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“Sam.”
“What a pretty name. where are you from?” he asks.
“I live in Jerusalem. It’s a nickname I’ve taken on over the years, mainly because I work at an international marketing company. I also lived in England for a few years and it made it easier for me to fit in and for people to pronounce.”
“Beautiful name,” Michael states, “it suits you, too.” He smiles. “I’m Michael,” he says and reaches out his perfect hand for me to shake.
“Nice to meet you,” I reply and softly shake his hand, blushing from head to toe. The hairs on my scalp tingle with excitement.
“The truth is, I saw you sitting across from me and you seemed really nice. I thought perhaps we could take a walk on the beach and get to know each other, but if the timing isn’t right, I’ll understand.”
“Unfortunately, I’m going through a serious rough patch.”
“Are you sure that you’re okay?” Avi asks. “Would you care to share with us?”
“Avi, stop badgering her; it’s probably personal,” says Michael and gazes into my eyes.
“No, it’s okay, it’s just that I got my second divorce yesterday,” intentionally attempting and expecting for them to get scared and run off.
“Really?” Avi asks, surprised. “You’re much too young to have accomplished so much.”
“I’m thirty-one. And yes, I certainly agree with you. I sure kept busy.” I spread my arms in resignation and smile. “I’m sorry,” I explain, “sometimes my sense of humor is way too sarcastic.” I was worried I looked ridiculous to them.
“I can see that,” says Avi with a look of surprise on his face. “I hope that one day, you’ll laugh sarcastically at other people and not at yourself. By the way, you don’t look a day over twenty-four, and even that’s a high estimate.”
“How old are you?” I ask Avi with a smile, since I already know every single detail about Michael, my idol. I know, for example, that he celebrated his thirty-first birthday this year on a beautiful, luxurious island in Bali with his latest girlfriend, Dawn Morrison, a beautiful model who got her start on Instagram as a swimsuit and lingerie model. Recently she’s been on the covers of the world’s most important magazines, and acts in movies, too.
‘Hold on! So, what’s he doing here? Hitting on me?’ I wonder.
“Thirty,” Avi answers.
“Got any kids?” Michael asks.
“Yes, a six-year-old boy, the one joy in my life.”
A silence came over us.
“It’s alright, really, guys. I realize you’re out of my league, so, I’ll continue from here on my own,” I say. I think the best thing for me to do would be to stay in my bed and crawl under the covers. I have to heal myself of this crippling sorrow before I even dare to leave the house again. I don’t feel like pretending I’m fine when I’m actually broken. That’s my life now, contrary to my dreams and plans for the future.
I raise my head to the glorious bright sky and pray that it eases the judgement I’m facing, hoping that I’d be able to hold it in without breaking down right here on the stairs.
“Come on, we’ll walk with you.”
We are walk awkwardly down the boardwalk when, suddenly, Michael reaches out his hand and wraps it warmly around mine.
“So, where are walking you to?”
“Erm...” I stammer, embarrassed. Where was I going? “I haven’t decided yet,” I eventually reply. “I thought of going to relax somewhere for a bit, but I haven’t made decided where. I might just go home; all I wanted was to sit by the sea and take in some fresh air.”
“One moment,” Avi mutters as his cellphone rings, “it’s Maya, my assistant, it must be urgent. Please excuse me; I have to take this.” He walks quickly towards one of the nearby benches, as he loudly answers his phone, “Well, now what?” and sits down.
“Are you alright?” Michael interrupts my staring him. “I feel slightly embarrassed that I’ve bothered you, especially when you’re going through all this. Would you rather go?”
“Yeah, I’d rather get lost.” I reply and wince.
“Really?” he smiles.
“Yes,” I reply, deadly serious. “I wish I had a few days to settle my thoughts and gather some strength.”
