Sublime Wreckage (5 page)

My parents had a great relationship. Every time they were together you could see how in love they were. My father had a heart attack about two years ago and passed away. That's when things got really hard. My mother only has a high school education and has to work two jobs just to make the house payment. My father didn't have any life insurance so I dropped out of high school to start working full time. I just moved out this summer into my own place with my best friend Tommy Becker.

It broke my mother's heart when I left high school. She wanted better for me. But how could I watch her struggling and not help? That wouldn't make me a very good son. So I started working at the factory in the next town over. I hated every minute of it but would never tell my mother that. She has done everything for Joey and me. She has the kindest heart and would sacrifice everything for her boys. I got her back on her feet. I worked overtime every chance I got at the factory until things stabilized at home. Then I decided to start a lawn care business. I love being outside breathing in the fresh air instead of stuck inside a windowless building inhaling fumes all day. Since I can't seem to sleep I decide to head outside to make sure I locked up all my equipment. I don't live on the good side of town and even though people seem to be afraid of me I still take precautions.

I head outside to the side of the house where the detached garage is to make sure the locks are secure. That's when I hear footsteps in the distance. Who the hell would be out here in the middle of the night? It's already after 2 in the morning. I walk slowly down the driveway until I get a view of the railroad tracks. Standing there wiping her face with her t-shirt is a beautiful young girl. What is she doing out here by herself? She looks like she's crying. I wonder if she is alright. Maybe I should go over to her.

For some reason I can't seem to move. The lights from the railroad crossing are hitting her face just right. I can make out all of her soft features. Her hair is pulled into a ponytail on top of her head but I can see she has light brown hair. Her skin looks like it has an olive tone to it. She isn't pale nor tan. She seems very natural. My eyes drift down to her body. Wow. She is in amazing shape. Perfectly proportioned with the tightest ass I have ever seen. She is breathing deeply trying to catch her breath. I wish I had the nerve to talk to her but I'm frozen in place admiring the view. I can't seem to place her but she looks familiar. I feel like I would remember meeting a girl like her. Why does she look vaguely familiar? Just as I'm lost in thought she looks over in my direction. Oh crap. Did she see me? Wait, why do I care if she saw me? The next thing I know she's turning around and running away. I hope I didn't scare her. What? I didn't even do anything. There has got to be something wrong with me. I need sleep.

I finally make myself go back into the house. I don't know what I was thinking lingering outside for so long. Maybe I thought she would come back. Our house is a small one story with two bedrooms. We have a tiny living room that fits our leather couch and big screen TV. The important things to guys. The kitchen leaves a lot to be desired but it's functional. No dish washer but since neither of us really cook that's not a big deal. We tend to eat off paper plates or at my mom's house.

Tommy doesn't have a great relationship with his parents so he doesn't see them often. My mom kind of adopted him a few years back since he spent all his time at our house anyway. He still works at the factory but wants to work with me. I promised him as soon as I get enough business he can quit his crappy job and work with me full time. I had some work for him over the summer but things are about to get slow and I can't afford to pay him. I know he hates working at the factory as much as I did.

I decide to head to my room and try to catch some zzz's. My room isn't large but fits a queen bed in the corner and a big dresser against the wall by the window. I have a small desk and chair in the corner. I don't need much. Being a guy I really don't care about décor either. My mom bought the sheets and bedspread otherwise I would probably be sleeping right on the mattress. She still takes good care of me. Always making sure I get enough to eat, decorating our tiny house with what she can afford. Like two guys care about that stuff. I will admit it makes it feel more like home.

I think my mom is proud of what I have accomplished given everything we have been through since we lost my dad. I used to be a trouble maker, getting into fights for no reason at all, breaking the law and being lucky enough not to get caught most of the time. When my dad died I just snapped out of it. I realized what I was doing was stupid. It wasn't going to get me anywhere. I was breaking my mother's heart in the process so I turned my life around. Lately I have been studying to get my GED so I can at least say I finished high school. I don't think college is for me though. I don't have time for classes anyway while trying to get my own business up and running.

