“You were great back there, I’m impressed,” he said sweetly.
“Thank you, I tried to give the impression of calmness, you know, that it is completely normal for a young girl to cross the border with a strange man she just met less than an hour ago,” I said sarcastically as I looked up at him. He was staring at me, grinning.
“What?” I asked, looking away from him, feeling shy for the first time since meeting him.
“I am just so happy you are here, you’re actually coming home with me tonight,” he said, as though it is something he has been waiting a long time for.
“I think I have lost my mind, gone completely crazy, possibly temporary insanity but more like totally loco,” I blurted, laughing. He kissed my hands then released them as his friends jumped back into the car. Buddy handed me a bag and told me to eat. I smiled and nibbled on fries. I fed him as he drove into the city. I have never been across the border before. I kind of began to feel excited. This was an adventure that I knew I would remember forever. Buddy must have been feeling excited too, he smiled as I placed another fry in his mouth. He turned up the stereo, blaring God Save the Queen.
CHAPTER TWO
Buddy dropped off his friends once we arrived downtown Buffalo. It was dark, except for the streetlights. I couldn’t really get a sense of what the city was like, all the lights felt like they were rushing by in a blur. As soon as his friends were gone the overwhelming realization that I was now alone with this striking, intense mohawked man made me gasp for air again. I can’t go home tonight. Tonight I am in a different country with a strange man who has promised to take care of me. When I woke up this morning I was just another sixteen year old girl excited about going to see her favorite band perform. I tried to smile as Buddy played Strange love on the radio as he drove me to his home.
When he parked the car and turned off the ignition he moved towards me, looking at me for a moment. “We’re here. Let me get you settled Scarlett,” he said with a wink. I nodded, all of a sudden feeling exhausted. Inside he led me downstairs to his basement apartment. He flipped up a dimmer switch, giving the dark room a subtle glow. It was a small L-shaped room. There was a bed on one side and around the corner I noticed a couch and a television. I walked over to the couch and sat down.
“Mi casa su casa,” he said smiling. “The bathroom is just around the corner,” he informed me, pointing towards a hall that led to another door. I nodded, then watched him as he turned on a lamp and pulled out a tray from beside the stereo, which he turned on, Pretty Vacant played. Seemed appropriate as all I could do was watch Buddy prepare a couple of joints or smokes as I preferred to call it because it didn’t seem so bad. I crouched down onto the floor beside him as he lit one and handed it to me. I leaned against the wall as I let the warm fuzzy feeling envelope me. He leaned back with me. We sat in silence for a while, listening to music, lost in our own thoughts. He eventually stood and brought some blankets to the couch. I was grateful for his thoughtfulness.
His phone rang. “Hello? Yeah, OK, good actually. I’ve got company so stop by tomorrow. Sure man, bye,” he hung up, watching me as I stood up off the floor and walked to the bathroom. I washed my face and used his toothbrush to brush my teeth quickly. I took a deep breath before walking back towards the couch. I heard Depeche Mode playing, he put on Somebody, my favorite. How sweet as I know this music isn’t really his thing. He smiled as he stood in front of me. I was pleasantly surprised when he wrapped me in his arms and started to dance with me. I relaxed as I snuggled into him, enjoying the comfort and the warm tingles his touch sent through me. I felt his hips move with mine, his hands resting on the small of my back.
“You need something to sleep in,” he whispered. I didn’t want him to release me, but he did. He came back with a Social Distortion concert tee for me. I changed quickly in the bathroom. I was a little uncertain as to what Buddy wanted from me. He offered me the couch, not his bed. He has been close to me but he hasn’t kissed me yet.
I folded my clothes and walked back out. Setting them down on the floor I glanced up at him. He was watching me, grinning again. I was beginning to love that grin.
“You look adorable,” he said before lighting another smoke. I sat beside him on the couch as we shared this one.
I must have dozed off because I awoke late the next morning, covered in blankets alone on the couch. I felt confused at first, not knowing where I was. Once I collected myself, I stood up and looked around. He wasn't there. I pulled on my skirt and kept his tee shirt on. I walked into the bathroom and washed my face with ice cold water. I brushed my hair and applied a light coating of red to my lips. Thankfully I put my makeup and hairspray in my bag. I wasn’t planning on a sleepover after the show
