He Never Told Me What He Did for a Living

A few days had passed, and Gerard and I had fallen into a routine- he’d pick me up for school in the mornings, usually greeting me with a cup of coffee and if he had time, doughnuts. In the afternoons, he’d pick me up from school, decked out in his face-hiding sunglasses and a hat of some sort.

At school, Angel and I had begun having lunch together regularly, then she’d introduced me to a few of her other friends. We got along well, and I was glad I’d branched out. I now had a handful of friends, two of them famous, as I’d become friends with Mikey by way of often visiting Gerard.

An arm wound its way through mine, and Angel’s bubbly voice rose over the sea of voices in the busy hallway. “So, I’m having a Halloween party. You’re number one on my guest list, so ya gotta come!”

I grinned at the excited smile on her face. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

“It’s gonna be so much fun,” she gushed as I spun the dial on my locker. The door squeaked as it swung open, and we both winced. A piece of paper fluttered down from the vent, and Angel stooped to pick it up. “From your secret admirer,” she read aloud.

“Gimme that,” I said, snatching the paper from her hands. “Josie, you are beautiful and I would like to take you out on a date. Please meet me at 800 Freemont Ave, tonight at 8 p.m.”

“Ooohh,” Angel said. “You gotta secret admirer, Jo.”

“Yeah, it’s probably some freak,” I muttered.

‘Wait. Does that mean you’re not gonna go?” she asked.

“That’s exactly what it means, Angel. If this is a joke, I’m not going to fall for it. I don’t believe I really have an admirer.”

“But-“ she protested.

“But nothing. I’m not going. Besides, why leave me a note asking me to meet them somewhere? Why not just tell me who they are? How creepy is that?”

“Aw, c’mon, Josie! It’s not creepy, it’s romantic!”

I shook my head at her and retrieved the books I’d need for homework. “Call you later?”

Angel looked disappointed. “Sure.”

I sighed. “Look, Angel. Most people here make fun of me, for whatever reason. This is nothing but a joke from someone, I’m sure. And if this admirer is real, he’ll leave me another note.”

Angel would not be swayed. “These people around here are idiots. But what if it’s real? Aren’t you curious about who it could be?”

“No,” I said firmly, crumpling up the note and shoving it into my pocket. It didn’t escape Angel’s notice, and she grinned knowingly.

I could do nothing but roll my eyes as I made for the exit.

Gerard was usually parked in the back, but today he was parked up front with the engine running, waiting for me. Waiting impatiently, I might add, since I could see his fingers drumming on the steering wheel. I shoved my messenger bag and my books into the backseat, then got in the passenger seat. “What kept you so long today?” he asked.

“I was talking with Angel. She’s having a Halloween party and-“

“Yeah? That’s great,” he said, cutting me off.

I stared at him. “What’s wrong with you?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he muttered. “I just have a few things on my mind.”

“I got a letter from a secret admirer today.” True to form, this got his attention.

“What? How? Who?” he demanded, and I knew he was staring at me behind his dark shades.

“Whoever it is wants me to meet them tonight. It was in my locker. And, if I knew who, I wouldn’t be referring to him as a ‘secret admirer,’” I said sarcastically. “It’s someone’s idea of a joke, I’m sure,” I added, picking at a thread hanging from my sleeve.

“I wouldn’t go,” he advised gruffly.

“I’m not planning on it,” I said. But in my mind, I was chewing on Angel’s words. “What if it’s real?”
I was starting to think it would be nice to go on a date.

I turned to find him watching me. “You’re considering it,” he said.

Damn it, I just couldn’t win. Angel wanted me to go, he didn’t.

“And?”

“And that would be stupid,” he said bluntly.

Hurt, I stared out of the window and said nothing. He could apologize first.

Instead of the apology I was expecting, he continued. “In my opinion, it’s a joke. You’ll go, and it’ll be some jock waiting for you to tell you how dumb you are for falling for it. Or, maybe he’ll be waiting and drop one of those date-rape drugs in your drink and take you back to his place for some fun with the whole football team.”

I felt as though I’d been punched in the stomach. The air whooshed out of my body all at once, and he glanced at me. “What? I’m just being honest with you!”

“Honest?” I sputtered. “How dare you! Am I so terrible looking that to think I might have a REAL secret admirer would be just completely ridiculous?”

“Aw, fuck, that’s not what I meant and you know it!” he yelled. “It’s just, fuck, I care about you, alright? I don’t want you to get hurt!”

It was quiet for a moment. “You’re not acting like someone who doesn’t want me to get hurt. You’re acting like a jealous boyfriend! Not that I would know anything about that!” Frustrated, I glared at him. “You know what? Just pull over. I can walk!”

“Josie-“ he began.

“Just do it!” I demanded.

Sighing, he pulled over and put the car in park. “Look, can we just-“

I didn’t let him finish. I shut the door before he could even finish his sentence. He punched the steering wheel, then shifted into drive and stomped on the gas. The car disappeared from my view in an instant, and I blinked back tears as I started walking.

When I got home, Gran was gone again. I frowned. She’d been gone a lot lately, and didn’t bother to leave a note explaining where she was. At the moment, though, I was grateful to be alone.

After a moment’s hesitation, I dialed Angel’s number. When she picked up, I had only one question. “What do you wear on a date?”