Friday Romance: Chemistry Countdown
Mary pulled onto Maple Street, the street where she grew up. The neighborhood still decorated the light poles lining the street for the holidays. A pattern on every other pole of either a snowflake...
Mary rested her face on her fist as she stared at the computer monitor. A long list of emails had just appeared, as if out of thin air, and she wasn’t sure where to start or if she should start at all. Once the workday ended, she’d have to drive nearly four hours to her parent’s house for their new tradition of bringing in the new year surrounded by family.
Mary and her sisters, Melissa and Melany, had all moved away from home after college. Mary, at about four hours away, was still the closest. Her sisters moved further toward the west coast, with Melissa in Arizona and Melany in Nevada. Mary had moved to Albany after college, leaving behind her parents in Vermont, who’d hoped she would take over the family business.
“What are you still doing here?”
Mary turned around to see her friend Bridgette standing behind her.
“Shouldn’t you be on the road by now?” asked Bridgette.
“I told Kelsey I’d only need to leave an hour early today,” replied Mary. “Besides, I have too many emails to sift through. If I leave now, then who knows how many more will be waiting for me in the new year?”
“Don’t worry about those. Forward everything to me and I’ll sift through them for you. The roads are going to be bustling with traffic.” Bridgette placed a cup of coffee on Mary’s desk. “From the breakroom. Leonard brought a ‘spiced blend’ that’s actually quite good. Finish whatever you’re doing and hit the road. This desk will be here when you get back in the new year.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you hanging.”
“Don’t worry about me,” replied Bridgette. “Besides, if Kelsey comes looking for you, I’ll tell her you had a family emergency.”
“A family emergency?”
“Your parents couldn’t find the keys to their bookstore and needed your spare.”
Mary laughed and rolled her eyes.
“Ah yes,” she said. “Instead of calling a local locksmith, they instead called their daughter, who lives four hours away.”
“Locksmiths cost money, but family is always free.”
“Funny. Do you and Rachel have any plans for New Year’s Eve?”
“We do the same thing every year,” replied Bridgette. “Go to bed at nine.”
“That’s probably the smart way to go about it. We started this tradition last year, and if my mother has her way, we’ll all be up playing board games until well past the ball drop.”
“Finish your coffee and get out of her,” said Bridgette. “And tell your parents I said hi, assuming they remember me.”
“How could they forget? Last time I had them over, you and Rachel saved the day when I somehow messed up making spaghetti.”
“Rachel has all of our favorite restaurants on speed dial. Happy new year.”
“Happy new year.”
After finishing her work for the day, which mostly comprised forwarding her emails to Bridgette, Mary packed her bag and headed for the elevators.
“Leaving so soon?” Mary knew that voice. How could she forget?”
“Hey, Kelsey.”
Her boss stood beside her, seemingly waiting for the elevator, too.
“I thought you were just leaving an hour early? If you head out now, it’d be two.”
“I’m sorry. Bridgette mentioned she’d let you know, I mean, if you asked. With traffic, I thought it best to get on the road as soon as possible. Is that okay?”
Kelsey stood silent for nearly a minute. What was happening on the fourth floor that was holding up the elevator for so long?
“I suppose it’s okay,” said Kelsey. “Heading home for the new year? I seem to remember you doing that last year.”
“Yup. It’s our new family tradition. Both my sisters will come up, too. Melissa’s husband is coming, but Melany’s will be staying home with their newborn. I can’t wait to meet him. Maybe next year. The newborn, that is.”
“Good one. Next year. It’s only a couple of days away.”
The elevator doors opened, and both stepped inside.
“Where are you headed?” asked Mary.
“Second floor. Some fiasco with the purchasing department. I know it’s not our division, but the manager wants another set of eyes on it.”
The doors opened on the second floor and Kelsey waved goodbye.
Next stop, home sweet home.
The car ride consisted of 90s pop music as Mary tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. Would her sisters already be there when she arrived? They’d most likely be taking planes to get there. Growing up, Mary was the only one, besides her father, who enjoyed taking long car rides. It was her preferred way to travel. She reached into the passenger seat and grabbed a handful of popcorn from the opened bag, which she’d strapped in for safety.
Mary pulled onto Maple Street, the street where she grew up. The neighborhood still decorated the light poles lining the street for the holidays. A pattern on every other pole of either a snowflake or a wreath let her know she’d finally arrived. She was home. Everything was as she expected.
Except…
Mary’s car spun around in a circle. What had happened? She tried to turn the wheel in the other direction. Her car finally coming to a halt in the middle of the street. Luckily, no one else was coming from either direction.
