Paper Cranes (11 page)

“A
re we ready to go?” he snapped me out of our transfixed stare.

“Ugh, yeah. Sure. Where to?”

“I thought we could hit up this little backwoods joint in the bayou. The littlest places have the best grub. Are you okay with that?”

“I’m up for anything,” I grinned with a huge smile.

I had never, in a million years, pictured myself trekking into the dark confines of the bayou for a date. Something about the thought and consideration Lee took, pinched my heart in ways it had never been touched before. I didn’t do relationships and I certainly didn’t do dates. In light of recent events, why the hell not?

“So where are we going?” I asked.

“There is the little place in Lafitte really close to Bayou Rigolettes.”

I came to an abrupt stop as I grabbed his arm.

“Lafitte is almost an hour away. Why do I feel this is the making for a really bad horror movie? You take me an hour away from home and to the bayou no less.”

“And?”

“You’re not going to feed my body to alligators, are you?”

“You’re hilarious, you know that?” he turned to continue walking to his truck.

“You didn’t answer the question,” I smirked.

“If I wanted to feed you to alligators, I’d take you to my uncle’s place. No one would find you there,” he gave me a mischievous grin.

“Wow. The fact that I’m still willing to get into your truck right now, scares me.”

“That’s because deep down, you trust me. You know I would never do anything to put you in danger.”

“We’ll see about that,” I gave him a snide glance as I climb into the cab.

“I am going to need to have a little more encouragement coming from those lips of yours,” he smiled as he pulled the truck into traffic

“When I don’t end up dead, that’s when I’ll show a little more encouragement,” I chuckled.

“Fair enough.”

There was a slight pause in our conversation as the heat from his vents filled the void. The warm air felt like heaven on my cold cheeks. Then again, I could have been Lee that was raising the temperature in the cab.

“Did you work on your homework like I asked?” he cocked his head a little, showing me his dimple buried under the facial hair.

“I did, but I’m afraid you’ll think I’m stupid,” I said sheepishly.

“Never. Whatcha got?”

Hesitantly I drew the paper from my handbag. “2. Sit and listen to live jazz on Bourbon Street, 3. Take a carriage ride, 4. Eat a beignet at Café Du Monde and…” I hesitated.

“And…what’s the last one?”

“5. Ride on a Mardi Gras float.” I covered my mouth with my tiny hands, looking at him wide eyed. He was judging my response, thinking of the perfect answer by the looks of his expression.

“You’ve never done any of those things?” he looked surprised.

“Nope.”

“I’m a little disappointed, Kat.”

“With me?”

“How can you call yourself a true N’Orleans resident? This is unacceptable. We will need to remedy. What are you doing this weekend?”

“Like, three days from now? What if tonight sucks? Would you really want to schedule a third date before the second one has truly begun?”

“Sure, why not? You haven’t let me down this far, except for your appalling wishes. I think I can safely take my chances. What do you say?”

“Then I’m all yours, I suppose.”

“You really are trustworthy to go along with these crazy plans,” he affirmed.

“Let’s be honest, what’s the worst that could happen?” I admitted.

“True,” he joked. “I must say something though.”

“I’m terrified to ask.”

“Naw, it’s nothing bad. I promise.”

“Then, by all means,” I gave him a sweet smile.

“I just needed to tell you how gorgeous you look right now. I couldn’t go another second without telling you.”

“But I’m just wearing jeans and a sweater,” I stated confused.

“Jesus woman, do you know how to take a compliment?”

“Not… really…” I stuttered. “Compliments make me uncomfortable. Like, really uncomfortable.”

“Well, you’re going to need to get over that shit real quick. I’m going to be complimenting you a lot, so you better come up with some other responses.”

Lee gazed at me for just a moment as he smiled rays of pure joy. He seemed to know exactly what to say to make the butterflies kick up in my chest, but why? Why was he trying to start this fire within me?

“So why have you not done these things before? I must know.”

“You can’t blame me for going to college and getting a successful job. I had bigger things on my plate then to ride on a float or….”

“Have a life?”

“Hey, that was a bit harsh,” I bellowed.

“The fact of the matter is; you don’t take time for yourself. Life is going on around you and you haven’t stopped to smell the roses. You walk by them without a second thought.

He was right. I had been aimlessly going about my life, not even giving a care that tomorrow is not promised. It’s heartbreaking, but it was reality.

“If ever there was a time to take advantage of life, it’s now. No regrets, no stone left unturned. Take advantage of what you have, while you have it.”

I turned my head to look out the now defrosted window. I wiped away a lone tear, praying he didn’t notice.

“Why doesn’t everyone think that daily, regardless if they are sick or not?”

“First of all, you are not sick. Sick insinuates you did or didn’t do something to deserve this. You did no such thing. I don’t ever want to hear that from you again.

“Secondly, some people never see the big picture until it’s too late. If there is anything positive about this disease, it’s that you know you have it and you know time is limited. So do something about it, killer!”

