“The Boardman Watches”

Radio playing:

The forecast for the next few days says, Stay inside. You might wanna think twice if you had any plans of going out, at least until the plow trucks do their jobs in the morning. Now, back to the music, the station with the most hits, ……..Nathaniel clicked the radio off! Thinking of Rebecca's beautiful eyes while watching the snowy road before him. The way she pushes back her hair out of her face makes him not focus on the road for a split second. A tree falls on the road. It's just what I need right now; something else to slow me down, he mutters. I'm not sure if I'm heading the right way or not. After a few moments of sitting in silence, he stopped on the road, and a ringing sound caught his attention. Looking at the dashboard, he frowns and looks back at the snowy roadway. The fuel light is blinking, oh my, another thing to slow me down, I have to get some gas now before I'm stranded out here in the cold. He remembered seeing a sign back a few miles that said he was coming up to (town), a town, but the name of the town was partially obscured by snow. Removing himself from the car, Nathaniel picked up the tree to move it so he could get to the gas station. Jumping back into the car, now heading down the road, and like magic, street lamps appear glowing up ahead, marking the start of (named town). A stoplight glows through the snowy flurry. As he approaches, he sees what looks like a restaurant. I'm going to get gas first, then a hot meal, stomach growling at the thought of a hot meal, nope, sorry, car, Nathaniel says, “I need fuel too. Me first, then you! Maybe they can point me in the right direction, he thought. I want a double-cheeseburger and fries and a Dr. Pepper. He parks close to the door and steps out to go inside (name of Restaurant), rubbing his stomach with his hand. The wind almost whips his hat off, grabbing it to keep it from flying away, Nathaniel opens the door. Ding, ding. The sound of the door opening and closing. Smell that! This is way better than gas station food. Looking around, a few employees are huddled near the back door, taking quick drags from their vapes and cigarettes. I hate that smell, it has always bothered me, he thought, but geez, I'm so hungry! Soaking it all in, Nathaniel takes a seat at a table for two. A small wooden table that looked like it was made in the early 1900s. A beautiful dark dark-haired waitress makes her way over to him. Man, I've seen her before, he thought, looking at the menu already placed on the table. Good evening, sir, may I take your order? she asks. Yes, ma'am, I would like a double cheeseburger with fries and a large Dr. Pepper.    Ok, sir, coming right up, should take no longer than ten minutes. As the waitress walks to the back where the food is being prepared, Nathaniel watches her to see if something is suspicious. Not noticing anything, the door opened, ding ding, the bell on the door chimes, Nathaniel turns around to see Rebecca walking through the door! WTH or WTF, I'm I dreaming? he wondered. She approached the front bar part of the restaurant, undid her scarf so she could speak. A short man from behind the counter eagerly asks if he could help her. Yes, answering, she asks for a slice of cherry pie and a tall glass of milk. Yes, ma'am, anything for you, he says, flirting. Smiling, she scans the room and sees who she thinks is Nathaniel. Walking over to the table, Nate, is that you? Hi Rebecca, I saw you walk through the door, I thought I was dreaming! She says, You are, ha, ha, just kidding. Both are asking the same question, at the same time: What are you doing here? Nathaniel says he was heading to South Boardman. Rebecca says she was heading to Traverse City to meet Jack. Quickly, Nathaniel notices a tall, slender woman who stands nearby, listening to their conversation. Do you know her, Rebecca? No, no! Let's just talk quietly. When do you have to meet Jack? Nathaniel asks. Not until the morning. Would you like to hang out and talk for a bit? Maybe the weather will change, and the driving conditions won't be so terrible. I doubt the weather gets better, Nate, but I would love to talk with you and catch up. I do miss seeing you. How have you been? I've been ok, making it, but I must say, Rebecca, I know you're with Jack, but I've never stopped thinking of you! I've never stopped thinking of you either, she says while smiling. Why did it seem like you disappeared? She questions. Pausing before answering, Nathaniel sees the waitress coming to their table, with what looks like his food and Rebecca's pie. The lady slowly reaches to put the food on the table. Ma'am, I take it you're sitting here, yes. Thank you, y'all enjoy walking away. She's nice, I make sure to leave a nice tip Rebecca states. So, Nate, bring me up to speed on your life. Well, he says, while reaching for his wallet, I still carry this picture of you, showing her a photo from years ago. Aw, that's so sweet. Why do you carry that picture around, says Rebecca. Because this was the day I fell in Love with you! How come you never told me, Nathaniel? Her voice, tone, and cadence make him comfortable with expressing his feelings. I was shy, not confident, and of course, you and Jack, and Jack was, or is my friend. Sensing that the moment might be uncomfortable, Nathaniel says, Let's eat, I'm famished. Placing her hand on his leg, while inclining forward, she whispers to him, while smiling, Nathaniel, I'm quite fond of you! Sitting back, Rebecca says, things are very complicated right now between me and Jack, and have been for a long time now. I'm scared to leave him, and I don't have the guts to tell him. I just put on the good face and smile. Inside, I'm miserable. Maybe I never stopped thinking of you, too? I can't believe she's telling me this now, he thought. Every inch of his skin had goosebumps, and his face was blushing, maybe she does love me, he thought! Dang, after all these years. Before they know it, an hour has passed, and their food has been gone for some time now. Nathaniel says, Let me take care of the check, ok, says Rebecca, I'm going to visit the little girl's room. I’ll be back. As she walked to the bathroom, Nathaniel walked to the front to pay the bill, the tall, slender, silent woman who seemed to be listening to their conversation, followed Rebecca into the ladies' room. The stall door opens and Rebecca goes to wash her hands, Hello! she says. The lady says, Jack had me follow you, and I noticed you were friendly with that gentleman, that wouldn't happen to be Nathaniel, would it? Jack told me about him, quite interesting that you met him here, NO, this was a total coincidence, Rebecca says with a soft yell! He just happened to be here, and I walked in. I don't believe that, the woman says. Well, it's true! The woman reaches for her phone. Let me call Jack. No, no, no, says Rebecca, he won't believe me. I headed to Jack right now and I will let him know myself, so he can see my face and hear it from me. Ok, says the lady. Please don't follow me anymore. Leaving the bathroom, Rebecca quietly says to Nathaniel, Let's get out of here. Meet me at the gas station, I'm going to get in the car with you so we can lose her. Jack had her following me. Both headed to their cars, rushing to the gas station. Nathaniel parked by the pump, and Rebecca parked near the back. Pumping the gas, he motions for her to get in the car before anyone, particularly the woman following, sees her. Rebecca jumps in the back seat of the car and lies down so as not to be seen. Just as Nathaniel is done pumping the gas, the woman pulls up by Rebecca's car, and sees her not in the vehicle, she proceeds to go inside the gas station, frantically looking for Rebecca, with no luck. Rushing out the doors, she sees a car speeding off and assumes it's Nathaniel and Rebecca leaving together. Dang or Dam, she yells!

