1982 - California
MICHAEL
I unfortunately couldn't visit the club last night. Even after we all finished recording, I just couldn't will myself to go. Too many cameras. Too much noise. I'd rather pace the floor of my bedroom and deal with insomnia alone. I'd fallen into the same routine for years. I'd quickly guessed that old habits never broke. No matter what in my mind. I'd blocked out the nearby chatter of this break room for once.
It wasn't long before Kim finally entered. Not one ounce of fatigue reached her face. At least I didn't believe so. For the millionth time, she waved to everyone before heading toward one of the buffet tables and fixing a plate. Not even moments later, she turned to face my direction and winked. I stood up and walked forward without even thinking. My hand soon reached over for a plate too.
"I'm so sorry for not showing up last night, girl. I'm just not ready to see the nightlife unless obligated." Of course, I apologized profusely. Kim looked at me with narrowed while still gathering food. Yet, a smile crept onto her face. I mentally exhaled with a sigh of relief at this point. Voices still chatted around us as usual. Again, I found myself only thinking about her. It wasn't love, of course.
"It's perfectly fine, Michael. I know how much you enjoy privacy. There's no pressure on my end. Just know that you're always welcome." Kim offered one more smile before walking off to a lonely corner of this jam-packed room. I didn't understand that need for insolation this afternoon, but wouldn't question that woman. This was her life, not mine.
Still, I felt terrible in one way or another. This woman didn't deserve to be alone. If anything, I earned that loneliness. Time and time again, people walked away. I refused to open up my heart once more. My soul only anticipated heartache. Maybe I just wasn't good enough for someone. Given the difficult relationship between my mother and Joseph. I hesitated often.
Fed up with my own pity-party, I mustered up courage to sit with her again. Kim looked up at me and politely wiped her mouth before smiling. An empty chair situated right across form her now. I carefully pushed out the chair with my free hand before finally sitting down. Kim welcomed me and reached over to jokingly lift her glass of Cranberry Juice. I laughed to myself. Lunch wouldn't end for quite a while at this point. I once again blocked out nearby conversations.
"So, I have a photoshoot with Dick Zimmerman in the morning. Thankfully, I don't have to work at the club tomorrow. Of course, we're not open on Sunday, unless it's New Year's or something." Out of respect, Kim didn't continue eating now. I forked another tomato in my salad during her response.
Nearby, Quincy once again stared at us with the slyest grin on his face. Kim thankfully didn't notice. I didn't even smile for once and would've felt embarrassed.
"Good luck tomorrow. " I smiled honestly for Kim. My mind could only imagine what ideas Zimmerman drummed up for this woman. Not long ago, I held a meeting with Dick to eventually collaborate on a shoot for my brand-new album. We'd scheduled time in November, close to that official release date.
"Thanks. I can see this career approaching more and more, Michael. I'm in such good place now." Kim finally stopped eating for now. It wasn't long before she took a moment to excuse herself from the table. I followed, staring down at my own plate. We both quickly dumped garbage into a enormous trashcan.
"By the way girl, I promise be at the club this weekend. No excuses this time. And I'll call your manager myself. No personal assistants. He can speak to the source." In that moment, I'd rambled on and on about this guarantee to visit her workplace. Kim folded her arms near the dessert plate and retrieved another small plate. Yet, she smiled from cheek to cheek. I nearly blushed afterwards.
"Oh, really? I'll be waiting for Elliot to say that you called." Kim teased me while picking up some miniature brownies. Her fingers clasped the treats with a set of pincers. I refused dessert for once. I could only scope this woman up and down. Her body curved into a tucked white blouse and black pants.
I almost didn't notice the dark blazer jacket that clothed both her shoulders. Once again, she sported a messy ponytail. Stray curls once more drooped around her face. I should've melted by now. Usually, I didn't go for high-maintenance women, but still knew someone looked beautiful.
I soon wondered if Kim knew that she this "bad" anyway. If she wasn't single, her man was the luckiest person on Earth. Waking up to that face or at least encountering her vibrant personality must've been a dream. For now, I'd keep my distance instead. We'd only met not too long ago. Pressuring her into anything would've hurt both of us.
"As soon as I finish up here at the studio, I'm callin." I vowed to make pick up my phone this evening and offered this playful scout salute. Kim walked right back over to "our" table while giggling. In understood in one way or another. My heart melted all over again.
Kim just nodded and continued eating with me.