She breathed heavily and grabbed another handful of popcorn, and closed her eyes.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
She looked over and noticed a man staring back at her from outside her window. She pressed the button to lower it as she chewed.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I think so,” replied Mary. “I’m not sure what happened.”
“There’s a patch of ice on the road. I just showed up to cover it with salt. You look kind of familiar. Do you live around here?”
“I used to,” she replied. “I’m Mary Clemmons.”
“I knew you looked familiar. I’m Justin Gates. We had — ”
“Chemistry together,” said Mary. “I mean, the class.”
“It was biology, I think. It’s been a long time. How’ve you been?”
“Mind if I straighten my car out first?” She could feel her cheeks turning warm. Was it because of her car being in the middle of the road or something else?
“Oh, of course.”
Justin stepped away from the car and Mary pulled into her parent’s driveway.
After talking to Justin in her parent’s driveway, Mary waved goodbye and walked toward the front door. She smiled when she noticed the curtain swaying in the front window. She might’ve been talking to Justin, but they certainly weren’t alone.
“Welcome home,” said her mother with open arms when Mary stepped inside. “We’re so glad you could make it.”
“I’m glad I could, too. Where is Melany? I saw her peeking through the window.”
“We’re never able to get anything past you,” said Melany, emerging from the dining room. “Who was that guy you were talking to in the driveway?”
“That was Justin Gates. We went to school together.”
“The same Justin Gates you had scribbled all over your diary?” asked Melissa, who came into the hallway from the kitchen.
“You read my diary?” asked Mary. “That’s private.”
“You left it here when you went to college. What’s a younger sister supposed to do? Not read her big sister’s diary? I don’t think so.”
“Wait,” said Melany. “You didn’t read my diary too, did you?”
Melissa nodded.
“You really thought overalls were going to be the big fashion trend in the 2010s?” asked Melissa.
“They’re long overdo for a comeback,” replied Melany.
“They’d have to have been here in the first place in order to make a comeback.”
“Now, now,” said Mary’s mother. “Let’s not start off arguing the moment we’re all together. Melissa, where are Frank and your father?”
“They’re glued to the TV. Some greatest sports recap of the year thing.”
“Of course they are,” replied her mother. “Well, now that we’re all here. Let’s eat.”
Mary sat at the table across from her younger sister, Melissa. Melissa was still in her twenties for another three years. Her father, who hadn’t spoken a word since sitting down at the table, was hiding behind the local paper. Mary could see an article about their bookstore on the back. Apparently, the town was expecting it to close in the new year.
“Dad,” said Mary. “What’s that article about?”
“Hm?” He turned the paper around to see what she was looking at. “Speculation. They’re running out of things to print,” he replied.
“I’ve already sent a letter to the paper telling them we’re doing just fine,” said her mother. “You know, if one of you girls worked at the bookstore, articles like this wouldn’t be coming out.”
“We’ll be fine, Linda,” said her father. “When we’re ready to retire, we’ll sell the store.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Of course, we would’ve liked to pass it on, but you each have your careers.” He folded his paper and set it next to the fork and knife at his side. “Should we eat?”
The first night at her parents’ was always the hardest. Mary tried to get comfortable in the twin sized bed she grew up in, but it was long overdue for a replacement. Instead, she stared up at plastic stars she’d super-glued to the ceiling when she was seven. She swore there was a purpose for each placement. A fading memory of having created her own constellations crossed her mind. Was that a triceratops?
Mary left her parents, with her sister Melany at her side, to get coffee for the family from the local coffeehouse. As they drove, despite Melany’s disapproval, they listened to Christmas music.
“It’s still the twelve days of Christmas,” said Mary.
“Whatever you say,” replied her sister. “This wouldn’t be happening if we took my car.”
“You were too afraid of spilling coffee on the seat of your rental. Maybe next year.”
“I’ve never been one for road trips. You and dad always enjoyed those. Speaking of cars, have you talked to Justin since yesterday?”
“What? Why would I have talked to Justin? He’s just an old friend.”
“Right. Just an old friend. We’ll see.”
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing…”
Mary parked her car beside a snowbank.
“I guess I’ll stay in the car and wait?” said Melany.
“Why?” asked Mary.
“We’re next to a wall of snow. I can’t open my door.”
“Hold on,” replied Mary. “I’ll move up so you can get out.”
Mary turned the key, but her car wouldn’t start.
“Don’t do this to me, Thunder.”
“You named your car?” asked Melany. “And you named it Thunder?”
“I named my last car Lightning. You know that. I have to stick with the theme. We have a more pressing matter than my car’s name. My car won’t start.”
