Well You Know, Maybe It Was

You never know when life is going to present you with that sparkly bit. That little bit of amazingness that sparks something else. Inspiration is everywhere, and this week I found it in a mistakenly recorded conversation.

I was “orienteering” The Loop with my oldest son and friend, Sandra. She was helping us track the information on her cell phone using the speak-to-text function. Once we completed the walk, we looked back at the text and found out that sometimes the recorder didn’t shut off and it recorded parts of our conversation as well. And that’s where this week’s gem was found, wedged between the counted steps and various directions.  I decided to make it the first line of a story and see where it led me. This time I was led to a café where two strangers were having coffee together for the first time. The following is an excerpt of what I wrote. I thought I’d give you the conversation they had shortly after they met.

Well You Know, Maybe It Was

by Melissa Gale

“Well you know, maybe it was.” She said shifting uncomfortably in the wire café chair. Sitting outside in the back patio area of a well-known coffee joint for their first “date” felt safer before, when she first set up the meeting. Publicly reluctant despite the visible loudness of her red hair, which, thanks to Ancestry.com she knew was well rooted in her past. Carlie wasn’t used to dating someone so openly opinionated, but all of Joseph’s reviews were positive (with the exception of that one) so she thought she’d give him a try. And hey, isn’t that what this is supposed to do? Help her grow and push through some social and personal barriers?

“Yeah? ” Joseph asks. “Well, I doubt that.” He leans back and takes a sip of his coffee looking at the table of trendy 20-somethings.

Strong and black.  Carlie thinks. Just like him.  She takes a moment to inspect him while his thoughts are elsewhere. Is he black? Is that even politically correct anymore? Skin tone aside, his height and athletic build added to her belief he’d be quite popular in his trade. And those eyes – stunningly green like Rhianna’s. What was her nationality again?

“Hey, you’re not drinking your latte.” Joseph points at her cup. An over-sized, artistically painted behemoth that seemed to be the staple of every trendy coffee shop in Seattle. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but your profile said that grande latte with 2 raw sugars was your favorite.”

Aware he caught her staring, Carlie quickly looks down at her cup. “You’re not wrong. It did and it is.” She spins her coffee cup with her fingertips not able to look up at him. “I’ve just never done this before, and I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to say or do with you.”

“Look.” Joseph says quietly and gently places his hand over hers. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. The whole point of this is to allow you the safety to try new things: socially, sexually, or otherwise – with someone who’s experienced and able to help navigate you through it. Think of me as your ‘guide,’ ok? And no pressure from me.” He leans forward and looks up at her, finding her eyes. “I’m yours however, and whenever, you want me.” Removing his hand to take another sip of coffee he says, “If spinning coffee in that garish monstrosity while I drink mine is what you want to do, that’s just fine with me.”
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Carlie looks up at Joseph and sees his eyes sparkle as a playful smile slips across his face. It takes him only one step to move beside her. Holding out his hands he gives her his most trustworthy look and waits. Her eyebrows knot together as she tentatively reaches out and places her hands in his. She feels a sharp tug as she’s swept up into his embrace. Joseph holds her tightly with one arm, and with the other brushes her hair back and softly kisses her neck.  The warmth from his mouth quickly spreads goosebumps across her shoulders. “Quite possibly a waste of my special talents.” Joseph breathes into the back of her ear. “Just tell me what you want me to do.

“I, um, you…” Carlie stammers unable to catch her breath. She realizes her fingers are digging into his biceps and forces herself to release her grip a bit.

Joseph smiles at her and skillfully places her back in her seat, slipping his arm from around her waist and gently kissing her on her forehead. Carlie looks around the café and seizes her coffee. Her cheeks burning and her eyes darting from one table to the next. “I, um…” she stammers.

Joseph laughs then. A full-throated laugh. If people weren’t looking at her before, they sure are now. “C’mon.” He says as his laugh settles into his chest, shaking it just a bit now and then. “I promise I’m not scary. ‘Always a gentleman.’ Right? That’s the promise we make when we sign on to the agency.  I was recruited because of my… talents… but part of the gig is to gently guide and encourage you to try new things. And besides,” Joseph caresses the handle of his coffee cup. “I like my job and I’m not about to do anything to mess it up.”

*****

I’m heading to Seattle again this week. Although I won’t be meeting anyone for the first time at a coffee shop, I will be having great coffee and sushi (not at the same time). Maybe that’s why outdoor coffee shops/cafés have been on my mind, and showed up in this little story.  I tend to write about that little sparkly bit that keeps showing up, and so that’s my suggestion to you this week. Pay attention to that bright spot, that little twinkling light that keeps drawing your attention, and notice it. What are you supposed to do about it? You tell me.

My words are my thoughts, but my pictures are generally found on Pinterest (you can find anything there!). If you like what I write, please share with your friends or someone you think would like it! I’d love it if you follow me on Facebook (Melissa Gale) or Twitter (@write2unpack). Oh, hey, and if you sign up here to follow me you’ll never miss a post!