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“Considering that I’m in the car to get Pedialyte, Pepto, and plain white bread for my mother who has severe food poisoning? No, Ellis, I am not having fun, and I’d much rather be back in Ohio with you for your birthday.”
I smile, knowing how much Lennon hates vomit despite her horror movie references. “You’ll be fine,” I assure, glancing once more at the clock. “And I’ll be fine. I might be murdered, but I’m sure you’ll plan a killer funeral. Pun intended.” I smile, switching my phone to the other ear. “I really do have to go, though.”
“Jokes on you if you think I’m planning your funeral. That sounds almost as bad as watching my mother shoot Pedialyte out of her nose because of undercooked chicken. Call me later?”
“Always.”
I hang up the phone, considering Lennon’s comment about meeting in a public place. At the very least, if I message this guy and tell him I am team coffee first, and he gets upset, then at least I know Lennon was probably right. He was looking to wear my skin. Maybe I should skip the lotion tomorrow.
Technically, my lunch is over, but I type out the quick message, anyway.
Me:For tomorrow, do you think we could meet up at a coffee shop first?
The sudden thought that he could ghost me anyway plagues me as I put my phone down and fix my eyes to the computer screen. If he ghosts, maybe I can just buy a bunch of popsicles and make more bad decisions.
“Lennon?” Rupert says as he rolls his chair around. The whiff of tuna is strong enough to knock me out, and I internally curse myself for not buying more gum to share.
My nose wrinkles before I face him. “Yeah, she’s visiting family up in Minneapolis for the holidays.”
Rupert smiles, the wrinkles at his eyes becoming more pronounced. “Sounds fun, but isn’t she missing your birthday, then?”
I sigh, turning to my computer, clicking around–doing anything but acknowledge my sad, sad life. Rupert has been working for the company forever, and while he cannot work his way around a spreadsheet, he somehow kept his job. Honestly, the man should be retired by now.
His presence must be the Universe’s way of watching out for me. While the guy is old and smells like tuna, he gives decent advice, is kind, and is also the closest thing I’ve ever had to a father.
“I have a plan for my birthday. It’s kind of like a blind date without any of the romance. Just two strangers–” I trail off, realizing I shouldn’t have started explaining this. It sounded better in my head. “I don’t really know what we will be doing.”
Rupert grunts, folding his arms across his chest. I glance back at him, noting the wrinkled button down and the deep concern on his brow. “Was that what all the axe murderer talk was about?I’m not sure I like the idea of all that. You’re meeting a stranger to take you on some adventure?”
I clear my throat, spinning in my chair and sitting up straighter. Maybe if I appear confident, he will trust me to be the adult I am and stop looking at me like a child toddling to his or her death. “It’ll be fine. I’ll be meeting the guy in a coffee shop–somewhere public. That’s what Lennon and I discussed.”
Rupert runs a hand down his face as if this conversation aged him five years. I’m surprised he isn’t dead. “Okay, Ellie,” he says, and something about his tone makes me feel like a scolded teenager. “Okay.”
My brow furrows, and I watch as he slides his chair back around, disappearing behind the cubical wall. I’m suddenly more aware of the subtle dripping sound of the basement.
Maybe I should be concerned about this meeting.
“But if anything goes wrong,” Rupert says from the other side of the wall. “You call me. I can have my son pick you up or something. You still have my number from when you watched Lola?”
Lola happens to be Rupert’s equally ancient chihuahua. He adopted her after his wife died last year to cope with the loss. I dog-sat for him over the summer and got the rundown on his entire life. His son, Joseph, works as a pediatrician and is married with three kids.
“Okay, Rupert,” I say, my tone tight. “I still have it.”
He rolls around again, glaring at me and pointing a finger. “Don’t act upset. I’m only trying to help you be safe.”
“I know.” I offer him a smile, and something tugs in my chest–just slightly. “I’ll call you if anything is amiss.”
He disappears again. “Good.”
The next time I check my phone isn’t until I’m leaving after five, and I’m not sure if the message brings me any more peace or not.
GJPAudio:Sure. Do you know the one off Oaklawn? Small place with lots of plants in the window.
Five
Griffin
The door opens behind me as I finish putting my laptop in my backpack.
