Finally, John
1648 Words
I was just standing there, glued to my spot.
Everything around me seemed to fade—the noise of the city, the passing cars, the distant chatter of strangers. All I could hear was the steady thrum of my own heartbeat, loud and insistent in my ears.
He was inching closer and closer.
Each step felt deliberate, unhurried, as if he knew I wasn’t going anywhere. My fingers tightened slightly around my bag, my breath catching somewhere between anticipation and nerves.
When he finally made it to where I was standing, he didn’t speak right away.
He just… looked at me.
Stared deep into my eyes, like he was trying to memorize something.
“They are brown,” he said softly.
I tilted my head to the left, puzzled, caught off guard by the unexpected comment.
“Your eyes,” he clarified, his voice just as calm. “They are brown.”
A small, shy smile crept onto my lips as I looked down at my feet, suddenly aware of myself in a way I hadn’t been before.
“I’m John,” he said.
I lifted my gaze slightly. “Katie.”
The way my name left my lips felt different this time—lighter, almost.
“Can I get your number?” he asked.
There was no hesitation in his tone, but there was something else… something hopeful.
“Sure.”
He unlocked his phone and handed it to me, his fingers brushing mine for the briefest second—just enough to send a small spark through me. I quickly typed in my number, then handed it back as he did the same.
“I have to get back to work,” John said, glancing over his shoulder for a moment, “but I will call you later.”
“Okay,” I answered, my voice soft but steady.
As he walked away, I found myself watching him, not quite ready for the moment to end.
Then he stopped.
Turned around.
“You’re early today,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“I told him the family had a prior engagement. They were headed to New Jersey.”
He nodded slightly. “I get off at 6:00 p.m., so I’ll call when I arrive home.”
I simply shook my head in agreement, unable to hide the smile that had settled on my face.
Then I walked away.
It felt like I was walking on clouds.
My steps were lighter, my body almost weightless, like something inside me had shifted—lifted.
I crossed the street, then glanced back.
He was still standing there.
Looking at me.
A smile spread across my face, wide and uncontrollable. I waved, a small, almost shy gesture, before turning and continuing toward the subway.
My heart was jumping for joy.
It finally happened.
I spoke to him.
John.
I repeated his name in my head, over and over, savoring the way it rolled so easily, so naturally off my tongue.
John.
And now—I had his number.
The realization made my stomach flutter all over again.
I need to tell the girls.
Susan.
Definitely Susan.
I waited until I got home.
The train ride felt longer than usual, the signal cutting in and out, my phone practically useless in my hands. I kept glancing at the screen anyway, as if willing time to move faster.
The moment I stepped into my apartment, I kicked off my shoes, barely taking off my jacket before grabbing my phone.
I texted Susan immediately, my fingers moving quickly as I relayed everything—every detail, every word, every glance.
Her response came almost instantly.
“Wait! What!? Ain’t you at work?”
“No I am not.”
“I sent you a text earlier letting you know that I left work early. You haven’t seen it?”
“Sorry, I was caught up with the baby. She is sleeping now, and I am having a bite to eat, so tell me everything.”
I smiled, shaking my head slightly.
“Well, it’s not much to say…”
But it was.
And I told her everything—from the moment I saw him, to the way he looked at me, to how my heart refused to calm down even now.
“I just wanted to share with you because I was so happy,” I admitted. “After all this time of hoping and wishing… it finally happened. Meeting him just made my day.”
Susan couldn’t believe it.
After all this time, you guys finally got a moment.
“How long has it been?” she asked.
“Five months.”
“Wow!”
“I need you to call me the moment you get off the phone with him.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, laughing softly.
At 8:00 p.m., my phone lit up.
A text.
Can you talk?
My heart skipped.
“I sure can,” I replied quickly.
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
I picked it up on the second ring—just enough time to not seem too eager, even though I was.
“Hello.”
There was a brief pause.
Then his voice.
Low. Deep. A soft gravelly rumble that seemed to settle somewhere warm in my chest.
“Hey… how are you doing?”
“Fine,” I responded, trying to keep my voice steady.
“John said, I have waited so long just to talk with you, and now I can’t remember what I wanted to ask.”
I laughed, the sound light and genuine.
He laughed too.
“That was a good opening to break the ice,” I teased.
“You have an accent,” he said.
“I do?” I smiled.
“I am from the beautiful island of St. Lucia.”
“Where is that?”
“It’s in the Caribbean.”
“What’s the weather like there?”
“Warm all year round.”
“It sounds beautiful.”
“It is.”
There was a small pause, comfortable, easy.
“So, what made you want to leave and come to New York?” John asked.
“Don’t laugh,” I said, already smiling. “But since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed about moving to the big apple… exploring this big city. I’ve watched it on television and wanted to experience it for myself.”
“No,” he said warmly, “I think that’s pretty brave of you.”
Something about the way he said it made my chest feel lighter.
“How long have you lived in New York?”
“About a year.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m 20.”
“Do you live alone?”
“I do.”
“Are you seeing anyone?”
“No, I am not.”
I heard it then—a soft exhale.
Relief.
“What was that?” I asked, smiling.
“Oh, nothing,” he said quickly. “Just relieved when you said you were not seeing anyone.”
We both laughed.
“Now that you know everything about me,” I said, shifting slightly on the couch, “I would like to know a few things about you.”
“Okay, ask away.”
“Were you born here?”
“I was born and raised in Brooklyn.”
“How long have you worked at your current job?”
“A year and six months.”
“Do you live alone?”
“No. I live with my best friend, Alec.”
“How long have you guys been friends?”
“Since middle school.”
“How old are you?”
“I’m 21.”
“I’m guessing you are not seeing anyone at the moment?”
“I am free, single, and disengaged,” he said with a hint of humor. “I’m guessing that’s the answer you really wanted to hear.”
I chuckled softly.
“I would love to take you out this weekend,” he added.
My heart fluttered again.
“What do you have in mind?”
“Maybe dinner and a movie?”
“That would be great.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, John.”
“Goodnight, Katie.”
The moment the call ended, I didn’t even hesitate.
I called Susan.
“Hey! What’s the scoop?” she answered immediately.
“We were on the phone for about an hour.”
“Wow! I have never been on the phone for that long with anyone,” she said. “The conversation must have been good.”
“It was,” I admitted, smiling to myself. “I didn’t want to get off the phone… but we both had to prepare for tomorrow.”
“Will he be taking you out?”
“Yes. This weekend.”
“Ooooh!” she teased. “Details?”
“He said dinner and a movie.”
“Well, look at you,” she laughed.
“Thanks to Mrs. Goldberg for getting me the stuff at the Gap,” I added. “Or else I would have to go shopping.”
After hanging up, I fell back onto my sofa, kicking my feet into the air like a teenager.
I couldn’t stop smiling.
He was single.
Interested.
And he liked me.
The thought alone made my heart race all over again.
Will he text me tomorrow?
What am I going to wear?
Should I dress up or keep it simple?
My mind spun with possibilities, each one more exciting than the last.
For the first time in days—no, weeks—I felt light.
Happy.
Safe.
I closed my eyes, letting the feeling settle in, letting myself enjoy it fully.
Tomorrow, I would see him again.
And I couldn’t wait.
Then it hit me.
Steven.
- Writer
