52stories

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From the corner of his eye, Tommy caught a flash of red hair as the woman squeezed through the crowd at the stand, vente coffee in hand. While the crowd of tourists watched, enthralled, as Tommy and the other mongers tossed the fish across the bins, she never turned, never paused, intent on reaching her destination. Tommy had finally figured that one out. She worked occasionally at one of the trinket shops in the arcade. Not every day, he thought, or maybe just some days she didn’t cut through the market. His eyes followed her retreating figure as the crowd reluctantly parted and swallowed her up again.

THWACK ! A sharp jolt of a fish tail smacked his face as he bobbled the throw from Seamus. He managed to just hang on to the slippery body. His friends could laugh all they wanted; at least he would not have to pay for the pitcher of beer for everyone tonight after work. He turned back to the crowd, but she was gone. Probably just was well. He had been watching her pass the market for almost a year now, and never had been able to actually to speak to her. Someone like that probably had someone already. Not much a fishmonger/sometimes fisherman could compete with. Shaking his head, he placed the fish in its place in the ice and walked over to Seamus, who was still laughing.

She was late, late, late. Again. Even the shortcut through the market would only save her a minute or two. And today it was packed with tourists watching the “flying” fish. When she had first moved to Seattle, she would have been like the rest of the crowd, eager to see the show and applauding loudly at a particularly clever toss. Now just a short year later, she passed the market without really seeing. Finally, Ann reached the shop and squeezed inside behind the counter. Her friend Hannah turned to her with some evident relief.

“Thank goodness you made it. Can you take over for me so I can go pee?” She squeezed past Ann without waiting for a reply. “ Long night, huh?” she asked with a hint of mischief in her voice.

Ann colored a bit at that. “ No nothing like that. Just working.” Well she did work some, but had given up after a fruitless hour, and opted for a glass of wine and the latest Dr. Who episode. Or two. This writer’s block was a real pain. It had been months since she had been able to produce anything meaningful. Her saving had dwindled, and this part time job was how she paid her rent. Hopefully she would sell something soon, but first she would have to write it. You would think it would be easy to recycle the drama and angst of the past year into something creative, but right now her muse was as dry as the bottom of her coffee cup.

As she rang up a purchase, Hannah returned and gave her a playful poke in the ribs. “Come on now, who was it? Maybe that cute guy from Pike’s? I have a feeling about you two.”

A blank stare was all the reaction she got from Ann. “ Oh come on! About 6 foot? Dazzling green eyes?” Hannah crossed her arms in frustration. “After 6 months, don’t you think it is time to get back in the game? Andy isn’t the only fish in the sea, you know?!”

Six months. Well, more like seven actually since Andy, the man she loved and had followed to Seattle a year ago had decided that his “dead” marriage wasn’t so dead after all, and that he needed to “work out some things.” Looks like the only thing he need was to work Ann out of his life.

“I know, I know. You are right. I’m just not ready for someone new right now.” Ann sighed, “I’ve got bigger fish to fry – like trying to jump start my writing career.”

“I know it seems like the chips are down right now, but you will, just give it time.” Hannah laughed, and Ann groaned over the too-obvious pun. “You have a job here as long as you need it.” A customer called from the other side of the store, and Hannah squeezed her arm quickly as she headed over to the rack of trinkets in the corner from where the voice emanated.

Ann smiled and began to fold the pile of t-shirts behind the counter. She was halfway through when a familiar voice called her name. She turned around to face him. Andy.

“What?? she stammered.

“Nice to see you too.” There it was, that dimpled smile, damn it!

“Um, what are you doing here?”

“Ann, we need to talk.”

“I’m at work.”

“This is important”

“So is work.”

Hannah came to her rescue – sliding up beside her. “Andy” she observed coolly. “It’s been a long time – what six months?”

Andy looked at Hannah with one eyebrow raised. “Nice to see you too, Hannah. I was hoping to talk to Ann here. You don’t suppose she could take her lunch break now, so you?”

“Well gee, I don’t know.” Hannah turned to face the now-empty shop. “It’s just that we are SO busy right now.”
“It’s alright.” Ann interrupted. “If it is OK with you, I think I’d like to do this now.”

“Sure.” Hannah just kept eyeing Andy like a shark circling the chum. “Just holler if you need me.” Andy stepped to the side and motioned for Ann to lead to the front door. They left the shop and began to walk down the arcade.

Andy was the first to break the silence. “So how are you?” he began tentatively. Ann was having none of it.

“Ok just cut to the chase. Why are you here?”

“Well, I thought that was obvious. I have come back for you.” That stopped Ann in her tracks, and she turned to face him.

“Oh really, do tell.” She remarked dryly.

“OK, I deserved that.” Andy agreed. “I asked you for time, and you gave it to me. I had to get my head on straight before I would be good for anyone. And in that time I have come to realize that you were the best thing that ever happened to me. I would be a fool to let you go.”

Andy reached out to gently cup her face in his hands. He pulled her close, and drew Ann to him as his lips found hers. And Ann felt… nothing.

Nothing? NOTHING? How many times had she played this scenario in her head? And NOTHING?

Ann pulled away from his embrace. “And your wife, Sandy, isn’t it? You’ve told her all about this, right?”

“Well, not in so many words. But she knows things aren’t working out. Just as soon as her mother is out of the hospital, I will tell her everything. I want to be with you, Ann. Just with you.”

Ann turned and walked a few steps down the arcade. She could see Pike’s Market. Looks like the tourists were taking the afternoon off. She could see the counter from here.

“Ann !” Startled, she turned to face Andy. “So what do you have to say? Will you come with me? I’ve got an assignment in Portland. I leave tomorrow. Come with me!

Ann walked to Andy and placed her hand gently on his arm. “You don’t know how many times I wanted to hear those words, and how many times I have played this scenario in my head. But now here we are, you’ve said your thing, and still, I just can’t help but think you were right in the first place.”

“Ok.. and?” Now it was Andy’s turn to be confused

Ann glanced over her shoulder towards the market. With a sigh, she squared her shoulders and turned back to face Andy.

“I needed this time too. Time to figure out how to sink or swim. It’s been really hard, but I’ve come a long way. I’m riding the waves, and I can’t wait to see where the next one takes me. What’s that old saying about if you are on a voyage of discovery you have to be prepared to loose sight of the shore?”

“Meaning, what exactly?” Andy was clearly frustrated now.

“Meaning, that ship has sailed, Andy. I’m sorry, but there is no going back.” She finished.

Andy smiled at her. “OK, I see what is going on. I know it is a lot to process. You need some time to think this over, fair enough. I’ll give you a call in a few weeks when I am settled in Portland. That should give you enough time to think it over. We can talk about it then.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze and turned to walk down the sidewalk. He turned and gave a quick wave then disappeared around the corner.

Ann watched him go. She turned the other way and walked down into the market and up to the counter at Pike’s. She gave Tommy her best smile and asked “So, what looks good today?”