13
918 Words
The cashier registers each of my items. I didn’t expect it when she announces to me:
“That will be two hundred and twelve dollars and eighty cents, please.”
“Ah, anyway…”
“Maybe you have a loyalty card? This will give you an immediate ten per cent discount.”
“Ah… Maybe.”
“Give me your name. I can find out for you.”
“Cutter. Julian.
“Cutter… I have Julie but not Julien.”
“Ah?! If the date of birth is January 22, it’s me,” I say, intrigued.
“January 22, indeed. Yet it clearly says Julie. There must have been a typo. That will make it one hundred and ninety dollars and eighty cents, please. How would you like to pay?”
“By card.”
When I open my cardholder, I discover a black card; the unlimited one. I must have a lot of money in my checking account. My joy is short-lived when I remember my usual PIN which corresponds to a card that couldn’t be more basic. My index finger trembles when I key the four digits: 5462. The verdict is not long in coming.
Wrong code! Damn, I forgot my PIN!
“Ah, try again!” the cashier says.
At that moment, my phone starts to vibrate in my pocket. It’s Paul! I pick up.
“Yes!”
“What are you doing? I’ve been waiting for a good five minutes. Our court will go down the drain if you’re not quick!”
“Paul! You need to come to Chamber Sports right away. I’ve got a problem with my bank card. I can’t remember my PIN. Please help me out!”
“You suck! Okay, I’m coming!”
“My friend is coming right away! But if you want to serve someone else, maybe you can put my items on hold?”
“How soon will he arrive, your friend?” asks the cashier.
“I would say any second! We’re right across the street. Ah… maybe that’s him,” I said, seeing the automatic doors open.
Everyone turns around when Paul walks through the doors of the store. As if by magic, the girls behind the cash desk fidget with their hair when they realize that the one I’m expecting is rather cute, even downright hot.
“Ah… We were expecting you!” they say in unison.
“Wow, that much?” he said, holding out his bank card (black too, by the way) with a devastating smile revealing the whiteness of his teeth in the direction of these young ladies.
I swear, he looks like a toothpaste ad. All that’s missing is the sparkle at the corner of the lips for the picture to be perfect!
“I can’t remember my code. It’s crazy! Anyway, thank you, Paul!”
“Don’t get stressed! We’ll consider it your birthday present!”
“Another one! After the book, you’re spoiling me!” I say sarcastically.
“And you haven’t seen anything yet, buddy! I’m preparing one of those fiestas for you on Friday night!”
“Can we come?” smile the girls behind the counter.
“Why not?” Paul answers. “Here’s my card. If you want, send me a text and I’ll let you know where it’s going to be.”
“Okay!” they say, a little shy.
I’m hallucinating. I feel like I’m discovering the world for the first time. But where was I all these years? Apart from my adventure in the bathroom with Andrew, I’ve never been so enterprising with men, or even so easily accessible.
“Thank you, goodbye!” I say to the cashier.
“Bye! So, until Friday evening, perhaps,” Paul says to the girls, on the verge of liquefaction.
The cold whips our faces as soon as we leave the store, which has the immediate benefit of clearing my head.
“Well, my friend, they fell for you, it seems,” I said to Paul.
“I didn’t notice!”
“Really? Are you kidding me?”
“Well, okay, maybe a little. But when you think about it, they’re ready to come to your party, so somewhere you must have already caught their eye!”
“Ah… Yes… I hadn’t seen it that way. Maybe... Can I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Why aren’t you settled, Paul?”
“Ah, big question! I don’t know. Maybe I didn’t meet the right one. Okay, I’m having fun, but still, I think of the two of us, you’re worse than me.”
“Hmm...”
“The problem isn’t meeting new people. In our work, and not just in work for that matter, we meet a lot of people. But in reality, I’m afraid of running into the girl who’ll love my wallet more than me. Do you understand? I don’t trust quickly. I’m suspicious and find it hard to let go. My romantic relationships end as quickly as they start. And for now, I’m happy with that but my forties are approaching and I’d like to have something real, you know? The one!”
“Love at first sight!”
“Love at first sight is more of a girl’s thing. We’re first attracted by the physique, the look, the style, and then, when we feel loved enough, we in turn love. Anyway, that’s how I see it,” he said, pushing the door to the gym.
- Writer
