The Beginning



E.D. was on his way home from work when it all took place. He wasn't planning on the events that transpired, he was just going home to sit down, kick his feet up with a six pack and relax. He didn't get many weekends to himself, but when he did, he always made the best of them. E.D. wasn't like other people, he was his own type, his own style. He didn't bow to society in their ways, he went his own direction, wherever he chose, whenever he wanted. This weekend was his, he had an open slate for the three days and planned on a cigar weekend. What he always enjoyed doing was starting the day with just that, a cigar and letting it determine the path for the day . There were always weekend amenities in his truck, a pillow and blanket, some water, some snack foods and other items of usefulness. He had been left in some wild places with nothing before and found it made more sense to have those things on hand than to wish he had them after he found the need. This weekend, he planned on some serious driving and maybe some fishing if it came along the path.
Peeling the tires into the parking lot of the 7/11, he came to an abrupt stop just inches away from taking that already loose spoiler off the front of the truck. It wasn't much of a truck, a little 4x4 extended cab he bought off Ebay for this very type of weekend and he treated it as such. The dents and scrapes on it each had a story to be tell and he made a point to leave them there as scars of his past endeavors. E.D. jumped out, leaving the truck running, as he wouldn't be long inside. He pranced into the building grooving to the music blaring out of the windows of his weapon. He always announced himself that way and like the attention it brought. His steps marked the beats and his sway followed the rhythm to a tee. Now being it was Friday night, the store was already rather busy, so he just grabbed up his things and headed straight to the line at the counter. Beer under one arm and some rather interesting snacks under the other, he stood there still bopping his head to the beat that was resonating through the walls. He had purposely chose that disk, knowing when the off beats were and made subtle motions when they hit. The girl behind the counter was obviously not having a good day, she normally wore a smile, at least when E.D. was in there, but today, it must had fallen off. She seemed grumbly with the customers, which was odd. She was normally very kind and happy, almost to the point of making E.D. wonder what drugs she was on. As another customer approached, E.D. moved up in the line, now paying much more attention to her revealing blouse. He always liked how her cleavage poked him in the eyes, but he always tried to avoid it as he didn't want to appear perverted. Tonight though, he just had to keep peeking, he was drawn to her more than normal. The line shortened and finally E.D. was next. He wasn't in a hurry, but didn't want to piss any one behind him off, so he kept his normal flirtatious manners in his pants and just tried to get Samantha to smile. "What's shaking?" he blurted as he approached, "I see your smile fell into your shirt there" he head gestured toward her, hoping it would break the ice. He had flirted with her many times before, but never got a bite. It was like his fishing, it never proved fruitful but always brought a smile to his face. E.D. smiled hard through his somewhat weathered face, but didn't even get a response from Sam. She just looked him in the eyes and repeated the price on the register. "$42.45." His wallet in hand and ready, he flipped through the bills, not broadcasting the fact he had money, but portraying the fact he wasn't at all worried about carrying such amounts. He always kept too much money in there, but never missed a deal when it came along. 20's came out and change made with not another word between the two. Even the people behind him sensed that things weren't quite right. 'What was going on' he thought to himself, 'this isn't her normal self at all.' Change in hand, he moved aside and shuffled his snacks in his bag while eyeballing the store just under the brim of his hat. There were some shady looking guys hanging around the office door, but that wasn't out of place, there were always people back there, the night manager must have had a little side business running or something. Satisfied that Sam must be just having one of those days, he returned out to his truck, again wiggling his ass to the more upbeat tunes broadcasting in through the doorway. After holding the door for the next guy, he started organizing his things in the truck. He had done this before and knew how it was done best. Not surprisingly, everything had it's own spot. He was that organized, always had been. Beer went in the cooler, snacks in the cab. Even the cigars had a special spot in the glove box. E.D. reached in the bag for the cigars realizing he had forgot them. "Damn it," he cursed himself "now I have to go back in there." He closed up the doors and headed back inside. The lineup was smaller now, but still, now he had to wait again. He wore his disappointment on his face, even his butt wasn't wiggling quite like it had been. 'How can you look cool when you're an idiot' he thought, pulling his wallet out again. He busied himself organizing his cards as the line drew on. Quicker than he thought, he was back up there. Avoiding eye contact as much as possible, he requested his cigars, but much to his surprise, they were already sitting on the counter. That was odd, they always kept them under the back cabinet, probably the worst place they could be.
"I knew you'd be back" Sam smiled in saying.
E.D. was floored. She was smiling now? Why, because he was an idiot?
"Uh. Thanks, I must have had something else on my mind" he returned.
"Well, you usually do" she grinned, passing over the box of cigars and popping open the till.
"I see you found that smile of yours again, that's much better" he quipped grabbing up his change.
Sam fussed with her pants a bit "Well my weekend just got a bit quieter."
"How's that?"
Through an even bigger smile, Sam (*said*) "I'm off now until Tuesday night, I was supposed to work, but the new guy wants next weekend off, so we traded. I just found out." She mussed her hair a bit as if there was something out of place, but there wasn't.
"Well, that's a turn for best, now isn't it." He smiled now as well.
"Well, it could be. You're going out fishing somewhere aren't you?" she asked.
"Um, yeah. I have a long weekend this weekend myself." He stammered showing his lack of preparedness for the conversation, but kept his composure.
"Want some company?" she asked
Jaw now hanging, E.D. was wearing his surprise on his sleeve. Sam knew this was out there, but she wanted to do something this weekend, not sit around like she had in the past.
"Of course, what did you have in mind?" he managed.
Sam looked at her watch and then leaned closer to E.D. It was apparent she was relieved in his answer.
"I can be ready anytime after 8 tomorrow morning" she said "I'll have to get a few things together, is that ok?"
"Sounds like a plan," E.D. scooped up his cigars "but uh, where should I pick you up?"
"Oh, I just live across the street," she motioned out the window "can you just meet me here?"

E.D. thought about it briefly, more to gather his senses, he was sure he was going to blow this somehow.
"Certainly," E.D. backed away smiling " see you in the morning then."
"I'll be ready," she winked "see you then"

His steps almost staggered him into the potato chip rack behind him as he departed, he was happy, confused and overly worried now about what had just transpired. He was thinking a million thoughts as he paused in the doorway and looked back at Sam. She was serving another customer, but noticeably much more relaxed and happier than before.
E.D. managed his way back to his truck, the music no longer in his steps, he had more on his mind now for sure.