I find Amanda’s number
written on a green crumpled flier. No
answer. I’m about to hang up when I hear
a voice. I can’t remember what she sounds
like.
Hello?
Hi.
Is Amanda there?
Who’s this?
Justin.
Justin!
What’s up? It’s Amanda!
You told me to call you tonight so … I’m
calling you.
Could you hold on a sec? One of my friends is on the other line. Lemme get rid of her.
Okay.
Hold on.
I wonder what kind of
car she drives. Maybe a Volkswagon
Jetta. Lime green. Maybe I’ll take her to my favorite Chinese
restaurant. After she’s had her fill of
egg rolls, rice and mushu pork, I’ll take her to a movie. Something intellectual. With lots of sex. Then we’ll grab a nice cozy booth at my
favorite bar and I’ll ask Bruno to make her one of his famous apple
martinis. Bruno always hooks me up when
he sees I’m with a girl. We’ll talk and
drink and sing old songs that were popular when we were in high school until
Bruno taps me on the shoulder and tells me its closing time. Then Amanda will tell me she’s too drunk to
drive home and I’ll hold her hand and tell her not to worry. My
apartment’s only three blocks away. Like a gentleman, I’ll carry her drunk ass up
the stairs and then I’ll lay her down on my bed which I’ll have decorated with rose
petals. Then she’ll hook her fingers
into my jeans, pull me on top of her and say:
That was my friend Stacey. She thinks you’re really cute.
Huh?
Oh. Tell her I said thanks …
So. How are you?
I’m wonderful! How are you?
Tired.
Why are you tired?
Because I had to work today.
Oh my God. That SUCKS.
It really did.
Yah.
What did you do today?
She chuckles. It sounds like she’s chewing something.
I slept.
I just woke up two hours ago.
Are you eating something?
Huh?
Oh yah! I’m eating Sweet Tarts.
So how long have you been raving for?
Three months. Isn’t it EXCITING? How long have you been raving for?
About four years. Five years.
Something like that.
WOW.
Oh my God. So you’re like, all
old school and stuff, huh?
Yah.
Exactly.
Wow.
You must hate people like me then, huh?
All the new people and everything.
C’mon.
I don’t hate you.
The pastor at my church says raves are
evil and that all ravers are going to hell.
You don’t think that’s true, do you?
I mean, there’s gotta be SOME ravers in heaven.
Are you religious?
Not really. I think I’m an Atheist but I don’t know. Can you be an Atheist and still believe in
heaven and hell?
I’m not sure.
Nether am I.
So when can I see you?
Whenever you want.
Can I see you tonight?
Aren’t you tired?
I’ll be okay. You wanna grab some dinner and a movie?
Sure!
Cool.
When do you want to pick me up?
What?
When do you wanna come pick me up?
Did she expect me to
take the bus?
You don’t drive?
I can drive. I just don’t have a car.
How’d you get to the rave?
My friend drove me.
Why don’t you ask to borrow his car?
Because he lives in Oakwood.
And where do you live?
Hollywood. Why don’t you drive?
Because I don’t have a license.
Why’s that?
Because I’m only fifteen.
My heart sank. Well, not my heart really. And it didn’t really sink so much as shrivel
up into nothing.
Wait.
Did you say you were FIFTEEN?
Yah.
I turn sixteen next month –
You do know I’m twenty-three, right?
Twenty-three? That’s amazing. I thought you were at least twenty-five. Look, I can ask my mom to drive us if you
want –
CLICK