Rome
Julia climbed into her Chevy as if a squirrel could drive it. She felt larger than life, but never looked it. As she turned the ignition key she glanced to the passenger side and smiled. “I guess you want a ride,” she spoke in a slight whisper, taking care not to move her lips too widely.
” ‘I always want a ride.’ ” She smiled.
“Where to?”
” ‘You’re just going to work, aren’t you? I’ll go there.’ ” She pushed her short black hair behind her ears as a slight yawn escaped from her embarrassed mouth. The hair fell back to her face and she groaned internally. The forest-green car backed slowly out of the spot and into the active maze of students trying to find parking on a Thursday afternoon. She thought to herself it should take less time to get out than it does to get in, but there is always such a long line of vehicles yearning to push out from between the mattresses. She’s always lucky in the morning when she arrives.
She sat silently until the traffic allowed her to go above 45 miles-per-hour. ” ‘Thanks for the ride.’ ” The s-sound, though very quiet, pierced her heart and caused her to shiver. She grinned to the seat and wondered what he would be thinking. ” ‘I actually have a confession.’ ” It startled her.
“Ohh, a secret? I like secrets.”
” ‘It probably isn’t a secret! I saw you talking to Jon; he would have told you by now.’ ”
“What is it?” She let show a knowing smile, though she wasn’t sure.
” ‘I’m in love with you.’ ” She hesitated, as if to erase from her mind what was just spoken and replace it with the next words. She imagined he smiled and looked downward, fumbling his hands and breathing heavily. The road in front of her was all she saw. ” ‘Umm, nothing. Nevermind.’ ”
“Oh, Roman! You can’t do that! That’s mean!” Julia jested; her right hand left the wheel and placed itself on the edge of the passenger seat. “I’ll just ask Jon……”
” ‘Then ask Jon.’ ” As when a woman moans, yearning for her lover’s touch as he lightly teases her just out of reach and she feels a sensation shoot through her body leaving her with a clouded-mind and body full of lust; so Julia let out a grumble that filled the silent car. She felt silly. There was no reaction from the other seat.
Normally when she flicks on the radio or CD player, she sings along, but with the image of Roman foremost in her mind, she would not let herself. In the passenger seat, he wore a black hoodie with a white tshirt underneat, dark blue jeans, and always a grin. She couldn’t imagine him without his perfect smile. The oldies station created the sound for the rest of the drive. She sighed one or two times, but he took no notice. She thought of how it seemed she didn’t exist to him, though he addressed her. It’s probably out of necessity and politeness, she thought. Jon had his suspicions about her, but she’d not admit anything until he confirmed Roman felt the same.
When the vehicle arrived at the bookstore, only one door opened and only one person exited. There was no one else who could leave.