I strip down to my boxers, flop down on my bed and try to get some sleep. When I close my eyes I keep seeing that girl. The lean, sexy as hell girl. I wish I would have had the balls to walk over to her. At least I could have gotten a name to go with that beautiful face. I wasn't close enough to see the color of her eyes so I will just have to guess. I wonder if they are brown like mine. I can't picture her with blue eyes. That just doesn't seem like it would suit her. I wonder if I will see her again. I really need to get to sleep. Why can't I stop thinking about her? It's not like it's the first time I've seen a good looking girl. That's an understatement. She wasn't just good looking....she was perfect. On that note I finally drift off to sleep.

The next day is so busy I barely have time to stop and eat. I need to take a quick break to pick Joey up from school. I still have four more yards to cut after I get him but I can make him help me so we finish faster. I decide to run the truck home and pick-up the mustang. I got a great deal on this classic car. It's old and needs work but it was a steal. One of my customers was selling it and gave me a great price for discounted lawn service. I really don't like going to the high school. Everyone has this opinion of me without even knowing me. So I decide to show up in my old muscle car to show what a badass I really am instead of my beat up pick-up truck with my lawn equipment in the back. Let people think what they want.

As soon as I pull up to the school I'm shocked by what I see. It's her. The girl from last night. She is about to get on a school bus. I wonder where she is going. Does she ride the bus home? Where does she live? She can't live far from me since she was out running late last night. She is even more beautiful in the light of day. Her hair is down around her shoulders and is the softest brown I have ever seen with small waves throughout. I'm still not close enough to see the color of her eyes. I'm tempted to get out and talk to her just to see what color they are. The strangest part of all of this is that she is staring right back at me. It's like she can see right through me. I barely even notice it when Joey climbs in the car.

"What are you staring at? Hello? Earth to Vinny."

I really hate it when he calls me that. It's like we're kids again. She finally snaps out of it and climbs onto the bus. When I can no longer see her I snap out of it too. "Don't call me that. We have work to do today. You can help me for a couple of hours. I will get you home in time for dinner. Okay?"

"Sure. I could use some extra cash to take Keri out Friday night."

"Do you know that girl that was getting on the bus?"

"No. She's a senior. I'm just a freshman. We don't mingle. But I saw her in the hall this morning. She's pretty hot. Why? You like her or something?"

"Don't be a douche. We gotta run so I can trade vehicles. We have four yards to get done in about two hours." With two people that shouldn't be a problem. Then I can have a nice dinner with Joey and Mom. She loves it when I come over and eat. I wish I had time to talk to the girl. I really want to know her name. It would be nice to see her eyes, put a color to the striking face.

A couple of hours later we are pulling up to Mom's house. We are both covered in sweat with dirt and grass stuck to our clothes. I decide to take a quick shower while mom finishes up dinner. I keep some clean clothes here just in case. After my shower I head into the kitchen. I go over to my mom and pick her up in a bear hug.

"Vincent. It's so good to see you! I miss you when you don't come around."

"Mom it's only been a couple of days. Tommy and I were just here Friday for dinner. Remember?"

"I know miho. I just worry about you. I wish you had someone taking care of you. Have you met anyone lately? A nice girl to bring home to me?"

That's my mom. Always worrying, expecting me to meet the love of my life. I'm only 20 years old for goodness sake. "No mom. I haven't met anyone." And that's the moment my little brother decides to walk in.

"Yes he has. He was staring hard at some girl at my school today when he picked me up. Looked like love to me."

He is so annoying. Why can't he keep his big mouth shut?

"Oh, well that's sounds wonderful. Tell me all about her!"

"Mom, I don't even know her. I was just looking. She seemed familiar is all. I have no plans to go out with her." Thanks a lot Joey. Now that's all she is going to talk about the whole time I'm stuffing my face.

"Well maybe you should talk to her. Do you know her Joey?"

