The Story of Us, Part II

March 2006

This story is a continuation from here …


There was something special about those lunches. We were from two different worlds but it didn’t matter during the lunch hour. We talked freely and enjoyed each others company. Since Mark was a year older than me we never had classes together and so we didn’t see much of each other outside of the cafeteria. I saw him a few times while he was walking to his car but it felt weird to say something to him. It was as if our relationship existed only under the fluorescent lights of the cafeteria. Since "we" didn't exist outside of those confines, I was shocked when I heard my name yelled across the parking lot on that chilly December afternoon.

On December 17, 2001, I had an early dismissal from school. It was exam week prior to winter break and, for me, exams were done.  It turns out I wasn't the only one.  As I was climbing into my friend’s car (another story for another time), I heard my name from the senior section of the parking lot. When I realized it was Mark I was surprised. I couldn’t believe he had been so bold. I waved back and gave him the universal pointer finger sign for “just one second.” I jumped in the car and drove over to where he was.

He was standing next to his truck when I pulled up and I just smiled at him. (I think he had surprised himself a little when he called my name like that.)

M: Hey.
J: Hey.
M: What’s up?
J: Nothing. You?
M: Nothing. <pause> So what are you up to the rest of the day?
J: I just have to go get my paycheck and go to the bank but that’s about it.
M: Do you want to go get coffee or something?
J: <shell shocked> um, sure! Do you want to run errands with me first?
M: OK
J: Great .. well, um .. follow me then?

And we were off. Yes, folks. That was our very eloquent beginning. Mark followed me to pick up my paycheck, we went to the bank, and then we dropped off my friend’s car. The place he wanted to take me for coffee was downtown so I got in his truck so he could drive.

Fun fact: When I opened the door to get in his car for the first time, the first thing I did was chastise him for having a messy car. Haha. If only he knew what kind of foreboding that had been. ;)

Mark informed me on the way downtown that he worked in a coffee shop called Jammin’ Java and that’s where he was taking me. When we descended the stairs to the underground coffee shop, I was enamored. (To this day I still reminisce about that place and wish it was still around.)

Mark directed me to sit on one of the plushy couches and said he would go make our coffee. He came back a few minutes later with our Caramel Breves and had a seat next to me. As we sipped our delicious coffee we began to talk on a more personal level than we had ever achieved at school. We discussed each other’s families and backgrounds and really started to get to know each other.

Although I can’t say I was falling in love right then, I do know that I felt a connection and that I had found a new dear friend. We hung around at the Java until the last possible second.  If there hadn't been a need for me to get home, we would probably have closed the place down.  It was amazing.


Stay tuned to find out what happened after our first date…