That was it…for now

Jesus, this place was busy.

I circled around again, turning to avoid another car pulling in to join the still growing line at the drive-thru. Once there was a gap I pulled through and found a parking spot, then turned off the ignition, and waited.

I lit up a cigarette and blew out a long breath.

A filthy habit, I know. I hated the way it made my fingers smell, especially when it got colder outside. But it was a habit. I picked it up from some girl I was trying to impress a couple of years ago, and unfortunately it stayed with me. Anyway, I still enjoyed it. Never got into vaping, though.

My windshield wipers went on and off, clearing away the rain that slowly accumulated. I took a long drag and felt the head rush that comes with it after going the entire school day without. I quickly blew it out and bit the skin of my lower lip, and watched the poor guy standing out in the rain taking people’s orders. I felt a little bad for him, but at the least the place paid pretty well. At least, according to the ‘now hiring’ sign that proudly hung on the building.

My wipers went on and off again, and I took another drag and my eyes locked onto the white Honda Civic that quickly turned into the parking lot, almost hopping the curb as it did. What was it about girl drivers? Why were they always in such a rush?

I took a deep drag and held it in for a second or two, then blew it out, blinking slowly. This was uncharted territory for me. Stalking? No. Not really. I shook my head, and asked myself what I was doing. I took another drag, and told myself that yeah, maybe it was…a little bit.

As long as the line of cars was, it moved along surprisingly fast. That kid outside deserved a raise. And 10 minutes later when the white Honda Civic pulled away from the drive-thru window, I started the car and pulled out of my parking spot.

I kept a good distance away, thankful that the rain would distort anything seen out of wet car windows, and followed. I was familiar with the drive, passing several places I had been to. The grocery store my mom likes to go to. The laundromat we had to use when our dryer broke a couple of years ago. A few turns here and there and we were down a street I was unfamiliar with.

It was pretty close to the school, which was pretty close to my house. I did some quick numbers and figured we lived about 15 minutes away from each other, give or take. Nice. I flicked another spent cigarette butt out my window and rolled it up, slowing down when I saw her turn right into the driveway of a small duplex. It looked like a house with a mirror up against the side of it, reflecting an identical house off its garage on the right side.

It reminded me of when I was little and used to stand halfway inside my mom’s closet with my nose on the edge of the sliding mirrored closet door, holding my leg up to make my reflection look like I was hanging in mid air. Fun times.

I drove by slowly, and watched her get out and scramble to the front door of the left apartment, fast food bag in hand along with her purse and laptop bag. He must be parked in the garage, while his fiancé has to park outside and walk through the rain to bring him his food. Dick. I made note of the address and slowly drove on by, then sped up a bit after turning at the end of the street.

Once on the main road and headed home, I lit up another cigarette and updated the contacts in my phone, typing in her address to go along with the new favorite phone number I added, occasionally looking up at the road as I did.

I timed the drive in my head, pleasantly surprised by how short it was. I pulled into my driveway and smiled, nodding after I shut the car off. I was pleased with myself. I felt like some private eye in those old movies.

I looked up at my darkened house. Mom was at work, and forgot to leave the light on again. I didn’t have a garage to park in either, Miss Laura.

I opened the car door, keys in hand, and quickly jogged through the cold rain to the front door. Once inside, I flipped on the porch light for my mom and locked the door, then set my backpack down and headed to the kitchen to make myself dinner.