It's a little after eleven when I pull into the darkened parking lot on the east side of town. I pull into the emptier side, kill the engine, and hit the red button. I hunker down a little in my seat. Norah sighs audibly.
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I know I'm in trouble when I make eye contact with the carhop. It's that guy, the one who smirked when he handed me my drink last time and repeated the order- large cherry coke, easy on the cherry flavoring, two extra maraschino cherries, heavy on the ice but not too heavy- in that tone. Thank God I just got a large Dr. Pepper this time. Semi-extra ice.
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He stops just outside of my reach. Squints a little.
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Then he smirks. The cur.
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"Back again?"
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How did this happen? Usually I rotate between the three Sonics in town to avoid being judged. Did I miscalculate? Have I been making the rounds a little too fast recently? I settle for a politely confused look. -
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"Seen you quite a bit recently. I admire your brand commitment." -
And I, your roller skates. I laugh airily, while trying to kick the empty Sonic cup on the floor of my car under the passenger seat. "Not sure what you mean." I reach for my drinks.
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He shifts a half inch back. "Double cherry girl, right?"
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Wow. I hope that one doesn't stick. "Well, that was a, a long, you know, time ago- is that my-"
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"'Semi-extra ice?' I mean, who else could it be? Do you really like our ice, or what?"
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"Do you really like tips?"
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At this point Norah decides to intervene, probably because she's wondering where her cup of water (no ice, preferably room temperature) is. She sticks her head out the window. Blinks sleepily at the carhop. When he reaches out a hand to pet her, she ever so timidly licks his fingers.
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Game over. She even got her water upgraded to a large. If I'd shown him that trick where she raises her paw, he probably would have thrown in a bag of Sonic ice, gratis. But I am no opportunist.
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I can't wait to have babies.