My heart shattered into a million pieces with Lee’s words. He was such a good person, much better than myself. A strange feeling crept into my subconscious as we continued our drive in solitude. If he was feeling half of what I’m feeling, I know I will eventually destroy him one way or another.

If anything I needed to enjoy the moment and not make any rash decision right now. Either I save us both the trouble and say goodbye or take a leap of faith that he is in this for the long haul.

My mind raced as the thumping grew louder in my ears. The rattling was so loud; I just wanted to turn down the volume to calm my nerves. My heart couldn’t take a devastating blow if Lee were to leave when things progressed. I suppose only time would tell, then again, maybe being friends would hurt less…or worse.

As we approached the restaurant, the parking lot was more of a gravel drive. The restaurant resembled a shack you’d find in the backwoods of a swamp. It had character; I loved it. The exterior was wooden, just like a cabin with a simple “Open” sign in the window.

Approaching the front steps, the wood planks creaked below our feet. Lee’s giant feet sounded like thunder itself as we made our way to the screen door. Pulling the screen door, we pushed ourselves through a second wooden door. Stepping inside, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the chilly night outside.

The warm atmosphere melted my bones as the Cajun cuisine already flooded my senses. The spices tickled my nose as we approached the landing.

“Lee, what’s up ma man!” Yelled a rather Cajun gentleman from the service window.

“What it do, Rene! Mind if we seat ourselves?”

“You know da drill. Make yourself at home. I’ll come see ya as soon as Lisette gets off ma ass about da gumbo.”

“I don’t know what da hell dat man be talkin’ bout,” a tiny woman with bright purple hair said as she approached our table.

Standing from his chair, Lee stood to give Lisette a sweet kiss on the cheek.

“How ya been, bebe? Haven’t seen ya in a while. And who dis?” She looked in my direction.

My cheeks flared red as our eyes launched onto one another. There was something very soothing about her very demeanor that calmed my nerves and put me at ease.

“Lisette, this is Kat. Kat, Lisette,” he introduced. Partly covering his mouth, he leaned in, “She’s a bit of a bitch so enjoy her niceness while you can. She’ll be bossing you around in no time.”

Smacking Lee upside the head with her hand towel, “Don’t go spitten dem awful lies, Lee.”

I liked Lisette already. She made me laugh and that’s exactly what I needed right now.

“What can I get cha to drink cher’?” Lisette asked as her flawless accent rolled off her tongue like sweet southern molasses.

“I’ll have a sweet tea, please.”

“Mmm sounds good, make that two,” he motioned with two fingers. “Oh, and don’t forget the bendy straws.”

“I know. I know how ya like dem stupid straws. Still a kid that one; beware Kat,” she jokingly warned me.

“Do you come here a lot?” I chatted.

“I have a soft spot for this ole’ place. My friends and I used to come here quit often. They still make the best damn Gumbo, Jambalaya and Shrimp Creole on the Mississippi. I hope you brought some tums, because Rene, over there, makes it extra spicy,” he gestured to the man in the serving window.

“What should I try first?” I marveled at the menu.

“Get all three.”

Wide eyed, I stared at him in shock.

“That’s far too much food, Lee. I refused to make you pay for all that,” I chided.

“Oh, dang it. I thought I told you,” he began.

“Told me what?” I looked at him completely confused.

“You’re responsible for this check. I think it’s only far since I paid for breakfast,” he smiled.

For a moment we just stared at one another, trying to decide who would crack first.

“Dammit! I thought you would argue and then I could retort on how I was kidding. Then you would kindly call me an asshole. Isn’t that how this works? I’m a little rusty.”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t go on many dates to be honest.”

“I find that hard to believe,” he exclaimed.

“It’s true. Right now we are a little slow since football season is over, but it’s still difficult to get free time here and there. You’ve seen more of me then JoJo has these last couple of weeks. You should feel privileged,” I grinned.

“I’m honored you deem my presence worthy, ma-lady.”

Just as I was about to make a smart-ass comment, Lisette makes her way over to our table. Although the hair threw me, Lisette was definitely a younger woman. Her Keds sneakers were decorated with Sharpie doodles, while her forearm was tattooed with a vintage mermaid. She had a tiny diamond stud in her cute little nose, not to take away from her lip ring.

Through process of elimination, I could only assume that Rene was her boyfriend. She didn’t bare a wedding ring, unless she took it off while at work. Rene was a good-looking guy too. He was a shorter gentleman, but he made up for it in personality. He too was covered in tattoos and his ears were gaged. He wore a trucker hat backwards while his beard was covered with, what I could only deduce was, a hair net. It was the oddest sight, but they seemed like good people to me.

Lisette placed our drinks and straws on our table. Watching Lee scramble to get his was hilarious. He really was a kid at heart.

“What’ll it be,” Lisette asked as she pulled her notepad from her grease stained apron. Her knuckles were tattoo to say, “STAY TRUE” in black ink. The tattoo intrigued me, and a part of me wanted to know the stories behind them.