As they speed away, Rebecca jumps up from the backseat and says That was exciting, but I'm in trouble now. We'd better get off the road, turn our phones off, and find a place to stay for the night. I know there is a motel down the road that won't ask any questions, and I have cash. I can't believe this is happening, Nate, I'm so scared! Don't worry, I'll protect you! Entering the motel parking lot, Rebecca jumps out of the car to pay for the room. Room 231 is their destination. Beep, beep goes the room key. She sat down and leaned back in the chair as she shed a layer of clothes. It's rather warm in here, she says, setting her sweater on the table next to queen queen-size bed! Haven't stayed in a dirty motel like this in a long time, she says. Nathaniel turns on the TV. Look, look, the TV works, it even has Netflix! Looking out the window, Rebecca states, Jack would never look for me here, a dirty motel. Cool, so let's get comfortable, Nathaniel says, I'm going to take a quick shower; I need it! As he heads to the shower, Rebecca gives him a wink and a cherry grin. She decides to get a little more comfortable, removing her socks, shoes, and pants, leaving only her T-shirt. When Nathaniel's shower is complete, he exits the small bathroom, a little wet with just a towel covering his man parts and buttocks, when their eyes meet! Rebecca gets up from lying on the bed, grabs the towel off his wet body, and pushes him to the bed, when their eyes meet again. After a moment of staring into each other's eyes, Rebecca thought, he's so cute. She begins to run her fingers through his hair, rubbing her face against his scruffy, well-trimmed beard. She noticed a small scar near his stomach, stopping the encounter for a brief moment. She asked, What happened here? It's a long story, Nathaniel whispers. As they start to kiss, he says, I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, Becky, Me too she replied. Sweating from the friction of their bodies rubbing together, they become one. With each pulsating thrust, they become closer, reaching a level of climax only two humans can reach when it's true love. Exhausted from making love, they agree that getting some sleep would be a great idea. Now  1:33 am, Rebecca and Nathaniel start to fall asleep while holding on to each other. At about 3:33 am, Nathaniel's sleep was interrupted by what he thought was a man walking back and forth in front of their motel window. Bek, do you see that? I didn't see or hear anything, my love. Did she just say she loved me? Nate thought, which was quickly erased by two men talking louder. I know you heard that, Rebecca! I did, both reaching for their clothes in a panic, when someone knocked on the door. While getting dressed quickly, Nathaniel peeks out the window to see a man and the lady from the restaurant. Is that Jack?  asks Rebecca. She looks out the window and says, “Yep” Oh

crap, he's going to kill us! I won't let that happen says Nathaniel. Besides, I have a trick up my sleeve. Dressed now and trying to figure out a plan, Nathaniel says, I just have to get to the car, my watch is in the car. Jack kicks in the door! I knew it, I can't believe you, Rebecca! As she reaches for the keys and throws them to Nathaniel, Rebecca says, I have not wanted to be with you for a long time, Jack. I love Nathaniel and always have. “You, ”. Jack says as she goes to grab her, Nathaniel punches Jack in the face, knocking him down, but not out cold. Rebecca kicked the lady, and they made way to the car. Slipping while running because of the ice and snow, the pursuit by Jack and the lady doesn't stop them from making it to the car. I gotta get my watch! Jack can't have it!! Finding the watch, Nathaniel yells at Rebecca, “Hold my hand”! Are you ok with the path and place that the watch may take us? Yes! Well, here we go, let's get out of here together. Rebecca closed her eyes, and Nathaniel pushed his watch button! In a flash, they are? Where are they? Finish!