theater.
“Hi.” She said with liveliness.
“He-ey.” His voice caught partway through, and he had to clear his throat to finish his one word reply.
She stood with her hands behind her back, casually dragging a toe across the ugly multi-colored carpet. “So, um, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving, and I’d love some company.”
She finished hesitantly and her cheeks blushed. Brad’s heart was doing a jackhammer dance in his chest again. Say something.
Talia’s face winced with embarrassment as the seconds ticked by, and just as it seemed that she might turn and leave, Brad found his voice.
“I know a decent Mexican joint a few blocks away.” Took you long enough.
Brad couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face when Talia instantly smiled brightly.
“Sounds great!” she said.
Talia sucked on her lower lip and released it slowly all while continuing to beam that incredible smile at him, her vibrancy was so overwhelming he had to stare at his shoes as they walked towards the exit.
Outside a strong cool breeze blew through Celia’s hair and Brad saw goosebumps rise on her legs and arms as she squeezed herself tight against the cold night. He took his black leather jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders, then smiled at her and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
She gazed at him sideways with a light in her eyes and said. “Thanks.”
They walked closely and quietly. She must be as shy as I am. Every now and again they would bump into each other as they walked along the sidewalk underneath the bright moon, and Brad started to suspect that she was doing it on purpose. As though she was gravitating toward him.
When they reached the brightly lit restaurant, Brad held the door open for Talia and she smiled at him again. He led the way to his favorite fake maroon leather booth and sat down. Talia pulled the jacket off and reached across the table to hand it back to him.
“Thanks again for that.” She said.
He nodded. “You’re welcome.”
He could no longer pull his eyes away as she brushed her fingers through her long curly hair in a ponytail motion, apparently trying to bring some kind of calm to the chaos. She pulled a menu in front of her and scanned it.
“What’s good here?” She asked.
“Not the daily special.” He stated simply.
She laughed. “Why not?”
“Their daily special is just items they have too much of that’s going to expire soon.” He said as he glanced quickly at her and then stared at his menu. Come on Brad, make eye contact, you’re being a creep again.
Talia raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Good to know.”
Brad clasped and un-clasped his hands underneath the table as he hunched over the menu that he had already memorized.
Suddenly the table started to shake and Talia laughed. “Oh, sorry.” She blushed again.
Brad looked up and didn’t know what to say. She had been pumping her legs under the table, and that had caused the shaking.
Aren’t we a nervous pair? Say something, Brad.
Brad’s mouth hung open a little when he was saved by the waitress.
“Can I get you something to drink?” It was the same waitress from the other night, she winked at Brad and popped her gum as she looked at him like he was something to savor.
Ugh.
Brad finally made eye contact with Talia, and his heart jumped. “Ladies first.” He grinned.
She returned the smile and her blush deepened. “I’ll have a sweet tea and water please.”
Brad didn’t look away from Talia as he said. “Same.”
The waitress rolled her eyes and walked away.
He sat up straight and brought his hands up to the table, no longer feeling the need to hunch over and hide. “So, are you a student at LaPorte?” Brad assumed most people who appeared in their twenties in this area were students, after all, it was a college town.
“I am, Art History major. What about you?” She asked.
“Officially, business major, unofficially, undecided.” He said with a shrug of his shoulders.
Talia softly laughed. “So you don’t know what you want to do after this?”
“Not really, I just kind of do what’s expected of me.” His voice was deep and solemn.
Talia’s brow creased. “That doesn’t seem fair. Controlling parents?”
More like a controlling Spencer. “You could say that.”
Talia looked at him in a way that was thoughtful, as though she was truly seeing him, and hearing him, instead of just making conversation.
“How old are you?”She asked.
You tell me. Two, three, four lifetimes? Who keeps track anymore.
“I’m a senior.” There, good answer, not exactly a lie.
Talia narrowed her eyes in thought. “So, what happens when you graduate, and your life is your own? There must be something you want to do?”
I’d like to live a normal human life, one of my own.
“I’d like to open my own restaurant someday.” Brad surprised himself. That felt true, do I want that?
Talia seemed extraordinarily happy, as though she cracked the code of who Brad was. “That sounds wonderful, Brad.”
Something about the way she said his name made his smile falter. What’s my real name? She deserves to know. I deserve to know.
The waitress brought them their drinks and asked as she set them down. “What can I get ya?”
“Oh um…” Talia stammered and laughed. “I haven’t really looked at the menu.”
The waitress annoyingly tapped her shoe and it seemed like she was going to walk away to give them more time, when Brad stopped the waitress by holding a hand up and saying to Talia. “Do you have any food allergies or aversions?” He asked as he looked at her. She shook her head. “Do you mind if I order for you?” Brad asked.
She grinned and nodded. “Sure.”
Brad looked at the waitress. “We’ll share a Coctel de Camarones and a shredded beef tostada.” He smiled and handed her their menus.
“Coming right up.” The waitress said as she popped her gum again and walked away.
“What's, Coctel de Camarones?” Talia asked.
