Page 18 of The Playboy and the Waitress

“My dad was a big man, but when it came to Mom he was a big pushover, and yeah, you're right. I have always wanted what they had. Mom said these words to me over and over as a kid.‘You’re worth something too.’It was her way of telling me not to settle, that my needs and wants were just as important as someone else’s. I don’t believe either one of them felt like they were compromising. Mom liked things Dad didn’t and vice versa, but they found a way to make it work.”

“Give me an example, so I can try to see what you’re saying.”

“Let me see, ok… Mom liked to shop, Dad not so much, but he would go to simply pack the bags and be with her. I can remember him teasing her that he simply liked to go so he could watch her model the clothes she tried on. Dad liked to fish, and Mom was all girly when it came to that stuff. Mom would tease him that they were headed out for the day to drown worms. She wanted no part of that, but she enjoyed the water and the boat. So she would float in a tube and read her books on one side of the boat while Dad fished off the other. She would never let him go by himself, she felt like the water was too dangerous. They simply liked being together. I don’t mean to rattle on about them, but they are never far from my thoughts.”

“I think it’s wonderful, I'm envious actually. My parents are nothing like that… and I was not raised in that kind of environment at all. To be honest, I don’t know if my father has ever hugged me… and my mother… well that’s a story in itself. Let’s just say, I was expected to act a certain way from the time I was little and if I didn’t I was reminded how bad my life could be without them. I was older before I realized not everyone’s parents were like mine. I did and have strived to be what they needed me to be my whole life…but now... I don’t know. I feel like my priorities are changing. I mean, they had nothing to complain about. I was a good kid. I got good grades. I played sports not because I wanted to, but because it was expected. I was popular, and outgoing…got all the awards in school for most likely to succeed and all that crap… Now I'm here, questioning it all.”

I can tell by the tone of his voice that he has some issues with his parents, but I don’t feel like I know him enough to pry. “I’m glad that you’re here no matter the path it took you to do so. Looks like we timed the evening just right, twilight is upon us. Here, let me get all these goodies out and I will serve you some of the finest vittles you have ever had. Let’s not forget our fancy silverware and glasses.” I hold up two clear Solo cups and unscrew the top of my favorite Boones Farm wine. “Now none of those faces, don’t be a hater until you try it. Not everything good is packaged fancy.”

I hand him the glass of wine and laugh when he sniffs it. He doesn’t take a drink, just holds it until I unpack the spin dip and cheeses I brought with us. “This spin dip was a recipe of my mom's. I hope you like it.” He sniffs the wine again and I can’t help but laugh at the look on his face. “At least try it, I brought a few bottles of water if you don’t like it.”

“Here goes nothing,” he says, I think more to himself than to me. I just sit here waiting for any kind of reaction as he takes a second drink and smiles.

“You’re right it's drinkable, I will tell you that this will never be a favorite for me because I don’t like the fizz in it, but I'm impressed. After all, what does that bottle say on it? 3.99, yeah, it really could have been worse.”

“Hey, I'm just glad you didn’t spit it out, there is hope for you yet. Eat up, there is plenty of everything.” He sits in front of me cross-legged and I can’t help but practically stare. I swear the more you look at him the prettier he gets, and that’s completely unfair.

“So, I don’t want you to feel like you’re on a job interview here, but I really don’t know much about you, Playboy. Except how you like your steaks cooked and that you like to rescue damsels in distress.”

He holds the napkin up in front of his mouth since his mouth is full. “Ask away. I'm not all that interesting. But before we get started on me, this spin dip is to die for.”

“Awe, thank ya, it’s one of my favorite snacks. Since my curiosity is killing me, you may feel violated after I get done asking you everything.”

He cracks up laughing, “Lord Jenna, the things you say…you keep me laughing, that’s for sure. How about I provide you with some answers and then if you want to know more, all you have to do is ask.”

“I like the way you think.”

“Ok, I moved here about four months ago. I’m overseeing the renovations and revamping of three country clubs in the area. I could have done them from up north, but I needed a break. Unfortunately, my mother also travels a lot, and it seems like no matter how far away I go, she still seems to find a way to insert herself into my daily life. The different girls every week was one of her games. Where I live is another, I was going to rent a simple apartment, but she would not hear of it. So, I now live about thirty-five miles or so from here in a condo. A condo that I'm seldom ever in, I signed a contract for a year, but the renovations are coming along nicely, and I may only be here for another few months.”

My heart hits my throat when he says this.Damn, I think to myself. “What adventure will you head to then?”

“No clue, I haven’t thought much about it. I’ve not been lucky enough to have roots anywhere like you do here.”

He jerks his head up towards the sky. “I think I just saw something.”

“They said the meteor shower would be at its strongest this evening. I figure we would have to wait a few hours, but it looks like show time to me. Help me clean all of this up and grab the pillows.”

“Aren’t you worried about us ruining this blanket on the ground? It's really nice?”

“Nahh, if you lift it up you can feel the bottom is different. We did this so much as a kid Mom made this blanket specifically for it. It’s waterproof on the bottom with a thin mylar center. She did this so it wouldn’t get wet and that we couldn’t feel the cold underneath us.”

“Seems like mom was extremely creative. I didn’t notice that when you were spreading it out.”

“She loved to sew, when I was younger she made a lot of my summer clothes and tons of my dresses as I got older. She tried to teach me, but I sucked at it. Ok, here is your pillow, lay back and get comfortable. I brought a light blanket in case we get chilled. Whoever sees the most falling stars wins.”

“What do I win?”

“Ughh, crap I didn’t think that through did I? Let me think on it.”

CHAPTER9

Idon’t think I have had this much fun in years. We have talked about everything and nothing all evening while the sky above us has put on a stellar light show. I don’t think I have ever felt this comfortable around a guy before.

I jerk when he yells out, “That’s number five, I'm kicking ass at this game.”

“Now, wait just a minute I didn’t see anything. I have to see it too for it to count.”

“Oh, now you’re going to be a sore loser because you're one of those people that changes the rules as you go.”

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