that second sunday in october, part 3

(Just a reminder that this is the continuation of a FICTIONAL story. It's told in first person and though there are remnants of my own life woven in, the I in the story is not me. Happy Reading :] ).



Part I: http://theboysquad.blogspot.com/2009/12/that-second-sunday-in-october.html

Part II:http://theboysquad.blogspot.com/2009/12/that-second-sunday-in-october-part-2.html

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After we closed on Saturday, I walked to the parking lot with Charley Star. She sells avocados two stands down and across from me. She's also the one who knows everything about everyone in our little flea market village.

Charley's the type of woman you can't put an age on. Her hands look wise, but her face seems timeless. She arrived here from Nebraska, as she says "a hundred years ago", to pursue a career as an actress. She had appeared on the The Dating Game and Love Connection, which she informed me were places new actresses went to be seen. I wouldn't have known that. Her hair was like long strands of bleached wheat, twisted into dreadlocks she wore tied back and fastened with a rubber band. Assorted sizes of silver rings adorned every one of her fingers except the left pinky where she wore a yellow twist tie. I tried not to sound too anxious as we made our way towards our cars,

"So, um, did you see the Jerry Ecker had some help in the kettle korn stand today?" I asked. Charley rolled her eyes at the same time she clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth--both a gesture of "of course".

"I caught up with him buying a churro at lunch" she said, "his name is Anupam Raju. Said it means 'incomparable' in Hindi. He's been doing grad work at UC Irvine since last year. Engineering I think it was...or maybe Anthropology..." Charley's voice trailed off as she tried to recall the conversation; "Anyway" she continued "he's friend with one of Jerry's boys. That's how he found out about the job. I guess Jerry's looking to start taking weekends off on a regular basis, and after this week, Anupam will only have time to work weekends, so it's a good match." She gave a little chuckle and added, "I warned him to be careful and finish school though. Not to get pulled in permanently by this glamorous flea market lifestyle." Charley reached back and pulled the rubber band from her hair, shaking her dreadlocks free across her back. For a few moments she just stared into the gray evening sky, as though looking for something., then smiled, "you could probably say hello to him yourself tomorrow Jillian, you know. He does work right next to you. I think you might find him a bit easier on the eyes than old Jerry Ecker." She gave me a little salute one of her ring-covered hands, opened her car door, and slid in.

I continued my walk toward the far corner of the parking lot, though much slower than when I was trying to keep up with Charley. "Anupam Raju" I whispered. My mouth twitched into an immediate smile. I threw my hands up over it, glancing around to see if anyone had seen. When I saw I was alone, I uncovered my mouth and said it a few more times--a little louder, a little more purposeful, "Anupam Raju.... Anupam Raju...."

TO BE CONTINUED (...and I will keep posting this through the weekend. It's halfway done now)