Chapter 9
When Hannah went into the gas station she decided to shake off her insecurities about Phil grabbing her wrist like that. She felt that slamming the car door sent the right message and she would leave it at that. The munchies were on her forethought and she needed a drink to. She is glad he asked if they should stop before they got to Stan’s. She decided she would take her sweet old time getting the snacks to let the air clear between them and maybe cool them both down. Hannah loves giving into his kissing and his soft touch but she is afraid if she lets it go too far she may not be able to keep control
She opened the glass door to the cooler where the case was lined in neat rows of sodas and juices. “Something pink and juicy he said” she mumbled out loud. Her mind is a bit fuzzy still and she is overwhelmed by all the choices in beverages. Hannah standing in the open cooler door looks up and down the rows of various drinks and has no clue what she wants or exactly what she is craving. “Choices, choices” she says out loud to herself. She glances over to the clerk embarrassed that she is taking so long in making a decision. The clerk a twenty-five year old blond transplant with a pierced eyebrow gives her a smile as he leans on the counter waiting to check her out. Thenight has been slow, except that hippy dude that came in 10 minuets ago and she is a pretty addition to the gloom of the gas station
“You need help over there” the guy says with a thick NYC accent.
“Na, just trying to make up my mind about what to drink. Thanks” Hannah answers
She glances over out the window to where her car is parked and sees Phil on his cell phone. She screams inside her head “AGAIN!” She doesn’t like the idea of cell phones and how they can be so intrusive. She thinks it rude to be with some one and they drop what ever they are doing to answer a call and start another conversation with who ever is on the other end. She hopes this will not be something she will have to deal with all night. She puts her attention back to making a choice of drink and just grabs what ever is in the pink bottle for Phil and a Diet soda for herself. Then she walks over to the candy isle, again too many choices, everything looks yummy. Hannah is not much of a junk food person and is into watching her diet but she thinks tonight she has broken so many of her personal rules what is one more. She finally just grabs peanut butter cups and a few Watchamacallits and brings it all up to the clerk to ring up.
The clerk gives her a smile as he scans the drinks and candy. Hannah gives him a smile back as she has resolved herself not to be in a rush.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” he asks out of routine.<o:p></o:p>
Hannah gives a pause and thinks about the question. Does she need anything else? She notices the boxes of condoms that is kept behind the counter and safe from shoplifters and considers those may be funny to buy but she decides better not to. She doesn’t want to be THAT encouraging!
“Besides your phone number? No” Hannah laughs; she can’t believe that just came out of her mouth! “JUST KIDDING” she quickly adds.
The clerk laughs with her, he would have given it to her too but she took it back. “Ok then. Your total is $5.32.”
Hannah reaches into her front pocket and pulls out the cash she has on her. She doesn’t carry a purse and prefers to just keep everything in her pockets. A purse to her is like carrying around luggage that she doesn’t need. She is simplistic that way. She counts out six dollars and hands it over to the man behind the counter
“Is that a New York accent I hear?” she asks to make conversation.
“Yes, sure is.” He answers.
“What are you doing here then? Saint Louis is so boring. I would think a big city like NY would be more exciting” she asked him
“Oh Saint Louis has its draws” he said and gave her a wink with her change.
Hannah couldn’t help but give him a wink back. She never is like this, all that flirting with Phil has started something with her and she just can’t seem to shut it off. She takes her change and shoves it in her pocket. She glances over to her car and Phil again and sees he is still on the phone, she is annoyed.
“Oh ya. Like what?” she asked as the clerk hands her the bag of munchies.
“Where else in the world do you see an old hippy with a braid down to here driving around in a Viper? That was the coolest thing I ever saw when he came in here tonight. Well, next to you.” He said with a blush.
Hannah’s mouth gapes open and then with out thinking lets out “Oh My God! Phil is going to kill Stan! He was supposed to go right home, no pit stops!”
The clerk is surprised and asks, “Oh, You knew that guy? How funny.”
“Ya, I kinda know him.” Hannah answers as she goes for the door and leaves giving him a wave goodbye.
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