Chapter 9: Burgers and Orange Soda

That night, Jason didn’t leave. He just squatted outside my door. But since he wasn’t corporeal, his whole back went through the door. At first glance, it looked like the door was wearing a letterman jacket—pretty creepy. But he didn’t realize it at all, still saying, "Go to sleep, Rachel."

Honestly, I wasn’t scared either. Because I remembered a summer vacation when he also sat outside my door all night.

I was thirteen that year. My parents were fighting over the same old stuff—money, love, who forgot the anniversary. One cried, "Did you ever love me? All these years, did you ever care about me for even a day?" The other looked annoyed. "Our marriage was a mistake. If you hadn’t gotten pregnant, I wouldn’t have broken up with Lisa."

They argued and cursed. No one noticed when I ran out the door. Back then, I was shy, friendless, with nowhere to go, so I wandered to a small convenience store near the neighborhood.

The old lady there was kind. She never asked hard questions, just greeted me, "Sweetie, want to watch TV? Come on."

I forgot what was on TV that day. I only remember sitting there for a long, long time. From noon to dusk. From blazing sun to the air thickening with the scent of coming rain.

Jason showed up then. He called out, "Grandma, a bottle of vinegar." He was surprised to see me. We chatted a bit. After paying, he was about to leave, then stepped back and, acting cool, tilted his chin at me.

"Rachel, my family’s making burgers tonight. Come eat with us."

He’d always been casual, but that night, I felt like I was being rescued, even if he’d never admit it.

That day, I don’t know what I was thinking. I just followed Jason home. His house was far. I’d never been before. Only when we got to his door did I start to feel nervous.

I worried about suddenly bringing me home—would he get in trouble? Worried his parents would be like mine, not welcoming to classmates.

But he opened the door, kicked off his sneakers, and spoke so casually. "Dad, Mom. I brought a friend home, make more burgers."

The kitchen smelled like grilled onions and ketchup, and Jason’s dad flipped burgers with a spatula that had seen better days. The first out of the kitchen was Jason’s dad. "You rascal actually has a friend? She must have the patience of a saint to put up with you. Oh, and a girl classmate."

He laughed heartily, his face dusted with flour. Before he finished, a gentle female voice interrupted. "Oh, hush, your mouth is so big, you’ll scare her. Honey, come in. We’re having cheeseburgers tonight. Do you like them? Bill, what are you staring at? Toast more buns. Jason, there’s soda in the fridge, get a can for your friend."

Jason: "Hey, Rachel, what flavor do you want? Orange?"

That day, I didn’t want to cry. But somehow, seeing Jason’s enthusiastic parents, seeing their happy family, my nose started to sting. I held back for a long time, but finally couldn’t. With the first thunder of midsummer, I burst into tears.

That night, I didn’t go home. Because the rain was too heavy, and the thunder too loud, Jason’s mom called my mom. My mom was busy with my dad, didn’t care about me. So that night, I slept in Jason’s room.

He was sent to the living room, and at night, he asked through the door, "Rachel, are you afraid of thunder? How come I never noticed you were such a scaredy-cat? Heh, I’ll keep watch here tonight. Don’t let me catch you crying, thunder girl..."

His mouth was really something. I’d been feeling down, but his words instantly lightened my mood, leaving me speechless.

"Get lost, mutt."

He didn’t leave. Leaning against the door, he sat there all night. The next morning, when I opened the door, he fell in and grimaced in pain.

During the sleepover, he tossed me a spare Ohio State blanket, the kind every kid had in their closet.

So many years ago, I’ve forgotten a lot. But the summer breeze, the cicadas, and the fiery clouds from that year, I remember clearly. I can even recall the smell of burgers and orange soda in the air that summer…

"Rachel, go to sleep."

Jason’s voice seemed to travel through time, coming through the door, instantly pulling me back. I sighed softly, closed my eyes. And silently recited in my heart. "Jason, good night."