Page 38 of Fever: Love In Scrubs
It wasn’t until someone cleared their throat did we finally part.
“Excuse me,” the server said with an awkward smile. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I have your orders.”
Jaxson and I grinned at each other as we moved apart, and she placed the food down. My body tingled with excitement. Wehad a date this weekend and if he kissed me like that at the end of the night, I might not be able to control myself.
Our breakfast dateended up taking about two hours because after we ate, we just sat there talking. We would have been there longer, but Jaxson got called in. I was a little bummed to see him leave, but the kiss he gave me before he left cheered me right up.
I drove home with a smile on my face.
Well, the smile had been present all day. I’d really enjoyed his company. Coming back to Silver Run, I just knew I was gonna be out here on my own. It wasn’t that I needed a crowd of people or anything like that. I was used to being alone, especially here. Still, it was nice clicking with someone.
It was a bonus that he was fine as hell and so down to earth. And the man could pick me up! Clearly, he wasn’t lying about what he bench pressed because he lifted me from the ground with ease. I didn’t weigh that much, but I wasn’t a small girl either. The part of my brain that Tinka lived rent free in, had me wondering if he could toss me around in the bedroom with such ease.
“Girl, calm your ass down,” I told myself as I parked in my driveway.
Getting out of my car, I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood to work off my meal. I still had a little work to do, and if I went in that house right now, I was gonna go to sleep. I took in the sights, noticing how it looked different from my childhood. A small park with an adjacent dog park had been added along with a pool and a clubhouse. The neighborhood hadexpanded and there was a plethora of new builds. They had the place looking like a perfect area to raise a family.
I stopped in the park and sat on a bench watching the kids playing with their parents. I often wish I’d had that. I was mostly left to entertain myself. My imagination ran wild as a child. Between talking to my toys and my imaginary friends, someone might have thought I was crazy if they came into my bedroom.
I was always so happy when I could pull my dad out of his head and get him to come play with me. He’d color or draw with me. We’d dance to my favorite music or run around outside. Just for a little while, things felt normal.
Things werenevernormal.
The way I livedwasn’tnormal. Nothing about our situation was normal. It was sad. I always knew the moment playtime was over. He’d get this look on his face and just stare at me with sadness in his eyes.
“You look so much like your mother,” he’d say. “You have her smile… her laugh…so much of you is her.”
Not long after he uttered those words, he would retreat from my room and into his. That was the end of that.
In the distance, the sound of an ice cream truck played, bringing me out of my thoughts. As it got closer, I looked up to see the familiar logo. A small smile spread across my face.
It couldn’t be, could it?
The truck came to a stop, and the kids came running up with their parents behind them. I squinted, trying to get a good look at the man inside. He wasn’t as young as he used to be, but I’d know that face anywhere. When the line cleared, I stood and walked over as he was getting ready to close the window.
When he saw me approaching, he too squinted at me.
“I know that ain’t who I think it is!”
My grin spread. “Mr. Mason,” I said, stepping to the window.
“Ms. Wynter.”
He smiled as he opened the door and stepped off the truck. When he opened his arms for a hug, I didn’t think twice about giving him one. Mr. Mason had been driving the ice cream truck through the neighborhood since I was a kid. Back then, he was probably in his late twenties.
He was the highlight of many hot summer days. I wasn’t sure why, but he’d always given me my ice cream for free, no matter how many times I tried to pay him. He’d always been so nice to me and fussed at the other kids when they would be mean to me as we waited in line.
Over the years, I’d often thought about him and hoped that he was doing well.
“It’s so good to see you,” he said as we parted. “It’s been what? Fifteen years?”
“Yes, sir.”
“My, my, my. You grew up so beautifully.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m so sorry about your dad, sweetheart. I know that’s a terrible loss.”
