Chance Encounter

Frank sat at the kitchen counter. He watched Shirley, his wife, serve his morning coffee. He felt such joy that she was in his life. His mainstay, she was perfect at taking care of the house and providing him with hot meals. Shirley kept Frank warm at night and kept his life on course.

They were best friends. What else could a man want? What would he do without her?

She smiled. “What?”

“Nothing. I love you. You’re so good to me. So good for me.”

“Back atcha, buddy…”

They laughed at her mock salute.

She asked, “Busy today?”

“Bunch of bigwigs in from New York. Meetings on top of meetings… All day. Centered around my presentation… How ‘bout you?”

“Errands, cleaning… you know, the usual…”

“I should go. Got to prep. Ensure my presentation is flawless.”

“It will be… Have fun with it.”

“Right. And you have fun with your errands…”

“Oh, I will… I mean it Frank. Have fun. It makes a difference.”

“I know what you’re saying, Shir. But this isn’t the sort of thing one has fun with. Too much riding on it.”

She smiled and nodded. “Think about it…”

They kissed and he left.

Frank drove to the office. He thought of Shirley’s advice about his presentation. He’d worked hard on it. All the important people would be there. It could affect the trajectory of his career and that of his team members.

Hyperventilating, he pulled over to calm himself.

Fun? Anything but fun.

He walked into work. His secretary, Octavia nodded toward the conference room. His team members, Shannon, Brent, and Emil were already there. They came early and were setting things up and checking connections. They had everything he needed to rehearse his script one last time, before people arrived.

They did a sound check.

“Good to go…”

Emil was trouble-shooting the projector-laptop connection when Octavia stood in the doorway. She knocked but looked like she wanted to hide.

Frank went to her.

“I’m sorry to bother you…”

He said, “Almost ready. Just finessing a couple of things and you can send everyone in.”

She said, “I’m sure it will be great. But…” She winced at what she needed to tell him.

“But what?”

“It’s called off… Uhm, postponed.”

“What! Why?” Frank looked around at his team. They watched, hesitating.

“The plane from New York got delayed. But we’re on for tomorrow…?”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” The look on his face expressed all the words he didn’t say. He nodded at his people and they began breaking down the setup.

Frank said, “No. Leave it. Need it tomorrow… Right?”

Octavia said, “That’s what they said…”

“Why didn’t someone call me? A little heads up?”

“I swear, Frank. I just now heard.”

“I can’t believe it. So half-assed. Could have flown in last night. Talk about unprofessional…”

“I know how hard you’ve all worked…”

“We worked very hard. Coordinated it to the last detail.”

Frank nodded her away. His mind reeled. How did this happen? You reach a critical mass – building momentum to the day. You work to the deadline and are ready to go. Time works in your favor. But if one gear goes awry, the clock stops working. You lose that edge.

His teammates gathered.

Frank said, “I don’t know what to tell you. Delayed flight. Guess we’re on for tomorrow… Unless a flat tire or a random pigeon intervenes.”

They laughed and shook their heads.

“Not wishing for either of those, I hope you know.”

Emil asked, “So, were in suspended animation until tomorrow? How do we stay sharp?”

They glanced around but no one spoke.

Frank said, “You’ve got this. Get some rest. But not too much… Go over the routine again, look for flaws.”

Brent suggested, “Let’s brainstorm over lunch…”

Frank shook his head. “I need to clear my head. Stay sharp. Gonna walk this off. I’ll call you.”

On his way out, Frank nodded at Octavia. He forced a smile.

“Thanks for telling us as soon as you heard. I don’t believe in shooting the messenger.”

“They should have told us sooner…”

“We both know that. I’m going out. Not sure if I’ll be back today… Bright and early tomorrow…”

“I’ll text you if anything changes, Frank.”

“Thanks…”

Frank walked up the shady side of the street with no where to go. He wanted to slough off the emotional cloud that had settled on his brain.

It was a beautiful day.

I don’t get out enough…

He window shopped and watched people coming and going. Where is everyone off to, in such a hurry?

He found himself in a bohemian district near the university. Haven’t been here in years… Some of the old shops were still thriving.

He looked at the street and realized the newest building pre-dated world-war-two. The whole neighborhood should be an historical landmark. He remembered one store from decades before. The wooden floor was so badly buckled, they joked that you needed skis to shop there.

