Pretty Young

Little did anyone know, what was about to happen could only be described as sweet serendipitous fate. Pushing open the creaking door to his favorite shop, David headed straight to the music section. For being an antique store, they supplied everything from second-hand clothes to the newest music.

Seated at the counter was the owner, Marty. Marty was a small old man who told stories of war to anyone Petering to hear them, although he never stepped foot into an actual war zone. “Afternoon, Mart.”

“David! Well I figured you’d come today. Lumiere, Dustin O’Halloran’s new CD just came in yesterday.”

David’s eyes shut in pure happiness, before opening them again and smiling. “You’ve made my day Mart! Perhaps after your shift we’ll go next door for a beer.” As he said this, he was walking backwards for the CD’s. “You still haven’t told me the ending of your Vietnam story-“
He bumped into something that was not a wall. Turning around, David saw a girl quickly collecting a pile of CD’s that had fallen on the ground due to his clumsiness. “Shit, I’m sorry I’m an idiot.”

Her laugh was small as she shook her head, “No, I should’ve moved out of the way.”

“Don’t say that, I’m just-” He stopped as he picked up the Dustin O’Halloran CD, and Coldplay’s second album, his favorite of theirs. By then she was already standing, waiting on him to hand her the remaining two.

Once he stood, time stopped for David Thomson. Just a little shorter than his muscular stature, the girl’s bronze skin almost glowed. Her blonde hair sat in a ponytail with strands outlining her heart shaped face with eyes so bright and iridescent; they were like nothing he’d seen before. He looked down at her delicate fingers, which were entwining with one another. She was wearing a white blouse tucked into a red flowered skirt, the girl had style; and with the looks of her music selection- had taste as well. It took him a few seconds to realize he was probably scaring her. To rid the moment of such awkwardness, David thought of the first question that came to mind.

“Do I know you?” She shook her head slowly as she seemed to be studying his face as he had hers seconds before.

Holding out a dainty hand, she smiled, “Amelie Montagne.”

He shook her hand slowly, “David.”

“Please to meet you David,” in silence they quickly let go of each other’s hand. Moving aside, he stood there in a daze as she bought her music.

“David you look sick as a dog,” Marty noted as he rang up the girl.

“What?” He rubbed his stubble quickly before shaking his head, “oh no, I’m fine.” Amelie looked behind her at him for a second before turning forward. He was thinking of something clever to say but the ring of the door made him realize what little time he had to say something. As he was running out the door, he realized he was still holding the music he had picked up for her.

“Wait, Amelie!” She was just about to kick back her bike stand before he stopped next to her, holding up the CD’s with a small smile “you forgot these.”

She laughed as if embarrassed, revealing perfect white teeth. “Thanks,” taking the Coldplay from him, she said “tell Marty I’ll pay for this tomorrow.” When David tried to hand her the other but she shook her head before looking right into his eyes.

“Something tells me that you need Dustin more than I do right now.” And as he tried to understand just what exactly she meant, Amelie had peddled off, not wanting to ruin such a perfect moment.

Opening the door to the store again, Marty let out a raspy laugh, “First time meeting Miss. Montagne? Fine girl, she is. A little shy, but the gentlest creature you’ll probably ever lay eyes on.”

David sat on a stool beside Marty’s counter and picked at the plastic covering Lumiere, “What do you know about her?” He shut his eyes tightly, praying Mart couldn’t hear the curiosity in his voice.

“Since I know everybody in this place, at least every one of interest- I know quite a lot. What’s it to ya?” David shrugged his shoulders, allowing the store owner to continue. “She first started coming in about four years ago, and little by little she started to actually speak. Seems like one of those delightful mutes, don’t she? But when she opens her mouth it’s like some kind of bird song that you can’t get tired of. Comes from the richest family around, those Montagne’s- big deal over in France, I believe.”

“If she has been here so many times, how come I’ve never seen her before?”

