The Departure

We were talking for hours about every random topic that came to our minds. The only silence we shared was when we both would sip from our rather delicious teas. We kept talking till the only light was the lanterns hung from the ceiling of the cafe, and until I zipped up my light sweater. That zip let us both know it was late, and that we both would have to face that door thanks to the love affair between Father Time and Mother Nature. We both got up, our teas finished long ago and their empty shells recycled, and walked to the exit. The door seemed so far away, as if it took me an hour just to walk across the cafe. The door itself was cold to the touch, heavy and seemed unmoveable, at least I hoped it was. When I finally exited the cafe, the world seemed new, like I had never been here before, as if my whole life was just in that cafe. I looked up for the comfort from the man on the moon, but even he seemed to have turned off the light as a new moon must of been in full effect. The stars seemed so much farther away then usual and drowned out by these city lights, even the cars themselves seemed distant and in minimal supplies. Loneliness had once again taken a seat on my already heavy shoulders as I turned to say goodbye to Will. He seemed to have the same face as I did exiting the cafe, but was looking straight at me rather than the sky,"It's a nice night today wouldn't you say?" I nodded some what solemnly,"Yes, it is. Quiet and…" I couldn't think of another word that would seem positive, so I let the sentence hang off my neck like a set of heavy keys. I let out a heavy sigh, hoping it would lighten my chest,"Well, it was a pleasure meeting you Will. Again, I thank you so much for the tea." I stuck out my hand gingerly, as he embraced it with his own."My pleasure Mason, and again, it was nothing." We smiled as we made painful eye contact, our hands shaking and slowing down to just a brief hold. As we retorted our hands I turned towards home, my back to my own temporary Prince Charming. I took no more than three paces before I heard him yell for my attention."Yes?" I turned around abruptly, seeing him jog a little towards me. "You said yourself you haven't gotten around your neighbourhood much yes?" I nodded, he was merely stating facts. "Well, have you been to any good restaurants yet? There's one just down the street that I like to go to on Fridays. It's very good food, and modestly priced." He seemed to be nervously adjusting his sleeve cuffs with his infectious smile in full focus, and I couldn't help but smile back,"It sounds quite nice, I wouldn't mind trying it out." I then nodded to myself, as if I had to agree with my own answer."How would you like to try it out in my company this Friday?" It felt like a firework had just went off in my chest. I tried my best to retain a calm exterior composure,"It would be a pleasure, however I work till 8pm this Friday." He nodded pondering for just a moment before he shot back up,"Then how about I pick you up for 9:30?" I wrapped one leg behind the other, it looked lame I was aware of that but I'd rather not look like a baby giraffe shaking with ambition,"That sounds perfect, here is my card." I reached into my back pocket and handed him one of my personal cards that had my name, email, and phone number. I had no business, I just thought they were rather cool and had gotten a coupon to purchase some. Only after he took the card did I feel so self-conscious about my cards, how stupid they must of seemed. He chuckled a bit as he read my card,"This something all Canadians do?" I couldn't help but let out a laugh, relief sweetly mixed in with the auburn spiced air.

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I was nearly home when I received a text from Will saying goodnight. I texted back the same gesture, hoping my emotions could become coding, but knowing they were far too complex to become a series of ones and zeros. I took a look back up at the sky as I got close to my loft, the moon man may have turned his back on me tonight, but Venus, the morning and evening star, was still there encouraging me with her lovely sparkle. I could barely open the front door as my keys shook violently in my hands. Once I had opened my door and entered the foyer, I quietly shut it behind me and pressed my back to it, finally letting my emotions rapture my body after holding up my defences all evening. I slowly sank to the ground in front of the door, knees up and my head buried in them as I laughed like a high school sweetheart. My cat, Sir Mycroft, walked between my legs meowing for what I assumed was food rather than attention. I patted his furry black head as I let out a sigh of relief,"Oh Mycroft, what am I to do?" He sat down beside me, his face apathetic and his meows now objective. I merely shrugged at him as I struggled to get up from the welcoming wooden floors.

I finally made it to the kitchen, looking at the clock to see it was now 11pm, remembering I worked tomorrow at 8:30am. I groaned as I leaned over Mycroft's bowl and poured him some food, then opened the fridge to pull out some pre-made lunch sandwiches. I made five, one for each day this week that I work, but I guess I'll just make another one tomorrow. I sat at my small wooden table, eyeing the little claw marks carved onto the legs as this stray cat and I ate away in silence,"You know Mycroft, you don't have to leave every night. There is a perfectly nice bed right there." I gesture to the brand new cat bed I had bought for Mycroft near the rear door, that had a doggie door installed in it. Mycroft looked up at me as if he were thinking about it, then went back to his food. I put my dishes away and emptied the dishwasher of last night's wash before heading upstairs. I began to brush my teeth and think about this upcoming Friday, and all the slow painful days between now and then. I couldn't help but see my own blushing in the mirror. It is true, it has been a while since I've had a romantic interest, but surely there was no need for worry? He wouldn't ask me to dinner if he didn't have an interest in me too now would he? I rinsed my mouth and walked down the hall, avoiding the few planks that were known to squeak only to find new ones that sang similar tunes. I hop into bed, pulling up the covers as I send Will yet another goodnight message. It was 12 now and I could only imagine he would see it when he woke up. I took off my glasses and put them on the nightstand along with my phone, plugging it in and setting the alarm. I turn off my lamp and hear my phone go off, the screen displaying a text from William saying 'goodnight Mason'. I giggled into my comforter, hearing the doggy door downstairs open and shut as I drifted off reluctantly into slumber.