Strawberry Fields Forever

The days passed by quickly. It took Amelie all energy to concentrate on work. She got up when it was still dark and returned when it was dark again. She worked and then she slept, a cycle steadily repeating itself. She had no time to think about anything other than that.

Much to Amelie’s dismay, Lucile started going out with Darren. Apparently, that man was either homeless or didn’t want to bring her home, since he was constantly in their room. She sighed at the thought. But at least, they shook the bunk bed at reasonable hours of the day, so Amelie could at least sleep through the nights.

As she was ready to lock up the trailer and close the fence around the fields, she saw a midsize SUV steering towards the fields. She vaguely remembered the car. Wasn’t that Matt?
When he got out of the car, Amelie did her best to avoid licking her lips at the sight of his muscular, tattooed arms. He’d looked very different the last time she saw him, like a reasonable adult with his long sleeved pullover. She didn’t expect him to have a single tattoo. But today, he proved her wrong in his tight black t-shirt.

His muscles flexed as he lifted his younger son out of the car. Somehow, Amelie was glad he’d returned. He looked even better now. There was something about him that was just… different from all the men she knew. Sophisticated. Experienced. But on the other side, he seemed just as rebellious and mischievous as a teenager, like a real adventure. He wore a pullover the last time she saw him, so she didn’t notice just how built he was. He’d looked good, but nothing like he looked now.

“Hey there,” he said, placing his colorful arms on the counter in front of her. His dimples made him look so innocent, a nice contrast to his tattoos. “Hey Matt,” she replied, a smile forming on her lips. “I was just closing up, but if you want to pick some strawberries, be quick and I’ll wait.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, “I thought you were open until 9.”

She handed him a basket and motioned him to go ahead, but he leaned closer over the counter. “I don’t want you working overtime. I’ll just take one of those,” he said, motioning to the baskets with the strawberries Amelie had picked in the morning for those who were in a hurry.

“Sure,” she said, handing him the basket and typing a bunch of numbers into the cash register. “Hello Ammeli!” she heard a voice from under the counter. She grinned. Toddlers seemed to love her. She wasn’t sure why she had this effect on them, but she’d never met a single child who didn’t like her.

Matt sat his younger son onto the counter before lifting up River, so he could see Amelie. Once again, she couldn’t help but notice how his muscles played under his shirt. His chest must be ripped, too. It made her wonder how he’d look shirtless. Get yourself together, she heard her inner voice scoff. She knew it was right. After all, she had just met the man. This certainly wasn’t anything like her.

He’s thirty-four, the voice continued with a venomous tone, he’s certainly not interested in a little girl like you who’s not even going to college yet. And Amelie knew it was right. But still it didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy his sight, right?

“Hey there, sweetie,” she greeted River with a warm smile. “Indian,” he said, “no pain!” He then pointed at his knee, where he still had a minor scrape, barely visible. “It would have certainly hurt ME a lot,” Amelie said to reassure him how strong he was, “but you are so much braver than I ever was.” His eyes lit up when he heard that. “Daddy! Ammeli says I’m brave,” he whispered reverently.

“Oh yeah sweetie, you definitely are,” Matt said, smiling at Amelie. She involuntarily bit her lip when she spotted his dimples again. “So, how’s it going Amelie? Old Man Rutterford called you again?” She let out a chuckle. Matt seemed to know exactly how the old man could be. “Oh yeah, only about twelve times today, so I’d say he’s improving. Or maybe his arthritis is making it harder to dial my number or something, which would be nice, too,” she grinned.

Meanwhile, Cash reached out for her long necklace. It was a golden Chain with a red charm in the shape of an elephant. Daniel had given it to her when she went away. It was much more of a goodbye gift thana present of love. It was overdue, their break-up right after the graduation party, and both of them saw it coming. Amelie really enjoyed the time with him, seeing as he was the first real boyfriend she brought home.

But somehow, they ended up in different directions, her wanting to pull through this gap year and him starting university in a different country. And then of course, there was sex. Amelie knew for a while that he really wanted to take that next step, seeing as he’d done it before, but somehow her guts always told her to wait. She didn’t care if he thought she was prude, but she didn’t want to and he had to respect that. And he did, which was one of many reasons why she still thought highly of him.

