Page 10 of No Ordinary Girl
When I stood up, I almost had a heart attack. There was Calista, standing at the counter, looking as beautiful as I remembered her. She wore her hair the same way, and was sporting a stylish jacket and scarf. She was just the same, but also so very different. Her aura was lighter, and a hint of a friendly smile traced her lips.
“Hello,” she ventured carefully.
I offered her a shy smile. “Hello. How are you?” I asked her in the way you would an old friend. It was kind of strange because we’d never really spoken before. But so much was written between the lines; a whole story. Our story.
“Better,” she said quietly. Her cheeks were flushed and she couldn’t quite keep eye contact. I didn’t need to be a mind reader to know that she felt embarrassed and awkward. It had taken a lot of courage for her to come here again, and I was determined to make her feel welcome. I also had an overwhelming desire to become her friend, her confidante. Was it because I felt that she needed one? Or was it simply curiosity? I still don’t know the answer to that question.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Calista,” I said. “Your order’s on the house today.”
She smiled. “Oh, no. You don’t need to.”
“I insist. What’ll be?”
She looked up at the specials on the blackboard. “Um… the crème brulée latte sounds good.”
“Great choice. It’s delicious,” I said and I picked out a pretty flower covered cup off the shelf. We have a lot of competition from the chain coffee shops, but no one else offers the quaint atmosphere we do, complete with crazy art on the walls and eclectic coffee mugs. “We also have freshly baked ginger cookies.”
“Sounds great.”
My heart was pounding. I busied myself with her order and struggled to focus. I wanted to get closer. These past years, I’d struggled to keep my distance from most people, but occasionally the urge would be so strong; the urge to know more, the urge to help.
I handed her the latte and cookie. “Um,” I started, barely able to speak. “I… it’s not very busy today,” I said, not quite finding the courage to utter the next words.
She eyed me curiously, patiently, as if she knew I had more to say.
“I… I was wondering if you’d like company,” I blurted, as fast as I could.
She was surprised, but pleasantly so. “Yes, I would love that.”
My heartbeat eased, and I exhaled. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath. “Great, I’ll get myself a tea and cookie and join you.”
I was quick to get my tea, and I joined her at one of the small round tables. She sipped her latte. “Mmmm, this is good.”
“Thank you.”
I bit into my cookie, not quite knowing where to start. “So, you’ve been well?”
She nodded. “I’ve been much better. I’m seeing a therapist and she’s really helping me sort through things.”
“That’s great,” I said. I was so happy for her. I couldn’t quite get a read on her, but I knew she was much better. When she mentioned her therapist, I saw a petite middle-aged woman with a short crew cut and glasses.
“She’s really helping me. She says I need to process everything that’s happened this past year. So we’re working on that right now.”
I nodded and wondered what exactly she was talking about.
…this past year.
She’d run away and attempted suicide just a few months before. There was definitely a story there, but I knew it would be rude to pry. “Are you still drawing?”
She smiled. “Yes, I’ve been keeping busy painting.”
I bit my bottom lip. “I have a confession to make,” I told her.
She eyed me curiously.
“I sort of Googled you and saw your art… the show you did at that gallery. You’re amazing.”
She grinned. “Thank you.”
