Adrianne+Gold's+Short+Story

She hung her head and shrugged her shoulders. Cardigan and a frown, she did not like small talk, and she did not know why she agreed to go on this blind date. But then she remembered the christmas she spent all alone and the tree she bought ornaments for all by herself so she forced a smile. She hoped this would give the man the idea she was interested, even though she wasn't sure if it was true. When he smiled back at her she thought about the blonde girl and the brunette she saw roaming the streets of Philadelphia the day before. The blonde was speaking too loudly so she overheard her telling the brunette "It's like we really hate each other. I mean I really hate him but I keep saying things like: I really hate you now come here, lets make out. You know?" Neither she nor the brunette girl knew but they liked this idea. She wanted to hate this guy, in his gray t-shirt and jeans. She wanted to hate him but she didn't, so when the waiter brought the check she paid her half and split. As soon as her feet hit the pavement and her breath turned into miniature ghosts escaping into the cool night air to haunt someone less lonely she punched her sister's number into her blackberry and hit send. "Carrie! How'd it go?" Madison barked into the phone. She sounded drunk and she probably was. "I thought we'd agreed that you'd stop calling me Carrie. I'm 23 now remember, and I prefer to go by Caroline." "Right, right you're so sophisticated, I forgot. Well then why doesn't Caaaroline tell me how date number 43 went!" "It's not number 43 and it was fine. You on the other hand don't sound fine, you sound drunk. Where are you?" "I'm at a paaarty Caroline. You should come join us Caroline! Maybe Mr. Right is here instead." "He's not, now go home and get some sleep Madison." "Maybe later. Goodnight baby sister!" "Be safe Madison." The second she clicked off her heart sank. She was hoping to maybe crash at her sisters place because she didn't want to be alone, but after that possibility diminished she found herself wandering around 18th and chestnut. She stumbled across a small bookstore, took off her gloves, and grasped the door's big brass handle. Contrasting with the city's clamor she embraced the hush of this new found haven and made her way over to the poetry section. She had always been a sucker for words. Running her fingers along each book's binding she came across a complete collection of E.E. Cummings. She opened to page 242 and decided that this poem was her favorite: who are you,little i (five or six years old) peering from some high window;at the gold of November sunset (and feeling:that if day has to become night this is a beautiful way) She wanted to share this poem with someone. She wanted them to understand the simplistic beauty it entails. And then she spotted him. Slouching in a corner wearing corduroys he was completely engrossed in a thick russian novel. His intensified look intrigued her yet she was too afraid to say anything to him. But why would she? Why would she say something to this man? She didn't know him, he was a stranger, and he was busy reading because that's what you do at bookstores. She thought about Madison and while she sometimes loathed her stupidity she greatly admired her confidence so she put her best foot forward and headed in the man's direction. She whispered in ear. "Hey." He looked uninterested, "Hi." "What are you reading?" He held the book in front of his face, "a novel." "Right." The man didn't even attempt to respond. Feeling embarrassed she rushed for the nearest bathroom. She thought about what her therapist had told her, "now do this while looking in a mirror, you'll repeat after me: I am a beautiful person..." "I am a beautiful person." She told herself this in the bookstore's bathroom's mirror. "...I am a worthy person" "I am a worthy person." "...I am a deserving person" "I am a deserving person" "...and I can have everything I've ever dreamed of if I just let myself." "I can have everything I've ever dreamed of if I just let myself." She decided tonight was a good night to let herself. "Hey do you like coffee?" "Sometimes." Apparently he did because at this point he put down his novel and actually gave her the time of day. "I know a nice little place up the street. You could buy me a mocha frappuchino if you wanted to." "Okay." Okay? She hadn't expected an answer like this and she wasn't prepared for what was to come but she buttoned up her peacoat and followed him to the door. His car was black and as she sunk into it's cold leather she was engulfed by lingering cigarette smoke. She never cared much for smokers but she looked at a beauty mark tucked just beneath his ear and decided to make an exception. He didn't talk much instead he turned on the heater and turned up the volume. She listened carefully: If I die clutching your photograph don't call me boring, It's just 'cause I like you. Take me on back... take me back to the place where I could feel your heart. Is this the end or just the start of something really, really beautiful, wrapped up and disguised as something really, really ugly. Won't you come by and see me, I'm a love letter away. "Turn left at this light." "So you like this song" This was the first time she saw him smile all night. "Yeah actually, what is it?" "The Start of Something by Voxtrot." Of course she would take that as a hint, maybe this was the start of something. She wanted to tell Madison all about it. "And it's right there, on the right." He put it in park but they sat tight for a minute more, he wanted to let the song finish. He was very chivalrous and she was surprised, he opened her door and held her hand, only for a brief moment though. Mmm, there was nothing like the smell of coffee. Across the counter a small girl with hair just above her shoulders and freckles under her eyes asked us what we wanted. I opened my mouth and he said, "Just a mocha frappuchino and uh, an iced coffee." Impressed with the fact he remembered what she had wanted she lifted his hand and kissed it. There was nothing like a stranger who enjoyed poetry and coffee. Tucked away the two sat in a quiet corner and talked. For hours. At 11 he checked his watch and he told her it was getting late and that he had better get her home.