It Starts With One

His Muse

The rain was heavy... and just my luck, my umbrella was still at my hotel. Should've learned by now that London was rainy. I rolled my eyes at myself, feeling utterly stupid. I grabbed my purse and locked the door to the kitchen and pulled my hood over my head quickly as the roof overhang was not very long. I fiddled a moment to find my keys as I walked toward the car park. Frustrated, I moved on from the door and turned to begin walking toward the car park. Keys could wait.

From afar, I could see two figures sitting in lawn chairs talking to one another in the light under the patio of a trailer. One of them stood, patted the other on the shoulder and started to make their way toward me with haste.

"Hey!" they shouted, trying to get my attention. I startle at the familiar, deep voice. I finally look passed my hood, realizing it's Adam. I almost flinch as he approaches, the heavy rain already soaking him. "Oh, hi..." I awkwardly acknowledge him back. "Where's your umbrella?" He asks over the loud smacking of the rain. "Um...at my hotel room...cause I'm forgetful..." I say with a humiliated smile. Adam smirks, looking behind him for a moment, then back at me. "I have one. Come out of the rain for a sec and I'll, uh, I'll grab it for you." he offers, putting a hand on my drenched shoulder, gesturing to his trailer.
My mind raced quickly for the few seconds I stood there, debating to accept or not, but out of desperation to get out of the torrential downpour, I looked up at him gratefully. "Thanks, yeah, that'd be great."
He nods and we jog over to his patio overhang, where he had been chatting with his old buddy, Oscar Isaac. He looked me up and down as I stood there. "You poor thing. No umbrella?" he commented with a half-smile. I chuckled a little, "Nope... just, uh, didn't think about it ‪this morning‬." I reply nervously. My hood was dripping water onto my face and everything was pretty wet already. "Just a minute and I'll grab it for you." Adam said, going into his trailer. Oscar looked at me, "So, late shift, I guess...?" I nod in response, taking off my hood a moment while I'm under shelter. "Yeah, we get the late shift the day before our few days off."

Oscar smiled. "Well, hey, I hope you enjoy a nice break. You guys deserve it with all you do." he said genuinely. I smiled at him, "Aww, thank you."
Adam returned outside with his umbrella in hand, closing his trailer door behind him. "Here, I'll just uh--I'll walk you to your car." he said nonchalantly.

Oh...he probably doesn't want me to walk off with his umbrella... I thought to myself.

"Oh... you don't have to do that, I'll be fine." I replied.
"No, no, I insist." He said with a sweet smile. "Be careful getting home." Oscar added, lighting a cigarette. I realized there was no getting out of it, so I nodded and began to walk back out into the rain. Adam opened his umbrella, which was gigantic, and held it over us both as we walked out. "Here..." he grabbed my arm, linking it in his to guide me. My heart was pounding as he gently reached out for my hand, tucking it gently under his arm and around to the crease of his elbow, locking his arm in an escorting fashion.
Such a gentleman.

We walked to the car park gate, scanning my ID card to get in. "Which way?" He asked loudly over the loud smacking of the rain drops. I pointed in a direction, and he guided me that way. I was so dumbfounded that this was happening that I hadn't spoken a word since leaving the patio. I realized I needed to point out my car. "That one, right there." I finally managed to say. He never changed his speed, but continued to walk me to my car. My hand nestled in the crook of his arm comfortably, I felt so special in that moment. We reached my rental, and I fiddled in my pockets again for my keys.

"Thanks, I uh--" not in that pocket, "...just gotta find my..." not in that one either. I began to panic for a moment. I dipped a hand in my purse, desperately searching. Adam waited kindly as I unlatched my hand from his arm to search.

You've got to be shitting me... I realized.

I leaned forward to look through my car's window. Adam kindly leaned in with the umbrella over me. There they were. My keys. Still in the ignition.
I hung my head, "Oh fuck..." I muttered. Adam looked concerned, "What? Did you lock your keys in your car?" he said with a smirk. "Yeah..." I elongated my answer, feeling ridiculous in that moment. I wiped a hand over my face. Adam looked at his watch, then looked around. "It's too late to call a locksmith..." he said, looking inside the car from the window, trying the door handle, which was locked.
"Fuck... this would happen to me..." I muttered. "Hey, shit happens." He says with a smile. I looked around the car park, hopeless. I opened my wallet, finding what little cash I had. "Well, I'll have to call a cab for tonight. I'm not sure how far this will get me, but, oh well... I can call a locksmith tomorrow." I said digging out my phone.