forgetting me

32

New York City
August 27th, 2002

When William left for work early in the morning, around six, Lainie was up already. She was quite the early bird. She acknowledged him with a smile and a tight squeeze goodbye. He was overjoyed that she had grown tired of the silent treatment and had approached him the previous night. He wanted to get to the café right away and tell Jacob about his success.

But Jacob didn't show up to work. It took some thought, but eventually, William remembered Jacob had told him he wasn't going to be at work today yesterday before he'd left.

At his 9 o'clock break, William sat alone, facing the wall, and realized just how close he'd grown to Jacob in the past month or so. After ten or so minutes, he heard a voice.

"Hey."

William glanced up slightly, noting a young woman standing over him. She smiled at him and set her coffee down on the table.

"Do you mind?" She gestured to the empty chair across from  William. "There's no where else to sit."

"Oh! Not at all." William made moves to stand but the woman shook her head.

"If it's alright, I would enjoy the company. Usually I just come in here to write because it's quiet, but I came at a dreadfully full time. But I was so tired and I couldn't wait for coffee, so I had to come in early."

William looked back up at her. He hadn't actually looked at her.

"Amanda."

Amanda startled for a moment, then relaxed and smiled. "I guess you should remember my name. You always nail my order when you're the barista, and that's about every day."

William chuckled and extended his hand across the table for her to take. "William."

She smiled as she shook his hand. Her eyes fell to their hands, then focused on William's wrist.

"It's a cool tattoo," she mused.

She released his hand. William stared down at it fondly, rubbing the daffodil with his left thumb. He nodded slightly.

"What does it mean to you?" Amanda's eyes bored into his, waiting his answer.

He thought for a moment. "What's in the journal?" He looked back up at her.

Amanda smiled. "My observations. Some rough sketches. Mostly snapshots into my life, and wonders of others'. I like to study people, and the more interesting pieces of strangers get to see the pages of my ultimate notebook."

William laughed. "'Ultimate'? What's so great about that notebook?"

"I'm writing a novel."

William nodded, leaning back slightly to study her. He wanted to ask a follow up question, but by the way she gazed intently back at him, he figured she wouldn't say anything else. He sighed, sitting forward.

"I got it a year ago." He ran his hand through his hair, speaking slowly. "I wasn't in a great situation, and I had decided to get out. Looking at the tattoo really helped me when I didn't feel strong enough to carry on, because of what it meant to me."

Amanda nodded, her brilliant blue eyes twinkling.

"What does it mean?"

William shrugged. "I think I'm going to keep that a secret for now. Maybe I'll tell you if we get to know each other better."

Amanda raised an eyebrow. She smirked. "Like, outside of this café?"

William shrugged. "Maybe not right away. We could talk at a few more of my breaks and see where we stand."

Amanda laughed, her grin infectious. "No, I'm teasing. Of course."

William smiled. She opened her notebook to a blank page and scribbled down a number. She tore out the top half of the page and handed it to William.

"There's my number. If you could write yours, too. . ." She shoved the notebook in his direction, as well as her pen.

William nodded. "Of course. I get off at two today, so I'll call you around then?"

Amanda smiled and got up. "I'll be looking forward to it."

William watched her leave, completely and utterly star struck.

"Peterson!" William snapped out of it as Maia approached him.

"I know. I'm getting back to work."

"Thank you."

As William returned to his position behind the counter, he noticed the café was almost completely empty. Amanda has just wanted to talk to him. The thought made him smile, and he couldn't wipe his stupid grin off of his face for ten rest of his shift.