They’d simply slipped apart like sunlight through leaves. There was no mistake, no-one was to blame. They just weren’t meant for each other, but that didn’t mean any of them had to be bitter about it. Although they were apart now, physically and without a doubt also in their relationship, the necklace meant a lot to her. “Cash, please…,” Matt proceeded to say, but Amelie just took off the chain and held it in front of Cash like a pendulum. His face was priceless.

“Your tats really suit you,” she blurted out, mentally cursing herself. She didn’t mean to say it. “Well thank you,” Matt replied. His voice sounded so pleasantly smooth. At home, there was an opera singer in Amelie’s year at school, and you could tell by the sound of his speaking voice that he did a lot of vocal training. Strangely, Matt’s voice was similar in some ways. “Actually,” he said, pointing to a winged, hollow-looking skull on the back of his hand, “that’s my favorite motive.”

It was beautiful, but very dark. She wouldn’t have thought he was interested in motives like that. But then again, she wouldn’t have thought of him as a tattoo-person anyway.
“Does it have a meaning?” she asked. Before Matt could answer, River replied for him. “Thas Jimmy. He is Daddy’s best friend. He’s in Heaven with Mommy.” A vague memory came to Amelie. Who else had been talking about a dead guy named Jimmy? She couldn’t put her finger on it.

“It’s beautiful, really,” she replied and finally dared look into his handsome face again. She was smitten, somehow. Matt smiled, once again revealing his dimples. She took another look at the skull. Suddenly, she was startled as she caught a glimpse of his watch. “Ah snap,” she cursed out, realizing that she had to walk all the way to the hostel in the dark now. “What’s wrong?” asked Matt.

“Oh, it’s fine,” she answered. He threw her a questioning look. “It’s just… I really have to get going,” she said evasively. “Alright.” She knew he didn’t buy it. The thought of walking back through the dark streets, almost 4 miles, seemed appalling. The last time she’d walked through the dark streets of Huntington, she’d almost been mugged. That had been enough adventure for the next couple of weeks. Suddenly desperate, she decided to ask him for a ride, even though she hated that she had to.

“Listen Matt, it’s just… I missed my bus. I really hate to ask you this, but…,” she heard herself say. She was angry at herself. Had she been a little more attentive instead of daydreaming about sexy Matt, she would have gotten the bus. But that, too, was crowded and not everyone looked like they had Amelie’s best interests at heart. Yet, after what happened a week ago, she preferred it over the other means of transport any time.

“You want a ride?” he offered. She simply nodded. “Please. I’m really sorry if it’s an inconvenience for you. I mean I could walk, too…” “Don’t apologize,” he said curtly, “I’ve been keeping you here for too long. It’s really okay.” “Thanks.”

Suddenly, Amelie felt River’s hand take hers as they walked. “Me Indian,” he squealed, “you is my squaw.” He was just so cute. Matt noticed them holding hands with an amused smile. “Someone must be a little in love,” he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her neck.

On the way to the car, he then asked, “Dad is Ammeli eat wif us today?” Amelie chuckled. He wouldn’t give up. But she didn’t think they would be coming to the strawberry fields a third time, so it was likely she’d never see them again. She hopped onto the passenger seat as Matt placed the kids into their seats. He got in the car, too.

A trace of his cologne hit her nose. It was pleasant, nothing overpowering, but still enjoyable. “Daddy, anserrr,” River howled. Matt placed his hand behind her headrest as he pulled out of the driving lot, the tendon on his neck poking out like the ridge of the mountains. “You know,” he said as he changed the gear to drive, “if you’d like to join us, you’re welcome, of course.”

The kids squealed. Amelie caught a quick glimpse of Matt as he was driving, a concentrated look on his face. “I don’t mean to intrude,” she replied. She was interested, but she wanted to make sure she was welcome. “Oh you’re not,” he reassured her, “and it would be nice to have some grown-up company for once.”

“Then I’m coming along,” she agreed. She eyed him closely as a grin painted dimples into his cheeks.

Notes

Thank you so much for your feedback guys, I really appreciate it :) Have a good day