Brad perked up. “Oh it’s my favorite.” Images of the sea flashed through his mind. He loved getting impressions of the ocean from eating crustaceans, gliding through the water and seeing things no man has ever witnessed in its mysterious watery depths. Plus, it just tasted good. "Shrimp in a spiced tomatoey kind of sauce with all sorts of ingredients tossed in, like avocado, cilantro, celery, onion, jalapeno.” You’re rambling, Brad. He took a breath and laughed at himself. “Anyway, yeah, they put it in a big cup the size of a large bowl and serve it with saltine crackers.”
Talia chuckled, apparently enjoying his enthusiasm. “Sounds awesome, can’t wait to try it.” She paused then looked up at him. “So do you live on campus?”
“No, I’m actually over at Alpha Delta Phi.”
Talia coughed in surprise. “A fraternity guy, huh? I wouldn’t have guessed.”
“Oh really? What’s that supposed to mean?” Brad said with a smirk.
“It’s just, well… take our waitress for example, she’s obviously very into you, but you’ve been the perfect gentleman. Most frat guys would be trying to slip a hand up her skirt even though I’m sitting right here. Then there was the whole, ‘ladies first’ thing, and holding the door open-”
“So what you’re saying is, all frat guys are assholes?” Brad said simply.
Talia stammered. “No, I-”
“I’m just kidding.” Brad winked. “Most frat guys are assholes.”
Talia nervously laughed and Brad noticed that she was twisting her napkin into a miniature rope as she talked.
Talia asked. “So, what did you think of the movie?”
What movie? Oh shit, right. Um, what did we see?
“Yeah, it was really good.” Brad said.
“Really?” Talia stared at him quizzically.
Shit, not good I guess?
Before he could stop himself Brad’s next words came rushing forward. “To tell you the truth, I just go to the movies to zone out, you know, a break from reality… and after my… near death experience .” He said in a mocking tone, paused and lightly chuckled, then looked down at his hands before continuing. “Ya know, you… saving my life, all I could see, all I could focus on, after… was you.”
Great, good job Brad, good way to scare her away. What were you thi-
“Me too.”
Brad snapped his head up in surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah.” She said shyly.
It was as though the air between them electrified, sizzling with energy. Full of desire in their silence. Desire to know more, desire to be closer, to touch.
The waitress suddenly reappeared with a large serving platter holding their food. She set it on the edge of the table and placed their entrees before them. “Coctel de Camarones and shredded beef tostada. Can I get you two anything else?” The waitress asked.
“Um.” Brad cleared his throat and looked at Talia, she shook her head and he said. “No, thank you.”
“My pleasure.” The waitress said as she walked away.
Talia beamed at him. “Show me the ropes, how do we eat this? Is it like a dip thing? Crush the saltines in and eat it like soup?”
Brad’s laugh bubbled out of him. “No. Not exactly, you grab a cracker, place a spoonful of the cocktail on top, like so, and-” He took a big bite and said with his mouth full. “Enjoy.”
Talia laughed and dug into their meal.
They ate in silence, all while stealing glances at each other. When they were finishing up, Brad noticed that Talia had a dribble of sauce on her chin. Without thinking he grabbed a napkin, leaned over, then slowly and gently wiped her chin. He heard her sharp intake of breath at his touch and looked into her eyes.
“How was everything?” The waitress’s voice broke their tension almost as if she were shouting.
Shittiest timing ever, lady.
Talia answered for them. “Wonderful, thank you.”
“My pleasure.” The waitress said as she placed their check on the table and walked away.
Brad reached for the bill and Talia stopped him when she placed her hand on his. Warmth shot up his arm and his skin almost sparked under her touch.
“My treat.” Talia said. “I was the one who invited you.” She stated with a smile.
“Thank you.” Brad said, and when she pulled her hand away he turned his palm up to brush the tips of his fingers against hers. He could have sworn he saw her shiver, a small smile on her lips.
“How about, on our next date, it’ll be my treat?” He asked with a question in his voice.
Talia tilted her head. “Date, huh?” She smiled. “I’d like that.”
After Talia paid, they re-entered the clear night together. Brad wrapped his jacket around her again and checked the time. It was late, dangerous to be alone late, so he asked. “Can I walk you home?”
She looked around at the emptiness surrounding them, and said. “Yes, please.”
The relief and happiness on her face made Brad want to sing and dance, to pull her close and sway to the music of his heart. He refrained himself as much as he could but was not able to resist the temptation to hold her hand. As he slipped his fingers through hers, she welcomed him. It felt like he belonged there, with her. A sense of comfort that he had never felt before overwhelmed him. Too soon, they came to a stop. It took all his strength to let her go when they reached her apartment.
“Same time next week?” He asked. “I’ll pick you up?”
“I look forward to it.” Talia grinned and turned to unlock her door, but she hesitated and turned back to face him, she took one step closer leaving barely a sliver of space between them, stood on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his.
Brad’s lungs filled with the breath of her and he wrapped his strong arms around her, pressing his lips against hers. The taste of her filled him with unmeasurable peace. When she slowly pulled away from their kiss he had to force himself to let her go.
“Goodnight, Brad.”
“Goodnight, Talia.”
She went inside and gently closed the door, cutting off the energy of their embrace. Her absence left him cold and he debated on never leaving, just sleeping there by her door until he could see her face again. He shook his head for clarity and forced himself to turn away and head back home. But the image of her, the feel of her, stayed with him.