The best thing about the Corner Store, she thought, was being able to leave messages on one section of the wooden wall. Humidity was high in this beach town which caused the notes on the wall to curl their edges and when a soft breeze crossed over, these curled notes danced like leaves on a tree. Nina was so taken with this image,that she decided to make a painting of it. That’s when she met Paco, the good looking Hispanic who operated the Corner Store.
Paco carried a limited supply of a wide variety of stock so folks wouldn’t have to drive in to the center of town to buy acrylic paint or Pernod. He and Nina were immediately attracted to one another and made a handsome couple with his dark hair and swarthy complexion against her freckled face and auburn hair.
Nina couldn’t resist leaving a note for Paco on the wall of the store. ”Turn this note in for a kiss.” He didn’t read all the notes every day, only occasionally to get rid of old ones. Nina didn’t know that, thought they were having fun with this game.She read notes she thought were from Paco. “Hope to see you tonight after the meeting.” and it usually worked out well.
Nina was thrilled when she saw the note in red ink saying,“I think Im in love with you!” but didn’t mention it when she met Paco later. She was enjoying this affair but had some misgivings about where it would go.
The next day or so, she wrote a note with ball point black ink,
intentionally. “I’ll cook dinner on Saturday. I’ve been to cooking school in Sonoma.”
Paco didn’t mention the dinner when they were together on Wednesday and Nina was hurt. It also increased her misgivings about this relationship. Their sex was great nut did she want to marry a man whose life mainly existed with the Corner Store? He worked long and irregular hours since his father’s death and he made good money, even if they seldom got into the thriving city to spend it. She had enough money to live comfortably with royalties from two published novels.
“Paco”, she said coyly, “should we go into the city for dinner tomorrow night? It’s Friday, in case you’ve forgotten, and you need to relax a bit.” She expected him to comment about her dinner on Saturday and having two dinners in a row.
“Oh, Nina, I’m sorry. You deserve to get out too, but I have to
meet with the union guys early Saturday and have to get up early.”
“OK”, she thought.”He either hasn’t read my note or is hesitant to say no.”
She checked the colorful notes fluttering on the wall when she left and sure enough, hers was gone. But a new green ink one said more directly, “Nina, dinner is a surprise. And I will surprise you then.” Now she was confused.
She cooked Lasagna Saturday afternoon, fixed garlic bread, bought a good red wine, tossed a salad with home grown tomatoes from her neighbor, and would pick up some dessert from the bakery. A few violets that grew by the door of the apartment house looked great on the table. She couldn’t wait to see Paco and his surprise for her as she drank a glass of wine to calm herself. Perfect timing as the doorbell rang while she drank the last swallow.
“Paco....oh. I’m sorry...Jeff! ...excuse me..I was expecting...”
Jeff extended a floral bouquet of roses saying, “Thanks for the invitation. I’ve been having such a good time with our notes to one another on the wall of the Corner Store. Its been weeks and I wanted so much to contact you. I was so happy you wanted to get together again. Having this dinner together tonight is just the beginning to renewing our relationship, and this time it will work!”
***
No comments:
Post a Comment