I met her in the bookstore near the subway station. I was sitting there by the window, on the second floor, overlooking the bustle of people below, on a Sunday morning. Somehow three days later we ended up at an stylish cafe, late. Lights glittered on the lake and the shadows of people, full bodied passed us at a distance.
I admit I was hesitant with her waiting there for me, her car black, swank, plush just outside the gate but I'd promised to help her along with some material. I didn't expect it to be this. She flipped on the interior light and opened up her book, one page filled scribbled in and the other plain. What exactly was I supposed to be doing?
Do you mind if we park?
The line reminded me of Back to the Future. I stuttered the same way.
Um. Sure. Actually do you mind if we go to some place with a bit more light?
Ok.
She revved the car and drove down the long drive to the lake. We pulled into the parking lot and she tossed the keys to the valet. We flipped open the menu. Ten dollar coffee. She crossed and uncrossed her legs. God what was I doing?
I uncapped the pen and drew idly on her notebook. I walked her through her lesson plan, she was being interviewed for a job and wanted syllabus help. On Sunday we talked about her plans over noodles. Tonight it was in an out of the way cafe. Things were moving fast. I'm sure her husband would be less than thrilled. I had met him on Monday, by mistake. He came in the door and Jo scrambled to introduce me. He grunted.
Why I met her on Wednesday was beyond me. She was attractive enough, though I didn't notice until the light glinted off her pearl pendant and I saw the neckline of her dress riffle slightly in the August night breeze.
She drove back, past the guardhouse, asking one last question before letting me go.
What is the right word for...
I didn't hear the rest. I opened the door and looked up at the blue grey night clouds.
She called again, two weeks later.
My first thought when I saw her name on the phone was that I was moving towards either a venial or mortal sin. Or was it cardinal. I had no idea. I picked up the phone.
