The security guard frowned.
“Oh no. I just need to go back up to the thirty fourth.”
“This floor is for security personnel only. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“I’m trying. AS soon as the elevator…”
“I’ll have to ask you to take the stairs to the next floor and wait for the elevator there.”
‘What? Are you serious/”
“His stern demeanor said he was as serious as could be.
“well ok then.” She walked in the direction he was pointing, opened up the door to the stairwell and climbed up. But the next door was locked and the next and the next. Were all the stairwell doors locked after hours? She walked up another flight and tried that door. Locked. Now she wanted to go give that security guard a talking to like her mama would have been proud. But that would mean she’d actually have to walk back out on the floor again and make him mad.
Well, now what should she do? Go up to the thirty fourth, knock on the stairwell door hoping Mr. Kringle heard her? Look foolish again in front of him? She shook her head. “Get a hold of yourself Joylin. You’re walking.”
She turned around and marched down stair case after stair case. She gave up trying doors as it just used up time, and her stomach was rumbling. She’d stayed late an extra two hours tonight, wrapping up some things for accounting.
When she finally reached the bottom, she was grateful for her jacket that hid a rivulet of sweat that travelled down her back.
Not four steps into the big atrium at the bottom and she turned her face the other direction. Mr. Kringle was walking toward the outside doors. Not now. Now as not the time to meet him.
The security man behind the desk eyed her but she kept back until Mr. Kringel had exited and walked down the sidewalk and out of sight.
Catching her breath, she moved after him and exited, walking in the opposite direction. She’d often wondered where he lived, what he did after work, but she refused to actually become a stalker. If he never noticed her at work, then that would just have to be her lot.
She walked slowly. After the stairs, she wanted to give herself time to cool off. The brisk air felt nice on her neck, through her clothes. The windows were all lit and the displays made her smile. She crossed the street to take a look at Gimbels. Their window displays were always magical. No wonder every child in the city wanted to come to Gimbels for a toy. That and they always had the best Santa in the city. She smiled.
The store had just recently closed. Two clerks stepped outside. “That was the best Santa we’ve ever had, I’m telling you.”
“Well maybe you can get him to stay on.”
“No way. He’s a business man. He doesn’t have time for this I guaranteed it. He just agreed cause we were in a bind, talked me into letting him if you can believe it.”
They moved out of earshot. How curious. Now she wanted to see this new Santa. Maybe she could head over during her lunch break or something.
She wandered about down the street, window shopping until she came to her favorite deli. “Hello Gio.”
“Oh, it’s the lovely Joylin. I’ve got your sandwich.” He held up a white bag.
“Thanks for holding it for me.”
“No problem. Working late are you?”
‘Yeah. Everyone takes their vacation this time of year so more work falls to the rest of us.”
“You don’t see me complaining do you?”
She laughed. “I guess not. I’m glad you don’t take time off.”
“I bet you are.” He rang her up and she tucked the bag under her arm. As soon as she stepped outside, she hailed a cab. She wasn’t in the mood for the subway tonight. The cab drove down toward her apartment in Soho. She’d been lucky to inherit a townhome from her grandmother. It had been in the family since the original immigrants apparently .and now Joylin lived there. She loved the thought of the generations of family huddled around the same radiator each winter to stay warm but she also loved her new gas fireplace and the other updates she’d made over the last couple years.
She walked up the stairs to her front door. Her neighbor opened her door and waved. “Hey there Joylin. How are you doing honey?” The older lady made Joylin smile.
“I’m just fine. How are you Betty?”
“Good, good. I’ve got this knee bothering me and sometimes my elbow. They say that it’s the joints all over, but to me, it’s just this one knee and elbow but thank goodness my hips are strong. They say that once your hips go, that’s it. You’re done for. But I think the elbow and the knee are okay.”
“I’m sorry to hear that Miss Betty. I hope you start to feeling better.”
She nodded. “Thank you dear. You call if you need anything.”
“Thank you. I will.” Joylin stepped inside her door. Jojo yipped a hello and started dancing around at her feet.
“Oh, who’s a good girl? Who’s a good girl?” She picked up her Shih-tzu and felt the kisses on her neck then she put the scrambling puffy fur ball back on the ground. She raced around the floor, looking for attention. “Just a second. Just a second girl.” Joylin put her bag down, hung up her purse and went to get a drink of water.
Jojo had a back doggy door into the tiny space that made up her piece of new York. It didn’t count for much by way of exercise but it at least gave the tiny dog a place to go outside. Watching her race around the floor, Joylin suspected she got as much exercise as she ever wanted. But she still changed her shoes and put on a hat, in preparation to go back outside. Her ears had started to hurt while window shopping, the icy cold nipping at the tips.
She put the leash on Jojo but didn’t take her out yet. Instead, she sat at the table with a huge glass of water and her deli sandwich. Mmm. Gio really knew how to make these. What would she do without the Gios in her life. New York was full of them. She had the coffee guy on twenty eight, the bakery on eighteenth. She loved the smoothie guy on fifty first but only went there sometimes. She turned on the TV to check the Hallmark station. Her favorite movie was coming out soon and she didn’t want to miss it.
Her phone rang. “Gemma!”