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Mary looked over and saw Justin staring back at her through the window. She rolled it down.
“Hi again,” said Mary. “What are you doing here?”
“Your sister sent me a friend request yesterday and messaged me. Something about meeting you for coffee?”
Mary’s eyes grew wide. She turned to her sister and raised both eyebrows. Melany shrugged and put her hands out at her sides.
“Do you need a jump?” asked Justin.
“A what?” Mary turned her attention back to the man standing outside her window.
“A jump,” he repeated. “To get your car started.”
“Oh, right,” said Mary.
“Thunder needs a little lightning,” said Melany.
“Huh?”
“She’s talking about my car,” said Mary. “You know what? Ignore her. I’d appreciate a jump. First, let’s warm up with some coffee.”
“I still can’t get out,” said Melany.
“I guess you’ll just have to wait in the car,” replied Mary. A sly grin curled up the sides of her lips.
Mary opened the door for Justin and followed him inside the coffeehouse. She turned back to see Melany sticking her tongue out.
“I didn’t know you’d be here,” said Mary. “Melany did that without my knowledge.”
“I figured when I first saw your face,” he replied. “Sorry if I scared you.”
“No worries. I’m happy you’re here.”
“You are?”
“Because of my car.”
“Ah, right. Your car. I’m happy to help. Has it stalled out before?”
“Only once since I’ve had it. I bought it used four years ago. Still, sorry you got dragged out by my sister. I’m sure you have a million other things you’d rather be doing.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he replied.
“Next,” said the barista behind the counter.
“Let me buy your coffee,” said Mary. “Since you’re helping with my car.”
“Sure. That’d be great. Nothing special for me. Medium black coffee will do just fine.”
Mary handed Justin his order.
“Mind getting the door?” she asked. She held two trays stacked with everyone’s orders. Four on the bottom tray and two on the top.
“Of course,” he replied.
When they exited the coffee shop, Mary laughed at the spectacle taking place in her car. Her sister, from the looks of it, had tried to squeeze her way into the back seat, to no doubt get out of the car from the back driver’s side door, but had gotten stuck. Her legs swayed in the air by the front passenger seat and her head could be seen from the back window.
“Looks like you’re not the only Clemmons in need of help today,” said Justin.
Mary unlocked her car and smiled at her sister.
“Did you get bored?” she asked.
“This car is a torture chamber,” replied Melany. “Care to help me out?”
Mary tapped her chin and smirked.
“Hi Justin…”
“Hi, Melany.” Justin raised his coffee in the air. “Thanks for the invite. I got a free coffee out of it.”
“You’re welcome. My sister doesn’t seem too keen on helping me. Would you mind?”
“I’ll help you,” replied Mary. “Justin, could you get the door? It should unlock if you press the button on the handle.”
Mary placed the coffees on the back seat and then pushed her sister up by her shoulders back into the passenger side front seat. Her sister wiggled as best she could to help the process.
“Let me go get my truck,” said Justin. “I’ll be right back.”
As Justin connected the jumper cables to his truck, Mary did the same to hers. When she turned around, she found herself standing face to face with her high-school crush, only a few inches between them.
“Sorry,” said Mary. “I’ll… I’ll go start try to start my car.”
“Right,” he replied. “I’ll give you a jump.”
Mary got into the driver’s seat and let out a heavy sigh.
“What just happened out there?” asked Melany.
“What do you mean? Nothing happened…”
“Sparks were flying, and not from the car.”
“You’re ridiculous. There’s nothing between Justin and I. If there was, it would’ve happened in high-school.”
“You were kids back then,” replied Melany. “Besides, even when they’re older. You can’t always expect a guy to make the first move. Did you ever tell him you liked him back then?”
“What? Of course not. It’s not like we had any chemistry.”
“Right…. Biology, was it? You should see the way he looks at you when you look away.”
“It’s like I’m back in middle school,” said Justin. He placed his coffee on the counter and meandered into his friend’s family room, where he collapsed onto a leather couch.
“You’re looking at this all wrong,” said Robert. “How long have I known you? Since we were… What, eight? You’ve had a crush on Mary Clemmons since the sixth grade. She’s only home for a short amount of time. I think you should tell her how you feel.”
“Tell him how you feel,” said Melany.
“What do you have to lose?” asked Robert.
Mary sat on the back deck of her parents’ house. Was Justin meant to be her midnight kiss? She shook her head.
“Fairytales,” she muttered.
“What was that?” asked her mother. The question startled Mary as she turned around.
“Sorry,” said Mary. “I thought I was alone.”
