Chapter Seven: Rain at the Drive-in

‍ ‍A dim, lazy sort of thunder rumbled outside. Maddie glanced out the window in her bedroom and hoped for a storm that would wash out her not-a-date with Carlton. She wished she hadn’t agreed to go and nearly called to cancel at least a dozen times. No matter how often she told herself there was no reason to be such a wreck, she couldn’t settle down. But there was no turning back now. He’d be here any minute.

Maddie smoothed the crazy quilt on her bed and tried to distract herself. Her furniture had arrived, and she loved how nice and homey everything looked. She rearranged a few knickknacks on her new dresser. She wasn’t much for fancy perfumes, but she couldn’t resist old perfume atomizers and had picked out a few from the emporium. They reminded her of Bugs Bunny using one with an aspirin bottle to make a machine gun. Ridiculous, but Bugs always made her laugh. Atomizers also made her think of the classic movie stars who had shaped her sense of glamor—Greta Garbo, Merle Oberon, and Myrna Loy.

A favorite memory of watching an all-night Thin Man marathon with her parents during a blizzard when school was cancelled drifted through her mind. She just about could taste her dad’s special hot chocolate topped with peppermint marshmallows. But thoughts of the movies led her right back to the drive-in. Only seconds away now.

She had convinced herself that a romantic relationship with Carlton was impossible. There were so many reasons. She listed them on a legal pad late last night and left it on her new coffee table to remind herself. Lists were her friends. Lists were rational and practical and kept her out of trouble. She picked up the legal pad and studied it one more time.

1. Must avoid messy problems/distractions at work.

2. NO baseball player boyfriends! Remember the Archanghel!!

3. Manders Matter interview. Carlton let me get skewered. Not OK.

4. I suck at romance.

Maddie didn’t find that many men attractive and when she did, it never worked out. Know your limits, she told herself firmly. Most importantly, she was busting her butt to work her way back to Major League Baseball. No hardware store clerk with spectacular, muscular thighs was going to throw her off her game. The baseball gods had given them one perfect day. That was it. Don’t ask for more.

But if all this was true, why had she let Esme convince her to wear this cute little sundress? The fabric was a crisp, white cotton covered in clusters of cherries. It had a full skirt and a sweetheart neckline that Maddie thought looked a little fussy. But Esme described it as “fetching,” and Maddie gave in.

The window-unit air conditioner was humming away, fighting the humidity. The humidity worked in Maddie’s hair-favor, though. It curled soft tendrils around her slightly sunburned face. She hardly ever wore makeup. She applied a light foundation that was mostly sunscreen and some pale pink lip gloss and decided she was ready. While she appreciated Tilly’s intense instructions on hair styling, she didn't have the patience for that sort of thing.

Then Maddie’s phone pinged, telling her Carlton had arrived and was waiting outside. Adrenaline kicked in, and she grabbed a small purse shaped like a ladybug—another Esme find—and sprinted out the door. She felt oddly adolescent as she rushed to get out of the house without meeting her aunt.

Treat this as a business thing. Totally casual. Just breathe and relax.

Maddie didn’t know quite what she expected Carlton to drive, but it wasn’t a vintage Alfa Romeo convertible—top down—that sparkled even though the sky was overcast. Carlton waved, got out of the car, and opened the passenger door for her.

“I like your dress,” he said.

Maddie slid into the soft leather seat. Oh my God it felt luxurious. Yeah, this did not feel like a business meeting. Holy shit, what now? She felt a wild giddiness that she tried to squelch. Unsuccessfully.

“Well, I like your 2600 Spider,” she answered. “Wow! It’s about … a ‘63. Isn’t it?”

Carlton let out a low whistle. “You know vintage foreign cars?”

“My grandpa was a real gearhead and he loved Italian cars. Cool that you went with the Italian racing color. Gotta love that shade of red.”

“Rosso Corsa. What can I say? I’m a traditionalist.” Carlton climbed back into the driver’s seat and pulled on his seat belt. “I bet you were expecting a pickup truck.”

