Finding Mitty.

Chapter 9: A study in Pink.

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Note: this is the longest chapter yet.

I stood on the newly furbished restroom floor, my palms resting on the sink, supporting my slightly slouched body. My face was still wet after I had just brushed my teeth and splashed some water on my face. I looked in the mirror for a while, at that stubbled face still groggy from the jet lag and inadequate sleep.

I reached into my little travel case to get my razor and shaving cream but my hand paused just at the opening of the case, and I looked back into the mirror and thought for a moment. I was tired, and annoyed, like I'd been for most of the time since I'd arrived in Spain only to be disappointed and even more befuddled than I already was. This, shaving, this was just a ritual I used to follow mindlessly during my old life in NY (yes, I was already referring to it as the old life) because I had to go to work looking like a sober guy. But why? Who the hell cared what I looked like? If I had a beard or not. Ted had a beard, and however ridiculous it was, nobody ever said anything about it. Maybe because he had a higher position in the hierarchy. Or maybe I was just over thinking things. Anyway, There was only one person who cared about how I looked. Me. And now, even I didn't give a shit. And my hand withdrew.

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The airport waiting lounge was a pretty big space, filled with 4 of those 7×5 cluster seats that could accommodate 35 people but really was just used by 20 people and their luggage. I made my way through wide lounge and towards Anna who was sitting in one such seat, her head tilted and resting on her left fist, with her elbow resting on her backpack sitting on the seat to her left. She looked like she was almost going to fall asleep.

I walked up to her and put my travel case in my backpack which was on her right seat, shifted the bag to the next right seat and seated myself next to her. She really was asleep. Now that I got a closer look at her face, I could see that it was so content, so peaceful. Babies don't sleep this well. I wondered what she could be dreaming about. Love? Adventure? I don't know. Maybe she wasn't even dreaming. Not everyone's me. I cleared and mustered up some strength to break her so peaceful sleep by saying, "Uh, Joanna? Hey..um.."

Before I could complete she suddenly opened her eyes and fidgeted in her seat to fix her posture and said, "Oh hey! Sorry I nodded off a little there. You all done getting refreshed?"

I ran my hand across my cheek to my chin and mumbled, "Its okay. I was probably in there longer than I should've. And yeah, I'm done."

She smirked and replied, "No you weren't. You haven't even shaved yet."

"Oh, that. I decided against it." Said I, dryly, and continued, " Anyway, I'm hungry. Brunch?"

She nodded approvingly and said, "You look better this way anyway. I like it. And there's a Papa John's right behind the escalator. You can go there while I freshen up, okay?"

My eyebrows jumped. Of all the international all time open fast food chains in the world...

"Uh, okay." I replied, my eyes a little wide with surprise; a smirk on my face then replacing them.

Universe you bitch.

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"Hey Todd."

"Walter? That you? Whose number are you calling from?"

"A friend. I didn't bring my phone. Hey, guess where I am."