Trish is the protagonist in my WIP Bruised Fruit. As in most novels there is a lot of background information that gets left out. Some events are alluded to because the story begins after the event. I will be posting my "out takes" here on occasion Looking forward to your feedback.
"Oh my God.... He is gorgeous!" We commented at the same time. June laughed and I looked
at Pam who had her head out the car window...
"Hey... you... walking ... You wanna ride?" Pam shouted. "Come get in." Pam embarrassed us,
but before we could blush, Mr. Gorgeous walked towards the car, opened up the rear door and
sat down next to me.
"So... what's your name?" June turned her head and asked.
"Ethan Roselli." His voice was low and his face without a smile. .
“Roselin?" I asked.
"NO! Roselli" He spoke louder and added. "I'm Italian."
"You don't look Italian," I said noting his dark blonde hair.
"I'm Sicilian."
"Oh... I'm Trish, this is June, and the screamer is Pam."
He responded with a nod and remained silent. After two blocks, he said, "Let me out here."
Pam stopped the car and Ethan exited.
"Sure wasn't too friendly... huh?" June began to giggle...
"Great looking guys are like that... it's why I turned down Tony Fusco's offer to the prom. I
don't like pretty boys."
"Madonn'! Fusco asked you to the prom and you didn't tell me? He's a senior! Are you nuts?"
June rolled her eyes.
Pam piped in, "And you guys say I'm loony? I'd go with him to the Prom."
"No surprise there, I want an ordinary guy....” I said and believed it, at least for the next three
months.
***
“Hey girls... where ya going?” A voice yelled from across the street.
“Up Mike’s and down Jakes," I yelled to the figure shouting to us. June and I looked at each
other.
“What’s it to you buddy?” June added.
“Com'on, doncha remember me? I wanna talk to you.”
“You wanna talk to us, you come here. We ain’t dogs.” June said.
When he was closer I said in a soft voice, “June...it’s Mr. Gorgeous, that guy we picked up."
“Ohhh .. So it is,” June said as he ran across the street.
“Remember me?” Ethan asked.
“How could we forget?” I said in my most sarcastic voice.
"I was just thinkin about you girls," He said.
“Sure you were, bet you don’t remember our names.” June put out the challenge.
“Bet I do. She’s Trish,” he said pointing to me, “and you’re Pam.” Ethan said appearing oh so
smug.
“Wrong, Mr. Smarty-pants. I’m Trish and she’s Pam.” June said messing with him. It was one
of her many talents.
“I know she’s Trish, you’re fooling with me. You must be Jane.”
“Wrong again dufus,” June said and we both laughed.
“She is Trish. I never forget a pretty girl’s name... not that you aren’t pretty... I don’t mean
that.. Heck I was only in the car for a block.” Ethan said and I thought I saw him squirm.
“Okay guy, I’m June.”
“Whew... you’re tough.” Ethan said and went on “Nice to see you again June.”
“Same here.”
“Ya want some ice tea?” Ethan asked.
June and I looked at each other and exchanged our secret eye code. “ I don’t think so.” June said.
“Whatta mean, you don’t think so? You don’t know if you’re thirsty. Hey... my sister’s home.”
Ethan said as if he was offering some type of assurance..
“How old is your sister? Five?” I asked.
“No she’s sixteen. Com'on I’m not going to hurt you guys.”
Again, June and I exchanged our secret glance.
“Ahhh sure why not,” June said, shrugged her shoulders and gave me another eye signal. This
one said, “You owe me.”
Ethan opened the door for us and called “John, come here. Here’s the girls I just told you
about.”
John poked his head from around the corner... and said “Yup.. you were right.” and then
disappeared back to the kitchen.
“What’s that about?” I asked...
“Aghhh... he’s goofing on you. Younger brothers, ya know how they are.”
“No I don't.... Where’s your sister? Or did she leave?”
“Nope she’s here. Marie.... Marie... “ Ethan’s calls went unanswered.
“She went next door to use the phone.” John yelled..
“See I do have a sister. Com'on sit down,” Ethan said as he went over to the dinette table and
pulled out a chair.
I moved my head motioning to June to follow, she pulled out her own chair and sat down
across from me.
Ethan walked over the refrigerator and yelled, "John you hog! You drank all the ice tea!"
"So make more..." John said with a shrug.
"You guys want some water?" Ethan asked, holding two glasses in his hand..
"Nah... we're fine." June said.
"Just curious ... what were you thinking about us?" I asked Ethan.
"Oh.... yeah... back to that. I was telling John I wished I got your phone number."
"What makes you think I'd give it to yah? You were like so rude, no... grouchy."
"Umm... I thought you girls were someone else...I was meeting my cousin." Ethan's said.
His excuse was lame, and I didn't buy it..."That's no excuse for being grouchy."
"I'm sorry, didn't mean it.... Thursday's we meet... sing in the alcoves of the stores, after they
close... the echoes make the harmonizing sound sooo much better.. I'll teach you how to
harmonize, if you give me your number."
June and I exchange glances and laugh...
"I can't sing, but June can."
"Ahhhh anyone can harmonize." Ethan said with a wave of his hand and pulled out a pitch
pipe. "Just hum this tone, it's easy." Ethan said before blowing in the pipe.
"Hamm... " I started humming and Ethan motioned for John to join in and then June.. Then we
all busted out laughing...
"I told ya, you could do it. Now give me your number.." Ethan said handing me paper and pen.
I started to write my number 393-869 and before I put on the last digit, a woman and girl
walked in the door...
"Ethan... what are doing? Get these trollops out of my house!" The short stubby woman
demanded.
I dropped the pen and paper, looked at June and we ran out the door... We could hear Ethan
saying.... "But mom... they're good girls...” as we shut the door.
June and I ran until we reached the cemetery... the short cut we always take home from my
sister's.
"Boy, was she pissed!" June said.
"Yeah, nothing like making a good impression. June I like him"
"I know you do.." June said.
"I didn't finish writing the phone number. How can he call me?"
"He'll figure it out. He really, really likes you."
She was right, another one of her talents. An hour later my phone rang.
"Hello" I said
"Seven is my lucky number."
"Excuse me? Who is this?"
"It's Ethan... 393-869 SEVEN the number you left off... I called all the other numbers."
"I didn't leave it off on purpose," I said and motioned to June that Ethan was on the phone.
She shook her head and smiled.
"I know, sorry about that... my mother thought something was going on."
"I got that. Do you have girls over often?"
"Only once... and they weren't reputable." Ethan confessed.
"I take it your mom found out."
"That's what I like about you. You're smart."
"You aren't the kind of guy that likes girls for their brains."
"I'm not? What makes you so sure?"
"Name me one intelligent conversation we've had..."
"We haven't had any yet... but we will."
"Like what will talk about? "
"The John Birch Society, the Kennedy Assassination, WWII, I don't know.. Pick a subject."
"Shakespeare."
"You got me... English isn't my best subject."
"And I know nothing about your things.."
"We'll help each. It‘s perfect."
"Perfect? We haven’t gotten off to a good start."
"It's not the beginning, it's the ending, that matters.."
"Ya think so?"
"I know so. We were meant for each another."
"Yeah... sure." I said with sarcasm and tried to ruffle his feather's." Let's set the wedding date
than." I looked at June to see her laughing and twirling her finger by her ear.
"Doesn't the bride set the date?" Ethan loved having one-upsmenship.
That was the day Ethan Roselli took ownership of my heart.
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