“Hey, I love pickup trucks! I wish I had one instead of that rickety golf cart. A pickup truck would’ve been excellent.” Maddie struggled to fasten her seat belt. Crap, her hands were shaking, and she couldn’t find the right slot for the metal insert. Carlton leaned over and helped her, sending goosebumps up her arm.

“I drive trucks most of the time around here. This car… It was from another life. But I still love it, and I can’t seem to give it up. Stupid really.”

“I don’t think it’s stupid to surround yourself with beauty and things you love.” Maddie thought about his phrase “another life” and wondered what Carlton thought about his own rise and fall from MLB.

“I bought this car with my signing bonus from the Red Sox. Back then I thought I could afford to be a collector, and it was a good investment. It needed some work when I found it.”

Maddie ran her hand along the luxurious leather dashboard. “Looks perfect now.”

“My dad’s a gearhead, too. We rebuilt it together in the off-season. Before things went south for me. It was a good time. Hopeful.”

“So, it’s gorgeous and sentimental. Good combination.” The conversation was headed to deeper emotional territory, and Maddie made a sharp turn back toward the superficial. “And it’s a great car for the drive-in! I’ll feel like Margot Robbie arriving in this thing.”

Carlton pulled out of the driveway, and the car practically purred as it cruised down the highway. A cooling breeze brushed Maddie’s face and mussed her hair. She had never been driven in a convertible before, and she felt a fizzy sense of freedom and fun. Here she was—sitting next to the man with whom she’d had the most romantic date in her life. They still hadn’t discussed that night, but he wanted to. She knew that for sure, and she had waited years for years for this opportunity. What was stopping her? The words she’d wanted to say for so long pushed their way out in a chaotic rush.

“Carlton—I’m so, so sorry about the Red Line at Addison. It was all my fault. I have felt like a complete idiot literally every day since. I tried to find you that night. Looked everywhere in Wrigleyville. I honestly can’t express how bad I felt. How bad I still feel. That was the best day, and I blew it. I’ve been practicing these apologies to you for three years and fuck it—I’m sorry. They never get any better. I never find the right words to say. I ruined everything. It’s what I do. All the time. With anything romantic, and lately with my career, too. That’s disturbing because I usually kill at work. But… I understand if you’re pissed at me. I’m pissed at myself and… Ugh! I don’t know what I'm saying anymore."

Carlton swerved the car off the road and screeched to a stop under a weeping willow tree. “Whoa! Slow down Maddie, Jesus!” He ran his fingers through his hair and blew out a breath “We’re not even at the movie yet. Do you have any other speed besides light speed?”

“Just tell me—Did you look for me that night in Chicago? Wait no. If you didn’t, I don’t want to know. I don’t know what I want.” Maddie nervously smoothed down the front of her skirt, taking a deep breath. “Take me back home. Please? I’m a mess.”

“Would you let me get in a word?” Carlton brushed Maddie’s windblown hair off her face. “I wanted to have this conversation with you, I promise. But I had it planned … differently.”

“You did? Did you write out your plan or was it just in your head? Did you make a list? I love lists. I made one. But it wasn’t a good one. I should burn it now.”

Carlton laughed. “I’m an in-my-head guy usually. But I respect a written plan. Seriously though, I was going to take things a little bit slower. That’s not your style, is it?”

The sky was just starting to darken, and the sun peeked out from behind purple clouds. Carlton reached over and took Maddie’s hand. “I have to tell you—you look so beautiful in this light. I wanted to say that to you back in Chicago. One of many mistakes I made that day. I loved your rambling apology just now, and I’m glad you didn’t wait to talk about this. But listen, it was not all your fault. I lost you in the crowd. I fell behind. There were so many things I could have done differently.”

“Oh, thank God.” Maddie slumped in her car seat. The weight of guilt and regret from the past three years was finally lifting, and it felt incredible. “But I want to hear your plan for tonight anyway. I really am a fan. Of plans.”

