It was a cool summer night when James was heading to Oak Park. When arriving he hid in the usual old oak tree just waiting, waiting for Maria. He saw her one cold winter night back in December walking her golden retriever, Andy. After that fateful night he's been there every evening just to see her, her quiet beauty, her smile, and her graceful ways. Humans would consider James an obsessive stalker towards Maria but he was deeply in love with her, never crossing the line by following her home or manipulating others in order to be near her hoping someday he would actually have the nerves to confront her.
Last night Maria never showed up to the park which made him go into a panic mood forcing himself to wait pass midnight. Tonight she was back except he could sense that something was either wrong or off about her. Andy was not by her side in fact he was no where to be found. She slowly walked through the park keeping her eyes glued to the ground before sitting on a bench where she burst into tears. James knew this was the perfect opportunity to finally introduce himself. Many despised his type or were just in denial of their existence. Because of that fact he avoided his attempts and desires to talk with her but it was now or never.
Jumping from the massive oak tree he landed softly on the grass before walking up to her. She looked so beautiful to him, her olive skin, her long dark curly hair, those hazel eyes behind her thick eye glasses, her perfect 5' 4" figure not skinny but a healthy slender form. To him Maria was an Italian Princess...HIS Italian Princess. Hoping not to startle her, he asks softly, "Are you alright miss? "
Startled she wiped away hers as replied back as cheerful as possible, "Oh I'm fine, I just got an eyelash stuck in my eye." Faking a smile on her beautiful oval shaped face of hers.
Then and there James learned two new things about her; one that lying didn't suit her very well especially if she can't pull it off and second he had to think fast be convincing or risk losing out on this chance. So with that in mind he continued by saying, "Are you sure? I mean you look like you need someone to listen to you." Trying to sound sincere while using some of his power to persuade her, hoping she'd open herself and her mind.
"I don't know you. " Was all Maria could say while looking in her purse for something to use as a tissue with no success.
"Alright then my name is James Stanton. I'm your typical kind of guy. I like action movies, sports cars, and long walks around the lake. " Replying back while yanking out his I.D. from his wallet before handing it to her.
Maria was certainly not like any other girl James had ever laid eyes on. As arrogant as it may sound like, a girl could simply fall for his devilish good looks causing them to lose all inhibitions and throwing themselves at his feet. However his Italian Princess wasn't naïve like the others so making it difficult for him. But he still made one final plea, "Please Miss, tell me what's the matter, it could help to talk about it instead of bottling it up inside. It's really not healthy too."
She looked down letting the tears fall on her lap. How could she make him forget the skills of temptation? He knew how to get what he wanted when ever he wanted but he was dumbstruck by this shy, strong, beauty. James gave up she was obviously too smart to open up to a stranger like him. Maybe if he left and let time pass he could meet up with her again. With that thought in mind he began to turn away in defeat till he heard her sweet low voice.
"It's my birthday today." Maria stated as she locked eyes with his. She didn't know why she was saying this or even talking to him but she had a funny feeling that it was safe to.
James took that response as an offer to sit by her while letting her use his black cashmere sweater as a tissue to wipe the tears off her cheek. "Well go on. "
"It's my 18th birthday today and well my family forgot... I was going to buy myself a gift but my dog, Andy, passed away. So I spent my savings to have him cremated" Her voice filled with pain as she chocked back her tears.
After blurting that out Maria felt so embarrassed, here she was balling her eyes out simply because her WHOLE family forgot her birthday. She felt so selfish thinking about it when others around the world don't even have a family or are too poor to give and recieve birthday gifts. With that in mind she continued, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying like this in front of you or even telling you this! You're a complete stranger! "
All James wanted to that moment was wrap his big strong arms around her while telling her that he going to make it all better. Still he knew it would be wise not to act like a complete psycho. "No it's fine...I'm sorry I never got your name." LIE, he knew it but again he didn't want to seem like a psycho or a stalker for already knowing it.
"Maria, Maria Mancini."
"So Maria why do you think your family forgot about your birthday?"
"Well you see I have twin step-sisters, last Tuesday was their 18th birthday. So my dad and my step-mom took them to Disney World for the whole week. They haven't called or anything to wish my happy birthday. Then my other family like my grandparents always send me money or gift cards before my birthday and well I haven't received anything from anyone not even a call." She replied back as looking up at him wondering what he was thinking.
"Well why didn't your parents bring you with them? " James asked while wondering why'd they leave her behind as if she was Cinderella.
"I work part-time, plus I take a few college classes so I have less credits to do for my high school senior year. " Maria replied back as the tears began to fade away.
"So where do you work if you don't mind me asking?" He asked trying not to seem too interested but he knew deep down inside he wanted to know everything about his Italian Princess.
"I don't mind at all, I'm a hostess slash waitress at De Luca's Italian Restaurant. Have you heard of it? " She replied back.
Pausing for a moment he thinks of the place before answering, "I think so... it's on Elm Street. Right? "
"Yeah that's it! My grandparents own it so my family all helps out over there." She replied back as she thought about her family. Her family...again remembering what they forgot causing her cheerful attitude to change.
Noticing the change from sad to happy to sad James wanted to know if ALL her family forgot. "Maria what about your mother? She couldn't of forgot your birthday."
Suddenly tears flowed from her eyes like the Niagara Falls. From James point of view she looked even worse from when she first started to cry. He so desperately wanted to read her mind but it was closed off but by her facial expression he knew he said the wrong thing. 'Fuck' was what was coming in his mind just wishing to erase this memory from not just her mind but his too. Yet all he did was only look helplessly at her.
"My mom passed away when I was 5 years old and Andy was the last gift she gave..." She stopped speaking as she choked up as she covered her face crying harder and louder. Letting out all the built up anguish of losing her beloved pet and being forgotten on one of the most important birthdays of a youth.
He felt so guilty he didn't know maybe stalking her a little bit wouldn't of caused him to screw up. An idea popped in his head he just hoped it wasn't too late. So with thought in mind he tells her, "Maria I'm so sorry, I had no idea about your mother. I'd like to take you to a restaurant and have some birthday cake. It's the least I could do, and it would really mean a lot I just feel terrible for causing this anguish upon you." He wiped her tears away in a caring manner, hoping deep down that it worked.
"Ok...Um, there's a diner around here it's my favorite and my family & I go every year for my birthday." She replied back with a little happiness in her voice as she perked out of her depression spell.
Taking her hand he felt a light bolt of electricity run through him. Made she felt it too? But he continued to helped up his Italian Princess from the bench before escorting her to the place of her choice. It felt so perfect and surreal to them as they walked with each other. At this point he didn't care that it took 6 months to be where he was he was simply in heaven now. Before they knew it, a 1950s style restaurant called Rose's Diner was right in front of them.
"Well this is it! " Maria stated as she walked in front of James as they walked inside.
"Good evening you two! My name is Midge and I'll be your waitress tonight" Stated a cheerfully elderly woman wearing an old fashion waitress outfit. Then continued, "So would you like a booth or table?"
"A booth if you don't mind," James replied back as he followed the women closely behind.
"Can I get you two kids drinks while you look through the menu?" Midge asked as they sat in the booth opposite sides of each other.
"Root beer for me please." Maria said with a sweet smile on her face.
"Me too, Midge."
"Okay then I'll be back in a second then." And with that the waitress turned around heading toward the kitchen.
