The Note

At precisely 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning

sit in the last table by the window

at Coffee's On Cafe

Janel returned to her cabin the following day.  She removed the handwritten note from the door and went inside.  Jack and his team did a sweep of the cabin before and assured her she was fine. Just in case, they would post someone in the cabin next to hers for a while.

She was shocked at the place chosen to meet.  One of her favorite spots.  Did they know?  She had a lot of questions.She also knew the staff in the caffe and felt safe.

As the hand struck twelve, in walked a familiar face.  It was Pietro. She had met him in August and liked him instantly.  There was a mystery about him.  Always seemed so alone.  Always had a book or work with him.  Protective devices she thought. But he was fascinating.  She loved talking to him.  

Now the last month or two, Pietro had been friendly and sometimes, a bit distant.  He was off somewhere in his mind.  She knew it had nothing to do with her.  Maybe they were just both really shy and afraid to get hurt. She was.

Pietro approached her.  Removed his cap.  He had many caps.  Often looking like a character actor in a film.  She liked his Sherlock look the best.  But this was a Redsox cap.  Definitely his favorite.

He slid into the seat in front of hers at the table.

"Intrigued?" he said.

"I am," Gail said blushing.

"Did you...write the note?"

"I did."

"I had to end this nonsense.  The other day when we met, I hoped you would sit with me,"   he said.

"You didn't.  I even came back after thirty minutes but you were talking to the store manager, even standing up. I guess you just popped in."

"Oh," she said.

She felt like a schoolgirl.  Shy, silly, embarrassed about herself and knew he must have felt the same.  She also knew it took courage for him to connect with her.

"How did you know where I lived?"

"I asked Gayle.  She knew I was stumbling.  She was more than happy to help."

"What I wanted to ask you was if you would go out with me to dinner on Friday?"

"I'd love to," Janel said beaming.

"Good.  Can I pick you up at 6?"

"Sure, don't get lost," she laughed.

He gave her a hug.

Janel returned home and saw tracks on her road.  There was a typewritten note at the door.

Where were you?

At precisely 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning

sit in the last table by the window

at Caffeine Only Cafe

Janel's heart started beating so hard she could hardly contain it.  She finally had a date with Pietro and now this.