No Me Ames

By Susan J.

The following day I took Francisco on another day of site seeing. We walked along the shores of Malibu Beach and had lunch on the boardwalk on the Santa Monica Pier. As we ate at one of the many restaurants we had the opportunity to talk and get to know each other a little more.

"I really want to thank you for giving me a tour of this fair city Andie," Francisco said.

"My pleasure. I have to thank you," I said.

"Why?"

"Because I haven't been out on the town too much and this has been the most fun I've had in quite awhile."

"Max is right, you work too hard."

"I suppose I do, well at least I have been the past year or so."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why have you buried yourself in your work?"

"Oh that's just the way that I am."

"I don't think so. I have this feeling that something is eating away deep down inside of you."

I looked into his eyes and I knew that what he saw in mine was exactly that. There was something deep inside that was bothering me.

"Andie? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Why?"

"You got so quiet all of a sudden. Would you like to talk?"

He touched my hand gently.

"Thanks for the offer, but not right now."

"Well when ever you need to talk remember I'm here for you."

"Thanks Francisco."

A few more days passed and Francisco and I continued seeing each other. On this day I was once again in front of my computer putting together the collages for the tour program. Francisco was sitting on the couch with the still photographs of the band putting them in different ways making collages on the coffee table.

"Chata, how does this one look?" Francisco asked.

I got up and walked over to the coffee table and looked at what he had created.

"Hey that's great! I like it!"

"Really?"

"Yes really! I just finished the one I was working on so I can now put this one together. Let me get the disk that these pictures are on so don't touch those pictures!"

He started laughing.

"I won't I won't."

I put in the disk and started working on the collage.

"Would you like a soda, Chata?"

"Yes please."

Francisco got up and went to the kitchen; it was then that it dawned on me that he started calling me Chata. I smiled at the thought of him calling me that. Francisco returned a few minutes later with our drinks. He put my glass on the small table off to the right of the computer table.

"Thank you," I said.

"Your welcome," he said as he kissed the top of my head.

He watched as his creation came to life on the computer screen. He smiled.

"Wow, that is unbelievable," he said.

"What is?"

"That what I put together on the coffee table is now being created on a computer. It's a kick in the head."

"I know what you mean. That's how I felt when I put my first collage together and then it was more of a kick when you hear someone like it so much that they actually pay your for it."

I started laughing.

"I'm starving. What do you say that we either go out, order in or I'll go and pick something up? Which one?" Francisco asked.

"Hard choice. How about you pick something up?"

"Anything special?"

"No, you choose."

"Okay. I'll be right back."

He kissed the top of my head again and left. While Francisco was out I continued working. The doorbell rang; I got up and answered the door.

"Hi Max."

"Hi Chata. How are you?" Max said.

"Okay. Come in."

"Thanks."

Max hugged me as he walked inside. I closed the door behind him and we walked into the living room.

"I thought that Francisco was here," Max said.

"He was but he went out to get us something to eat, so he'll be back soon."

"Oh. So how are things going?"

"Things are good. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing just fine."

We sat on the couch.

"So how is the site seeing tour going?" Max asked.

"So far so good. We've been having fun."

"I'm glad to hear that. You know that he likes you."

"Well I like him too. I feel comfortable when he's around."

"Really? Well I'm glad you feel that way. He's a good guy to have around."

The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Max said.

"Thanks."

Max got up and walked over to the door and opened it.

"Oh hi Max," Francisco said.

"Hi. You need help?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Max helped Francisco with the bags that he was carrying. They put them on the kitchen table. I walked over to them.

"What did you get?" I asked.

"A little bit of everything."

"Like what?"

"Chinese, American, Mexican, I couldn't make up my mind."

"Stay for dinner Max?" Francisco asked.

"Are you sure you have enough?"

"Believe me we have more than enough. Let me get some plates," I said

"Let me close the door," Max said.

Francisco took the food out of the bags and set them on the table. I brought the plates and we all sat down. As we ate we talked.

"So what's on for tomorrow?" Max asked.

"Well I have to turn my work in tomorrow, oh I didn't mention to you that Francisco made this great collage that I added to the package!"

"Really? How did it turn out?" Max asked.

"It turned out great!"

"I wouldn't use that word," Francisco said.

"Well I would because that's what it is...great."

"Thank you."

"Why don't we all make that special trip that we have all been waiting for tomorrow?" Max said.

"What special trip?"

"The Disneyland trip."

Francisco and I looked at Max.

"What? Don't you want to go?"

We looked at each other.

"What do you say, Andie?" Francisco said.

"Disneyland? Land of the Mouse?" I said.

"Yeah. Come on Chata, whata say? A day in Mouseville," Max said.

"Why not. Just let me deliver my work in the morning and then we can leave here around noon, okay?"

"Perfect. We're gonna have a blast tomorrow," Max said.

"Yeah I can't wait to see you with your mouse ears," I said.