“But... I bought your ticket.”
I could feel my jaw actually drop.
He was serious.
“I got you a drink in there too. What the heck?”
Roger I felt bad for. I even had some empathy for the food court Book Lady.
But this guy?
I thought of what Lennon would say. And I smiled.
But I bit my tongue.
He looked me over, making a show of it, then scoffed. “Probably would’ve been terrible anyway.”
I stood on the street watching as he walked off, my faith in humanity thrown into a wood chipper.
I’ve gotten into the habit of talking about my dates with Miles and texting Minnie the rundown of each one. But I didn’t tell either of them the truth about Barry. Just said it wasn’t a good fit and that I wouldn’t be seeing him again.
After that, I told both of them I needed to take a break.
Tonight I’m staying home to bake a few things, journal for a bit, and revisit my list.
I want a job or career I love.
I want friends. Real ones. (Lennon might count, jury’s out on Miles)
I want to live in a new city.
I want a dog.
I want to figure out who I am—apart from a wife and a mom.
I want a place where I fit in. I want a place where I belong.
I want a hobby.
I want to do the things that scare me.
Have a meal by myself. In public.
Strike up a conversation with a stranger.
Try new foods I’ve never had or can’t pronounce.
Download dating app.
There are so many things left on my list. Big things.
In the midst of thinking about the big things, I start to doodle about The Porch.
I really can’t get away from this idea.
While I’m sketching out a logo, I hear voices in the courtyard. When I pull back the curtain, I see Lorraine and Miles standing outside talking. Given the pained look on his face, the conversation is most likely about something Lorraine wants him to fix or change around the building.
After a few seconds of gawking, Miles must get the sense that someone is watching him, because he looks right at me and waves.
