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Jimmy and Me, by Phyllis Souza

30/10/2020

 

I'm eight-years-old, kneeling on the back seat of Jimmy’s car looking out the window. Don't know why I'm praying, but I am.

Jimmy is my mother’s boyfriend. He’s driving me and her through urban neighborhoods looking at houses.

Boys and girls are playing ball in the middle of the street. They move to the side when we pass. I wave and slide down in my seat.

With my hands folded in my lap, I stare at the back of Jimmy's head. I don't like grey hair.

Jimmy glances in the rearview mirror. "Hey, Sweet Pea, how'd you like to live here?"

I hate it when he calls me Sweet Pea. "No," I say, tired of looking at white picket fences. “I want to go home.”

My mother reaches over and touches Jimmy’s arm. She's smiling at him. That makes me mad! She never smiled like that at my father. Well, maybe once, when he gave her a blue rhinestone necklace after they had a big fight.

It scared me when they argued. I'd cover my ears with my hands. Sometimes I’d hide.

Again, Jimmy is looking in the rearview mirror. "Sweet Pea, do you think we've looked at enough houses?"

"Yes." I keep staring at his head. Maybe 'cos it's sooooo big.

"How would you like to go out to dinner?"

"I guess so." I shrug and gaze out the side window.

Jimmy parks at the curb in front of a restaurant called Mike's Place.

He runs around the front of the car and opens my door. I step onto the sidewalk. He takes my hand and escorts me inside. My mother follows.

I get to order anything I want. I look at the menu, don't understand it, never read one like this before.

After a few minutes, Jimmy says, "Sweet Pea, would you like me to order for you?"

“Yes," I say.

He calls over a waitress. "Bring the young lady a dinner salad, shrimp, and fries."

I frown at the mention of salad. Jimmy pretends not to notice, though I see him smile.

A few minutes later the woman brings a salad. She puts it in front of me: Cut-up lettuce with a slice of beet, thousand island dressing, and tiny pieces of toast. I pick up a napkin and stuff it into the neck of my dress.

I taste it. It's better than nice, I love this. Especially the stuff on the top. I think they're called croutons.

Maybe, like the salad, if I give Jimmy a chance, I'll love him, too.

That would make my mother happy.

I still wish he’d stop calling me ‘Sweet Pea.’ Hmmm... I'll call him 'Shrimpy.'
Krystyna
30/10/2020 02:05:28 pm

Love the way your story eloquently evolves from the young girl’s distraught of Jimmy to giving it a go with loving him.
(I won’t call her ‘Sweet Pea’. Everyone hates being called names they dislike.)
Nicely presented, Phyllis.

Jim link
30/10/2020 03:10:34 pm

It's hard, maybe at any age, to give someone a chance. But you've really brought out the 8-year-old in you (hiding deep inside, I suppose?) and this is wonderfully done.
Take care
Jim

phyllis souza
30/10/2020 05:06:41 pm


Krystyna, "Sweet Pea" better than "Stinky" Thanks for your comment!

Jim, Yep, the 8 year-old, is still very much alive. Thanks!

Candace Arthuria Williams
30/10/2020 05:51:17 pm

I really like this regular guy---looking for a house in an urban neighborhood and not the suburbs, where kids play ball in the street and a shrimp platter special is a treat. Yet, he opens her car door like she's his date. What a gentleman. Even gets her to eat salad. He's going to make a great dad. She loves him already.

Doug
30/10/2020 06:27:31 pm

Nicely done Phyllis. You made it very easy to relate to. Thanks for sharing.

phyllis souza
30/10/2020 06:39:14 pm

Candace and Doug, Thank you very much for your comments. phyllis

Sue Clayton
31/10/2020 05:53:14 am

Shrimpy. A step-dad in the making. Nice try to win her over. All he needs to succeed is to follow dinner with a banana chocolate sundae with double ice-cream topping and he'll be home and dried. Good story.

Mary Wallace
31/10/2020 06:45:27 am

Phyllis, this was a lovely story. I envisage Sweet Pea and Shrimp becoming very close.

phyllis souza
31/10/2020 04:11:17 pm

Sue and Mary, Wouldn't it nice, if the problems of world could be solved with a basket of shrimp. Thanks for your comments.

Susan F. Reid
1/11/2020 11:18:38 am

Sounds like a man who really tries. A good catch for the woman and the little girl whose been shaken early in life.

phyllis souza
1/11/2020 04:55:14 pm

Susan, Thanks for comment. Always appreciate! Phyllis


Comments are closed.

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