I Knew It!

I know I'm not crazy,

This man on my left...I've seen him before. The city is huge so I see lots of people each and every day, but for some reason. His face seems so familiar. Should I ask if we've met? That would clear things up quickly wouldn't it, but what if he says we haven't even though I swear we have...Am I crazy?

It has to be fate or something right? I mean we're the only two in the Roman history section of the library. I've never met anyone else who gives a crap about Roman history. Maybe I met him in college?

No, he can't be, if his face felt this familiar I would immediately remember, wouldn't I. Especially if we were in the same class there is no way I wouldn't recognize him. Screw it I'll ask.

" Um excuse me?"  His bright blond hair, brown eyes, and his huge glasses all turned to face me. He was holding a book titled "The downfall of the Roman Empire," a book that I've already read.

" Yes?" His voice sounded like that of a wise and refined scientist, but he looked my age. Wait, Could he have been my professor in history...No, No he had jet-black hair.

" I'm sorry to bother you but...Have we met before? My name is Daniel by the way." I held out my hand and he firmly took it, closing the book.

" I'm sorry I don't recall anyone as of recent at least. So, nice to meet you, Danial. My name is Ruther" He released my hand and I stood slightly embarrassed. I apologized and turned away

But I can't shake it. I know I know him! " I'm sorry." I flipped around meeting his gaze once more. I had expected him to be half annoyed but to my surprise, he stood as if he was awaiting this. " I swear I've met you somewhere...did you go to Slippery Rock perhaps?"

" No, I did not? But I did go to Clarion so not too far I suppose." He seemed way too wise and friendly to be my age. He gave a sideways smirk as he continued. "Let's see" He placed his hand on his chin. " If it bothers you that much, you must recognize me from somewhere."

" Were you in Mercer for a week?" I asked.

" No.

" The batting cages perhaps...maybe with your girlfriend or something?"

" Uh no I don't play baseball...and I'm recently single."

" Oh uh...My bad." Why would I say something like that!? I don't know him well enough to ask about personal relationships.

" Wait!?" He's got something!" Did I almost hit you with my car this morning?"  NO he doesn't...

" No...I feel like I would remember that."

"Yeah you probably would. I came damn close..." I kind of wanted to ask exactly what and how he almost hit a person, but right now there are more important matters.

" Wait...Did you go to the club this weekend? I feel like I saw someone with your stature." From what I remember he was around the same height at least.

" U I did, but I wouldn't be able to remember if we met." Ruther had a sly smile.

We named off possible places we could have met, but no matter how much we racked our brains we could not remember a single instance of our meeting.

Perhaps I was crazy, and now I might be dragging this guy on a pointless ride through memory lane. Now I feel bad, I distracted him from his book. What if that was research for something?

" You know what." Ruther looked as if an idea had just hit him. " Do you play golf?" A strange question I thought but I nodded my head. " How about I get your contact info and we go out sometime? That way we could have fun instead of standing there like dimwits."

" Uh...Sure." I took out my phone and we exchanged numbers. Soon after he left the store purchasing the book he had been looking at when we met.

I have to say, it's not exactly how I thought this would end, but I guess I didn't bother him that much. In fact, he seemed more excited when he left than annoyed.

A week passed without any sort of plans being made. I had almost begun to forget about the meeting, but every now and then I would remember and get slightly embarrassed by what  Idid. Randomly asking a stranger if we had met, and then to top it off when he said we hadn't I continued to insist...Man I even found annoying in my head.

A sudden buzz came from my phone startled me. I was in the middle of making myself breakfast when I got the untimely text " Are you free?"...Now?

Despite the invite being sudden I grabbed my clubs and headed out. When I arrived he was waiting by the sentence hiding up to score cards wearing the most traditional golf clothes I've ever seen.

" Morning Ruther," I said as I approached my bag flung over my shoulder. " Did you already pay?"

" Yes and don't worry about paying me back." I had already taken my wallet from my back pocket, but if he insists on saying then who am I to disagree?

Tossing our bags into the back of the golf cart we headed for the first hole which was visible from the parking lot. A relative straight shot was nothing too difficult. Well, as long as today is one of my good days.

" Sorry for the sudden indentation." Said Ruther. " I've been busy."

" Work.?"  I asked.

" Yeah, I guess you could say that."

The cool air was a nice alternative to the beating summer sun. Today was going to be 85 degrees. Way to hot in my opinion. But a beautiful day for gold no doubt.

" Where do you work?" I continued. " I saw you looking at that book. You a historian?"

 " Ha! No, not exactly...That was more of just personal research. Believe it or not I work as a bartender in Clarion...Hey, maybe that's how you know me."

" No, I remember all the bartenders at the bars I go to, but maybe I'll have to check out yours." The golf cart came to a smooth stop and we both hopped out grabbing our separate drivers from the back. I let him get the first wing as we made small talk.

" So where do you work?" Asked Ruther." You were in the same section as me. Does that mean you're a historian?" I chuckled as he took his first drive. The sound the club makes when you connect perfectly on the ball never gets old.

I watched as the tiny white golf ball glided through the air landing about 15 feet short of the green. " Nice," I commented as I walked up for my turn. " I was there for a personal projectI'm a writer you see."

" Oh really? publish anything yet."

" No, I'm...still in the process of finding a publisher."

I lined up my drier with the ball and swung. Luckily I didn't shank it, meaning today would be one of my good ones. I watched it glide through the air to the backdrop of the bright blue cloudless sky.

Landing just a few feet short of his, we loaded up our clubs and took off down the course making small talk the whole way.

I had almost forgotten what had led us here. Me trying to figure out where I knew him from, at the time it picked at my mind so much but now. I couldn't care less.

Playing golf with someone who was practically a complete stranger was not on my bucket list for the day, week, or even month. Funny how things ended up this way.

We reached out golf balls and he let me take the first swing seeing as I was further back. I grabbed a wedge and prepared to show off my skills. Out of all clubs I'm most comfortable with the wedge.

"You're about to see a master of his craft," I said confidently, lining up my shot.

" Calm Down Tiger Woods." HE said snarkily

I raised the club and let gravity do the rest. The bottom skidded slightly across the ground kicking up dirt. The ball took a high loft through the air and landed softly on the green a few inches from the hole. I turned with what I imagine was a massive smirk to Ruther who seemed quite surprised.

" Maybe I do know you." He said. " On the "PNG Tour"

We both chuckled as he went up to swing. I felt confident after that last hit so no matter how he did It wouldn't affect me. Then I had a sudden realization. I remember his face from an earlier time, a long time ago when I worked behind the counter of a restaurant.

" I remember!" I suddenly shouted. I heard the sound of a club hitting the ball rather out of toon and saw as his ball went off into the tres. he turned with a slightly agitated face and said.

" It's rude to talk during someone's swing, you know." I quickly apologized and continued

" I remembered where I know you from" He looked surprisingly intrigued.

" Oh, where then."

" I worked in a restaurant the first couple years of college, behind the register and for pickup orders. I remember you coming in and ordering 12 loaves of bread. Just bread." Ruther suddenly looked shocked.

' I did that. You sure."

" Absolutely, I also remember thinking how weird that was."

" Now that I think back on it..There's a good chance that was me."

We stood in silence for a moment after the so-called epiphany by e. Ruther seemed to be trying to remember why he ordered 12 loaves of bread before looking to the forest and saying.

" I'm going to retrieve my ball. It's your fault you know." I apologize once more.

The mystery was solved. It was that simple. I had only seen him once but remembered his face because of a strange order. Oh well, with how things turned out, I can't complain.