7 - Samantha
Spirit Week’s Hat DayWednesday is another successful day for Harbine High School. The wide variety of hat attire worn is amazing. I will have to make a collage page in the yearbook just to try to do it justice. Our fellow students wear everything from basic ball caps and cowboy hats to top hats and even hats that would get a standing ovation at the Kentucky Derby. And have you ever seen the British Royals on TV? Yep, we have some like that too, and those girls know their hat styles. We even have a few guys adorn their heads with gladiator helmets. I have to hand it to our seniors this year for creativity.
I chose a hat that reminded me of the 1920’s when mobsters like Bugsy were running around. It’s a black, sleek brimmed hat with a dip down the middle and a wide satin band that wraps around it. I stuck a label on it that says ‘Press’ which I thought was a fun detail considering I’m always taking pictures.
One of my errands after school today is stopping by Hinkley’s Hardware store in town. Because of all the pictures I’ve taken, I need to get started developing, but my bulb blew out in my darkroom. So, I need to replace it. Hinkley’s usually carries the kind of bulb I use. If they don’t have them in stock, George, the store owner, will order one for me. Without it, I can’t do anything. Since my car is down the street getting the oil changed, I have a little extra time to spare. I wander aimlessly through the aisles of the hardware store, taking my time to get to the checkout. I watch a moment while someone spins the key rack about six times before choosing the one they’ll have cut. I can’t help hanging out in the back where the paint aisle is for a bit, too. I begin contemplating a change. Maybe I’ll paint a wall in my bedroom. Purple is nice and fuchsia is talking to me pretty loudly, however, a serene shade of blue called Cyan catches my eye overall. The aqua color reminds me of those beach commercials where the water is see-through. It seems so perfect and inviting.
I’m about to reach for a sample swatch to take home, when I notice an odd shape out of the corner of my eye. The hardware store is full of strange things, but this is different. I look over and there’s a man standing at the end of an aisle staring at me. I casually return my focus to the swatches, selecting my aqua color and then I glance back over toward the man. He’s still staring. I know this because the print on the box he’s pretending to look at is upside down.
I duck around the corner to a different aisle. “Dang it,” I huff under my breath. The same man slowly stalks into the same aisle as me. This time, he picks up a random brush and begins staring. I can’t look at his eyes, but I don’t want to lose sight of him either. Something deep within me says beware. A creepy, sick feeling engulfs me and I have to get away.
I step a little faster, trying not to make it obvious that I’m peering over my shoulder. The man’s eyes trail over me in such a way that I’m left feeling uncomfortable. Sick even. Every aisle that I try in order to escape the mystery stalker, he appears, sometimes picking up an item pretending to examine it, but still looking at me.
I turn yet another corner and this time I see my gorgeous neighbor standing there. Thank God! I run up to him and wrap my arms around him. I fervently whisper in his ear, “Play along!” I catch him off guard but his arms automatically embrace me. Without being asked to, Phillip buries his face in the curls of my hair, holding me close. “Is he gone?” I whisper, pulling my head back to look him. Moving only my eyes, I motion for him to look behind me.
He leans toward me and whispers in my ear. “There’s no one in our aisle.” His mouth lingers by my ear for a second, his breath brushing my skin, warm and feathery. Nice.
“Whew! You saved me there. Thank you.” We’re close enough I can smell the sweet peppermint gum he’s chewing.
“What part did I play?” he grins, displaying those perfect dimples. Phillip’s dark brown eyes are eagerly begging for my answer.
“My boyfriend. There’s a creep in here that keeps following me.” I then realize I’m still holding on to him. “Oh, sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” he assures me. Just then I have a déjà vu moment. Lately, I’m always finding myself apologizing for my actions around him, and he’s always telling me it’s ok. Then Phillip looks a little confused. “What are you doing here?”
I guess it is kind of a strange place to run into each other. Phillip hasn’t yet let go of me. We’re still holding each other in the aisle at the hardware store. It’s making me feverishly, warm all over. Another moment I’m cherishing.
“I had a bulb burn out. I’m here for a replacement.” When I hold up the red bulb in my hand, he realizes we’re still entangled. We each politely smile and take a deep breath, letting go and taking a step back. I’m in a dizzy haze enjoying the bouquet of his cologne.
“Are you feeling ok?”
“Why? Do I look that bad?” I ask. I don’t feel sick. Nervously, I smooth my hair and double check my shirt for anything on it.
