“And what are your plans for tonight? Are you going out? Are you seeing anyone?” she
inquires with a smile.
“No, not seeing anyone, just having poker night with the guys.”
“Oh, well, that sounds like fun,” she says in a disappointing tone.
Kim may have expected much more from me. We both smile at each other and I am then
reminded of the last thing she said to me when we last saw each other. She told me that I needed
to move on. As we look at each other, it is clear to her that I have not moved on. I could ask her
more questions and hear about how great everything is in her life, but I decide against it. She
begins to ask another question, but I quickly cut her off.
“Well, Kim, it’s been good seeing you, but I need to go,” I say, knowing full well that I
don’t have a damn thing in my life right now that needs to be tended to.
“It’s been good seeing you too, Andrew.”
“Have a good dinner.”
“Thanks, have fun at poker night. Tell the guys ‘Hello’ from me.”
“Sure,” I say quickly leaving and moving further down the aisle.
I grab some last items in the bakery section and move to the self-checkout line, hoping I
don’t run into Kim again before I leave the store. I ring up my items and quickly pay. The
parking lot is full and I can’t remember where I parked. I start walking, lost and looking for my
car. I see Kim’s car, hoping she doesn’t arrive, seeing me lost as it would top of the fact that I
clearly have not moved. After a few moments of walking around in circles, I see my car. With
relief, I pop the trunk, throw in what groceries I have and begin to leave. I turn on the radio with
a desire to forget. I want to forget Kim and her English gentleman, Charles. I want to forget the
fact that she lives in the neighborhood now and shops at my store. I drive along and listen to the
radio. As I turn onto my street, it hits me. The whole time of trying to forget Kim, I forgot the
ice.
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