"The lightless" Chapter Three

Chapter Three-

            Abby stood and walked to the corner of her street and looked around the other side. She checked her watch then walked back and sat down on the steps of the apartment building behind her. She shook her head still not sure if her plan was all that great. She realized that if Joshua tried to surprise her by bringing dinner there she would have to explain that this wasn't really her apartment building. I had to tell him I lived somewhere, she thought as she checked her watch again. He said he would be there a little before seven and it was six fifty five now. She ran over the questions she had prepared again and again in her mind hoping she could deliver them in an unrehearsed way. "How can I make it sound casual when it's one of the most important conversations I may ever have," she said aloud. She stood and brushed her hand over her new suit pants. "At least I LOOK like I could live here," she said with a smile. She began walking toward the corner again but noticed a black car coming up in the distance. It wasn’t hard to recognize the trademark Chevy sign on the cars sleek front and as it neared she could tell it was Joshua's Camaro. He pulled it up to the curb and quickly hopped out rushing to her door before she could get to it.

            "Had you given up on me?" He asked as he opened the door.

            "What do you mean?" She said tilting her head.

            "You had started to walk away..."

            "Oh no, of course not, I was just moving a little. I didn't want to make you come up to the apartment so I waited out here." Abby slid down onto the gold colored leather seats and breathed in their pleasant smell. She waited for Joshua to come around to his door again and get in, then she spoke.

            "Thanks for taking me out," She said with a smile.

            "Anytime," he replied. Abby smiled again as she didn't detect a single hint of dismissiveness in his voice, he meant what he said.

            They spent the next few moments in small talk and deciding where to eat then Abby slowly began guiding the conversation where she needed it to go.

            "Where is your family from?" She asked trying to steady her words. But when Joshua paused for a split second she quickly added, "That is, I know the name Johnson originated from England and Scotland so I just wondered if you knew what part your ancestors were from." Joshua smiled.

            "Oh I see. Well, my great grandfather was from a small ocean side town called Thurso in the northern part of Scotland. It's really an awesome place. If you are ever in Scotland I would highly recommend it."

            "You've been to Scotland before?" Abby asked, her eyes widening.

            "Three times actually, it's an amazing place. My sister is there now with my mom and I plan on joining them next week."

            "Have you been to any other countries?" she asked. Joshua rubbed the back of his neck with his arm and Abby couldn’t help but notice how it caused his bicep to flex, she blushed slightly.

            "Well," he said after a pause, "I think including Scotland I have been to eleven countries. Abby just shook her head and smiled.

            "Man alive…" she mumbled. Joshua turned to her and gave her a sidelong look.

            "Man alive?" he repeated. Then he pulled a face that made her laugh.

            "That’s my way of saying 'how would it be'" she said.

            "How would what be?"

            "How would it be to have the resources to travel all over the world?" She gave a small laugh. "I can hardly afford a working car." Joshua's smile faded.

            "I guess I don't have the resources, my dad does. I work for him and with businesses all around the world we travel together a lot."

            "Sounds great to me" Abby said, missing the change in his mood. "It must be fun to travel the world with family."

            "Yeah well… my sister and my mom are great. But my dad is rather a stick in the mud. I am struggling to get along with him right now."

            "I'm sorry" Abby said.

            "Ehh, no worries, it's something I have to work through. Don't get me wrong, my dad is a great guy, but he is really old fashioned with his business and won't listen to my suggestions." Abby pressed her lips together in thought.  

            "Do you think you will take over his business when he retires?" She asked. Joshua's eyebrows flicked up and he scratched the back of his neck again.

            "Hmmm… This may sound funny but I have never really thought about it. I have been working for him since I was fifteen years old and he's never mentioned that at all." Abby was watching the road when she suddenly screamed. Joshua pulled off the road instantly and screeched to a halt.

            "Are you alright?" he asked his hand touching her shoulder. She looked eagerly back and watched as a black Mercedes Benz flipped a U turn and headed for them at full speed.

            "Aahh, Go!" she said, "Don't let him catch us!" Joshua's eyes locked on the road and he pealed onto the road again, leaving long black tire marks. He sped down the three lane road weaving in and out of cars not saying a word. Abby could see a light going yellow up ahead of them and she knew it was too far.

            "We won't make it, better turn right." Joshua whipped the car across the two lanes and stopped barely slowed as he turned at the light. Abby whispered silent thanks that the California traffic was uncharacteristically mild for a Friday night and allowed her shoulders to drop slightly. She looked back and breathed a sigh as she saw no one behind them.

            "I think we lost him." She said, her voice quivering slightly. Joshua pulled over and put the Camaro in park. Abby felt her heart maintain its rapid beating as he looked at her and she knew what was coming.

            "This is one of the most thrilling first's dates I have ever been on" He said. Abby couldn’t help but laugh.

            "Me too I guess" she said.

            "Then this doesn’t' happen to you all the time?" he asked. Abby's eyes widened.

            "Well, I mean no, not normally." She said. Then they fell silent and Abby couldn’t help the feeling of guilt creeping up on her. She was lying a lot right now and it wasn't fun. Joshua's reaction to the car chase had surprised her immensely and the fact that he was sitting there in silence with probably a hundred things he wanted to say, made her smile.

            "I guess you're probably wondering who that was…" she said. Joshua smiled and looked at her with an eager face.

            "Maybe just a little" he said. Abby bit her lip, wanting to be as truthful as the circumstances would permit.

            "He is my ex-boyfriend" she said. Joshua maintained a calm expression and let her continue. "But he is a little… okay a lot crazy. He followed me from where I use to live in Phoenix Arizona and despite a restraining order he won't leave me alone." Joshua looked at her with a concerned expression on his face and frowned.

            "That's not good Abby. Do you think he would hurt you?" Abby shrugged.

            "I wish I could say he wouldn't but he gets worse every time I see him. I was pretty worried when he saw me with you." Joshua tapped his middle finger on his cheek and looked out over the darkening alleyway.

            "Ah… if it's okay with you lets skip out on Rosa's and go to another place that's more under the radar." He said. Abby nodded her head.

            "You're sure you still want to go out with me?"

            "Are you kidding, we have only been on this date for fifteen minutes and we already touched, drove my car too fast, and talked about your past relationships, at this rate I'll probably get a hug before we eat, and there's no telling what will happen after dinner." Abby gave him a sharp look but when she saw the laughing look in his eyes she smiled back. So where are you thinking we should eat that's 'under the radar?' she asked. He turned the key and the Camaro and she felt the care shake slightly as the engine roared.

            "I'll show you." He said.