The Real

Cup Twenty

I ran my finger down the delicate petal of the lily that waited for me and mouthed a “thank you” to Cameron. He bit his lip and winked. My thoughts strayed as I entertained the idea of his teeth on my own lip.

Cameron’s Mac: What are you thinking?

Abbie’s Mac: What was it like growing up in Niagara Falls? I’ve never been.

Cameron’s Mac: That is SO not what you were thinking.

I pressed my lips together.

Cameron’s Mac: Uneventful. I actually grew up just outside, but it’s easier just to tell people Niagara. Small town, everyone knows everyone type of thing. The falls themselves were pretty cool. I mean, you can only see it so many times before it becomes nothing special. And you don’t want to ever overlook anything that beautiful. It was my own fault. I got my first job there when I was sixteen. I helped with events and worked at a gift shop. But I fucking hated it. I’m not a fan of thunderstorms or the rain because of it.

Abbie’s Mac: That’s criminal. I love the rain and thunderstorms.

Cameron’s Mac: Yeah, well, everyone does if they’re inside, dry and warm, not getting pounded by two different types of precipitation.

Abbie’s Mac: I’m going to change your mind about that. I’ll make you appreciate the rain again.

Cameron’s Mac: Not possible.

Abbie’s Mac: It’s a promise.

Cameron’s Mac: No promises you can’t realistically keep, remember?

Abbie’s Mac: It’s good that you’re paying attention, but I’m willing to bet I can sway you. What’s the worst thing that has ever happened to you?

Cameron’s eyes met mine briefly before he typed.

Cameron’s Mac: My mother died almost five years ago. She beat cancer years before and then it came back and ate her alive. It was too abrupt. I’m still not over it.

Abbie’s Mac: I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine losing my mother. That was kind of a deep question for cup one, wasn’t it?

Cameron’s Mac: It’s fine. I love talking about her. She was so incredible. I was an only child and we were close. When I decided to move here, she uprooted my dad from New York just to be near me. I can’t say I haven’t lived a charmed life.

Abbie’s Mac: Same here. My mom is my hero. She’s an amazing photojournalist and still managed to be there when it mattered. My dad is so supportive of her. He never minded taking a backseat to her career. He was the one who was always taking me to school and cooking dinner when she traveled. He even tried to sew my costume together for a play once. It was a total disaster. It was called The Harvest Moon and my only job was to make the switch from a pumpkin to a jack o’ lantern. All I had to do was twist my costume around on cue. I ended up flashing my strawberry-covered panties on stage to the entire fourth grade.

His deep chuckle had every hair on my body standing on end. We were the last two in the café and had been there for hours. I knew it was almost closing time but ignored the clock to savor every minute with him.

Cameron’s Mac: I would love to have seen that.

Abbie’s Mac: It was recorded. And you will never see it. It wasn’t my dad’s fault I did my first striptease in grade school. I love him for his efforts. How about you? Are you close with your dad?

Cameron’s Mac: We have a decent relationship. He would have moved back home if we hadn’t buried Mom here. I think he stays mostly because of that fact. I don’t see him as much as I should. Christmas is weird now. It’s like we’re trying too hard to get back something we can’t have.

Abbie’s Mac: I’m sorry. But I’m glad you told me.

Cameron’s Mac: I told you because I wanted to. Because I want you to know me.

Another long minute of staring. Dire need raced through me, and I could feel it emanating from him. It was equal amounts pleasure and torture, and I was sure he could see the longing in my eyes. But he didn’t press. He never pressed, which was both fascinating and frustrating. I couldn’t help but be happy he hadn’t gone there. Yet, at the same time, I was hoping he would.

Cameron’s Mac: I could have told you about the time I almost made out with a man.

My eyes bulged as he began typing.

Cameron’s Mac: Yeah. I was drunk at a club and Max pulled me away by my collar and saved me years of therapy.

Abbie’s Mac: You and Max seem close. He sounds like good people.