“I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to take you around and introduce you to some people in town who might be useful to you. You know, I’d start out by winning your favor. And between the features, I’d ply you with fresh-squeezed lemonade and homemade peach fritters from the concession stand and walk you to the playground. The chariot swing. And then I’d tell you about that night. How I kicked myself for not getting your phone number earlier, like any normal person would have done. And finally, I’d tell you how much I’ve missed you and wanted to see you again.”

“Good plan. I like it a lot. So… Chariot swing? What’s that?”

“It’s like this giant glider swing. It’s old and creaky, but I love sitting there. You can see shooting stars over the movie screen sometimes, and it’s surrounded by honeysuckle. It smells like summer.”

Maddie sidled up next to Carlton. He put his arm around her shoulders, and she nestled closer. “That sounds amazing. I love honeysuckle.”

“Then let’s do it. I don’t want to take you home, OK?”

“Well, now I can’t wait to hear your story. Tell me about that night. Where were you? How did I miss you?”

“You’ll laugh.”

Maddie squeezed Carlton’s hand. “I won’t.” The wind blew tree branches around them like curtains creating a private little willow room just for them. “What did you do?”

“I waited by the statue of Ernie Banks. I thought since we were both wearing his jersey maybe you’d look for me there. You’ll think I’m a nut, but I tried to send my thoughts to you. Tell you where I was. I stayed there until dawn and almost got arrested for loitering.”

Maddie slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Why didn’t I think of that? I really thought you were mad at me during that podcast interview. And that’s why you let Vinny and Herb destroy me.”

Carlton raised Maddie’s hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’m sorry about that. Let me try to explain. But first, I don’t want us to be like one of those annoying romance movies where some ridiculous misunderstanding keeps the lovers apart. I’ve had enough of being apart from you.”

Maddie’s stomach dropped at the word “lovers,” and she couldn’t help thinking about what might happen later in the evening. “Wait. You know rom-com tropes?”

“My mom did. She loved the Cubs, rom-coms and recipes from Southern Living. She was obsessed with all three.”

“I think I love her.”

Everything Carlton was saying made sense to Maddie, and that changed her entire outlook. Maybe her objections to a real love affair with him were wrong. Was that magical thinking? She didn’t care. She wanted it to be true.

“So, about Vinny and Herb,” Carlton continued. “If I had shielded you on the podcast, our audience would think I was sucking up to Monty. I knew you were strong enough to hold your own, and that would make people listen to you. I was as shocked as you were when you walked into the studio. I didn’t know your last name. I thought I had lost you. It never occurred to me that our guest that day would be you. I had to figure everything out on the spot. I’m sorry. I didn’t do a very good job. I wasn’t sure how or when to tell you this. You really threw me for a loop. Sorry again.”

Maddie believed him. She was aggravated with herself for not being able to guess more of the truth on her own.

“The interview was a trial by fire.” Carlton pulled her closer. “It was shitty, but you survived. Even Vinny was a little bit impressed, and he’s the most cynical person I know. You made an impact. You can build on that. It won’t be easy. You’ve got a long way to go, but I swear, the first step has been taken.” There was no mistaking the sincere look on Carlton’s face.

Tears began to roll down Maddie’s cheeks, and she reached into her ladybug purse and pulled out the bandana she always had with her. It was her grandfather’s bandana, her lucky talisman. Her grandfather had been her biggest fan, and holding his bandana made her feel safer.

“I honestly thought you hated me during that interview. And I was so upset. I didn’t want to admit how much. I was afraid to say anything to you about it all week. That’s cowardly and very unlike me. I’m ashamed of myself.”

“Don’t be! Please don’t cry. I feel terrible.”

“I know! Crying’s so cheesy.” Maddie sniffled. “And the sound of someone blowing their nose is so gross!” She blew her nose and stuffed the bandana into her pocket instead of using Esme's clean purse. She wiped her eyes with her hands and added, “So…were you going to… kiss me at any point in this chariot swing? Or just talk? Or what are we supposed to do now? I have no idea. I’m clueless when it comes to romance. Like, what about consent? Are we supposed to come up with a code phrase to let the other person know when kissing is OK? And if we do, can it be ‘To the Bat Cave!’”

