“It looks like cotton candy,” I said.
“It means we’ll have a beautiful day again tomorrow.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“Although I doubt it could top today.” He blushed, his eyes piercing mine.
My breath caught and my heart pounded with those words and I realized that I wanted to know every single detail about Max Lampert that I possibly could. I craved him, wanted to know him inside and out. And I wanted to know everything before we reached my building in just three short blocks.
“So, with all your reading, you must have a favorite book.”
“I love the classics…Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, things like that. What about you?”
"I've always loved Jane Austen," I said. "I love that she was way ahead of her time. Such an independent thinker—I admire that about her."
“It comes through in her writing. I loved Pride & Prejudice.”
“You did?” I asked, pleasantly surprised. I’d never met a guy my age who’d read Austen let alone liked her stuff.
“Oh yeah, I love how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett push each other’s buttons. The reader knows they’re meant to be together before they do. It’s kind of timeless, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, you’re right. And it reminds me of a simpler time—when all you had to worry about was following the rules of society. Right now, everything’s so scary. My father doesn’t even want us watching the news these days. I can’t believe they shot Dr. King.”
Being young was tough in 1968. It seemed like being in your twenties was a crime in itself—especially if you wanted to speak out against the war. My oldest brother was serving and my mother hadn’t slept well in months. My younger brother had threatened to move to Canada if his number came up in the lottery.
"I know," Max said. "Killing a man who only preached about peace and equality. You have to be a real scumbag to see someone like that as a threat. And now the DNC is being held here in August. I don't even want to think about how bad that might get."
“Maybe RFK can turn things around—if he wins the nomination, that is.”
“I sure hope so.”
We walked in silence as cars whizzed by and buses honked. A group of boys played stickball in the alley, laughing as the ball bounced between the two brick buildings. I decided to change the subject. Even though life around us was scary and uncertain, I wanted to hold on to the innocence of our afternoon, to learn as much about Max as I could.
“What’s your favorite instrument to play?”
“Guitar, for sure. I sing, too.”
“Of course, you do,” I said, shaking my head with a laugh.
He tilted his head to the side before pushing his hair behind his ears. “What do you mean?”
“You just seem so talented. You play almost every instrument, you sing, you teach. One day you’ll probably write a book, too. And I just run the switchboard at a department store.”
“I can’t knit…or sew,” he said with raised eyebrows. “Know anyone who can do that?”
“I bet you could if you tried,” I teased.
“Nah,” he shook his head. “I’m not that skilled.”
“Sure,” I scoffed.
“You know, Jeanne, you sell yourself short.”
“How do you mean?”
“You’re funny and charming and creative. And, you’re just…well, you’re the most far out girl I’ve ever met.”
I was stunned and I swear my heart skipped a beat. “I am?”
“By far.” His expression was so genuine, so earnest. With raised eyebrows and a furrowed brow, I knew he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. And I’m pretty sure that was the moment that I fell for him. I fell for Max’s impassioned words and his honest heart.
“So, don’t sell yourself short, okay?”
I wanted to kiss him, I wanted to place both of my hands on his cheeks and kiss his handsome, thin lips. But I couldn’t do it. Instead, I stared at him in awe before whispering, “I’ll try not to.”
“Good.” He said with a decisive nod.
We slowed our pace as we walked the last block to my apartment. With each passing front stoop, we showed our steps just a little bit more until we were walking at a snail’s pace.
“How long have you been working at Field’s?” He asked.
“Two years. I’m hoping to work my way up.” I paused. “And you? Do you teach music?”
“Every so often. But, most of the time I work for my uncle. He runs a binder company on Fulton. He’s trying to get me into sales, but I’m not sure that’s what I want to do. Not a very creative gig, you know?”
"Yeah, seems a little too 'cookie-cutter' for you."
Max stopped and nodded, looking up at the sky. “Wow.”
“What is it?”
Did I say something wrong?
“I mean, my parents have known me my entire life, and I can’t seem to explain that to them, but you…you just get it. It’s like you get me.”
“I think you get me, too.” I swallowed hard, feeling butterflies swarm my belly. Tension rose between us as we stood in silence. I tried to think of something, anything to say. “I bet you’re a great music teacher.”
“I do give private lessons every once in a while. Friends of the family, mostly.”
“Kids or adults?”
"Kids are much more fun. They're usually pretty excited to learn." Max stopped and reached into his back pocket. "I have a gig tomorrow night. Maybe you can come by?"
He placed a flyer in my hand.
MAX FRATE PERFORMING
“Max Frate?”
He nodded. “Stage name.”
“I like it. It’s kind of a play on words, right?”
“Exactly! So, will you come?” He asked. “It’s not a huge venue, but you’d get to hear me play. It’s an acoustic set, just me and my guitar.”
"I wouldn't miss it, Max," I said, tucking the flyer into my purse. Max breathed a heavy sigh, and I knew he had been wanting to ask me that for a while.
“Jeanne, there’s something I should tell you.”
I braced myself for some sort of heartbreaking secret. A girlfriend? A secret identity? "Okay," I said, swallowing hard.
“I won’t be on the bus anymore. And there’s a reason why.”
What on earth? Was he sick? Dying? Drafted? Would he be shipped out to Vietnam and I’d never see him again?
“Why not?” I asked, trying to hide my disappointment.
“A week or so ago, I had a music lesson near here. The stop after yours, in fact.”
“Um, okay.” I furrowed my brow, trying to put these puzzle pieces together, unsure of why he was telling me about a music lesson.
“The boy decided he didn’t want to take guitar after-all. But, that’s neither here nor there.”
“Max, I don’t understand.”
“I live way across town. I take the “L” home.”
“Wait, you usually take the train?”
“Yeah.”
“I still don’t understand.”