“Hey,” I answered in a huff, trying to hurry so I could get back to the office before lunch was over. Granted, I was technically the boss, but I was trying to lead by example and be in my office in the timespan of an hour like I’d allotted for the twenty employees that I was now in charge of.
“You sound busy. I assumed you’d be getting lunch,” Kira said in response to my being out of breath.
“Uh…technically I am, but stupid me forgot my laptop this morning and I need some files off of it.”
“Oh, I see. Are you okay to talk, or –“
“Yeah, I’m good. How’s your day?” I answered, continuing to rush around.
She exhaled first. “Fine. Just missing you.”
Hearing that slowed my pace a little and I smiled. “I miss you too.” These phone calls weren’t quite doing it, but we set ourselves on a schedule already. Because both of our morning routines left little time for chatting, we talked through lunch Monday, Tuesday, and now on Wednesday. Then at night, we’d watch a show or two together, conversing about the drama via phone. It was almost like watching them side by side like we would’ve done at home.
Almost.
I zipped my bag and took a moment to think, making sure I wasn’t forgetting anything else. When I did, I spotted my phone charger plugged in beneath the window, deciding to grab that too. In D.C., I was used to utilizing the one in my car on my way to work, but now that I was taking cabs back and forth, I often found myself with less than ten percent battery life – like now. On cue the call failed and the phone shut off. I cursed loudly to myself and let out a deep breath. This day was already off to a terrible start. I bent to snatch the charger from the wall and glanced out the window when I stood upright to rush toward the door…but when I did, I froze in place. I could’ve sworn I saw a familiar face amidst the crowd, grabbing a smoothie from the kiosk down at the sidewalk. My mouth hung open as I watched Giuseppe take her cash and then flash her a smile.
Without thinking, I dropped my things on the air mattress and tore through the entrance of my loft, taking the stairs in twos.
What am I doing?
Why am I even chasing her?
What am I gonna say to her when I get down there?
None of these questions got answered, or even mattered, to be quite honest. Clearly, I had a one-track mind.
“Strawberry banana smoothie for you this morning?” Giuseppe asked with a grin, remembering my order from last time.
I ignored his question and pointed down the street in the direction that I thought Sam had just walked off in. Out of breath, I asked, “The woman who was just here – brown-skinned, longish brown hair, tight black dress….did she walk that way?” I asked, noting the air of desperation in my tone.
Giuseppe seemed confused and I tried not to let the dumbfounded look on his face frustrate me. When the expression turned into a smile, I knew he now understood who I was talking about.
“Ohhhh……yes, she went that way.” Relief washed over me and I was only able to take one step when he added, “…but you’ll never catch her. She’s fast, that one.”
I placed my hands on the metal counter of his booth and braced myself. “She comes here often?” I asked, out of breath from letting myself get all worked up.
He smiled bright again. “Yes! Every Wednesday. Same time. Like clockwork.”
When he said this, I remembered this being something that he’d shared with me my first day here. There was no way in hell I would’ve known then that he was talking about Sam, though.
“Every Wednesday?” I asked.
Giuseppe nodded to confirm.
“Same time?”
Another nod.
Now my heart rate slowed as I continued to stare off into the sea of pedestrians, hoping to get another glimpse of her. But he was right, she was already gone. I turned to Giuseppe again. “Could you do me a favor?”