Way to Go by Tom Ryan Read Free Book Online Page A

to the pan, tossed in white wine, cream and some cooked pasta. Before we knew it, he was filling our plates, topping them with ground pepper and sliding them across the stainless steel counter toward us.
    I took a bite, and for a moment all I was aware of was the food. It was like nothing I’d ever tasted—rich and smooth and absolutely delicious. For a few minutes, there was complete silence as we devoured the pasta.
    Lisa let out a deep and satisfied sigh and said, “Aren’t you going to eat anything, JP?” He waved her off.
    â€œYou’ll soon realize that JP survives on cigarettes and red wine,” said Denise. “Now why don’t you kids get out of here? Tomorrow’s a big day. You should go home and try to get some sleep.” I started to gather up the dishes and take them over to the sink to wash, but she stopped me. “Don’t worry about it, Dan. JP and I will finish cleaning up. Lisa, can you give Danny a ride home?”
    â€œSure.”
    I’d been hoping something like this would happen. Until now, Denise had driven me home every night after work. Maybe some time alone with Lisa would help me figure out what she really thought of me.
    In the parking lot, as Lisa rummaged around in her bag for her keys, I could hear Denise and JP laughing on the deck. The faint aroma of sweet-smelling smoke wafted toward us on the summer breeze.
    â€œIs that pot?” I asked, hoping I didn’t sound like a supernerd.
    â€œYeah, big surprise, eh? I bet those crazy old hippies couldn’t wait to get us out of there so they could blaze up. Aha!” She pulled the keys triumphantly out of her bag.
    I waited outside the car for a minute while she quickly threw tapes, books, makeup and clothes into the backseat.
    â€œSorry! I’ve been pretty much living out of this thing. Hop in.”
    â€œDid you drive this car all the way up from New York?” I asked as I wedged myself in amidst the clutter.
    â€œYou mean Old Bessie here? No way. I never would have made it all the way here in this piece of shit. It’s my aunt’s. This thing has been rusting out in her backyard for years. She’s letting me use it for the summer.”
    She turned the key, and the engine made a horrible grinding sound before finally turning over.
    â€œGood girl!” She patted the dashboard appreciatively.
    I gave her directions to my house, and she peeled out of the parking lot. I tried not to pay attention to the erratic clanging and rattling noises that seemed to come from all corners of the car.
    â€œMan,” I said as we headed out of town, “that pasta was delicious!”
    She shrugged. “Yeah, it was okay. JP is a decent chef. Definitely not the best I’ve worked with though.”
    Maybe she was right, but the meal JP had prepared was easily the best thing I’d ever eaten. I couldn’t wait to find out what else he could do in the kitchen.
    â€œSo,” she said, “tell me about your love life. Got your eyes on anyone special?”
    My heart fluttered. Was she asking just to be polite, or did she have deeper motives?
    â€œWha—me? No. I mean, I dated this girl, Michelle, for a while, but it didn’t really work out.”
    She nodded and kept driving.
    â€œHow about you?” I asked.
    â€œNope.” I waited for her to elaborate, but she didn’t say anything else.
    She pulled into the driveway.
    â€œHere ya go, sailor,” she said. “Big day tomorrow.”
    I turned to her and smiled, and she smiled back.
    For a brief moment, I imagined reaching over and putting my hand on her face, leaning in and kissing her. Maybe all I had to do was make one little move, and everything else would fall into place. Instead, I opened the door and jumped out of the car, and she pulled away with a short honk of her horn, her hand waving cheerfully out the window.
    I stood and watched as Old Bessie clattered away. What’s wrong