“You know dear,” he began with a smirk as he approached her under the streetlamp. “If this was a musical, I think there'd be a choir of angels behind you right now.”
She blushed shamelessly and raised her shoulders.
“Oh yeah? And what song would they be singing?”
“Romeo, Romeo! We see your heart aglow,” he sang, spreading his arms wide. “Our wings start flapping too when she comes around, the dear sweet... ugh...”
He gestured to her to fill in the blank where her name belonged. She obliged with a smile.
“Julie...”
Romeo took a step back in unbelief, his eyes sparkling with joy. Then he stepped forward again and leaned with his elbows on the table between them. It was rickety and could barely hold his weight, but he didn't notice or care as he stared deep into the girl's gypsy eyes.
“Julie, huh? That's a lovely name. A little coincidental. You're not mocking me, by chance, are you?”
“Depends,” she responded, her innocent countenance unwavering. “Romeo.”
Just then, she shifted the table so that his arms slipped and he fell to his knees.
“Y'gonna buy something or what?”
Overcome with humiliation, Romeo staggered to his feet and fumbled through his pockets.
“Um... yes please. I'd like two jelly rolls and a cinnamon bagel, please.”
Julie chuckled to her self as she boxed the goodies and handed them to the confused man. She accepted his $10 and returned to him $4 and some change. He counted the change in his shaking hand and looked up with surprise.
“A discount,” he asked, holding out the handful of change.
She looked at her watch and nodded.
“According to my watch, it's 5 minutes past. So it's the Tuesday sale!”
“Thanks, Julie,” murmured Romeo as he pocketed the money and took up his box of treats. “You got any plans later? I was thinking of catching a flick downtown.”
“Maybe tomorrow night, buddy,” Julie said, pushing a stray hair behind her ear.
He knew that meant no. It always did, but the smile she gave him eased the pain. He smiled back at her and bowed cordially.
“Goodnight then, dear. We'll see you again soon.”
She curtsied with a giggle as he backed away slowly into the darkness of the street.
“Goodnight, sir. Enjoy the movie.”
Books on Sale
