Short on Time

Chapter 47

"Ginger, why do you bring so much paperwork with you?" Iris asked.

I smiled at her, "I have two part-time jobs, not to mention another more incognito part-time job."

"You also have no love life," Iris said.

"E-excuse me?" A voice said from behind us.

"Maybe not anymore," Iris said with a smile.

"Hi, sorry.Is this yours? I think maybe you dropped it," a man said as he walked up." It was just right up there."

"Oh. I don't know what happened, but," I said.

"Oh, my gosh, yeah, I didn't even realize she dropped it," Iris said with a wink.

"Thank you so much," I said as the man gave it to me.

"Yeah, yeah, it's okay," he said before walking away.

"Wait, I've-I've seen you before, haven't I?" Iris asked.

"Uh, we actually went to elementary school together," he said, but Iris was just looking at him funny. "You don't remember me? PS 23?"

"Oh, my gosh! Right, yes, I remember! Gary, right!" Iris said.

"Uh, Barry," he said awkwardly making me giggle. "Barry Allen."

"Right," Iris said.

"It's fine," Barry said.

"Sorry, sorry."

"No, it's fine," Barry said and then turned to me. 

"Ginger Clancy," I said smiling.

"Yeah, my best friend. Ginger, Barry and I had um Mr."

"Mr. Hinkley," Barry said.

"Yes. Yeah, for math. Yeah, he used to always hit the chalkboard," Iris said.

"With his fist. And all the dust would come flying off," Barry said.

"He'd look just like..." Irs said turning to me. 

"Pig-Pen from 'Peanuts'," I asked.

"Yeah,  that's," Iris said as Barry and I laughed. 

"So how are you on this fine day?" I asked.

" I'm really good. Yeah, I'm, uh, CSI. I work over at, uh, CCPD," Barry said awkwardly.

"Yeah, um, my My dad works there, too. He's a detective," Iris said trying to start a conversation.

"Yeah, I see him sometimes. I don't really know him, but I, you know, see him in passing," Barry said.

"Cool, yeah," Iris said.

"Um, well, thanks again. I guess you're my hero today," I told Barry.

"Glad I could be there for you," Barry said smiling at me. 

Iris' phone went off, "I have to take this."

"You know what Ginger? Uh, would you wanna get a coffee? I mean, I know you're having a coffee right now. I meant, like, you know, at a different time. With me. Or it doesn't even have to be a coffee. It could be any kind of beverage, like a wine or a beer, or Not that I wanna get you drunk. We could get iced tea. Do you like iced tea? Do would you wanna get an iced tea with me?" Barry asked awkwardly.

I smiled at him, "Yes, I would like to get an iced tea with you, Barry."

"Okay," Barry said with a smile.

"Barry Allen, you're very cute, you know that?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Yeah, but, um, you should try talking just a little bit slower," I suggested.