What are you up to next Friday? (Parts 1 - 3)
“I’d like that, actually. What are you up to next Friday?”
Patrick took a seat outside of the café. He sipped his coffee as passersby went about their days. He checked his watch, he had nearly twenty minutes to sit and enjoy himself. The benefits of waking up early, he thought.
He looked on as a man walking his dog bobbed his head to the music playing in his headphones. He tried to guess the genre based on the head movements. Rock.
“Is this seat taken?”
The question caught him off guard. He looked over and noticed a woman with strawberry blonde hair. She wore a white blouse with a navy pencil skirt. She had a cup in one hand and a binder in the other.
“Please, go ahead,” he said.
“All the other tables are taken out here,” she said. “And this is usually where I sit every morning anyway. I haven’t seen you around here before. Are you from the area?”
“I am,” he replied. “I actually live just down the street. Well, about three miles down the street. I’ve popped into his café a few times on my way home, but never before work. I thought to treat myself today. I’ve been looking forward to it all week.”
“No better day to treat yourself than a Friday. I’m Becky, by the way.”
“Patrick.” He reached out to shake her hand.
“What do you do for work, Patrick?”
“I work at the shipping center on the edge of town. You’ll usually find me at the wheel of the forklift. What about you?”
“I’m a sales representative. Pharmaceuticals.” She opened her binder and pulled a card out from one of the side pockets. “Here. In case you’re ever in need.”
“I don’t have much use for a pharmaceutical sales rep.” He felt himself blushing. “Not that I don’t appreciate the card.”
She laughed.
“No worries. Maybe you’ll think of another use for that card down the road.”
“Well, I see a number on here. How about I give it a call and we do this again sometime?”
“I’d like that, actually. What are you up to next Friday?”
The following week, Patrick ordered two coffees. As he waited, he spotted Becky outside the window, sitting at their table.
He opened the door and set a coffee on the table in front of Becky.
“Flannel suits you,” she said.
He wore a red and black flannel shirt with a pair of jeans.
“How’d you get that tare in your pants?” she asked.
“Ice hockey,” he replied. “I wore these a couple years back when playing with some friends. There’s a pond behind my friend Al’s house that freezes over every year. I was goalie. I skidded across the ice to block a shot.”
“Did you block it?”
“I took a puck to the knee and saved the day.”
“Ouch. That must’ve hurt.” She took a sip of her coffee. “This is great. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it. I went with their flavor of the day. My knee hurt for a while. If I remember correctly, we called that the last play of the game. My team, if you could even call it that, won.”
She raised her coffee.
“To winning at all costs,” she said.
He raised his cup beside hers.
“I’ll raise to that,” he replied.
“So, what are you doing next Friday?”
Patrick sat at the table, watching the people walk by. A young couple walked along the sidewalk pushing a stroller. They were talking to each other, but he couldn’t make out the words. His attention diverted when he heard the door open. Becky appeared with a cup of coffee in either hand.
“I went with the flavor of the day,” she said. “Just like last week.”
“I appreciate it,” he replied.
“See anything good out here yet? This place is always good for people watching.”
“Nothing out of the ordinary yet. How was work this week? Did you make any sales?”
“I made a ton of sales. Only signed one new contract, but the ones I already have active have been ordering left and right. How about your week? I see your jeans today don’t have any tares.”
“Not yet at least.” He took a sip of his coffee. “It was good. I can’t complain. Or rather, I won’t complain. I notice you don’t have your binder with you today.”
“I left it in the car this time,” she replied. “Usually, I sift through it and do a little work as I enjoy my coffee, but… I think I like talking to you more than working.” She winked.
“Only our third outing and I’ve already risen the ladder above work. Skies the limit now.”
“Don’t get too ahead of yourself,” she said. She held up her cup of coffee. “This little cup still has you beat.”
“I wouldn’t dream of replacing your coffee,” he replied. “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“We meet up again, but without coffee.”
“Next Friday without coffee?” She shook her head. “That simply won’t do.”
He smiled.
“How about tomorrow with dinner?”
“Hmmm… Can I bring my binder?” Patrick smirked and shook his head. “I’m only kidding. I’d like that very much.”
“I’ll see you at six?”
“I’ll see you at six.”
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Dan Leicht is a romance, mystery, and science fiction author living in Upstate New York with his wife Barbara and their mischievous tortie cat. He has a Bachelor's in Creative Writing from SUNY Brockport. His work has appeared in Sci-fi Shorts, 365 Tomorrows, The Kraken Lore, and Ripples in Space. You can find him online at danleicht.com and on Instagram/Threads @danleicht.