“You look great. Fine.” His cheeks now have a thin shade of pink masking them. “I mean, I know you didn’t feel well the other day.”
“I’m doing much better. I haven’t had to take the medicine I was reacting to since Monday. My doctor wants me to start my old one back up tomorrow. So, how is it I didn’t see you in class today?” We share two classes together and I also see him in the cafeteria, but today I didn’t see him anywhere.
“I’m on the float committee, thanks to my dad. I was excused from classes to help finish it for the Homecoming parade.” Before he explains anything else, I see the creepy guy come around the corner again. Phillip feels me cringe. He meets the man’s gaze with a threatening stare while wrapping his muscular arm around me. I pretend not to notice the creep, and without thinking about it, I lean my head toward his chest. His arm stays closely around my waist as he gently kisses the top of my head completing our couple fa?ade. The strange man then places what he’s holding on a nearby shelf and exits the store. Phillip must have felt me sigh with relief because the next thing I know, he’s checking me again. His free hand lifts my chin so my eyes can meet his.
“Better?” His brown eyes look hopeful and almost triumphant at the same time.
“Yes,” I grin as we head toward the checkout. When it’s my turn to pay, I sit my light bulb on the counter and fish out my money while the clerk rings me up. “Phillip, you should get an Oscar for your performance.”
“I’m not sure I was acting,” he whispers under his breath. I thank the clerk as she hands me my change. I pretend not to notice what he said. Before we’re out the door, Phillip asks me, “Did you walk or drive?”
“I walked, my car is down the street getting the oil changed,” I answer. “Why?”
“Well, if that guy’s hanging around, you ought to get in my truck so he sees you leave with me. Just in case.” He whispers this near my ear and guides me out of the store with his hand on the small of my back. I glance up at him and agree with a nod. I already know which vehicle is his. The familiar red pick-up truck is always parked in the driveway adjacent to my home. Phillip opens the passenger door for me and I quickly get in. The inside of his truck offers a lingering reminder of his cologne that I drink in while I wait for him to walk around to the driver’s side.
“How is it you came out of the store empty handed?” I managed to get my light bulb, but he doesn’t have anything.
“I wasn’t empty handed, I have you,” he grins and turns the ignition, firing the engine. I feel warmth bloom in my cheeks. “They were out of the trim I needed. So, what’s the red bulb for? Your darkroom?”
“How did you... Oh, right, Cyn probably told you.” I shake my head. Duh. I vaguely remember muttering something about it in the hardware store too. He probably thinks I’m an idiot.
“I pay attention.” He looks over and smiles again. “So where to?”
“My car should be ready in about ten minutes, so if you just wanna circle the block and drop me off at Tuff’s, that would be fine.” I feel bad that I’m taking up his time. Errand or not, he probably has better plans later. Just then, my phone rings. “Sorry, it’s Roxy. I need to get this.” He nods in understanding as I click the button. “Hey Roxy,” I answer and listen. “They’re on the top shelf in the dispensary.” I peek over at the driver. “I can stop by if you need me to. Do you need dinner dropped off?” The rest of my conversation consists mostly of uh-huh’s and few questions, but is over quickly enough.
“Does Roxy need you?” Phillip asks. There’s an underlying hint of disappointment in his voice.
“No. Well, she couldn’t find the highlight caps, but otherwise no. She’s working late and wanted to tell me. So where are we going?”
“Back to your car,” Phillip answers. His voice still carries a residual disappointment. Or maybe I’m imagining it. “I didn’t want to drop you off while you were talking.” He pulls into Tuff’s parking lot where my car is finished and parked, waiting on me to pick it up.
“Thanks for your help,” I tell him. “I’m thankful you happened to be in the hardware store today. I owe you one.”
“I didn’t mind, really. I’ll take the Oscar though.” He smiles.
“You earned it.” I unfasten my belt and open the door. When I hop down, it’s then that I realize something. “Hey, wait a second. Why do you want the Oscar if you said you weren’t sure you were acting?”
“You heard that huh?” Phillip shifts in his seat, a little embarrassed. He shakes his head once, trying to forge an explanation.
In an effort to let him off the hook and to break the silence I say, “To be continued, then.” I’m perceptive enough to notice the awkward moment. I didn’t intentionally plan the interlude that happened in Hinkley’s Hardware store, but it did turn out to be an unexpected delight. I never knew how wonderful it felt to have a guy’s arms around me, especially Phillip’s. Today is a day I will treasure for the rest of my life, even if it was only for the Oscar.