Word Vomit

The morning starts just like any other day. I get my coffee from Mona at Houndstooth coffee, we exchange pleasantries, and then I head into work. Once at work, I look in the appointment book and notice that my day is fuller than I was expecting; Five haircuts, four trims, three colors, and a partridge in a pear tree. I take a drink of my coffee and smile at Joanie as she comes into the salon. She greets me with a hug and says, "Hey Bunny. Are you going to yoga tonight with Sophie?" I look at her and scrunch my nose up in disgust. "No, I don't think so. It was a good class, but I don't think it's for me. Why, did you want to try it out? If you do, I'll go for you." She smiles and shakes her head no. She walks to the back room without another word and I'm left in the blissful silence. Thank the Lord, I don't have to go to yoga and see Sophie. 

I'm sorry to say this, but I'm really upset with Sophie. I know I should be happy for her. It's a special moment for her and Alex. I just don't understand why it had to happen on my birthday. I'm trying to let it go, but I just keep getting this annoying feeling and I want to yell at her. I have been avoiding her the past few days. Not that she has noticed. She has been out gallivanting around with Alex showing off her ring. I stay in my room when she is home and pretend to be sleeping so that I won't have to talk to her. I know, I'm a horrible friend. But damn! Can't a girl be upset about this?

I don't have time to dwell on it any longer, my first client comes in. I brush off the bitter feelings and try to recapture my good mood I had before I heard the name Sophie. It's a bit of a struggle, I'll be honest. I finish with my client just as Joanie comes back to the front after checking the stock room. She  tells me that we are low on a few things and that I need to make the order. I write it down so that I won't forget and when I look up, I see the one person I don't want to see, Sophie. She smiles. I try to smile. 

"Hi Lucy. Do you want to go get lunch today? I feel like I haven't seen you since your birthday party."

"I can't. I'm all booked up for the day. I actually need to get back to work." I smile, wave a goodbye, and walk back to my now empty chair. I turn my back to the door and make a big show of sweeping up the minuscule hair on the floor. Joanie comes over to me, "Your area is spotless. What are you doing?" 

"Nothing."

"Shut Up! You are clearly pissed about something. I know you. You don't sweep like this unless you are avoiding something. Come on, what is it?"

"Sophie. The perfect little princess. She gets everything she wants. She has the perfect little life. The perfect boyfriend, the perfect job right out of college. You know she didn't even have to work for it, it was offered to her because her daddy knew someone. Then she gets engaged at my birthday party, and ends up having a perfect little impromptu engagement party. Her and Alex even found their perfect dream house. Did I tell you that?" Joanie shakes her head no. "Yeah. She came home last night on the phone telling someone that they found the perfect house, white picket fence and all. And I'm sure she will have a perfect wedding, and then perfect babies to romp around in that stupid perfect house!  I'm sick of it!" I throw the broom on the floor and I'm panting.  Joanie raises her eyebrows and says, "Oh no, Bunny." Then points behind me. 

All the blood drains from my face. I turn around and see Sophie still standing there. Her heart clearly broken. 

Why me?

