Disco Fries
Crappy Car
“No no no.... not now... please” I thought as my 1992 Honda clunks down the side of the road.
“CA CHHHHHHHH”
“Seriously?!” My car was dead and was probably broken for good “How am I supposed to pay for a new car with a teachers salary?”
I whipped out my phone and checked the time: 9:32 pm. I looked around “I know this is New Jersey, but where the hell am I?” The only thing I could see on this dark side road was a flickering street light. I dialed my roadside assistance to see if they can come. A grungy male voice answered, and he almost sounded a little tipsy.
“Hi, this is Elizabeth Hulbert and i’m stuck on a side road off route 22, what is the fastest you can come?”
“Well hey sugar” mumbled a deep southern accident “I’m sorry honey bear but all our trucks are out, so a four hour wait. But don’t worry, i’ll keep you company.”
“Ugh.” I pressed end on my phone, leaning on the car door, I leaned in the window to grab a stack of papers. “Might as well grade some papers.”
I sat there for a good 40 minutes, cold on a damp New Jersey night in October, before one of the many passing cars pulled up right behind my super embarrassing car. As the car got closer, I saw my dream car, a BMW, sleek, black exterior, and amazing. My father has been a cop for the past 50 years, and I knew he would be so disappointed if I threw his advice of “never talk to strangers”, that he has told me ever since I was 13, out the window. I was actually about to call him until a black suit and a full head of blonde hair strutted out of the car. As this mystery man got closer, I got a good look- a very good look. He was tall, blonde, blue-eyed, gorgeous.
“Hey are you okay?” He asked. His voice was deep, warm, and inviting.
“Yeah..er...no” I stuttered in almost a mouse like voice.
Without asking he walked with confidence over to the hood of my Honda- without asking and I can’t help but get another glance of him. He was wearing a well fit suit, navy with a checkered dress shirt on underneath. His hair was wet, a drop landed on the now open hood onto the smoking engine making it steam even more. It almost seemed like one of those stupid commercials for perfume, but only he was real.
“Well your engine is shot and there is no way to be fixed.” He spoke suddenly, almost annoyed. “Sorry, my dad owned an auto-body shop back in Oklahoma and I hated when I couldn’t fix a car. I would jump you if I could, but I don't think there is a good chance of that working.” He flashed a giant smile, too white it looked fake.
“I’m Elizabeth and thanks for trying to help but the roadside towing people will be here in about 4 hours so I think i’ll be fine.” I stretched out my thin and very pale hand to his tan and very, very strong hand, and shook it.
The man looked like he was thinking about something.
“Elizabeth, do you live around here, like in New Jersey?” He smiled
“Yeah, why?” I answered cautiously .
“I will drive you home.”
I laughed so hard- how could a man who just met me ever want to drive me? “I don’t even know you! How do I know your not gonna take me to a secret lair and kidnap me?”
“Haha! Don’t worry, I’m Jon. Jon Merill, I just moved to New Jersey from Oklahoma and want to discover New Jersey with a real Jersean. Please, you can even have 911 on speed dial if you want!” He almost screamed, giddily.
Not going to lie, I contemplated. He is hot. Very hot. How could i pass this up? Then again, I don’t know him. You know what Liz, you have missed too many adventures, you’re not missing another one.
“Fine, home. No where else.” I still had a huge stack of papers to grade, promising the kids they would have it back on Monday, and it was already Saturday.
I reached in my now dead car, grabbed my brown and navy Longchamp purse, my keys, and the huge stack of un-graded papers and strolled over to Jon’s luxury car. The inside was pristine. No coffee stains or pen marks, unlike my hand-me-down car. It almost looked like no one has driven it. I was still admiring the all-black leather until I heard a loud grumble who is now fixated on the radio.
“You hungry?” I asked with a small laugh
“Actually I am, any good places around here? Your from here, shouldn't you know?”
“Well there is the diner-”
“Diner?”
“Did you not have them in Oklahoma?” I laughed, not really thinking. I grew up in NJ my whole life, and automatically assumed everyone has eaten their weight at least once in a diner.
“Actually no, but I have heard of them! Is there one around here?”
“Yeah theres the Scotchwood right down the street, if you like grease then it’s the place for you.”
“Will you accompany me? Please? I don't want to be that loser in a diner alone in a state he has been in for like 2 months.”
Before I could even think, a “yes” escapes your mouth and the car is racing down the street. I was so hungry,all I had eaten that day was a Clif bar and a smoothie, and I could definatley go for some disco fries, a New Jersey tradition. What could go wrong? I thought with a small smile creeping around my face.