“Hey girl. How late did you stay?”
“Couple extra hours. But I’m finished with that dang account.”
“Good work. Hey, some of us are going to Connolly’s. wanna come?”
She’d just about settled into a Hallmark night, but she kind of wanted to tell Gemma about her almost encounter in the elevator. Connolly’s sounded nice. “Ok. I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Great! Peter’s coming.”
“Uh..Kay. Anyone else?”
“Yeah, the gang in our corner.”
They had a fun section, a bit dysfunctional but they worked well together. Joylin couldn’t imagine any one of them out getting drinks with anyone else. They just weren’t that social, but they were pleasant enough.
“Jojo.”
The dog perked up her ears. “Your walk’s gonna be short.”
At the word, walk, the dog went nuts, scampering around the whole first floor of her townhome.
When Joylin entered Connolly’s, she knew it was a good idea to come. She needed to shake off her awkwardness from earlier. Something about Decker Kringle just set her confidence back down to zero. She clamped up, froze up, and forgot the English language every time she thought about him.
Gemma waved from their table.
Joylin smiled at them and then the room at large. She felt men’s eyes on her. See. She was pretty. Men were interested. She could be strong. Maybe even some day flirt with Decker. She shivered at the thought.
Gemma scooted over and Joylin sat. “Hey!”
Peter lifted his glass. Gemma waved for the waiter. Two guys from Tech, Lionel and Reggie lifted hands for her to high five.
“So Peter. How’d that project go?” Joylin hoped he finished it, because if he didn’t, she’d be filling in to get it done on time.
“Great. Almost done, really, just almost.”
She nodded and pressed her lips together.
“come on. I’m working as hard as I can. It’s not my fault if you’re just way over qualified for your job.”
“Nothing wrong with stretching yourself a little bit.”
Lionel held up his hands. “Can we not talk about work? Please?”
Joylin nodded. “Of course. Hey, I heard two people talking outside of Gimbels. Apparently their Santa quit and they’re scrambling for another one.”
“Oh oh! It’s true.” Gemma pulled up an article on her phone. “I read something about this on the subway home. “Yep. They had no one all afternoon and then this guy shows up and volunteers to fill in until they find a new Santa.”
“What! That’s awesome.”
“I know. Look, here he is.” She handed the phone to Joylin.
She half glanced and then did a double take and zoomed in close.
“What? Do you know him?”
Joylin shook her head. But she thought she did. Was she crazy? Was that…Decker?
She handed the phone back. She was seeing Decker in the face of Santa! Maybe she had a legitimate problem. Who liked a guy--no --who was completely obsessed with a man for a year? Her eyes caught the gaze of a man sitting across the bar from them. He was good looking, seemed normal-ish. He smiled and held out the stool next to him.
Gemma followed her gaze. “Go.”
“Just for a sec.”
‘Yeah, okay, whatever, just go.”
“I really don’t think this is going anywhere.”
“I know.”
The guys all swiveled their necks to see and Joylin stood before things could get any more awkward. She walked slowly, hoping she didn’t trip and fall, then slid onto the stool next to a man with dark hair, a strong jaw and a brilliant smile. So far so good.
“hey.” She swiveled so that she faced him.
“Hey yourself. Thanks for coming over.”
She shrugged. “I wanted to meet you. So…how’s it going?” She could never think of anything cool to say. About never.
“I’m good…now. So, what can I buy you?”
They ordered drinks and talked of New York.
“So I work uptown, near Gimbels.”
“Me too. I love that café around the corner.”
“Julio’s?”
‘Yes! That’s the one.”
He nodded. “Excellent then maybe I could actually see you again after tonight?”
“Maybe.”
“Could I get your number?”
She considered him.
“I’m pretty armless.”
She laughed. “I hope not too harmless.”
“I’m whatever you want me to be.” He leaned closer, so their faces were near. “Now, can I get that number?”
“Sure. She held out her phone. Just add yours. Or text me or something.”
He did and then held up her phone. “Can I take a picture?”
She wanted to groan a little but didn’t. She leaned in for a selfie. They looked good together. “Okay great.” Already she was getting tired. Her group was laughing, the guys acting like dorks. Maybe that was more her style. Lionel stuck two straws up his nose and she turned away. Nope.
“Would you like to go upstairs and get some food? They have amazing beef stew.”
“That sounds nice. Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving. And it’s quieter up there.”
Nice. Things were good with this guy. He seemed almost like a normal guy. Why couldn’t she get just a little bit excited about him? He was no Decker, but who was? Maybe this guy was better. Give him a chance. She commanded to herself the whole way up the stairs. The waiter sat them in a quiet corner. They ordered delicious food. And she learned all about his work overseas in the Congo. Pretty awesome by typical weekend bar standards.
But she still couldn’t get into him enough that she forgot her crush on Decker. Maybe if they went out a few times, did lunch during the week, something more.
When she said goodnight in the cab in front of her townhome, he held her hand for a second. “Can I call you for lunch this week?”
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Thank you. Goodnight Joylin.”
She waved and watched the cab drive away. And immediately wondered what Decker had going tomorrow at work.
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It’s a Wonderful Date
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Copyright © 2019 by Sophia Summers
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