I grab the envelope and rip it open even before I walk inside. The envelope falls to the ground. The front of the card has an owl with a party hat on. I open the card and read: I hope you have a HOOT on your birthday! It’s signed, Finn. He also writes: Sorry I missed your birthday party, I was too nervous. Hope your night was one to remember. Alright, I’m getting fed up with this secret admire stuff. Show your face already! And how did you know I had a birthday party? Unless you are Mona’s brother….. “Wuss!’ I shout out to him. I reach for the door knob with built up anger and I walk in slamming the door behind me. I go inside my apartment and Poe greets me with a purr and rubs against my leg. I pick him up and snuggle him to my face. “At least I have your love Poe.” I take him to my room and plop onto my bed. I try not to cry but I just can’t help myself. I’m a year older and still single. Sophie is leaving me and Joni might be too. I’m going to grow up to be an old cat lady! I don’t even bother to put my pajamas on and just cry myself to sleep holding Poe. I wake up the next morning with crusted eyes and a head ache. I look out the window and I’m greeted by a bright and cheerful looking day. I pull the covers back over my head and find myself wishing for a rainy day to match mood. I make a growling noise and Poe pounces on my stomach and knocks the wind out of me. I roll over into a fetal position and knock him off the bed. I try to go back to sleep, but I can hear Sophie in the kitchen humming while making some coffee. I know she is expecting me to come out so I can take a good look at her ring since I didn't last night. Time to act chipper! I’m climb out of bed; put my fuzzy green slippers on and open the door with a fake smile. “Let me see your ring Sophie!” “Whoa, what happened to you? Are you feeling ok?” She says this while holding out her hand to me. I have to give a small laugh at her, showing concern for the way I look but still holding her hand out. I grab her hand and take a look. “Yeah I’m fine. Just kinda worn out from all the festivities yesterday and I conked out when I got home. Your ring is really pretty Sophie. He knows you really well.” I say this with genuine sincerity. It’s a beautiful ring and fits Sophie perfectly. She is a classy lady with a hint of funk. He got her a pink princess cut diamond with little rubies surrounding it so it’s classic with an edge just like her. “I got a birthday card from mystery Finn last night.” “What? How did he know it was your birthday? This is scaring me Lucy.” “Don’t worry too much. I think its Mona’s brother. I invited her to come last night and she mentioned that she had plans with her brother Finn and might not be able to make it. Then when I got home there was a card from him saying he was sorry he missed it.” I shrug my shoulders. “I think he is a wuss. In fact, after I read the card, I yelled and slammed the door shut behind me.” “No wonder the flower pot was broken when I got home.” “Yeah, sorry about that, I was a little upset last night.” “I’m sorry Lucy; I hope your day gets better. I have to go; Alex and I are meeting for dinner tonight so I’ll be home late. Don’t wait up!” I give another fake smile, “Have fun you love birds!” I look at the kitchen clock and notice that I’m running late. I have to be at work in 30 minutes. Shoot! Just my luck! Why does everything bad happen to me? I call Joni at the salon and tell her that I’m going to be late. She tells me not to worry, Effie took the day off. Thank you Lord! I like the little surprises you keep throwing my way. First with my gift from Sophie, then the extra hair cut, and now Effie is gone for the day. Keep ‘em coming! I don’t know why, but I have a bit of a hop in my step now. I splash some cold water on my face, apply a fresh coat of make up to cover my puffy eyes, tie my hair up in a top knot, throw on a pair of nerdy glasses, slip on my comfy but cute cream shirt dress and black tights, pull on my favorite brown boots and head out the door, finally ready to embrace this semi warm sunny day.

Really?

Alex stood up and raised a glass, “I just want to take a moment and wish the Birthday Girl a happy Birthday. Lucy, you are an amazing, talented, sweet, and kind friend, not only to me, but to the love of my life. I hope this year will bring you many good fortunes and success. To Lucy!”

Everyone raises a glass and cheers. I’m pretty sure I blush. I get ready to stand up and say thanks when Alex turns to Sophie and starts up again. “Sophie, I wanted to wait and do this in private, but I can’t wait any longer. I have to ask you now before my heart explodes, You are my best friend and I can’t imagine my life without you. I love all the mushy notes you sneak into my book bag. They make my heart swell with the love I have for you. I want to have you and your mushy notes for the rest of my life. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” He gets down on one knee and holds out a beautiful diamond ring to her.

There is a hush in the room as we all wait for Sophie’s answer. She has tears running down her face and she nervously looks around before she nods her head yes. Alex reaches out to wipe the tears from her check and she falls into his arms. He kisses the top of her head and everyone breaks out into applause.


Uh, wait a minute. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this my special day? Shouldn’t I be in the spot light? People should be applauding me! I’m the woman of the hour, dang it!

I run from the room before my own tears rush down my face. Joni tries to stop me but I mumble that I have to go to the restroom and break free. I open the door to the back room and make my way towards the restroom, head down, eyes blurred with unshed tears and smack right into a solid hard chest. “Sorry.”

“Are you ok?”

That voice, it sounds oddly familiar. I look up into gorgeous green eyes. Coffee Shop guy! I wipe the tears away that escaped my eyes and try to look happy. “Hi. Yeah I’m fine, thanks. Are you?”

“Yeah, just trying to find my brother, he said he would be here but I’ve looked all over and can’t find him.”

“Oh. Sorry.” Keep talking Lucy! Don’t let him leave just yet.

“You apologize a lot.” He smiles and starts to turn to leave when he says “Take care.”

“Wait! Ummm, it’s my birthday. We have a party going on back here, would you like to join?” Holly cow! I just invited a complete, albeit handsome, stranger to my party!

“Thanks, but I really need to find my brother, Happy Birthday.” He smiles that beautiful smile and walks away.

“Yeah thanks.” I mumble to his back. Happy Birthday to me, Alex and Sophie steal my thunder and Mr. Stud Muffin walks away, just what I always wanted.

