Eliza turned into the corner store next to her apartment building. It was a blustery Friday afternoon, and the wind hurled at the shop windows, causing them to vibrate as it flew through the front doors as they opened automatically. This, coupled with the gray skies and black clouds looming overhead, made it feel more like deep winter than a transition into spring. At least the wind was not as biting as it had been three weeks ago.
She grabbed a basket and headed to the freezer section, where she was forced to decide which flavors of ice cream would make her friends happiest. She added three pints, all different flavors, a six-pack of soda, two family-sized bags of chips, and a container of salsa. It was a small get-together, and they had pizza on the way, so she thought this would be enough to hold them over. Besides, her basket was so full she had to carry it in both arms at chest level, gripping it tightly as she made her way to the front.
“Can I give you a hand with that?”
She whirled around and almost dropped the basket. It was the young man who came into the coffee shop on weekday mornings - what was his name?
“I’ve got it…I think. But thank you.” She nodded as she hoisted the basket up higher.
“You, uh…you work at the coffee shop, don’t you?”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I do.” She cocked her head. “You, uh…you drink coffee there, don’t you?”
He laughed. “I do.”
“Caramel macchiato?”
“Good memory.” He nodded. “I only get that occasionally. My regular is a double Americano.”
Just the kind of drink a corporate suit would order. And he looked every bit the part in his navy pinstripe suit and silver tie. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“Dinner for one, or having a party?” he asked, glancing around her basket.
Eliza looked down and bit her lip. “Is it terrible if this is all for me?”
“Well…no.” He shrugged.
The conveyer belt was finally empty enough for her to start loading her things, and the man in front of her stepped forward to pay. “I’m kidding. It’s for a party.”
“I see. What’s the occasion?”
“Uh,” she continued placing her items on the belt. “Business success – of a friend, mostly. It’s just a small gathering.” It was true, they were celebrating Andi’s promotion. But they were also celebrating her new website and recent success.
“Congrats to your friend.” He held up his two items – a bottle of Basil Hayden’s and a ham and cheese deli sandwich. “There will be no such party for me tonight.”
She turned and offered a sympathetic smile before the cashier rang up her last item. “There’s always something to celebrate.” She called behind her as she stepped forward to pay and grab her items, now packed into large brown bags. “It’s been nice talking to you. See you around.”
“Yeah…same. See you around.”
She took one last look at him before she turned and made her way back into the unrelenting wind, which was not so bad after that encounter. He was not only easy on the eyes, but he was nice enough to laugh at her ridiculous jokes.
Andi, Sonya, and a few other friends were outside her apartment waiting when she arrived. They worked quickly to put out the food while she picked a few board games from her closet and set them on the table. She examined the food, the drinks, and the people around her and let the excitement bubble up into a wide grin she could no longer contain.
Andi walked by and elbowed her. “You deserve it, girl. I know it’s been hard for you to come out of your shell, but I’m so proud of you.”
Her eyes glistened. “Thanks,” she whispered, choking back her gratitude. She remembered the paralyzing fear she faced before asking Tanya to hang her photos in the coffee shop. A couple of agonizing and exhilarating weeks later, plus a few hundred dollars in social media advertisements, she had not only gotten her photos on the wall of a public place but also landed five new clients and more bookings than she knew what to do with.
“But what about you?” She looked at Andi. “You finally got the promotion you wanted.”
“Oh, please! I wanted to go out tonight!” She threw her head back and laughed. “Besides, we both know why I got that promotion.”
“Because you’re a hard worker, and you don’t take crap from anyone.”
“That’s right.” She winked. “From anyone.”
It was Andi’s idea to celebrate her success. Eliza hated being the center of attention but couldn’t refuse her friends their right to rejoice in her happiness. She had at least been able to talk them into a game night instead of a night out and included Andi’s promotion as part of the reason to celebrate.
As she sat at the small table in her kitchen, her mind turned to Cooper, whom she hadn’t talked to in weeks. She hadn’t told him of her happiness, and if he was still looking for his, she didn’t want to add insult to injury by rubbing it in his face. But she wanted him to know, and she wanted to share the moment with him. She wanted to tell him how afraid she had been to take risks and let him know how much it had paid off. She wanted him to be happy with her.
But for now, she was surrounded by friends who were smiling together, sharing food and thoughts while pretending not to be as competitive as they were playing her board games. They loved her and rooted for her, and she couldn’t have been any happier at that moment than she was. It was enough.
She rushed into work the next afternoon, having a late shift due to a lifestyle shoot she had booked that morning. Her phone buzzed as she tied her apron, and despite only having a minute before her shift started, she took it out and read the message. It was from Cooper.
I did it. I didn’t quit, but I started the next chapter of my life. Thanks to your encouragement.
He could hardly thank her for that, but it was a nice thought.
I’m so happy for you! I hope it‘s better than anything you imagined.
She went to put her phone away but saw one more message displayed at the top of the screen.
Let’s hope this one sticks.
“Eliza, you’re late,” Tanya said sternly as she walked toward the back office. “Get out there.”
Eliza stuck the phone in her back pocket and walked to the register, smiling at her photos hanging on the far wall of the dining area. She tried to think of something to say to Cooper as she rang up customers. She had never doubted that photography was her calling, that it was what she wanted to do. She had never had to switch careers after realizing she was in the wrong place. His fear of starting over was justified.
And if it doesn’t?
She typed the clandestine message while there was a slump in the lunch rush.
I guess I’ll be the fool who runs around forever trying to find his place in the world.
She was right about his gender. And guessing by the timeline he had divulged, he was probably in his thirties, or at least close.
Or you’ll be the really cool, kind of mysterious guy who has done all kinds of things people envy.
Reading the message back to herself, she suddenly realized how sickeningly optimistic it sounded.
You always have a spin. Anyway, not much to envy here.
She frowned hard enough that Andi elbowed her from the other register. She typed her reply quickly so she could get back to work.
I’m sorry. I can only imagine your frustration since I haven’t lived it. But how will you know what will work out until you try? I think you’re brave for starting over again. That’s enviable.
She noticed a customer waiting out of the corner of her eye and pocketed her phone, heat and guilt flooding her face from texting on the clock. “Yes, can I help you?”
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