Page 4 of Killer Summer
“Oh, right,” Kyle nodded. “My grandma does that with daytime TV. She says it keeps her company.”
“Exactly!”
“Well, I’m all done with my work for the night,” Kyle said. “I can keep you company until our shift is over. You know, so you don’t have to feel alone.”
“You don’t even likeThe Wizard of Oz.” Dani rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, but I like you.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “Kyle …”
“I know, I know,” he said. “You have a boyfriend.”
“Right.”
“Doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.” Kyle gave her a gentle nudge with his elbow. “Don’t worry, if that Vickers guy shows his face again, I’ll kick his ass.”
“If he shows his face again, I’m calling the cops,” Dani said. “Thanks, though. I wouldn’t mind some company.”
“Yeah, dude,” Kyle said. “That’s what friends are for.”
Dani popped a sour gummy worm in her mouth and turned her attention to the TV, hoping that she wasn’t blushing too hard. She liked Kyle. He was a good guy, and even though he clearly liked her as more than just a friend, he never crossed her boundaries. She didn’t like the idea that she might be leading him on, but what else could she do? Historically, platonic relationships with the opposite sex never went over well for her, but she had to admit it was nice to not feel so alone. It was nice to have a friend.
As they munched candy and stared at the Technicolor film, Dani mulled over what Kyle had said. This was probably the first time she fully understood the reason why she chose to work at a video store instead of at the mall or a grocery store. She was never good at being alone, and the hum and flicker of a television set gave her the illusion that a cherished friend was always nearby. Up until Matt Vickers became a regularly occurring fixture at the store, Cool Flix had felt like a haven to her. Now, as she stared out the tinted windows onto the darkened boardwalk, she didn’t feel safe at all. She felt trapped. Watched. Like a caged animal on display, with a predator right outside.
Kyle kept to his word and stayed by her side throughout the rest of the film. No other customers bothered them for the rest of the evening as they leaned against the counter, elbows grazing and eyes locked on the screen. By the time the credits rolled, all of their candy had been consumed and the clock on the wall showed it was closing time. Kyle slung his backpack over his shoulder and gave her a long, sad sigh.
“I’m gonna lock up. Need anything?”
“I’m good,” she said. “Just gonna put the cash box in the safe and then I’ll be ready to go.”
He stepped out from behind the register, avoiding her gaze. “Ok. I’ll wait for you out back.”
“Kyle.”
He stopped and turned on his heels. She knew this would probably be the last time she’d ever see her friend for a long time. Maybe they would run into each other when she came home for the holidays if she was lucky. He would probably still be working at Cool Flix, spending his days skateboarding by the pier and rewinding tapes at night. In a way, she envied him.
“Yeah?” Kyle answered.
“I really am gonna miss you.”
He smirked and brushed the hair from his eyes. “Yeah. I know.”
Dani smiled and turned her attention to the register as he walked toward the front door with his set of keys jangling. It had been hours now since Matt made his unwanted appearance, and she had spent that entire time battling the rock in the pit of her stomach, anxious to finish out her final shift. Kyle had made it easier by keeping her company, but she wasn’t out of the woods yet. Thankfully, Tommy was waiting for her in the parking lot. Once she was cocooned in the safety of his passenger seat, she would never have to worry about unwanted attention from Matt Vickers or anyone else at the store again.
Kyle turned over the CLOSED sign, locked the front door, and killed the overhead lights, leaving the video store bathed in the soft glow of neon light. Dani continued her closing time duties for what she knew would be the very last time, grabbed the till full of cash, and headed toward the back office. Knowing that her boyfriend was waiting for her shifted her anxiety to anticipation.She was going to miss Cool Flix and Santana Beach, but she was going to miss Tommy even more.
No more boardwalk pizza dates.
No more romantic sunset walks on the beach.
No more steamy reenactments ofTitanicin the back seat of his car.
If Dani let herself think about all of the changes that were headed her way, her throat closed and her eyes grew misty with tears. She needed to suck it up. She had made her decision to leave home and Santana Beach and everything she knew and loved for college, and she had to stick with it. Leaving everything she loved was what she knew she needed and wanted. So why did it have to hurt so bad?
The familiar squeaky hinges of the back receiving door echoed through the quiet of the video store as Dani locked the till in the safe. She pulled her boyfriend’s borrowed hoodie over her head, grabbed her messenger bag, and headed toward the back door. Warm, salty summer air kicked in from the open door as she made her way down the hall to where Kyle was supposed to be waiting for her.
“Kyle?” She called out. “Do you think I should leave my work badge with you, or …”
