What else did she know by looking at him?A lot.He’d come inside with an expensive-looking suit and a pair of shoes shinier than she’d ever seen, but he’d removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves so he could eat with his hands.He’d already drunk two beers, just sitting there by himself, staring into space.She could tell he belonged somewhere and was expected somewhere important, bright and early.She could also tell that he didn’t want to go wherever that was.She guessed he was a little bit older.He’d gone to college, and someone had told him exactly how to style his hair.
What she hadn’t expected was his next question.“What is this song?”He pointed at the speaker and bobbed his head.He gave her the handsomest smile she’d ever seen.
“It’s David Bowie,” she shot back, scowling at him.She felt like it was her lot in life to show rich people that she didn’t need them.
“I know it’s Bowie,” the guy said.“But what album is it?What song?I’ve never heard it before.”
Stevie’s heart lifted just the slightest bit.“It’s from Station to Station,” she said.“It’s called ‘Stay.’”
The man pulled a pen out of his pocket and scribbled the name on a napkin.As he did it, Stevie thought it was the most attractive anyone had ever been to her.A rich and handsome man, paying attention to what she wanted to play for him.She hadn’t expected that.
“I can’t believe I don’t know it.”He shook his head.“Bowie’s my favorite.”
Stevie smiled.“He’s a master.”
The man pulled his head up.“Who’s your favorite?”
“How can you say favorite?”Stevie asked, reaching for her broom.She wanted to do something with her hands.“I mean, favorites in a world as expansive as music?It’s insane to me.”
The man laughed.“You think it’s childish.”
“A little bit.”Stevie brushed aside some crumbs and wondered why she was giving this guy the time of day.She needed to tell him to leave the restaurant so she could get ready to go.“I mean, my mother for sure had a favorite.I know because she named me after her.”
“What’s your name?”
Stevie eyed him.“You should guess.”
The man raised his beer and narrowed his eyes, assessing her.“Let’s see,” he said.“I can’t ask what genre your mother likes best?”
“Liked,” Stevie said.“My mother passed away.”
The man lowered his beer, looking genuinely sad.For this, Stevie was sorry.She usually didn’t tell people that her mother was gone.She’d died when Stevie was barely walking.It hadn’t affected her so much, or not in the ways people thought.
“But no,” Stevie continued, lightening her tone.“You can’t guess what the genre was.You can’t guess anything except the name.”
The man clucked his tongue.“And if I guess correctly, I get to know your name?”
Stevie nodded and turned away, sweeping with her back to him.
“You seem to be a rocker girl.”He stood from his stool and walked toward the far wall.Stevie could feel him.She knew exactly where he was at any time.“So I’m going to guess rocker girl names.Debbie?”
“No,” Stevie said.“But good guess.I love Debbie Harry.”
“Who doesn’t?”The man stopped walking and snapped his fingers.“Janis?”
“Wrong again.”Stevie wore a strange smile, one that didn’t feel fully natural.
There was a long silence.Stevie continued to sweep until she felt crazy; until she felt she couldn’t handle it.She turned to find the man gazing at her, his eyebrows raised.
“Of course,” he said.“You look just like her.Your voice sort of sounds like hers, too.”
Stevie tilted her head.“Say it,” she said.
“I won’t say it.”His smile widened.It was like he was playing a game with her.He removed his wallet and stuck the amount he owed and a hefty tip on the counter between them.“Can I have your number?”
Stevie rolled her eyes, surprised at how genuine she found this strange and wealthy man.“No,” she said.“You didn’t even say my name aloud.Maybe you don’t even know it.”
“I know it,” he said.His eyes echoed light.“Good night, Stevie Nicks.”He turned on his heel, left the restaurant, and moved into the darkness.Stevie leaned onto the counter, realizing that her legs were shaking beneath her.She wasn’t sure why, but she felt as though everything in her life was about to change.Don’t be foolish, she thought.You’ll never see him again.But she soon discovered she was mistaken about that.She wasn’t used to being wrong.
