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CHAPTER SIX: - NOSTALGIA.

They didn’t realise that they had gone around the park and had to walk back. Clarisse and Eric had their closures, even though Eric hadn’t answered that one question ‘what had happened that made him leave?’

He simply said, “That’s a matter we need to discuss sometime later. Now Sam is waiting and I am in a rush.”

Clarisse and Eric didn’t converse with each other on their way to the multiplex. Sam expressed his wonderment about the limousine. And asked Eric if he was rich. Everyone laughed at the question.

“No, it’s something you get when you work for the government,” Eric told Sam.

“Who pays for this?” Sam continued, asking questions.

“Well, all the people of the United States, I guess.”

“So, does that mean I paid for this?” Sam wondered if his candy coins were all taken away by the government.

“Now, enough Sam,” Clarisse scolded.

Eric was still amused by Sam’s juvenility, “he has lots of unanswered questions.” Eric noted.

Clarisse checked her phone, her heart pounded briefly as she opened the texts from Wichita. She couldn’t make up her mind about seeing her. This would be the first time they are meeting after the mystical kiss. As nervous as she is about seeing Wichita and as stupefied as she is about the incident that occurred this morning. She didn’t expect to have a good time at the movies.

She had a text from Raymond, ‘I AM SORRY YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS TODAY.’ it said.

Clarisse tapped on the keypad, but the words didn’t seem to make any sense. She erased them and put her phone back in the purse.

She noticed the interior of the car was a hundred times better than her home. The cream leather smelled of cherries and had a floral fragrance. It was soft and felt so comfortable. She could live in this car for the rest of her life. The seat extended in an arc around the other side of the car where Eric and Sam sat. There was a coffee table which bore cup holders, or maybe glass holders, and an ashtray. Clarisse gazed at Eric and then back to the ashtray, wondering if he ever smoked in here. She had a tingling will to smoke in this luxury. If he has any Cubans in here, she thought.

Outside it was buzzing with people, but it felt silent, like somebody has muted the world. Behind, the thin veil of blue Clarisse felt the weekend to be colorful for the tourists who gathered around, probably to see some street performance. The florist was at the corner of the sidewalk where a man - properly dressed - brought some yellow lilies for his date, perhaps.

Clarisse smiled as the world around went by her. She was happy at this moment. Sam gets to go to the movies, and Eric loves him. He wants to take care of Sam. Sam would have someone to look after him, if something is to happen to her, it made her feel relieved. She couldn’t have asked for anything more now, but Wichita.

They reached the multiplex. Of course, it was Sam who picked the movie, but Clarisse picked the snacks.

“Listen?” Clarisse asked Eric at the snack counter.

“Listening.” Eric smiled at the counter girl and she blushed.

“Eric…!” Clarisse whispered a little louder.

“Clarisse,” Eric answered absently.

“It is serious…,” Clarisse whispered loudly, “… stop drooling over her.”

“Yes, Clarisse, you have my undivided attention.” He said, his eyes still fixed on the counter girl. He watched her while she filled their coke.

The girl peeked at frequent intervals at Eric and seemed dazzled by him. The way she kept playing with a strand of her hair, made it kind of obvious.

“Excuse me…,” Clarisse called out to the girl “… could you please make it quick.”

“Just a moment.” The girl replied dully.

“Be polite, Clarisse…,” Eric mused, “… the pretty woman is a hard-worker.”

Clarisse frowned at Eric. She recalled him being this since they dated. Eric always had a thing with these women at counters or receptions, and that annoyed Clarisse every time. But, one thing she appreciated: he has not changed entirely, there’s still a little of him left inside. She hoped if she had it in her; a little self of hers. But she lost herself in the process of what she once believed "finding herself." Even the crowd didn’t mind waiting a little longer while Eric and the counter girl do a little eye-to-eye chit-chat.

Eric’s men were at the corner where the posters of new movies perched on a display. Eric asked them to let him and Clarisse get the snacks as Clarisse said she wants to talk about something. But Eric was busy. The place was brightly lit by yellow lights, there were spotlights which fell on the posters, after all they had to be the center of attention. The snack area echoed with soft laughter and chatters.

Clarisse noticed a few people with their heads buried in their phones, maybe alone, she guessed.

“Got the nachos, one bucket of cheese popcorn, and one plain and two cokes.” the counter girl said, handing Eric the tray, her hand touching his.

“Yes, that’s exactly it,” Eric replied.

“Enjoy your movie time, sir.”

“Thank you…,” Eric looked at her nametag, “… Sofia. Oh, what a lovely name.”

“Thank you…?” She extended her hand, wondering Eric’s name.

“Eric Lewis.” He said, handing her his card, “… and please consider voting for me.”

Clarisse looked at him in unfathomable disbelief.

“So you were saying something,” Eric reminded her.

“Yes. You know how could you-” Clarisse realised she is no longer his girlfriend to fight over other girl, but the nostalgia was so real.

Clarisse continued, “If something happened to me, would you take care of Sam?” She looked at Eric with a teary eye.