“I didn’t mean to startle you. What were you saying?” Her mother sat down beside her on the bench her father had made. “Something about fairytales?”
“Melany was giving me a hard time in the car about some guy I went to school with. She thinks there’s something between us, but… I just don’t see it. Something would’ve happened while we were in school, right?”
“Did you ever ask him out?”
“No…”
“Then how do you know? If I hadn’t asked your father out, who knows what would’ve happened?”
“You asked dad out first? I didn’t know that. How’d you do it?”
“We met in college, as you know, and we had a class together. Was it science? That wasn’t it.”
“Chemistry?”
“No. I think it was history, actually. Yeah. It was history with Mr. E. He insisted we all call him that. He seemed tickled at how it sounded like “mystery”. I can’t even guess as to what his actual last name was. But that’s beside the point. It was in that class where I met your father.”
“Did you sit near each other?”
“Eventually. At first, I sat in the front row, right smack in the middle. I noticed him entering class on the first day… Ten minutes late, I may add.”
“Dad being late? He’s always so strict about being places on time.”
“He wasn’t always that way. On that first day of class, we locked eyes. Since he was late, the only open seats were in the far back. It wasn’t until a week later that I found him waiting outside class before it started.”
“What’d you say to him?”
“I asked him what he was doing, and he of course replied ‘waiting’. I asked for what and he blushed. Before he could reply, I asked if he’d want to get a coffee after class. It turned out he wanted to get to class early so he could get the seat next to me.”
“That’s too cute. Why haven’t I heard this story before?”
“You girls all moved away before I could tell it,” replied her mother. “Now, about your fairytale. How do you want your story to go?”
Mary opened the sliding glass door and walked inside after her mother. She saw Melany staring at them and motioned her over.
“What were you two talking about?” asked Melany. “You were out there for twenty minutes. Aren’t you cold?”
Mary looked down at her arms.
“Jacket? Anyway, we were just talking about fairytales.”
“Fairytales?”
“And school.”
“And school? Guess I made the right choice to stay inside.”
Mary laughed.
“We were also talking about how you were right.”
“I was? I mean. Of course I was. Right about what?”
“About asking Justin out. I don’t know what will happen in the new year, but I have to try.”
“That’s the spirit. What are you going to say to him?”
“I have no idea.”
“Why don’t you go over there and knock on the door?” asked Robert. He placed a baby bottle on the counter and grabbed another soiled one to clean. “I could drive you if you’re nervous. Lindsay is going to be out with the baby for at least two more hours.”
Justin sat at the kitchen table, picking at a bowl of cereal.
“I appreciate the offer,” replied Justin. “But…”
“But? But what?”
“What if it doesn’t go the way we think?”
Robert held a baby bottle out in front of him.
“See this?” asked Robert.
Justin nodded.
“If I don’t clean this, my kid could get sick. This I know. It’s simple. Your situation, on the other hand, doesn’t end with spittle on your sleeve at two in the morning. Wait, I’ve lost track of what I’m trying to say. It doesn’t matter. You’re uncertain of the outcome, which means there’s a chance it goes your way. Sure, there’s also a chance it doesn’t.”
“But the spittle isn’t guaranteed?”
“Something like that. The point is, you’re going to ask her. Now get out there.”
“The woman at the laundry mat doesn’t know where he lives,” said Melissa. “He showed up last week to fix one of her dryers, though. In case ours is on the fritz.”
“Our dryer is fine,” replied their mother. “The coffeehouse doesn’t know for sure, but they said Peak Place is the street name. Apparently, he showed up last month to fix their locks and someone dropped off some coffee after their shift.”
“The pizza joint down the road just gave me the house number,” said Melany. “92.”
“Then we have it,” said Mary. “92 Peak Place.”
Justin put on his boots and waved goodbye to his friend.
When he started his truck, a love song came on the radio.
“That’s a good sign,” he said.
Mary pulled her jacket over her shoulders. Melany adjusted the collar of her shirt.
“Do you have another shirt?” asked Melany.
“Why?” asked Mary.
“This one has seen better days.”
“If you’re trying to make me even more nervous, then it’s working.”
“Nevermind the shirt. The shirt looks great. You’ve got this.”
Mary hugged her sister and then headed out the door.
“Justin?”
She stood on the porch as Justin walked toward her. His truck still idling in the driveway.
“I couldn’t wait until next year,” he said. “I had to see you.”
Mary laughed.
“I couldn’t either. I was on my way to your house.”
“You were?”
She nodded.
“Mary, will you…”
“Justin, will you…”
“You go first,” he replied.
“Will you bring in the new year with me?”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he replied.
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