14, 15, 16. The corralled mouth-smackers gave today’s count an easy start. Typically, there are fewer than ten, but the recently repaired butter machine brought an expected uptick. Letting my fingers pick 5 perfect kernels, I joined them. Yes, 5! Amateurs go for a handful and it’s wasted in spillage, increases stain risk and has to be jammed into their mouths. 5. Indulgent and satisfying. Perfect.
Also, so many forget the finish! Row 19, D & E, just race chomping… No, no! When you swallow, add a tiny gob of spit right with the last smack. It collects the salt but leaves a faint hint of buttery sweetness. In a good way.
A little butt-shuffle to get deeper in the seat and the count continued. Eyes closed, I turned my ear towards the back. The usual dating conversations, rows L–P. “Why doesn’t he call?” “Why does she text so much?” The friend not trying/trying to give away the ending, C. On and on until my lips mouthed: 47.
I opened my eyes, turned and, sure enough, the sides were right on the money. 15 plus 29 for 44. The middle, a bit trickier, 45 and 46…wait, what?
I froze.
Panic. How could I have missed it? Right behind me?! Some ninja in a black hoodie and baggy jeans. Not a single movement since I got back with my Cherry Coke! Not a sound!
I was too shocked to smile but the shadowed mouth wasn’t. It was a girl. Silent as a shadow!
Her black-varnished fingernails came to her mouth…a gummy bear!
Gummy bear!? My incompetence was horrifying. She hid the chew! And the crinkling plastic when separating the bonded yellows and greens! She wasn’t human.
I sat forward as she hesitated, holding her fingers out with two oranges surgically balanced between them.
Now that’s just gloating! Her very presence made me squeamish. Like a rookie, I checked my watch. 4 minutes. I already knew that! What was this usurper doing to me?!
My heart racing, I reached for more corn, hoping to re-find my groove, but lost count. Did I grab 5 or 6? God, I just looked! The lights dimmed and from over my shoulder I heard her approach. I dreamt her kill would be clean and quick.
I closed my eyes.
“Seven,” she whispered…
My heart stopped.