Hi there, Jeff,
How was Machu Pichu? I’ve never been there but it looks amazing. Nice T-shirt? American Apparel?
Violet x
There was something about the lack of immediate intimacy that he found appealing. He stood up and went to his wardrobe and pulled out the T-shirt. It was American Apparel. Could it be Violetta? Surely not. She had men lining up for her. Why would she create a profile online?
Jeff’s loneliness had been heightened recently. It had never bothered him before but lately he had felt the coldness of the apartment when he went back to it. He had bought it on a whim, with the money his grandmother had left him, invested wisely, and his large salary from the hospital. It was too big and mostly unfurnished. Maybe he should sell it, he often thought, but he hadn’t – not yet, anyway. He wondered why he was hanging onto it. It deserved a family in it, loud and fun and with a woman’s touch.
What Jeff brought to his fashion he also brought to his interior decorating: nothing of any note whatsoever.
He walked around the apartment and wondered what to do. It was too late for a run and he had no plans for his night off. On a Tuesday night the invitations were thin on the ground. He went to his computer and looked up movies playing near him. Seeing the newest romantic comedy was playing in thirty minutes, he pulled on his coat and walked out into the night. Putting himself online was a mistake, he thought. In the end, the only person he wanted it to be was so far removed from his world, they would never be together.
*
Across town Violetta was also looking for something to do. No parties, no TV crew, and Carlotta was with Birdie. She picked up the paper and looked at the film times. Slipping into her coat, she grabbed her bag, pulled a cashmere violet hat onto her head and headed out.
Violetta loved going to the movies by herself. Especially the trashy ones. No one to judge her if she laughed or cried. She could eat whatever she wanted and didn’t have to share with anyone. As she walked into the warmth of the movie theatre she looked around. A nine o-clock session on a Tuesday night wasn’t busy. In fact there were only a few people there. She bought her ticket and as she turned round saw Jeff standing behind her. She blushed fiercely.
‘Hi,’ she stammered.
Jeff blushed twice as much.
‘Wow, hi.’
‘What are you seeing?’ she asked, wondering what intellectual film was showing.
Jeff paused.
‘Next,’ said the man behind the counter impatiently.
Jeff walked up to the counter as Violetta stood waiting for him.
‘One single toTime for Love, please,’ he said, not looking at Violetta.
Violetta stifled a smile. Romantic comedy? She remembered his profile online and that he had mentioned that he liked them.
Jeff walked away from the counter and stood facing her. ‘So my secret is out, I guess?’ He made a face.
‘I love romantic comedies,’ said Violetta, shrugging.
‘So do I,’ said Jeff, laughing. ‘Takes me away from my crazy life.’
‘I know. Life is so perfect in them, huh?’ said Violetta as they walked companionably to the snack counter.
‘What can I get you?’ asked Jeff.
‘You don’t have to do that.’ Violetta felt shy standing next to him.
‘Oh no, it’s not a gift, it’s a bribe,’ said Jeff as he stared at her. She looked so pretty in her hat, he thought, her heart-shaped face was perfect.
‘A bribe? For what?’ asked Violetta, thinking how nice he looked in his jeans. He had a great frame, she thought, and then blushed.
‘Well, I will buy you snacks if you keep my predilection for rom-coms a secret.’
‘Deal,’ said Violetta. ‘Except I don’t share,’ she added quickly.
‘Share? What?’ asked Jeff, confused.
