7 - Dean
I love hearing Sam laugh. It’s like she’s surprised whenever she does, and the surprise of her own laugh makes her laugh even more.
“Don’t be so enthusiastic,” she says with a grin. “You sure sound like you want to get to know me.” I glance at her and smile. If only she knew how badly I want to get to know her.
“Is Sam short for Samantha?” I ask.
“Yeah. I’m from a small town in Virginia, just up here visiting my friend Jess. She’s the one with the twins,” she explains.
“She’s the one with the dangerous son, you mean.”
“That’s the one,” she laughs. “We’ve known each other for years and she offered to let me stay with her for a while.”
I frown, wondering what she means. Did she need somewhere to stay or is she just visiting?
“So are you in town for long?”
“I’m not sure,” she says, settling back into her seat. “I needed a change. I’ll see how it goes.”
“I know what you mean. I started doing this clown gig about a year ago when I was just sick to the teeth of the corporate world. Change is good.”
“Do you like it?”
“The clown job? Yeah, I love it. I get such a buzz of making the kids laugh.”
She nods. “I worked with kids too. They have a way of making you feel like a superhero just for existing,” she laughs. “So you like kids?”
“Love them. I thought I’d have a few of my own by now, but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards for me.”
“No?” she asks. I turn towards her and frown.
“How did this turn into my life’s story? I thought we were talking about you. All I know is your name and where you’re from.”
She laughs and my heart jumps again. “Isn’t that enough?”
I shake my head. “Not nearly enough.”
She looks at me curiously and shrugs. “Well, if I told you I was getting a divorce, would you believe me?”
I frown and study her face. Her eyes are steady, staring at me and watching my reaction. I shake my head. “How is that possible? You seem so young.”
She sighs. “I know. These things happen, I guess. I just have to sign the papers and then it’s all over.”
“Was it… was it mutual?” Are you still hung up on him?
“It was mutual in the sense that he wanted to fuck other people,” she says. The venom in her voice surprises me, and all I do is nod in response. I understand completely. I wish I couldn’t relate as well as I can. She shakes her head.
“I shouldn’t be telling you this. We got so serious all of a sudden. I’m just in New York to try something new. I got in last night and so far it’s been quite the experience,” she says, sweeping her hand across the waiting room. I laugh.
“Don’t wait here with me. It could be hours,” I say. I want you to wait with me though. “Here, take my number. Let me take you out for dinner. As a thank you.” She opens her mouth and I laugh. “If I can’t say thank you at least let me show it.”
Sam looks at me and tilts her head to the side. The corners of her lips lift up and she nods before pulling out her cell phone. “Sure,” she says. “Why not.”
I put my phone number in her phone and press ‘call’. “Got it,” I say, slipping my phone back in my pocket. We look at each other for a few moments and then Sam takes a deep breath. She sits back in her chair and turns to look at me. It’s almost like we’re stuck in a trance studying each other’s faces. Finally she takes another breath and smiles.
“I should probably get back. Let me know how it goes here, and if you need anything. You going to be OK to get home?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I say. “You go enjoy the rest of your weekend. You’ve done more than enough for me today.”
She smiles and stands up, slinging her purse over her shoulder. I stand up as well and we stand awkwardly in front of each other. It almost feels like I’m supposed to kiss her - or maybe that’s just what I want to do. Finally she chuckles and puts her hand on my shoulder. She lifts her head up and places a soft kiss on my cheek. That sweet floral perfume hits my nostrils again and I inhale deeply, letting my free arm graze against her side. She pulls away and smiles at me.
“I’ll see you later,” she says. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” I say. My heart pulls at me as I watch her walk away. It’s not until she turns the corner and is out of view that I slump back down in my chair. Somehow the room feels colder and darker now, and the chair seems harder than it was five minutes ago. I look at the place where Sam disappeared around the corner and shake my head. I wasn’t expecting to meet a woman like that today.