gasoline

      “Propaganda was straight to the point, actually.” Eleanor set her coffee down, her hand reaching out to tap the screen and scroll six pages from where he was. On the screen, was vile posters of anti-semitism,exaggerated caricatures. “One of the worst things, I believe, is that some of these posters date back to nineteen-thirty-nine. So there were signs of something big happening.” She sat back in her seat, drumming her fingers against her knee. 

      “And yes, I read and speak German. As well as a variety of others, mostly dead languages,” she shrugged, sheepishly. Eleanor didn’t spend to much time on that, instead she continued, “In fact, I don’t know how much you know about Himmler and Hoss, two extremely well-known Nazis, but they have been with Hitler since before the war began. It is rumored that they murdered Hitler’s niece. Between you and me, I believe it.”

     Mac hummed as she scrolled further into her translations, staring down in shock at the posters. Mac wasn’t big on history - or academics in general. He didn’t know much outside of his family’s own lineage; that they’d gotten away to stay with a family friend and that they were still making it. All he knew was that they were luckier than most - he was pretty emotionally detached from it. But seeing the posters - having them in his hands - was triggering some kind of emotion he didn’t really know he had. “Oh...” Was all he managed. 

     “A variety?” Mac wasn’t sure if he should tell her she had too much time on her hands or that it was amazing. “They murdered his niece? Why?” All he had were questions, but she seemed to like talking and he was content to let her.

“You’re entirely unhelpful.”

“Should I?”

“Uh, what?”

“Busy, but good. She keeps me on my toes, I keep her in our bed. We’re a good match, I think.”

Avocado toast!! How could I forget about that great concoction. If you destroy the housing market I would be insanely proud. If you really want to, I won’t ruin it for you… you’ll just have to deal with me being super scared of the dark for a few hours. Well, we aren’t exactly the target audience so I guess it makes sense. We should try adult cartoons. 

I have no idea. You’re too engrossed in trying to cook the toast properly to even get to the avocado part. Hey, if you make me breakfast I’ll make you breakfast. It’ll be a breakfast trade. Oh, wouldn’t want you so scared that you’d cuddle me for a few hours. Definitely not. Maybe we should. Branch out. Try new things.

Yeah true, but then… yanno, she’s your wife… on top of the tax breaks and last name. Wouldn’t that be insane? God, I sound fucking twelve. Look, if you don’t want to then don’t…. but it sounds like she may never push for it. Yeah, Jesus Christ, shit…. I can’t even imagine having kids right now. Well, at least I’m not alone… I mean, I don’t have a girlfriend or anything so I’m less off… but - I kinda ran into Ariella the other day.

What’s the difference between a wife and a girlfriend besides a change in tax breaks and the last name? I mean, she probably won’t. Maybe once she’s less busy I’ll think about it more. Kids sounds like an awful idea right now. Ariella? The cute one that likes Anne Hathaway movies? You finally going to move in on that, then?

Exactly, so tomorrow… be ready for the best toast of your life. Well, good exhausted? Like stay in bed and hold each other exhausted. Uhhhh - wow that’s a tough decision. Scary movies are one of the worst things on the planet but - I suppose I can make an exception. Definitely agreeable and relatable. Children’s programming is not as good as it used to be. 

I’ll be waiting. Can you put avocado on it? I’m really hellbent on destroying the housing market. Aw, love. We don’t have to watch a horror movie if you don’t want to. We can watch something else. Children’s programming is really hit or miss. But mostly miss.

“Yeah, Moon. I know, Luna. We had some classes together.” They also had a sex a few times but Mac didn’t need to know that part. “She’s a nice girl. Lucky you. Jackpot hit, I gotta say.”

“Hey, that’s neat. Yeah, she’s a brat but I love her to pieces. Don’t know how I managed to deserve her. I think I’ll be asking that for as long as she’ll have me.” 

“Oooh, yeah? Who’s your girl? Cheese? Get it? Mac and Cheese?” Bryan laughed and shook his head. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. No, but really – who’s your girl? Did she go to Austen’s too?”

“Hahahaha, never heard that one before.” Mac rolled his eyes - he couldn’t even blame Bryan because mac and cheese was literally his twitter name. “Yeah, she did. Luna Lively? She was a dance major but now she’s off modeling and shit. Working with famous people and what not.”

“Oh, I don’t need to look it up. Regardless, I’m a handsome chap either way.” Bryan was as cocky and ridiculous as he always was. Every now and then, anyway. “What have you been up to though, Mac? Stayed away from London?”

“I guess that much is true. Good on you, then.” Mac laughed. “No? Haha, I dance in a company here 6 days a week and teach at my mum’s studio once a week, so. Just been keeping busy I guess. Gotta do something while my girl is gone, you know?”

But - now I know it’s only for like one or two of the little pop up cycles. Even if I was the most boring person in the world? I have a feeling I will never leave you feeling bored, exhausted maybe. Ooooh, christmas in august. If anything you should be watching scary movies to prepare for Halloween. Pft, Spongebob Squarepants hasn’t been quality programming for a while, I would never wish that on you haha. 

The more you know, babe. Even if you were the most boring person in the world. I doubt you’ll ever leave me bored, too, and I definitely agree that you’ll probably leave me feeling exhausted. Sometimes you wear me out. I guess I should watch scary movies, but only if you’ll watch them with me. It really hasn’t been. Unless they’re playing old reruns I’m not turning it on.

       “O-oh,” Eleanor was taken aback, both surprised and pleased with herself for convincing him with her choices. She smiled, turning around once more to run her fingers along some spines, pulling out three more books. She noticed he seemed more interested when she told him of the war stories, and stuck with the theme. “This one,” she said, showing him Everyone Brave is Forgiven, “is somewhat a romance but there’s much more to it.” She pulled out All the Light We Cannot See next. “This one is about a french blind girl and german boy during Nazi occupation in France. And this one,” she showed him the last book, Suite Française, “is written by a Jewish woman during World War II, keep that in mind, of a love affair between a French woman, and a German soldier, but of course that is’t exactly the plot. The original draft was never finished but I believe it was her daughter who finished the story. I could be wrong, I don’t really remember.”

Mac listened to her with rapt attention, eyebrows pulling together in interest. Was he really about to spend this much money on books? He thinks he might be. Was he even going to read all of these? He fucking hoped so, or else the money would be for naught. “Fuck... okay, I know I asked for more but I might need you to stop before my wallet bleeds,” he laughed.

Oh - you think she’ll freak out? I mean - yeah, if I remember correctly I don’t think she was too down for the whole ‘lifetime commitment’ thing. Well, hopefully both, right? Oh come on, that’s not supportive, dude. 

I mean, probably. It’s fine. I’m not like, butthurt about it. I’m not going to pester her when it’s not a huge deal to me. Maybe it should be but it just... isn’t? What do I need all that for? Except maybe tax breaks and for her to have my last name. What do you mean it’s not supportive? It’s true. Haven’t you seen how many people have settled down and gotten hitched and had kids? Almost everyone lives that life. 

        “I have,” she nodded sheepishly. “They’re all very good, the longest one would be Outlander, I know it’s not the length that you’re looking for, but it’s an amazing book.” She scanned the options she laid out for him, tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ear. “Underground Berlin is a true story about a Jewish woman who took off her star and still lived in Berlin during the span of the war by living with various different people, she even joined the circus too I believe. Poldark is more a drama slash romance, hm, Unbroken is about the war hero Louis Zamperini. Oh, Atonement is one of my absolute favorites, the movie really captured it well but the book, of course, will always be better.”