Mart shrugged his shoulders, “Different times, I s’pose. Look Dave, I know that face you have on. I’ve seen it in men much younger and older than you after a girl like Amelie Montagne give them the time o’ day. Let things be. That girl is far too innocent to go around with you, if that’s what you’re planning.”

“Why on earth would I ever think that?” David continued to pick at the plastic. “What is she... Twenty years?

“Try sixteen.” He winced a bit, Mart noticed. “Don’t sweat it son, we all stumble over a fawn like Amelie.” Hobbling from around the counter, he put a hand on David’s shoulder as a father would to his son. “How about that beer? I haven’t got to the part where I have to sleep inside an animal’s carcass in Nam.”
-
“My baby whispers in my ear, mmm- sweet nothings,” a light song spun on the record player as Amelie slipped off her clothes sticky with the summer sun and into a bath with a faint smell of lavender. Just as she began to soak, Grace barged in with her hands on her curvy hips.

“Is that Brenda Lee I hear?” She asked, taking a seat on a comfy ottoman against the wall. Neither Grace nor Amelie were bothered by the setting of conversation. Grace practically raised the child- which required many baths in Amelie’s younger years.

“Why yes it is, Grace. It’s such a pretty day, don’t you think?” The maid couldn’t help but smile at the girl’s naiveté.

“You child, what’s gotten you like this? Is it a boy?” Grace snapped her fingers, pointing at the girl’s blush she tried to hide behind bubbles. “I’m right aren’t I? My, I didn’t think the day would ever come. Well is he from around here?”

“I didn’t imply in the slightest that my day had anything to do with a boy.” More like a man, thought Amelie feverishly, which made her blush even more.

“It is and I know it!” Grace stood up slowly, cursing her bones under her breath. “I won’t keep you any longer- but you better tell me the scoop. Lord knows how much longer I’ll be here-"

“-And I better tell you all of my secrets now before you kick the bucket.” Amelie recited, having heard this many times.

“You remember that!” She laughed, before the woman closed to the door to continue on housework. Amelie stared at her wrinkled fingers before smiling to herself. David, his dark brown hair was tousled and those ocean blue eyes. David, without a last name- at least he hadn’t given her one. She couldn’t help but notice he looked sad when they met, as she lifted her slim leg in the air to wash it, she wondered why. But then she thought of his smile, sinking lower into the bath until the water was up to her chin. It was the name Amelie decided she would never tire of- David, David, David.
-
The beautiful sounds of piano came through David’s old stereo he was given as a teenager. It made him sick to think that this stereo is almost twice as old as Amelie. Is twelve years too much of a gap? She’s well beyond her years, yet in a way so was he- so that resolved nothing. He walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of Glenfiddich and poured himself a shallow glass before slamming it back on the counter. She isn’t even able to drink yet.

“Fuck it,” he mumbled, throwing back the whiskey, releasing a low growl in his throat due to the sting that followed after. Just as he did, Peter and Chloe came through the door, laughing as they did. When he flipped on the light Peter saw David in the kitchen, his eyes a little empty and in his hand a bottle of whiskey.

“What’s going on? Oscar Wilde throw you into a deep depression?” Chloe gave a loud snort although David doubted she even knew who the writer was.

He ignored the comment, “Fun night?” He asked, walking in the direction of his room.

“Oh, the best!” Chloe sighed dreamily, “We drank fine wine at the club and danced the waltz-"

“And had the most amazing time,” Peter finished. Frustrated with how perfect they were and how so imperfect he was, David slammed his bedroom door, stripping down to his briefs before settling into his dark blue bed sheets. With his hands behind his head, he stared at the ceiling and began to laugh. The banging coming from the next room immediately stopped as he heard their ear’s press to the wall.

“What’s he laughing at?” Chloe whispered.

To that, David heard Peter say, “Don’t know, I’m afraid he’s gone a bit mad.”

David continued to laugh for no apparent reason at all until he became too tired and closed his eyes, and then he thought of her name and only her name- Amelie.