I let the familiar sights and sounds of the city wash over me as I break into a light jog. No one makes eye contact with me, let alone smiles or returns my hellos. I don’t let the rebuffs dampen my spirits; I know if I collapsed on the street right now, there would be a swarm of New Yorkers stopping to help me. Sometimes kind is more important than nice.
I slow my pace as I approach my stop, nerves suddenly swarming in my stomach. There’s a good chance I’m going to walk through the door and not find what I’m looking for.
But I also know that, if the worst does occur, I would be okay. I have the tools now to break down my walls and let people in. I’ve proven I can make friends and help others. I can become who I want to be.
I hold my breath the tiniest bit when I push the door open. A bell tinkles, something I didn’t even notice when I was here the night before.
I spot him immediately, sitting at the same table where we shared dinner, just a few hours ago. A few hours, and for us, many months ago.
He stands when he sees me, his warm smile spreading across his face. “Hi, sweetheart.”
I fold myself into his arms, leaning into his warmth, letting my nose fill with his woodsy, comforting scent. “Well, hello again, Dr. Loving.”
He separates us, leaving just enough space for him to cup my cheeks in his hands and bring our lips together. The kiss starts soft, and maybe a bit unsure, but once his mouth brushes mine, any doubts are cleared away.
He’s here, my Ben, and this is most definitely real.
“So, I had the strangest dream,” I say when we finally part.
He chuckles. “Must have been something in the water.” He pulls out my chair for me before taking the seat across the table. “I’d love to hear all about it.”
A server approaches our table, ready and impatient to take our orders.
“Is Mimi working this morning?” I exchange a look with Ben, and his smile turns encouraging. “She was our server the last time we were here, and I don’t think we left a proper tip.”
How much cash do I owe the woman who fully changed my life?
“Mimi?” The man’s nose wrinkles. “There’s no one working here named Mimi.”
“Are you sure?” Ben asks. “We weren’t here that long ago.”
“Listen, I’ve been working here since I was fourteen, my aunt owns this place. There’s no one here named Mimi, never has been. Now do you wanna order or not?”
“I’ll have a coffee and a bacon, egg, and cheese.” Ben hands the man his menu, his friendly smile never wavering.
“I’ll also have a BEC, and I’ll take a large honey lavender latte.”
The man takes my menu, rolling his eyes and muttering under his breath about ridiculous coffee orders.
Ben and I both burst out laughing. I slip my hand into his, and he laces our fingers together. We drink our coffees and eat our breakfasts, sharing our favorite memories from our time together in Heart Springs.
When we finish our meal, the server brings us our check. I check the front and back, but there’s no message from Mimi, no directive about loving ourselves or living life to the fullest. Maybe she’s already turned her attentions to some other poor soul. I hope for their sake that they take her advice.
We link hands again as we stroll out of the café and down the street. I know I need to make my way over to the office, not to make the big meeting, not because my grandmother threatened me, but because she and I need to have a real talk. Some things are going to need to change in my life, and my job is the biggest among them.
Because I don’t want to spend my life buried in paperwork, racking up more hours in the office than not. I want to enjoy the time I have, be able to go out for breakfast with my boyfriend, and not feel like I’m letting my whole family down if something job-related doesn’t go exactly right.
I want to help people who really need it, not a bunch of corporations who take more than they could ever possibly give back.
It’s not going to be an easy conversation to have with her, but Grandmother is going to have to understand.
Ben nudges me with his elbow as we stroll down a quiet walkway in Central Park. “What’s going on in that beautiful brain of yours?”
“Just thinking about some career changes I’d like to make.”
“Oh yeah?” He pulls me to a stop. “Is it too early for me to ask for a change?”
My heart thuds in my chest. Nothing he’s said throughout the day today would lead me to believe he doesn’t want our relationship to continue, but I can’t help but jump to the worst-case scenario. “Go ahead.”