“So Jon, before I stuff my place with fries in my mouth in front of you, I think I should know a little more about you.”
“Well, I’m a hockey player for the Devils, well the Albany ones for now, but coach thinks I could be on the team in a matter of two years!” I could hear the excitement tracing through his deep voice, almost sounding like my niece, Charlotte, on christmas morning.
My heart skipped a beat when I heard him say hockey. I'm not a puck bunny or anything, in fact, another teacher at my high school I teach at has gotten my attention, but I had always loved the Devils. Growing up, my dad and I had season tickets, and almost never missed a game. I still watched the Devils but I am not as obsessed as I used to be, and I kinda missed it.
“Anyway,” he began “I grew up in Oklahoma, not really a hockey playing place, and went to college in Michigan. I moved here about a month ago, and all I have seen here is the locker room in Albany and the Pizza delivery man coming to my door. So, Elizabeth, what is your story?”
Still getting over the jokes he said I started, not wanting to compare my boring life to an NHL (almost) player. “I grew up here-take a left- ran track, went to school in Ohio, got my degree in history and now i’m a history teacher for 9th grade.”
“There must be something else! What a boring lif- Oh gosh, i’m sorry, i didn’t mean that, but there must be something else- no boyfriend, no secret side job?”
I looked down at my American Eagle jeans and my favorite navy and white floral top realizing that my life was actually very boring. I also realized that he asked me about my non-existent boyfriend and I almost fainted.
“Haha, no not really. Here’s the Scotchwood pull in here” A giggle escaped my mouth because I was so excited to eat, embarrassed, I slid out of the BMW.
To me, the Scotchwood was home. The smell of greasy fries, the Greek men that owned the restaurant, and the middle aged waitresses that knew me since I was born 24 years ago welcomed me and Jon when we walked in. As I settled into my favorite booth, my normal waitress, Susan, walked over to us with glasses of water.”
“Oh hey Liz will you be having your usual disco - oh gosh, hi sunny” Susan stated as she stared at Jon’s now dry hair “Will you be having the same?”
“Uh..” Jon mumbled as he fumbled with his menu. Did I mention that diner menus are about 10 pages?
“Susan, we will take two disco fries and two coffees please”
“Sure thing Liz” Susan almost whispered as she stared at Jon.
“Do you get that a a lot?” You asked Jon
“Haha, yeah, I guess but I have eyes for someone else” He blushed as you look down at your lap. Im so stupid! Look at him, he probably has a girlfriend waiting for him back at his place! How could a guy like this fall for a girl like me? Snap out of it Liz! I looked up to see Jon smiling at me and Susan setting down coffees and disco fries.
“So Elizabeth what are disco fries anyway?” He asked not seeming to care as he stuffed his face with fries, moaning about how it "tasted like angels"
“They are fries covered in melted cheese with gravy poured on top.”
“These are the best things ever! I love New Jersey!”
“Well you haven’t even had real Italian food yet!”
From 10 to 1 in the morning, we sat in that booth talking about our lives. Our dreams, family, and our past relationships (my few). While doing that I noticed Jon had eaten 2 and a half plates of disco fries and two cups of coffee. He had also ordered two plates for his apartment which I learned from talking with him so long, was only a town over from mine.
On the drive home I reached down to his to-go boxes and without him knowing, wrote my name down with my phone number. As he thanked me for the night and told me that I might be able to get your car fixed if I take it to the right place, I can’t help but think that he might call me! I thanked him for the night and he dropped me off at my drab- gray and white- apartment building and gave me a flirty, well I thought flirty, wave from his car to my door.
I walked into my small apartment, realizing that like my life, it was boring! I wanted to go with elegance, black and white, but it came out bland. Disappointed with my whole entire life I got in the shower.
Damn it Liz! He is not gonna call you! Why did I write his number? I'm like two years older than him, ugh. I'm so stupid. He is only gonna think I did it for his profession when I didn't! Whatever, theres that new math teacher, he's kinda cute, I guess I could go for him...
I stepped out of the shower and into my bedroom to slip into my purple flannel pajamas and a v neck t shirt. Putting my dirty blonde hair into a braid behind my back, I thought I heard a buzz. No, I was sure I heard a buzz. I practically sprinted to my iPhone, and there it was. A text from Jon.
Jon: This surprise is even better than the disco fries which is pretty hard to beat
Elizabeth: Glad I can help! Enjoy the Scotchwood, it is amazing.
Jon: So... got any good places for dinner because I have a beautiful history teacher with a pretty boring life that I would love to take out to eat
And I thought my life was boring?
“CA CHHHHHHHH”
“Seriously?!” My car was dead and was probably broken for good “How am I supposed to pay for a new car with a teachers salary?”
