Red Bull

I dont have any artichokes. How could can I make artichoke dip without

artichokes? Ya cant, can ya, Rebecca, then it would just be bowl of cheese and you

cant just serve a bowl of cheese with chips, well actually that would just be nachos,

but youre not making nachos are you, your making artichoke dip.

Rebecca grabbed her mothers recipe from counter to check the ingredients list one

more time while she called Joe.

Hey, so guess who forgot artichokes for the artichoke dip? I know Im an

idiot, like, who forgets the artichokes for the artichoke dip? Theres literally only like

three ingredients like seriously, ugh. Anyway, would you wanna swing by and take

me to the store, the partys in a couple of hours and its gotta have time to crisp up

in the oven. Ok, alright, Ill see you in ten.

Rebecca grabbed her phone and started scrolling through Instagram as she

waited for Joe.

Wow, look at Sarah! Her new hair is incredible. I wish my hair was like that,

agh, I just dont have the complexion for that style. Oooo, those mountains are

beautiful! I cant believe she actually went to Thailand, like for real that is so fun.

Seriously Amy and Matt are the cutest couple Ive ever seen! Is that Blakes new

baby I cant even believe hes a father now. Ha! Great Mom, just post the exact

same thing as Samantha literally just posted.

Rebecca looked up from her phone, as there was a honk from out front. She

grabbed her keys and walked out the front door. She locked the door behind her and

then quickly hopped into Joes old sedan.

Hey Beccs. , He he said.

 Hey, she said as she opened the car door and kissed him hello.

Could we just check the corner mart, I dont want to have to drive all the

way to the super store.

Yeah, whatever you want.

It went silent and Joe reached out and turned on the radio. And in the

personal columns there was a letter I read, if you like pina pia coladas and

getting caught in the rain . . .

So how was your day?

It was ok, you know just the same old ol same oldol.

My love is what youve looked for, write to me and escape . . .

Hows Steve doing?

Same old Steve.

I like Steve, hes got nice hair. Does Steve have a girlfriend or something

because we should go out to dinner or lunch or something.

And though Im nobodys poet I thought it wasnt half bad . . .

I think hes married. But, yeah whatever you want to do.

Joe slowed down as they pulled into the parking lot of the corner mart. At a

bar called OMalleys where well plan our escape. Joe Turned turned off the car and

they both got out of the car.

Did I tell you what happened to Sam the other day? her and her friends went

up to . . . Rebecca kept talking, but Joes eyes had glazed over and her words
were slipping out his ears like a raw egg down a window pane. Joe subconsciously

gave a couple of nods, a few ums, and just kept walking. He grabbed a basket after

entering the mart and they started down the aisles. They past the produce section

and Joe stopped to look at an avocado. Mexico, . I wonder what its like in Mexico,

Joe thought to himself. I would love to go to Mexico, see the Aztec temples and

maybe go to the beach, not to mention the women.

Artichokes, Joe, not Avocados avocados Im making Artichoke artichoke dip

not guacamole.

Oh, right. Like the ones in a can?

yeahYeah, the canned kind, I think it would take too long if I got the real

stuff, plus I dont even think they have it here.

They rounded the corner to go to the canned section when Joe stopped to

look at a sale on some drinks.

lookLook, its 5 5-for for-5 that means we pretty much have to buy it.

Red Bull? Do you even like that stuff?

Yeah, I drink it every once in a while. Its pretty good. It tastes like liquid

smarties.

Alright, whatever you want.

Joe put the pack of red Red bull Bull in the basket and they moved on to try

and find some canned artichokes. After a few minutes of scanning the canned

veggies they found one can of artichokes. It was small and looked like it had been

run over by a cart. It was the only one they had.

 I guess they dont stock artichokes very often, she said.,

We could run over to the super store and get some, if you want.

No, its ok, itll take too much time. Plus, I think we might be able to get a

discount or something.

Ok, whatever you want.

They were soon at the checkout line waiting to pay. In front of them was a

brown girl with a tight skirt, a full blouse and dark wavy hair. Joes eyes wondered

from Rebecca to the Cosmopolitan magazine, across to the rows of candy, ending

on the girl in front of him. Joe scanned from Argentina, all the way up to Montreal.

I really think that Sarah should just get a tutor or something . . .

Mexico. Joe thought to himself. Mexico.

He lingered, just long enough that Rebecca paused.

Wanna snickers Snickers or something?

Im ok, but if you want one, get one.

Nah, Im good too.

Rebecca kept talking. They got up to the cashier and paid for the red Red bull

Bull and the banged banged-up can of artichokes, forgetting to ask the cashier for a

discount. They drove home in almost complete silence, except for a small

conversation about the weather and mention of a cute yellow house Rebecca

noticed on the way back. Once they were back in Rebeccas apartment, she quickly

made the dip. While it was in the oven they watch an episode of The Office and

then headed to the party.

 The party went just as they always do, : small talk, some decent food, and a

movie. That night they watched The Secret Life Walter Mitty, which everyone

seemed to love. Joe and Rebecca left the party at around 11eleven. As Joe was

taking Rebecca home he suddenly interrupts interrupted her telling a story about

what Sarah did the previous weekend with Brad.

weWe should do something crazy, Rebecca, like something crazy, lets drive

to Mexico or something, just forget about everything and just go to Mexico just

because we can.

Joe, what has gotten in to you? Youre crazy. I dont want to go to Mexico, I

heard its dirty and Sarah said her moms friend got robbed last time they went on

vacation there.

I dont know, I just need to do something right now, go somewhere.

Ok, Joe, whatever you want.

After mindlessly driving around for about 15 fifteen minutes Joe finally

stopped at the park. Silently they got out of the car. Joe shrugged. The park wasnt

big,big; it had room for about a half a soccer felid field and a decently sized

playground. Theyd seen the park before, but had never actually gone to it. Rebecca

walked over to the swings and sat down. She pumped her legs and started to swing,

seeing the stars blur and shift as she got higher and higher. Joe just lay there on the

grass staring into the stars. His gaze turned toward Rebecca as she slowly

comegaze turned toward Rebecca as she slowly came to a stop.

 Here, he said, as he tossed her a red Red bullBull. Rebecca sipped at her

drink and Joe smiled as she made a sour face. How can you drink this stuff, its so

sour! But, she continued to sip anyway.

They sat, swung and silently drank until around 3 A.M., until Rebecca was cold

and Joe remembered he had work in the morning. They left the park in silence only

leaving behind only their empty cans of red Red bullBull.