“No.” Those people ended up begging on the street corner.
“Let me guess. You always wanted to be a lawyer,” she said sounding snooty. And then she went back to her omelet like she didn’t have to wait for my answer because she’d already decided what I’d say.
“Yes, for your information, I did. Well… not always. For a few years in elementary school I wanted to be a cop or a firefighter. But I enjoy knowing I’m helping people in my own way.” I’d opted for the negotiation table rather than a cop car and didn’t regret it.
“It sounds very boring, no offense,” she said obviously meaning offense.
“I assure you my job is very… Boring.” Just because I enjoyed it and thought I made a difference didn’t mean I rescued babies from fires or put people in handcuffs.
Everyone couldn’t have an exciting job. Someone had to be there to make sure everyone signed on the dotted line.
Loretta chuckled so long and hard she sounded like a dying tiger. A tear trickled out of the corner of her eye. She had to wipe it away as I ignored her and went back to my bagel, content to slather it in cream cheese.
4
“You sunburned today,” I said hours later as I rubbed sunscreen on the bridge of Loretta’s nose.
“I know and you rubbing it isn’t helping,” she said with irritation in her voice.
“We don’t want it to get worse,” I scolded and then squirted more sunscreen onto my fingers and covered the tops of her cheeks.
If she would not concern herself with skin care, I would do it for her. I’d already failed to notice she’d been getting red until we walked into a shop to purchase a pair of sunglasses. Day two and I’d failed part of my assignment to keep everyone safe. I refused to let it happen again.
“We can’t let you get sunburned. Do you know how many people die from melanoma every year? We should cover up your shoulders, too,” I said looking at her bare shoulders from her sundress with worry. When she walked out of the hotel wearing the skimpy item, I’d been excited for another day of getting to see all her flesh and rose tattoo, but now it was a neon light calling the sun’s rays.
Loretta scrunched up her face, her nose crinkling and upsetting the work I’d done applying sunscreen. “This isn’t your fault, Reggie. We’re just too close to the sun up here.”
Wewerecloser to the sun, which was exactly why I should have paid better attention. It was a total oversight on my part, and now Loretta paid the price. Even if she tried to absolve me of my guilt, I didn’t plan to let myself off the hook. We spent the entire morning walking around and I never once considered the dangers from above.
Bands were doing sound checks and setting up instruments on the outdoor stages. Businesses were opening ready to meet the afternoon and evening crowds, and even food trucks took places in strategic locations. We’d stopped and taste tested more than one random food from various vendors. I had no idea how the woman ate so much and I knew better than to ask.
In a weird kitschy way, the Bear Creek Music Festival was great. Who knew I’d enjoy the local atmosphere so much? I jumped on the chance for a weekend away but never expected I’d have a good time. The place and I were two different countries, but I found myself nonstop smiling regardless. Was it the location, expectations for the upcoming bands, or Loretta?
Something told me it wouldn’t have been half as enjoyable if my company were anyone else. Without her by my side I’d see a stupid tourist town similar to the one where I grew up.
She swatted my hand away as I went back apply a second coat of sunscreen. “I could just buy a hat. One of those big floppy ones.”
I rubbed at the last batch of lotion on the tip of her nose. “But then I couldn’t look at your adorable face.” The words slipped out and in the next moment the craziest thing happened. Loretta, the woman who kept calling me an asshole, turned a light shade of pink.
It was that or the sunburn reached the apples of her cheeks, but I believed I’d finally gotten through to her. She stared at me as if she was ready to say something in return, but then the most God-awful sound resonated from the pocket of her sundress. It sounded as if she’d recorded a duck dying and its futile attempt at bleating out a message to warn others.
I took a step back from her and stuck a finger in one of my ears until she pulled out the phone and silenced the offending noise. “Oh, we need to go.”
Instantly I went on high alert. “Why? Has someone died?”
Did one of the band members find themselves in trouble and this was the alarm system Loretta set out to warn her that trouble was near? Whatever it was must be bad because that horrifying sound didn’t denote pleasant things. It was an immediate action noise.
She looked at me like I was a crazy, an expression I was learning well. “No, my favorite band is getting ready to play. I love them. The Flower Petals are big headliners and they’re doing a warmup now. I can’t wait to see them live.”
She grabbed on to my hand and pulled me out of the building.
“Don’t you think your brother’s band is the best band in the world?” I asked as my feet hit the sidewalk.
She looked back at me. “Yeah, sure. They’re okay, but not as good as The Flower Petals. Just wait until you hear them. Total girl power.”
“How do you know I haven’t heard them?” I asked, letting her lead me off into the direction of one stage. As long as she didn’t drop my hand, I’d go anywhere she walked.
She shook her head and snorted at my question. “Because you’ve never heard of any decent bands from this decade.”