I whipped out my phone and checked the time: 9:32 pm. I looked around “I know this is New Jersey, but where the hell am I?” The only thing I could see on this dark side road was a flickering street light. I dialed my roadside assistance to see if they can come. A grungy male voice answered, and he almost sounded a little tipsy.
“Hi, this is Elizabeth Hulbert and i’m stuck on a side road off route 22, what is the fastest you can come?”
“Well hey sugar” mumbled a deep southern accident “I’m sorry honey bear but all our trucks are out, so a four hour wait. But don’t worry, i’ll keep you company.”
“Ugh.” I pressed end on my phone, leaning on the car door, I leaned in the window to grab a stack of papers. “Might as well grade some papers.”
I sat there for a good 40 minutes, cold on a damp New Jersey night in October, before one of the many passing cars pulled up right behind my super embarrassing car. As the car got closer, I saw my dream car, a BMW, sleek, black exterior, and amazing. My father has been a cop for the past 50 years, and I knew he would be so disappointed if I threw his advice of “never talk to strangers”, that he has told me ever since I was 13, out the window. I was actually about to call him until a black suit and a full head of blonde hair strutted out of the car. As this mystery man got closer, I got a good look- a very good look. He was tall, blonde, blue-eyed, gorgeous.
“Hey are you okay?” He asked. His voice was deep, warm, and inviting.
“Yeah..er...no” I stuttered in almost a mouse like voice.
Without asking he walked with confidence over to the hood of my Honda- without asking and I can’t help but get another glance of him. He was wearing a well fit suit, navy with a checkered dress shirt on underneath. His hair was wet, a drop landed on the now open hood onto the smoking engine making it steam even more. It almost seemed like one of those stupid commercials for perfume, but only he was real.
“Well your engine is shot and there is no way to be fixed.” He spoke suddenly, almost annoyed. “Sorry, my dad owned an auto-body shop back in Oklahoma and I hated when I couldn’t fix a car. I would jump you if I could, but I don't think there is a good chance of that working.” He flashed a giant smile, too white it looked fake.
“I’m Elizabeth and thanks for trying to help but the roadside towing people will be here in about 4 hours so I think i’ll be fine.” I stretched out my thin and very pale hand to his tan and very, very strong hand, and shook it.
The man looked like he was thinking about something.
“Elizabeth, do you live around here, like in New Jersey?” He smiled
“Yeah, why?” I answered cautiously .
“I will drive you home.”
I laughed so hard- how could a man who just met me ever want to drive me? “I don’t even know you! How do I know your not gonna take me to a secret lair and kidnap me?”
“Haha! Don’t worry, I’m Jon. Jon Merill, I just moved to New Jersey from Oklahoma and want to discover New Jersey with a real Jersean. Please, you can even have 911 on speed dial if you want!” He almost screamed, giddily.
Not going to lie, I contemplated. He is hot. Very hot. How could i pass this up? Then again, I don’t know him. You know what Liz, you have missed too many adventures, you’re not missing another one.
“Fine, home. No where else.” I still had a huge stack of papers to grade, promising the kids they would have it back on Monday, and it was already Saturday.
I reached in my now dead car, grabbed my brown and navy Longchamp purse, my keys, and the huge stack of un-graded papers and strolled over to Jon’s luxury car. The inside was pristine. No coffee stains or pen marks, unlike my hand-me-down car. It almost looked like no one has driven it. I was still admiring the all-black leather until I heard a loud grumble who is now fixated on the radio.
“You hungry?” I asked with a small laugh
“Actually I am, any good places around here? Your from here, shouldn't you know?”
“Well there is the diner-”
“Diner?”
“Did you not have them in Oklahoma?” I laughed, not really thinking. I grew up in NJ my whole life, and automatically assumed everyone has eaten their weight at least once in a diner.
“Actually no, but I have heard of them! Is there one around here?”
“Yeah theres the Scotchwood right down the street, if you like grease then it’s the place for you.”
“Will you accompany me? Please? I don't want to be that loser in a diner alone in a state he has been in for like 2 months.”
Before I could even think, a “yes” escapes your mouth and the car is racing down the street. I was so hungry,all I had eaten that day was a Clif bar and a smoothie, and I could definatley go for some disco fries, a New Jersey tradition. What could go wrong? I thought with a small smile creeping around my face.
“So Jon, before I stuff my place with fries in my mouth in front of you, I think I should know a little more about you.”
“Well, I’m a hockey player for the Devils, well the Albany ones for now, but coach thinks I could be on the team in a matter of two years!” I could hear the excitement tracing through his deep voice, almost sounding like my niece, Charlotte, on christmas morning.
