Page 106 of Feeding Hope
“I’m not most people. I’m quite content to sit here and enjoy the sun,” I said, and Alex smiled.
“What do you do, Katy?”
“I’m an architect, and I work at Baines and Bridges in the design section.” I pointed towards the building.
“That’s a big place. I’ve seen you many times coming and going. Funnily enough, you don’t like Wednesdays.”
“What makes you say that?” I asked, surprised.
“Every other day, you enter there with purpose and a sense of satisfaction. On Wednesdays, you’d rather be anywhere else but here. And every lunchtime on Wednesday, they leave, and you’re always at the back, walking alone. You don’t want to go with them,” he stated.
Alex opened a bottle of water and drank it.
“That’s because I don’t like them. They’re…superficial. All that matters to them is their wants and needs. That’s not me. I’m not interested in attending the hottest bar to be seen. Nor talking about how many men hit on me. None of that is essential to a decent life. People seem to have forgotten the important things,” I replied.
“No. The world is a strange place. Intolerance and disrespect are rife.”
“Nobody sees the value in just sitting and watching life go by.” I laughed. “Listen to me getting on my soapbox. Sorry, Alex.”
“No, I’m enjoying listening to you and talking. Conversation is rare for someone like me.”
I winced at Alex’s tone. “No, I imagine it is.”
“People avoid me or cross the street. The best one is pretending that I’m invisible and don’t exist. I’ve been stepped over, spat at, cussed at and told to get a job,” Alex let out a bitter laugh. “Insults thrown by those you eat lunch with.”
I flushed. “Their beliefs aren’t mine.”
“No, but admit it, today’s the first time you’ve seen me. Katy, I was unnoticed by you, too,” Alex challenged.
“Yes, but not for the reason you believe. My mind’s always racing ahead; I’m usually oblivious to a lot of things. Hell, I’ve walked into the road in front of cars before. It’s a fault of mine,” I defended myself.
“Well, thanks for lunch and spending time with me, but your colleagues are returning. Guess you’d best go,” Alex said.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw the lunchtime crowd approaching. Sighing, I rose to my feet and held out the bag to Alex. “This is for you; I hope it helps get you through tonight.”
Alex shook his head. “Didn’t expect that.”
“No, but I did it anyway. Please take it.”
Alex took the bag and placed it next to him. “Thank you, Katy. Have a good afternoon.”
“You too, Alex.” I got up and walked away. As I headed for the entrance, I caught up with the lunchtime crowd.
“Damn, what’s that smell?” Tiffany tittered, sniffing in my direction.
“The bullshit you keep dishing out,” I answered, and there were stunned gasps, and people fell quiet.
Tiffany’s mouth opened and closed as her eyes narrowed. My shot fired, I walked into the building with a beaming smile.
Katy
I packed up to go home, well aware of being watched. Gossip about what happened was rife, and the entire office was talking about it. Tiffany was playing the wounded victim, but I noticed several people weren’t buying her shit. In fact, they looked happy that someone had finally called Tiffany on her crap. As I headed to the lift, I saw Tiffany with her little gang. All of them were looking in my direction with snide looks.
“Off to play with the homeless and be a do-gooder?” Tiffany sniffed.
I turned and faced her calmly. “Better than going home and being a leech on society.”
“Girl, I have friends; I don’t have to scrabble around with tramps to find someone to like me.”
