Gifts and Consequences by Daniel Coleman Read Free Book Online

sorry.  You already had other plans.”  The door had drifted open a few more inches and he had seen her dress.
    Lisa blushed deeply, and narrowed the opening.  She laughed, and said, “The one night in seventeen and a half years that I have plans and you decide to torment me.”
    “Oh, okay.”  He shuffled his feet on the sidewalk.  “You sure you can’t change your plans?  It’s gonna be unforgettable.”
    Lisa hung her head and shook it in frustration.  “It’ll be unforgettable, alright.”
    Nobody moved or spoke.
    “Just give it up, Charlie.  All I ever wanted was to be left alone.” 
    Charlie’s eyes shifted nervously, but he didn’t say anything.
    “Just leave me alone,” said Lisa in a whisper.  She started to close the door.
    “Okay.  Well, I’m sorry you’re having a rough time.  I hope your night gets better.”  He held out his hand and she recoiled.  He paused, then slid a flower through the narrow opening.  A white daisy. 
    Lisa looked at it, but it didn’t even occur to her that he was giving it to her until he said, “This is for you.”
    She stared at it.  It’s a trap , she thought.
    When she reached for it she’d get a shock and Charlie’s friends and Tyler would come out of their hiding places and laugh at her.  Or he would withdraw it or drop it on the ground just as she reached for it.  Or something.  It was always something.  That would never change.
    But Charlie would not be dissuaded.  Lisa had to either take the flower or close the door on it.
    I’ve got nothing to lose . 
    Lisa reached slowly for the daisy.  Charlie remained still.  She took the flower from his hand and leaned against the door to close it before the trap could spring.
    In the near-darkness Lisa stared at the flower in one hand and gun in the other.  The aroma of the flower rose to her nostrils and she heard Charlie’s shoes scuffing away.  And his words: “I’m sorry you’re having a rough time.”  More than anything his words.
    Lisa put the flower to her nose.  She didn’t smell the sweet fragrance of a flower.  She felt the shock of kindness.  For the first time in her life someone had treated her like she wasn’t worth nothing.  She couldn’t remember ever experiencing the warm, heavy sensation before.
    Outside, a car door closed.
    “Charlie!” she called as she cracked open the door.  The gravel parking lot stretched in front of her apartment; Charlie was sitting in his car straight in front of her door.
    He saw the door open and rolled down the window.  “Yeah,” he answered, sticking his head out the half-opened window. 
    “Do you…mean it?”  She thought, I’m sorry you’re having a rough time .
    “Yeah, of course I mean it.  I’ve got the tickets right here.”  He fumbled through his pockets. 
    “Can I have just a few minutes to get ready?”
    “Sure.”  He stepped out of the car and hurried toward the apartment.
    Lisa said, “It’ll just take a minute,” and closed the door, almost hitting him in the face.
    She put the gun back in the box on the top shelf of Buck’s closet, then checked her makeup in the bathroom mirror.  Even the minimal amount looked gaudy, but there was no time to fix it.  After pausing momentarily at her computer, Lisa opened the door and walked out with her head down and arms crossed over her noticeable chest.
    Charlie said, “You look great.  I’ve never seen you looking nice before.”  He quickly added, “I mean dressed up and stuff.”
    Lisa didn’t know if he was socially awkward or if she was as much of a reject as she always thought.  She clutched the flower in her hand.
    She tried not to shy away as he walked by her side and reached around her to open the car door.  She got inside but didn’t know if she should close it or let him do it.  Just as she reached for the door, Charlie shut it and jammed her finger on the handle. 
    “Oh shoot,” he said and opened the door.  “Are you alright?