Me forgetful? Ok maybe

Meow! Meow! Meow! “Poe! Shut your trap! I’ll feed you in a short minute, I promise.” Oh mornings are the worst. I don’t even need an alarm anymore thanks to little Poe. His tummy is always waking us up before seven. At least I will never be late for work again. My boss is very grateful for that. Before Poe, I would drag myself into work five minutes late. My boss knew I wasn’t a morning person but she was never happy about my chronic lateness. Now that she knows Poe is the one that gets me to work on time, she is always sending me home with little gifts for the punk.

Sophie is already gone. She has left a pot of coffee on for me and a little note that says,

Lucy,
I made you some coffee. Hope your day is filled with surprises! Happy Birthday! Now do me a favor and open your gift!

Call me,
Soph


What is today? I look at the little calendar on our fridge. Wow, you know you are getting old when you forget your own birthday! I look around searching for the gift Sophie is talking about. I don’t see it in the kitchen so I take my coffee and head to my room to start getting ready for work. That’s when I see it. Sophie placed my gift on top of my dresser. I rip open the package and pull out the clutch hand bag I have been salivating over for weeks. I run to find my phone and give her a call.

“Hello.”
“Sophie! First let me thank you for reminding your very forgetful roommate that it was her birthday. I totally forgot!”

Sophie giggles at that.

“And, the bag is gorgeous! Thank you soooooo much! You are the best!”

She breaks into laughter here. “Luce, I can’t believe you forgot your own birthday! And you are welcome. You better get ready for work before your boss thinks you got rid of Poe.”

“Right. I’ll see you tonight. We should probably go out to dinner to celebrate.”

a short blurb from the novel

I run up the four flights of stairs to my apartment, this is the only exercise I fit in today, at the door I see a note. I pluck it off the door and take it inside with me. I open it and see this

Lucy,
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
But nothing compares to the beauty of you.
My ears are burning,
My hands shake,
But that won’t stop me from asking you for a date.
-Finn

I don’t know if that’s creepy or cute.

Sneak Peak of the Novel

I sneak up behind Sophie and Alex intending to scare them when I hear Sophie say my name. I stop in mid sneak and listen.
“Lucy is such a sweet girl and I love her to death, but I hope that Simon won’t take her shyness the wrong way.”
Alex chips in with,
“I’m sure Simon will bring out Lucy’s fun side. It’s there and we know that, it just takes a while for her to warm up to new people.”
Hmmm, I’m not that shy am I? I just invited Mona to church with me. Of course, that is the first time I have said more than “Mocha please.” to her in three years. I walk around the couch and plop down in the chair opposite Sophie and Alex trying to act casual and confident but spilling my coffee down the front of my shirt instead. Sophie hands me a napkin and tells me that Simon is on his way. “GREAT! I CAN’T WAIT! I HOPE HE IS READY AS I AM TO MEET HIM!” Why am I yelling? Just because I'm loud doesn’t make me confident. I lift my cup to take a drink and end up missing my mouth when I get distracted and notice the door open. I turn and see an extremely attractive guy walk in. Tall, nice build, green eyes, glasses, dark brown hair, and a smile that will make your heart melt. Simon. Wait, why is he walking to a different table? Where is he going? I look to Sophie and start to ask her why Simon wasn’t coming over when I see a short stocky guy smiling with his hand extended toward me. I stand up to say hello and the guy only comes to my chin. Who is this guy? I want the other one. Sophie interrupts my thoughts and tells me that this is Simon. What?
“I’m sorry. What? I think I misunderstood you Sophie”
I smile trying not to sound too rude. The little guy looks up and says,
“Hi Lucy, I’m Simon. It’s so great to meet you!”
“Oh. Hello Simon.”
I smile and sit back down. His neck has to be cramping from having to look up so much. I glance over to my left and see the cute guy out of the corner of my eye. He is reading. I can’t tell what book it is, but I bet it’s a classic. He looks like that kind of guy, smart and sophisticated but still has a great sense of humor. I sigh. Sophie kicks my ankle and wrinkles her brow. She jerks her head to the guy’s conversation and mouths to me “What is wrong with you?” What’s wrong with me? What is wrong with her? And she really shouldn’t make that face so much. She has such a cute face but when she does that she looks like a cartoon. Sorry Lord. I’ll stop being rude. I turn to listen to the conversation taking place in front of me and stare into space. They talk about the latest football game that was on. I don’t really understand the game to begin with so I’m lost even before they start. I nod my head occasionally pretending that I know what they are talking about.....

FYI

I would like to inform you that I will not be posting any stories this month. It is National Novel Writing Month and I have joined in with the masses to try and write a novel in a month. So all my creative juices will be going into this project. I may post bits and pieces to give you a taste of what I'm working on, unless it turns out to be complete poo, in that case, you will not being seeing a thing. Wish me luck!

- Cori