Parker Gabrielle Marques

Gabrielle Marques

I take a deep breath, trying to submerge myself in the spicy scent of my latte. Its warm aroma settles in the air, mixing in with the coffee shop’s gentle ambience. The foam of the coffee is light, but fluffy, and its overwhelmingly sweet flavor allows me to indulge. For a new shop, this place already makes me feel at home. They’ll be seeing me here more often. Besides, I just know Parker would love this place. I should probably bring something home to him, considering how he always goes on about how he wanted to visit all the cafés in our little town. I place an order for an iced americano and a scone, and read a few pages of a new novel, Fractured Reality. It’s from an author that I really like, and the story is about a girl who’s trapped in a false world and struggles to find her true identity. I can’t seem to take the plot seriously. I mean, who could be stupid enough to lose her reality? After a few minutes, the barista delivers Parker’s latte directly to my seat rather than having me get up to receive it from the pick-up station. “Oh, you didn’t have to do that,” I say. He smiles. “It’s not a problem. Besides, I was hoping to talk to you over here.”

“And why is that?” His face turns red. “Uh, it’s just that I think you’re really pretty and I wanted to ask for your number?” I smile at him politely. Sure enough, he’s cute. His chestnut brown hair is swept back under his little barista beret and he has some stubble on his chin. However, he’s nothing compared to Parker.

“Sorry, I have a boyfriend.” I say. His facial expression turns to one of complete embarrassment, and I struggle to keep in my laughter. He mumbles an apology and leaves without another word. I’m definitely going to tell Parker about this.

It’s so cute to watch him get jealous. His brow furrows and he makes this adorable little pouting face, and the only thing that makes him happy again is a big kiss on the cheek from me. I’m going to give him one once I get home. I get up from my seat and walk outside, feeling the crisp autumn air on my face. I wince a little bit. I don’t like feeling cold. Cold invites intrusive thoughts. I suddenly feel like I’m forgetting something bad. It tugs at my heart a little bit, and I shake my head, trying to clear out the clouds that invade my mind. Parker doesn’t like when I come home in a bad mood. It makes him feel like it’s his fault. I remember a few months ago, when I was fired from my job because I was lying about my work hours to get paid overtime. I tried to explain to my boss that it wasn’t done out of selfish intention, that we desperately needed it, but he didn’t want to hear my “excuses.” As soon as I walked through the door that day, Parker sensed my frustrations and my hurt, even after I tried to contain my tears so he wouldn’t get worried. And when I told him about what happened, he threatened to go up to my boss and beat him up until I got my job back. The thought of tiny little Parker fighting my giant and buff boss always brought back a fond smile. Parker always knows exactly what to say. I chuckle at the memory, adjusting my scarf. Now, I feel a little bit warmer. As I continue home, I contemplate the number of times I could possibly tell Parker I love him.

Around the corner of Cashmore Street, I encounter a candle shop. I was going to walk by, but I detect a strong scent coming from the inside. It’s Parker’s favorite smell.

One day, the two of us went to the Renaissance Faire, and in every little store, we found something Cherry Almond scented. If you think about it, Cherry Almond is literally the epitome of all flavors. The perfect combo of warm sweet and cool sweet. We made a joke about it, and suddenly we were racing to buy everything Cherry Almond.

The two of us walked out of the Faire holding several bags of candles, soaps, the like. It had become “our thing.” To say the least, our parents were disappointed. How long ago was that? It was in high school. Before we fell in love? I giggle at my stupidity. We fell in love much before high school, much before the world put us together on that fateful winter day in the first grade. We’ve been in love since the beginning of time, our passion for each other intertwining with history and going beyond all human recollection. Anniversaries don’t matter to us, because our love transcends the measly sands of time. I take note of the candle shop’s name for Parker, writing it down in the banks of my memory. Eternally Ours. Suddenly, one of my old high school friends texts me. Hey! This is Carmen! I just wanna check in, considering all that’s well...happened. Just know that I’m here if you need anything, ok? I sigh in frustration. I don’t know why everyone is so concerned for me. As if I’m not a rational adult and can’t take care of myself. It’s not like someone died. They’ve been treating me like this since I told them I didn’t want to study astronomy anymore. “Is it because of Parker?” Carmen asked. I stopped talking to Carmen that day. She was the first of many people I’ve dropped. Not everyone, but anyone who told me it was a lost cause, saying I shouldn’t leave my dreams behind for “some guy.” I guess I understand where they’re coming from, though. They haven’t experienced what it’s like to love someone. To have a shelter keeping you safe from the torrential rains of life. When you have that, you don’t need dreams or passions. Everything I could ever want lies in Parker.

I finally turn the corner and reach our apartment. I was actually concerned about moving out because I thought we’d struggle to find a good place, but Parker pulled through, like he always does. He found a sweet little condo, with a reasonable price and friendly neighbors. Although I don’t see many of them

anymore. The funny thing is, I can feel them watching me as I walk up the stairs or go up the elevator. They eye me from across the hall, whispering to each other like a circle with me in the middle. I don’t know why they’re so scared of me. It’s not like I bite. I finally open the door, expecting a warm bear hug from my precious Parker. Instead, the inside is cold and dead. And sitting on my couch--Parker’s and my couch--is the stony face of my mother. I scowl. She tends to bother me and Parker once every few months or so because she had wanted me to marry someone else. It doesn’t help that Parker and I have yet to “tie the knot,” so she likes to drop by and pester me about leaving him. I’m not scared or anything; it’s just surprising Parker hasn’t yet kicked her out. “What are you doing here?” I ask. My mom senses my rising annoyance, and her body tenses. “I’m just here to discuss moving arrangements.” “Moving arrangements? Why do we need to move?” “We?”

“Me and Parker, of course.” My mother pauses. She scans my face, maybe looking for the remnants of our broken relationship. She’s not gonna find that here, I’m afraid. Whatever good parts of our relationship were destroyed years ago, since the night Dad left. My patience runs thin. “I’m done with this nonsense. Where’s Parker? He’ll tell you, we’re not moving.” I say. My mom still looks at me in silence, trying to formulate words. She finally says something. “Honey, are you alright?” It’s my turn to fall silent. What is she getting at? “Yes, I’m fine! Why do you not want me to go get Parker?! Nevermind, I’ll just call him.” I say. I begin to dial his number and put the phone to my ear, but my mom gently places her hand on the phone and lowers it.

“What is your problem, Mom?!” “It’s just…” “Just what?!”

“You seem to be forgetting something.” “Forgetting WHAT?!” “You know…”

“No, I don’t know, mom! So how about instead of hiding everything like you’ve been doing for the past ten years, just spit it out!”

Silence. I really want a hug from Parker right now. He’d find a way to ask my mom to leave, and we’d watch a movie, and everything would be ok.