My heart skipped a beat when I heard him say hockey. I'm not a puck bunny or anything, in fact, another teacher at my high school I teach at has gotten my attention, but I had always loved the Devils. Growing up, my dad and I had season tickets, and almost never missed a game. I still watched the Devils but I am not as obsessed as I used to be, and I kinda missed it.
“Anyway,” he began “I grew up in Oklahoma, not really a hockey playing place, and went to college in Michigan. I moved here about a month ago, and all I have seen here is the locker room in Albany and the Pizza delivery man coming to my door. So, Elizabeth, what is your story?”
Still getting over the jokes he said I started, not wanting to compare my boring life to an NHL (almost) player. “I grew up here-take a left- ran track, went to school in Ohio, got my degree in history and now i’m a history teacher for 9th grade.”
“There must be something else! What a boring lif- Oh gosh, i’m sorry, i didn’t mean that, but there must be something else- no boyfriend, no secret side job?”
I looked down at my American Eagle jeans and my favorite navy and white floral top realizing that my life was actually very boring. I also realized that he asked me about my non-existent boyfriend and I almost fainted.
“Haha, no not really. Here’s the Scotchwood pull in here” A giggle escaped my mouth because I was so excited to eat, embarrassed, I slid out of the BMW.
To me, the Scotchwood was home. The smell of greasy fries, the Greek men that owned the restaurant, and the middle aged waitresses that knew me since I was born 24 years ago welcomed me and Jon when we walked in. As I settled into my favorite booth, my normal waitress, Susan, walked over to us with glasses of water.”
“Oh hey Liz will you be having your usual disco - oh gosh, hi sunny” Susan stated as she stared at Jon’s now dry hair “Will you be having the same?”
“Uh..” Jon mumbled as he fumbled with his menu. Did I mention that diner menus are about 10 pages?
“Susan, we will take two disco fries and two coffees please”
“Sure thing Liz” Susan almost whispered as she stared at Jon.
“Do you get that a a lot?” You asked Jon
“Haha, yeah, I guess but I have eyes for someone else” He blushed as you look down at your lap. Im so stupid! Look at him, he probably has a girlfriend waiting for him back at his place! How could a guy like this fall for a girl like me? Snap out of it Liz! I looked up to see Jon smiling at me and Susan setting down coffees and disco fries.
“So Elizabeth what are disco fries anyway?” He asked not seeming to care as he stuffed his face with fries, moaning about how it "tasted like angels"
“They are fries covered in melted cheese with gravy poured on top.”
“These are the best things ever! I love New Jersey!”
“Well you haven’t even had real Italian food yet!”
From 10 to 1 in the morning, we sat in that booth talking about our lives. Our dreams, family, and our past relationships (my few). While doing that I noticed Jon had eaten 2 and a half plates of disco fries and two cups of coffee. He had also ordered two plates for his apartment which I learned from talking with him so long, was only a town over from mine.
On the drive home I reached down to his to-go boxes and without him knowing, wrote my name down with my phone number. As he thanked me for the night and told me that I might be able to get your car fixed if I take it to the right place, I can’t help but think that he might call me! I thanked him for the night and he dropped me off at my drab- gray and white- apartment building and gave me a flirty, well I thought flirty, wave from his car to my door.
I walked into my small apartment, realizing that like my life, it was boring! I wanted to go with elegance, black and white, but it came out bland. Disappointed with my whole entire life I got in the shower.
Damn it Liz! He is not gonna call you! Why did I write his number? I'm like two years older than him, ugh. I'm so stupid. He is only gonna think I did it for his profession when I didn't! Whatever, theres that new math teacher, he's kinda cute, I guess I could go for him...
I stepped out of the shower and into my bedroom to slip into my purple flannel pajamas and a v neck t shirt. Putting my dirty blonde hair into a braid behind my back, I thought I heard a buzz. No, I was sure I heard a buzz. I practically sprinted to my iPhone, and there it was. A text from Jon.
Jon: This surprise is even better than the disco fries which is pretty hard to beat
Elizabeth: Glad I can help! Enjoy the Scotchwood, it is amazing.
Jon: So... got any good places for dinner because I have a beautiful history teacher with a pretty boring life that I would love to take out to eat
And I thought my life was boring?
Notes
Thank you so much for reading! Love this story so far, hope you do too!
IF YOU ARE READING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME:::: i apologize for the cramped words, i finally fixed them but not until chapter 5 so please give it a chance, much easier to read chapter 5 and forward!!!! Thank you so much :)
Soo good can't wait for the next update!!! :)
8/28/14