Free Aftershock by Sandy Goldsworthy Page A

she asked. Startled, he spun around.
    There she was. Elizabeth stood behind the wooden counter with jars of rock candy in three colors. She looked like an angel sent from heaven. It was months since he first saw her, at a party that summer. Elizabeth looked directly at him. Shoulders back, standing tall, she confidently waited for his reply.
    Suddenly, Benjamin was uncomfortable.
    “Ahh…” He hesitated. For a second, he forgot why he was there. “Umm… yes. Yes, I’m here to pick up a grocery order. My mother called it in.” Benjamin stuttered over his words, staring at her. When their eyes met, he knew she was the one for him. His heart began to race, and he hoped she wouldn’t notice.
    Benjamin completely forgot about his friends and the plans they made to see Frankenstein . Everyone from his school was going, but he no longer cared. He was standing in front of the prettiest girl in Westport County, and she was talking to him.
    “Sure… for Holmes, right?” she asked.
    That was the first time his heart stopped.
    “Yes.” He paused. “I didn’t realize you knew my name.” All the confidence he thought he lost was back. She remembered him.
    “Oh, yes. We met at the island this past summer.” Elizabeth blushed as she spoke. “I’m sorry I jumped in your lap during that ghost story.”
    “Ah…” He grinned, and her eyes sparkled in return. “I didn’t mind.”
    Elizabeth’s face reddened, and she glanced down at the counter. “I shouldn’t have done that. My father would be very upset with me.” Elizabeth looked up at Benjamin again. “It wasn’t very ladylike.”
    “You were very much a lady evening, Miss Hudson. Very proper, actually.”
    “Thank you. You can call me Elizabeth.” She hesitated a moment. “I better get your mother’s order.” She turned toward the back room where she came from.
    “Did you need help?” Benjamin suddenly remembered his manners. “I mean, I can carry it for you.”
    Stopping, she faced him. “That would be nice.” She smiled. “There are two boxes. I had them in a wagon for you.”
    Benjamin followed her to the red Radio Flyer that held his mother’s grocery order. He lifted a box with ease, proud to show his strength in front of her. Elizabeth was waiting for him when he returned from the truck. He signed the receipt to charge to his mother’s account and picked up the last box. Hesitating, he stood there a moment. Elizabeth eyed him cautiously.
    “Do you like going to the movies?” he mumbled, resting the groceries on the counter.
    “Yes.”
    Benjamin fidgeted a second or two before gaining the confidence to continue. “Would you like to join me tonight? Frankenstein is playing in Westport.”
    Elizabeth hesitated, chewing on her lower lip. Benjamin regretted asking. She glanced toward her father, still chatting with Mrs. Crandon on the other side of the store. “Actually, my father would need to approve that… and um…” She paused for a moment. “I’m not sure he would agree.” She looked down, her long lashes moving in slow motion when they opened and closed.
    “I see.” A sense of relief struck him. She didn’t say no. Benjamin looked around, and then back at her. “I’ll be right back.” He grabbed the box of groceries and carried it to the truck. When he returned, Mrs. Crandon was gone and Mr. Hudson was beside Elizabeth at the counter.
    “I wanted to introduce myself,” Benjamin began. His father always told him to look people in the eye while he spoke, but his nerves got in the way. Instead, Benjamin looked at the man’s apron tied at the waist, and his thin, black tie tucked in.
    “Ah, yes. You’re the Holmes boy.”
    “Yes, I am.” Benjamin extended his hand in proper introduction. “I’m Benjamin.”
    “I ’member when you were just a tyke,” Mr. Hudson said. He was as jovial as he was round. They shook hands.
    “Well, sir… I wanted your permission to take Elizabeth to the movies tonight. Frankenstein is