"No Mom. She's a senior. Closer to Vinny's age. Hey after dinner can I go to Keri's house to study?"

Study. Right. That's exactly what they will be doing. More like my brother will be drooling all over his girlfriend while she does his homework. At least she seems like a nice girl. Sometimes she comes over here for dinner. I have met her a few times and even driven them to the movies once or twice. Seems like a good kid and a good influence on Joey.

"Sure Joey. You can go after we eat. And tell your little sweetheart that I want to see her over here for dinner before the week is over." I think my mom always wanted a girl but my parents stopped after two boys. She loves having another girl in the house. I think that's why she is so anxious for me to meet someone.

After dinner I help my mom clean up the kitchen. Joey can't get out of the door fast enough. While my mom is putting the food away I reach up into the cupboard where she keeps her jar of cash. I quickly put some more money in the jar and put it back. She hates taking money from me but I know she needs it. So this system seems to work. She knows I add money whenever I can but doesn't mention it. I know she is proud. It hurts her that she has to take money from her son. I get that but I am here to help her. She does so much for Joey and me.

I decide to stop at the grocery store on my way home. Even though we don't cook we still need things like milk, cereal, bread, you know the basics. I get a small basket and start loading it up. I start to head down the next aisle when I see her. Really? Of all the places to run into her this is where I see her? I have to make my move in the grocery store? Lame. Super lame.

I walk up behind her wanting to get her attention when I notice her reaching for something on the top shelf. When her arm is stretched all the way up her shirt lifts just slightly. I can't help but notice her abs. They are flat and toned up nicely. Then I see a little box sticking out of the top of her pants. She must be stealing it. I'm a bit surprised that someone who looks so sweet and innocent would be capable of stealing. I accidently let out a little laugh. She turns her head slowly and looks at me.

"Sorry, but you might want to keep your shirt down. I can see that box peeking out of your jeans and I would hate to see a pretty little face like yours end up in juvy. Hi. I'm..." Before I even finish she cuts me off.

"I know exactly who you are Slick. And I don't need advice from you."

Did she really just call me Slick? I wonder if she really does know my name. I finally see her eyes. She has light brown eyes with little pieces of green throughout. They are the most amazing eyes I have ever seen. They really add to her beauty and draw me into her even more. I continue watching her as she reaches up again to get the item she wanted in the first place. It looks like some kind of inhaler. I wonder if she's sick or something. Then I see her slowly opening the box while looking at items on the shelf pretending she's looking for something else. She proceeds to slip the inhaler out of the box. The next thing I know it's gone. She must have slipped it into her pants. I didn't even notice. I have to say I'm a little turned on. I have never seen a girl steal something right in front of me. This girl is either crazy or very brave. She doesn't even care that I'm standing right in front of her watching. I don't know what happened because the next thing I know she's running her cart right into me.

"Ouch. That really wasn't necessary. I would have moved. I just haven't seen a girl with such huge balls before. You are pretty good too. " I can't believe I just said that to her. I have been waiting close to 24 hours to talk to this girl and that's what comes out of my mouth. She can't seem to get away from me fast enough. I can't say I blame her.

I watch her for a few more minutes, curious what she will do with the empty box still in her hand. I see her grab a loaf of bread but don't know what she did with the box. All of a sudden it's just gone. Impressive. Why am I impressed by some thieving girl I don't even know? She could be trouble. Maybe I should stay away from her. I really don't need to go back down that road. I'm done with that kind of life. But something stops me in my tracks. She took medicine. And she didn't seem all that thrilled about doing what she was doing. It's possible she didn't have enough money and needed the medicine. I decide to wait for her outside. There is something inside of me that wants to make sure she is okay.

I'm leaning against my truck when I see her walk out of the store. I wait until I see her make it safely to her car. It takes me a split second to make the decision to talk to her. I have to know her name and if she's interested in me even a little. I walk cautiously to her car not wanting to startle her. She seemed pretty nervous when she left the store. I'm sure she was scared about getting caught.