Chance meeting

Writing exercise

08/03/16 Parkland Writers’ Circle Meeting

                I could already tell this was going to be horrible. My keys had tumbled off the bathroom counter and into the toilet, making me late for the atrocious date that my friend Mark had set me up on. Mark and I had been friends since college and technically, I did owe him one since he helped me pass chemistry but I could never imagine he would call in a favor like this.

                A new guy started working under him at his construction company. He thought the guy needed a little direction because all he did was eat tacos and sit on the edge of the truck all day. Mark thought with a little nudge, the guy could be beneficial, so he called me up to go on a “date” with him. I was working on as a teacher’s aide while trying to get my Master’s degree. I didn’t have time for this, but I couldn’t let Mark down.

                I rushed to the restaurant, running thirty minutes late after I had fetched my keys from the toilet. Only to find a dirty jean wearing, slouched at the middle, disaster of a boy, waiting for me.

                I sat down across from him. “Were you waiting long? I was held up in traffic.”
                Alex stared at me, wide eyed. “I know you. You were at the reading on campus of Professor Dumontier’s A beautiful garden.”

                I leaned back, a little shocked that this couch-potato had been at the reading. “I wouldn’t assume you would go to something like that from what I’ve heard about you.”

                “Mark said you were the quiet type. Like books. Smart. He thought we would have a bit in common. Is it true what he said?”

                “Well, that’s mostly true. What about you? I asked.

                “I don’t say much, but I assume a lot.” He moved forward to reach for the glass of ice water the waiter had set on the table. “I like books. Always wanted to buy a bookstore.”

                I nearly spit out my own water. Maybe we did have something in common. “Hmm. Me too.”

                “Maybe this meeting won’t go to waste. Let’s buy a bookstore. I think that’s why Mark really pushed us together. Your professor could do book signings there.”

                I contemplated, wondering if there was something to this date. “Let me hear what kind of plan you’ve got. Then, we’ll see.”