“Hey, Maddie?”

“Yeah?”

“To the Bat Cave!”

“Hell yes!”

Carlton unbuckled his seat belt and twisted around to face Maddie. He took her face gently in both of his hands and kissed her cheeks first, then her closed eyelids.

When she opened her eyes, he smiled at her. “Brown. Acorn brown with a little gold.”

“Huh?”

“The color of your eyes. I couldn’t remember. I didn’t pay enough attention the first time. That won’t happen again.”

“OK, good.” Maddie slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him as close as she could. She tilted her head and gave him a real kiss. Unbelievably, it was even better than the one at Wrigley Field. Simply pressing against his lips with hers was the most sensual act she could imagine. She didn’t need to start ripping off their clothes. Not yet anyway. Just kissing him slowly, intently, feeling the muscles in his arms and stroking his neck, felt like such an intimate, meaningful thing.

Carlton’s hands moved down and circled her waist in a deliciously firm embrace that sent chills down her legs. He had a pitcher’s hands, and she took a sudden delight in throwing out her rule about dating ball players. She was tired of her rules. Carlton was himself, unique, not a rule. And technically, he didn’t even play baseball now. Not professionally anyway. At the back of her mind, her worries and reservations lingered. Biding their time. But she ignored them and kissed him just a little deeper, teasing him with her tongue between his lips. Light, quick, soft. He touched his tongue to hers, too, and held her more tightly, moving one hand to brace the small of her back.

Carlton moved back and whispered, “This is so pretty.” He traced the outline of her sweetheart neckline and bent to kiss her throat, moving slowly down toward her cleavage. But nature had its own agenda. The lazy thunder found its voice, and fat raindrops began to fall.

“You better close the top,” Maddie whispered in Carlton’s ear. “Not that I want you to stop but—”

“Don’t move,” he said.

“Not going anywhere,” she promised.

Once Carlton had secured the roof, the downpour began. He got back in the car and grinned at Maddie. “It’s going to be hard for the Horror Fest to compete with our pre-show.”

Maddie flushed, but it felt sexy. “Are we still going to the movies? Don’t you think it’ll be a rain-out?”

“Nah, this is just a cloudburst. Happens all the time around here. Recycled humidity. It’s fine.”

“I’m not sure I can concentrate on a film now.”

“Sure you can. Besides, if it rains, we’re at a drive-in! Which means… Best four letters in the alphabet.”

“Sorry, you lost me. Which four letters?”

“NRBQ,” Carlton said. “Great band. Should’ve been more famous. Ever heard of them?”

“I don’t think so.”

The downpour crescendoed and Maddie shivered. Carlton noticed and snagged a small blanket from the under the seat to wrap around her shoulders. The quiet grace of his consideration made Maddie’s heart race. It was attractive in a way that felt totally new in her experience with men.

Carlton started the car and turned on the windshield wipers. “NRBQ has a song—’Rain at the Drive-In.’” He began to sing, and she remembered singing with him at Wrigley. He had a good voice. “When it rains at the drive-in, my girl and I, we start to grin. We can’t see out, they can’t see in.”

“Allright then! I really hope we get some more rain.” Maddie laughed and felt like she was floating somewhere out in the rain clouds. Free and easy. Letting the rain fall. Part of her was tired of trying so hard all the time, of making life such a big, complicated production. She just wanted to revel in finding Carlton again and celebrate being here with him. She didn’t know if it could last, but she didn’t care.

“Me, too! Here we go.” Carlton eased the car out from under the weeping willow branches.

Maddie leaned back in the seat and cracked her window just enough to enjoy the scent of the rain. A line from Field of Dreams popped into her head. When John Kinsella comes out of the cornfield and asks, “Is this heaven?” And his son Ray says, “No, it’s Iowa.”

Right now, right this second, Maddie thought her answer would be, “No, it’s Sweetgum.”

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TONIGHT AT THE STARGAZER