A Room With A View

Chapter Thirty-Four - Brian

October 16, Monday

Brian stopped outside Charles's office building and looked back. He could just barely see Charles's office window, flanked by towering stacks of books. Brian smiled.

He'd just turned in a first full draft of his new novel, which he was tentatively calling Carnation Dust, and Charles felt it had potential. Granted, "potential" wasn't the most encouraging of words, but the way Charles had said it made Brian feel like he had a true winner on his hands. He hoped it would make up for the meager sales Sunset at the Cove had seen. It seemed that Elena's book club had made up the lion's share of Sunset's profits.

An early winter breeze rushed up Broadway and fluttered the hem of Brian's jacket. He tucked it more tightly around himself and turned toward the subway.

Carnation Dust had taken him a month to complete. It was the fastest he had ever pounded out a story, save for the first Charlene Proibo romance. He felt good. It felt like Brian Cooper was back in action.

Brian spun on his toe and stopped dead, giving his best James Bond impression. Two passersby gawked at him.

"Just c-celebrating good news," Brian muttered. He adjusted his glasses and ducked his head, scurrying toward the subway entrance.

Despite the buoyancy of his conversation with Charles, a niggling worm of doubt was curling its way throughout his thoughts. Madeline still hadn't come to see him. Of course, he wasn't necessarily expecting her too, but he had hoped that she would stop by and thank him for the flowers. Although maybe the ball was in his court, and he was expected to stop by and check in. But then would that appear too invasive? He had already given her flowers. And he had ridden her tower's elevator up and down for much of Sunday, trying to catch her. To him it seemed like it was now Madeline's turn to make an effort.

Unless--and this thought stopped Brian cold--unless she's not interested. That could be the reason why she hadn't come to speak to him. Maybe she truly just wasn't interested.

Brian cursed under his breath and fumbled for his metrocard. He swiped it angrily through the turnstile.

"Please swipe again."

Brian growled. It was a inhuman sound, deep in his throat. Brian didn't even know he could vocalize something like that.

He took a deep breath, and swiped his card again. This time it went through, the cheery green screen letting him know that he had $2.85 left on his card. Just enough for another trip.

Brian walked midway down the uptown platform and set down his bag. The platform was cold, with the same winter breeze from before blowing down into the stair well. Neither the uptown nor downtown train was in the station, so Brian could see clearly across the tracks to the other dirty white wall. Everyone on the opposite platform was wearing black. Black trench coats, black fleeces, black boots. It was as if every New Yorker had collectively decided to--

Brian stopped mid-thought. A flash of purple had just weaved its way through the trench coats to stand perilously close to the far edge of the downtown platform. She bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. She was waiting for the train furthest from Brian. Though her back was to him, Brian would know her anywhere. The espresso curls, the curve of her neck, the square of her shoulders.

Madeline.

Madeline turned, as if she could hear Brian silently sighing her name. Her eyes met his, and she smiled in recognition.

Brian waved like an idiot, his brain having turned to mush in the light of her smile.

Madeline waved back. She crept closer, but for Brian it wasn't close enough. An empty chasm of train tracks separated them--yet another barrier Brian could not cross.

Madeline mimed looking at her watch and then gave an exaggerated look at Brian.Train delayed?

Brian shrugged. He pointed to the map and furrowed his brow in question. Where are you going?

Madeline rifled through her bag and pulled out a head shot, rolling her eyes. Another audition.

Brian crossed his fingers and held them up. Good luck!

Madeline mouthed "thanks". But there was a tightness to the motion that showed Brian she was nervous. His life's work was the study and portrayal of human emotion, and Madeline's were written across her features in glaring ink. Brian wished he could pull Madeline close and tell her that he believed in her, but he couldn't even form the words.

Madeline stashed the head shot back in her bag and pointed to Brian. You?

Brian moved his fingers before him, typing away on an imaginary keyboard. Writing.

Madeline gave him a questioning look and a tentative thumbs up. Going well?

Brian nodded. He couldn't help himself from smiling, Charles's words still fresh in his ear.

Madeline grinned. It was breathtaking.

The ground started to rumble. Both Brian and Madeline looked to the sound. The uptown F train was shuffling its way into the station. Brian tried to jog ahead of it, willing himself to shout a goodbye, but he couldn't beat the train. Madeline was lost, hidden behind the train's orange banner and fogged windows.

Brian sighed. He walked back, collected his bag, and stepped onto the train. Though he looked out the other side to the downtown platform, Madeline was nowhere to be found.

He sat down heavily on the seat across from the door, his head pressed against a plastic advertisement. It had been their first real conversation, and they hadn't even said a single word to one another.

"Stand clear of the closing doors," the conductor's voice crackled over the speaker.
The doors started to close, and Brian looked away, his eyes drifting over the black-clad passengers without focusing on anyone in particular.

Beep.

Brian looked back. The doors had closed on a single red mitten. The red mitten became two, muscling their way inside. Two purple sleeves, and then a full jacket. A mass of brown curls, and sparkling chestnut eyes, searching, searching...for him.

Madeline smiled.

"Hi," she said breathlessly.

"Hi."

*********
They finally said hello to one another! What did you think of this meeting? Are you happy they've said hello? Leave your comments below!