Forbidden Fruit
It was around 6:30 in the morning when Ben woke up. He showered, shaved, and ironed his shirt. He got dressed with his usual white button up, dark blue bow tie, dark blue slacks, and a pair of dress shoes. He got in his car and drove to the bank. He had to open at 8 but he had some time. He went across the street to the cafe for a coffee.
"Good Morning Ben." Wendy said as the bell on the door rang when he walked in.
"Good Morning Wendy." He replied, walking over to the counter.
"What can I get you today?" She asked as she finished wiping down the counter for him to take a seat.
"Black coffee, and one of those amazing blueberry muffins." He complimented sitting at the counter.
"Will that be for here or to go?" She asked as she grabbed him a muffin out of the case and went to run him a cup of coffee. He checked his watch.
"I've got time, I might as well enjoy my breakfast here in your delightful company."
"Oh Ben stop." She swatted her hand at him, trying to cover her embarrassment.
"What? It's true, eating over here beats eating alone in that cold bank. Besides, I think your company is delightful."
"Right back at you." She said setting his coffee down before she went back to putting the rest of her baked goods in their respective cases. The two of them indulged in casual conversation until it was time for Ben to open the bank. He said his goodbyes and went over to the bank. Wendy watched him leave, and as the bell on the door rang when it closed she couldn't help but sigh. It was funny how he could feel so far away when only being across the street.
The day dragged on, slowly but surely. Ben's day was slow, he read most of that book and indulged in random tasks around the bank. Like rearranging the pamphlets, sweeping behind the counter, and moving the rugs around. He decided to go get some lunch. He went to the deli as usual and took part in some light conversation with Jesse's uncle before heading out. He had some time so he walked to the park.
As he walked around the park he couldn't help but find comfort in the fact that it was calm, and quiet. It was so still yet always moving in some way. Green Hills was small and qante, nothing more than a small dot on the map. Just a little town, full of little people. Each to their own, no particular purpose outside of their small, quaint town.
They were comfortable, at ease. They took comfort in knowing that everyday was the same, that everyone had followed their own routine. No one knew that the routine was to be broken, no one knew that their everyday lives would be disrupted, that waves of fear, dread, and anxiety washed over the town.
However, it was not yet time for that. There were still a few things going on that seemed to be more pressing. Across town on a quiet street, through a window with pink silk curtains a girl sat on her bed worried about nothing but the butterflies she got when she was around a certain someone. She would watch him through the window of the place he worked, but never dared go in. She had memorized his schedule so she could see him walking in the halls. She was completely consumed by her feelings for this boy.
She knew it was wrong but she couldn't help it. She was a child, atleast at heart she was. Now she was a 37 year old woman, still living the life of a child. A teacher in love with a student, at least she thought it was love. She had never actually experienced the feeling so she could only assume that when her palms got sweaty, and her heart began to race as the butterflies flew frantically inside her. She would lay on her bed and write about him in her diary. She would get nervous when they spoke to one another. She would make up scenarios in her head of all the things they would do when she finally confessed her feelings, and worst of all she got jealous when he gave attention to any one other than her. She had watched when he had first met Sofie, the way he looked at her, the way they spoke.
It made her angry, seeing the way he behaved when he was with her. It got worse when they started dating, the first time he kissed Sofie she felt this unbearable pain. It was the feeling of all the butterflies dying. Suddenly she was empty, and she couldn't even blame him, he was young and naive, so pure like a sheep without blemish. She couldn't blame him, but she could blame Sofie. She was the one who took her precious boy away from her. She seduced him because he didn't know any better, she was a harlot. No more than a conniving, manipulative snake, sucking the life out of the boy who was supposed to be hers. When word got around that they had broken up she was relieved but still worried about what she had done to him, what ways she had taken his innocence. Stripped him of his youth, beater her to what she had wanted all along. It ate at her night and day, but no matter how strong her desire grew she knew she couldn't get sloppy. If anyone found out not only would she never get to be with him, but she would lose contact completely. Being removed from her workplace, being exiled from the community. All things that could keep her away from him, none were worth it, at least not in her mind.