FIONA

Chapter Three: Getting Reacquainted

Blaine and Fiona walked out to the parking lot together upon exiting the drugstore. He walked her to her car. "Listen. Would you like to go across the street to the café and have a cup of coffee with me, Fiona? We could catch up some more," he said while looking up at the clouds breaking away from the sun, "It looks like we're going to have good weather after all. Huh. How about that," he said, looking back at Fiona, waiting for her response.

"I'd love to have coffee with you, Blaine. I have some time to spare. Especially since the weather is clearing up," she said, putting her bag of medicine into her trunk.

While waiting in line, Blaine and Fiona stared at the menu hanging on the wall behind the counter. He chose a cappuccino while she chose a latte.

Blaine paid for the two coffees and headed over to a table with Fiona. Holding onto the cupholder containing the cups of coffee with one hand, he pulled out a chair for her with the other. "So, are you still active with your writing, Fiona? I remember in high school, you were talented with poetry. I remember reading it all the time in our high school literary anthology," Blaine inquired, taking a sip of his coffee, maintaining his attention on Fiona.

"I am. Right now, I'm working on some pieces of fiction. Mostly flash-fiction," she said while placing her hand on the table.

"Flash-fiction. That isn't anything dirty, is it?" he laughed while drinking some more of his coffee.

"No," she giggled, "It's the name for short stories ranging up to like a thousand words. It used to be called prose-poetry in the past. I usually write by setting my egg timer for thirty minutes at a time. Doing so not only gets me motivated, but it gets the adrenaline going," while wiping away her lip gloss from the Styrofoam cup with her thumb.

"I'd like to read some of your pieces someday," Blaine said, choking on his coffee.

"Are you alright?" Fiona said with anguish on her face.

"I'm fine. It just went down into my lungs is all. Nothing to get alarmed about. From the time I was little, my mom always told me not to talk with liquids in my mouth. But, when I'm around a pretty girl, anything can happen," he winked.

"Oh, okay. For a minute there, you looked like you were gagging. But, anyway, about my pieces of fiction. I do have some work published online if you'd like the website," she said, rummaging through her purse for a pen and piece of paper.

"I was thinking you could show them to me in person. Maybe bring some pieces with you this coming Saturday night," he said showing his vivid white teeth when he smiled.

"Are you asking me out, Blaine?" She asked, leaning her wrist on the table, still grasping a pen.

"Actually, yes. I'd like to see you again. How about giving me your address and phone number, so I can give you a call," he said while scooting his chair closer to the table.

"Okay," she said, handing him one of her business cards.

"Cool. You have your own business," he said, glancing at the card and then back up at her.

"In addition to writing fiction, I earn a living as a copyeditor. I work from home," she smiled while wiping the coffee from her mouth with her fingers, "I'd like to thank you for the lovely cup of coffee. I enjoyed talking with you."

"My pleasure. I'm glad I saw you today at the drugstore. As I said before, it so good to see you after all of these years," he said, leaning back on his chair, almost tipping over backwards.