Page 27 of Finding Parker

As I scooped the tomatoes across the prep table and into the stainless steel pot, I smiled. The thought of Parker was fulfilling, and although he was beyond what I could describe as attractive in both appearance and stature, eventually he would do what all men do.

He would leave.

“You get done with those tomatoes?” Tony barked as he walked into the kitchen.

“Yes sir,” I responded, “I just finished.”

He turned his wrist and looked down at his watch. Slowly, he turned and walked toward the metal rack on the wall that held our timecards. After removing my time card from the rack, he studied it for a moment, and turned to face me.

“Paulie is on his way in. Go ahead and get out of here. We’ll get it from here,” he said as he slid my timecard into the time clock and pressed the button.

“I was really hoping for some overtime. I’m willing to stay all day.”

“You’re hoping for it, and I’m not willing to pay it. I’d suggest getting gone, you’re off the clock, Vicky,” he said as he dropped my timecard into the empty slot.

“Yes sir.”

As I walked to my car, I heard a faint sound from my purse. Although the noise wasn’t a familiar one for me, I certainly recognized it. My phone beeped, indicating a text message had been received. A typical twenty-three year old probably received a hundred text messages a day. I, on the other hand, haven’t received a hundred text messages in my entire life. There weren’t half a dozen people who had my phone number, and of those who did have it, one of them may have the ability to text me.

One.

Parker Bale.

I leaned against the car and removed my purse from my bag. Pressing on the text message icon revealed several text messages from an unfamiliar number. Excitedly, I pressed the screen with my thumb, opening the first message.

Victoria, this is Parker. There was once a girl in my life I was fond of, and I didn’t tell her until it was too late. Before I developed enough courage to speak, she had a boyfriend. Disgusted, I sat through my classes in high school and

The length of the message was such that it was separated into several small messages. Excited to continue, I fumbled to press the next message and continue.

was forced to watch as she and her new boyfriend flirted and walked the hallways hand in hand. I told myself the next time I was fond of a girl, I would tell her promptly. I realize you’re busy with work and your mother, but I would be

Again, the message ended. Smiling from ear to ear, I pressed the screen, revealing the next message.

grateful if you could find the time to meet me for another cup of coffee or something similar. With a warm heart and a cheesy grin, I can assure you of one thing. Victoria, I am fond of you.

I stood and stared at my phone. Victoria, I am fond of you. I could feel my heart beating in my throat. Without much thought, I pressed my thumb into the reply window of the open message, and typed a response.

How about now?

I pressed send.

I scrolled to the first message and began reading from the beginning again. Something about listening to Parker speak was satisfying, and this message was no exception. After reading through the message entirely twice, I dropped my phone into my purse, smiled, and opened the car door.

Standing with the car door open, I turned and looked through the parking lot. I don’t really know what I was expecting to see, but the lot was as I would have imagined it to be at noon on a Saturday.

Empty.

I lowered myself into the seat and fumbled with the keys. As I attempted to get the keys into the ignition, it became apparent just how excited I was. I looked down and watched the key shook in my hand. As I rolled my eyes and thought again of the message, my phone beeped.

Like a hormone filled teen exposed to her first case of puppy love, I snatched my phone from my purse and swiped the screen with my thumb. From the same number, I had received another message. Above all of the others, and unread, it wasn’t necessary for me to open the message to read it. Both typed words the new text message contained were visible on the screen. I grinned and pressed the message anyway.

Splendid. Where?

After glancing at my watch, I realized it was time for lunch. Additionally, although I had planned on working all day and night, Tony had just relieved me of my duties for the day, leaving my schedule open. My mother sitting at home with a fresh bottle of OxyContin eliminated the need for my immediate return. In most senses, I was free for the day; a rare occurrence indeed.

Caught up in the thrill of the entire text messaging event, I typed a response before I had time to really think about it. Generally speaking, I wouldn’t go with a man anywhere, especially with one that expressed an emotional attachment to me. My life, my lifestyle, and my lack of faith in the male species prevented me from really ever doing anything with a man. Nonetheless, I pressed send without thinking. I looked down at the message I had sent and waited.

Want to grab a bite to eat?