other from across the table. And he usually stays over for hours, until daylight bleeds into moonlight.
My stomach tends to gurgle like clockwork at 7 p.m. sharp, which triggers a knee-jerk reaction from Mika. He’ll whip out his iPhone and place our orders—a Hawaiian pizza for him and me, and a Pesto pizza for Kars. And whenever we crave Chinese food, he’ll drive over to Panda Express and pick up three large orders of Orange Chicken and Kung Pao Chicken. After our takeout dinners, we usually lounge in front of the TV and watch a movie on Netflix.
Last Saturday, we watched Burn After Reading, and I noticed for the very first time that Mika has a really strange laugh. It’s silent.
Seriously. No sound comes out at all when he laughs. Zilch.
His eyes will crinkle, the corners of his mouth will twitch, and his entire chest will quiver, but no sound whatsoever is emitted.
When Kars caught on to his bizarre laugh, she had to put in her two cents. “Yo, Mika! Are you mute?” she teased, and taunted him with her evil Bwah Ha Ha Ha laugh.
During the funniest parts of the movie, Mika looked like a fish gasping for air. I’ve become so fascinated by his silent laugh that I always opt for a comedy, just so I can watch him in action.
Luckily, comedies are my favorite form of entertainment. No other emotion quite compares to laughter. Well, except love that is...which is what I’ve been feeling of late. Mika has quickly become one of my best friends, and sometimes, it even feels like he is my boyfriend.
So why not tell him how I feel?
While I sit and muse, a slew of radio commercials egg me on. Dodge: Grab Life by the Horns, The Army: Be All That You Can Be, Nike: Just Do It!
Hmm, perhaps it’s a sign from up above.
It must be.
Like the three wise men who wisely followed the North Star the night baby Jesus was born, I shall follow these three radio ads tonight. Yes. I shall tell Mika today. On Christmas Day!
Time just flies by when you’re having a blast, and before we know it, our shift is over.
Mika, the only sober one around, insists on giving me and Kars a ride home; Ingeborg’s new flame, Sean Connery, will be picking her up.
Before leaving the building, I quickly excuse myself and hop into the restroom to freshen up.
When I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I jump back in fright. My face looks like a squashed tomato, my hair is a matted mess, and my eyes are severely bloodshot. I look a sight!
Hastily, I do what I can to salvage my appearance.
I’m savagely trying to subdue my hair when Ingeborg breezes in, looking as fresh as the morning dew. Her eyes are bright and clear, her rose petal skin is glowing, and her silky hair cascades obediently down her shoulders. Seriously, she was drinking like a sailor all night. That girl can hold down her liquor like a true champ. In comparison, I’m a lightweight. A super featherweight. I can barely walk, let alone stand.
Afterward, we burst through the exit doors and step out into the icy, cold night. Tittering and swaying, I throw my head back and gaze at the bright, moonlit sky.
“Oh look, it’s still snowing!” I slur with childish delight. Arms outstretched, I stick my tongue out to catch a falling snowflake, just like in the movies.
Dumb idea. Unsteady with drink, I stagger backward, lose my footing, and skid and slide around the ice.
Mika latches onto my waist in the nick of time, hauling me upright, and keeping a tight grip on my arm. And he doesn’t let go.
As we make our way to the parking lot, Ingeborg spots agent 007 by the street-light. “Babe!” she shrieks with joy. Surefooted, she flies down the icy path in stilettos and flings herself into his arms. Sean Connery nuzzles her with his Santa Claus beard.
“Bye, Ingeborg! Bye, Arch!” we yell, uproariously drunk.
Mika releases me and fumbles in his pocket for his car keys.
I slosh about, attempting to walk without his aid. Unsteadily, I take one step at a time, putting one foot in front of the other.
Gak! I almost face plant.
Mika’s strong arms encircle me from behind. Grabbing onto his shoulders for leverage, I brazenly press my body against his.
He shoots me an odd look. “Um, you okay, Maddy?”
“Mmmmm.” I squint at him sexily, laying on my womanly charms.
His smile widens with