Over the next week, Zoë poured herself into her work.
She organized a display of healing crystals in the store's window and unpacked a shipment of green obsidian. Reading on the label, "Helps to overcome feelings of stagnation," she thought, "I could use some of that," and set a piece aside for herself. She straightened a shelf of Celtic knot soapstone mortars and pestles and spent two days inventorying the store's entire supply of medicinal herbs.
That weekend, Zoë joined Maple for an open-mic night at Beats and Brews, a microbrewery and performing arts venue. Maple chose a pale ale, Zoë grabbed a coffee stout, and they found a table.
On the small stage, a paunchy guy with wispy blond hair — wearing khaki cargo pants and a plaid shirt — was playing an acoustic guitar and singing, "Come Live With Me."
"Come live with me and be my love, and we will all the pleasures prove ..."
When he saw Zoë and Maple in the audience, the singer's face turned bright red.
There was something familiar about him.
"Oh, my God," Maple said, grabbing Zoë's arm. "Is that ... Chuck?"
At the realization, Zoë chuckled a bit, lowered her head and covered her face, but as Chuck sang on ...
"That hills and valleys, dales and fields and all the craggy mountains yield ..."
... she found herself staring, her glass halfway to her mouth.
"Come live with me and be my love."
It was her favorite romantic poem set to music, and as she watched Chuck, she realized: He was actually quite good.
Chuck was coming off stage after his number and Maple was frantically waving him over to their table when Zoë's phone chimed, indicating a new text message:
| Zoë, it's Edgar. I need your help!
Will Zoë be sympathetic to Edgar's plea for help, or will she kick him to the curb? Find out in Part 6.
This is a complete story to be posted at regular intervals.
R.J. Post is the author of "Lion Taming, Dating and Other Dangerous Endeavors" and "A Shovelful of Winter," which are available on Amazon.
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Ghosting Zoë
RomanceNew Age girl Zoë has had bad luck with a string of hipster boyfriends, but it's nothing a good cup of Double Espresso Macchiato With Yak Milk won't fix. Right? So she thinks until a new man tumbles into her life via a misdirected text message. But i...
