We Aren't So Different, You and Me

I woke up a little earlier than usual and headed to the nearest bookstore/coffee shop. I had my eye on a limited edition paperback cover of The Catcher in the Rye and I finally managed to pick up enough scratch cash for it. The bell above the door rang as I walked in and I waved to the owners, Paul and Edna, as I made my way down the aisles.

"The usual, Taylor?" Paul asked me.
"Uh, yeah. Sure, that sounds great," I called back, mentally thanking God for gracing me with someone who knows my coffee orders.
"You're here all the time, kid," Edna laughed, stacking more books upon another pile of them.
"Am I beginning to bother you?" I laughed back.
"Of course not, dear. We love having you here in the shop. In fact, we're looking for some new employees..."
"Wait, are you serious?"
"Of course I am!"
"But I'm only here for the summer."
"Well, when you come back from school, the job will always be here for you. So what do you say?"
"Of course! Yes!"
She laughed and pinched my cheeks softly. "I'm afraid the pay isn't much but--"
"A job is a job, right? Besides, I love it here."

After Paul handed me my coffee, I climbed up onto the rafter above the store, where they kept all the classics and started to read a few good books. The bell above the door rang out again and I looked up from my book when I heard someone cough.

"That's a pretty good book," the figure said.
"Uh, yeah. I guess so." I chuckled slightly, looking at the cover. "But I'm not that into it."
"So why are you reading it then?"
"Just something to do."
"I'm Adam," he smiled, holding out his hand.
"Taylor..."

He sat down next to me and sighed, moving in a little closer. "You're not from around here, are you?"
"Not originally. I'm from Jersey."
"Oh shit, really?"
"Yup. You?"
"I'm from Murrieta."
"That's not too far from here, right?"
"Yeah, just a few hours."

We soon got to talking about ourselves and what we're in to. We hit it off perfectly. Before we left, he slipped me his number and asked me to text him sometime so we could meet up and he could take me "out on the town." I started back towards the house and punched the number into the security gate pad and walked up the driveway. It was only 2:30 so I figured Gerard and Lindsey would be at home while Bandit was at her swimming lessons. I walked in the door and saw Lindsey watching t.v. while Gerard was fixing up lunch.

"Hey, kiddo," he greeted me, kissing my forehead.
"Hi," I smiled. "What's for lunch?"
"I'm making tuna casserole. Is that okay with you?"
"Yeah, I don't mind." I threw my bag down on the floor beside the couch and curled up next to Lindsey. "Hey, Linds."
"Hey, beautiful. How was your morning?"
"Rather uneventful but I did get a job and meet a cute boy."
"Oooh, cute boy?" she purred, smiling.
"NO! No cute boys!" Gerard snapped.

Linds and I both looked over at him and chuckled at his sudden ferociousness. We couldn't take him seriously about this particular conversation.

"Babe, it's just a boy."
"May I remind you that I was once a teenage boy too? I know how they are. Trust me. All they want from girls is to get in their pants and take your virginity, only to never call or see you again!"
"Gerard, I'm 17. I'm perfectly capable of handling myself."
"That's not the point!" he shrieked, making us laugh again. "You're my little girl now! You'll be wearing turtle necks and old man trousers when you go out from now on."
"Babe, you're being dramatic. Go take an Advil or something."

Notes