Page 61 of Take My Heart
‘Yeah, I guess you’re right. How far away is the store?’
‘A couple blocks. It’s downtown on Main Street.’
‘What are you getting?’
‘I’ll see if they have some clothes you could wear.’
‘It’s a clothing store?’
‘No, it’s a drugstore.’
‘They sell clothes at a drugstore?’
‘It’s more of a general store. They have a little of everything. I’ll see if they have a charger for your phone while I’m there.’
‘I didn’t know general stores still existed.’
‘They do in small towns.’
‘It sounds adorable! I wish I could see it.’
‘Trust me, it’s not anything great.’
‘What kind of clothes do they have?’
‘I’m not sure. I never look at clothes there. They probably have some t-shirts and sweatshirts. Is there anything else you want?’
‘Could you get me some makeup?’
‘What do you need makeup for? You’re just sitting around the house.’
‘I know, but I feel naked without it.’
‘You don’t need it. And I don’t know how to buy that stuff.’
‘Well, if you can get the phone charger and some clothes, that’d be great.’
I’m trying really hard not to look at her in that towel, but I keep doing it. I need to get out of here.
‘I better head out. I told him I’d be there soon.’
‘Okay. Be careful.’
She goes to her room while I go get my coat. As I’m putting it on, I keep thinking about her in that towel, which leads to me thinking of that kiss, which makes me think about doing other things with her.
She’s my roommate, I remind myself. And just yesterday, she was engaged. I can’t get involved with her.
When I get out to the truck, it starts right up. At least the truck still works. I back it up over the path I cleared, which is now covered with a few more inches of snow.
Pulling out on the road, my truck fishtails. The road’s really slick. I see why the cops are telling people to stay home.
The downtown is like a ghost town. There’s nobody around.Not a single car. I pull up in front of Finkle’s store and see him waiting at the door.
He opens it for me as I walk toward him.
‘Bad storm,’ he says. ‘Worse I’ve seen in years.’
‘Yeah, it’s pretty bad,’ I say, going inside. ‘Thanks for opening the store for me.’