He stopped at the bookstore where he and Shirley used to hang out. He browsed the dusty shelves for a few minutes.

Is this a museum? I’d swear these books were here when I was last here. This one hasn’t moved since I returned it to the shelf fifteen years ago…

Starting to feel hungry, he bought a notebook, the morning newspaper, and left. His eyes fell on Rocker’s, the old café where he’d hang out between classes. Anything but hip, it became a favorite with the students, for its strong coffee and good, cheap food.

Ah, Rocker’s coffee shop. Rock out, man… Why not? Rocker’s, ‘round the clock.

Feeling light, Frank realized he never could have planned this excursion.

That’s the missing piece. Need to use this. Capture the essence of serendipity to advance our point. Chance is essential for innovation, and forgotten at our peril. Roll with change like surfers catch waves. Leverage our energy. Our creativity.

He crossed the street and entered.

It smelled the same. It was clean, but the cafe hadn’t changed in the least. The patterned Formica. The chrome. The pedestal, swivel seats with the same, worn, red upholstery… He remembered the tear in that seat cushion. All, exactly as he remembered. Frozen in time…

Sitting in his favorite booth, near the window, Frank didn’t need the menu. He ordered coffee and his usual burger from way back when. His friends said they should name it after him.

The waitress could be the daughter of the one he knew years before.

He pulled his notebook out and wrote down thoughts from his walk.

I’ll eat now and call the team later.

His food arrived, the perfect meal for revisiting this old haunt. With his fresh inspirations for the presentation, Frank had plenty to think about. He couldn’t write fast enough.

He heard a familiar laugh. Curious, he looked but couldn’t detect the laugh’s source until he saw a woman sitting a few tables distant. He couldn’t see her face. Smiling and gesturing, the waitress joked with her. They laughed. It was her.

Impossible. Is it Shirley? Why’s she here?

He couldn’t hear them, but their manner confirmed they weren’t strangers.

Frank remembered Shirley saying her day would be ‘the usual.’ Really? Could drive a truck through that phrase.

Other customers rose to leave. They stopped to greet Shirley.

Who are these people? Hmmm… Some errands. She comes here without me? What’s that about?

Ensuring anonymity, Frank kept his newspaper raised. He couldn’t care less about the news. His eyes locked onto Shirley as if he’d never seen her before.

Fascinating…

He lingered over a refill of coffee and observed his wife. In the wild…

Frank felt qualms about spying. Dismissing them, he told himself he embraced serendipity while researching the unexpected.

When Shirley paid and left, he followed at a distance. She paused at a shop window and entered a boutique. Standing behind a tree, Frank watched through the window. She held dresses up and conferred with the sales woman. The woman encouraged her and they laughed.

That’s not her taste. She’d never wear that. Not in my life… Who is this woman?

Shirley decided not to buy. She left in the clothes she came with. And wearing a smile.

Frank considered buying the dress to surprise Shirley. But that would open questions about ‘where he’d found it?’ ‘What’s the occasion?’ And ‘why are you spying on me?’

Those would be questions he had no easy answers to. With all he had on his mind, he didn’t need more complications.

Shirley became his single focus. He forgot to call his work team. The frustrations of the day faded before the sight of Shirley laughing with others, and not him.

Questions multiplied.

Why is she here? And without me? She’s not meeting anyone. Unless she got stood up. Hah! But why not with me? Our old haunt. I could meet her for lunch. Well, not today. But most any other time.

Who is this woman I’ve been married to for a decade? Can’t I be a part of her ‘other’ life? Her whole life? Why not? Must I remain separate? Accepting the slivers of her time she deigns to toss my way?

Frank watched as Shirley walked to her car. She drove off. He thought to follow to her next mysterious rendezvous, but then remembered he was on foot.

His mind swirling, he walked back to his workplace. What had been a joyous stroll before, now felt like an endless slog.

He didn’t go in. Everyone would be gone by then. He drove home.

The smells of his favorite dish met him as he walked into their house.

Shirley called from the kitchen. “How was your presentation?”

He plopped his briefcase onto a chair. “It wasn’t. Didn’t happen.”

Shirley turned. “Oh, no…”

“Postponed ‘til tomorrow. Last minute. Threw me off. Ruined my day.”

She went to him. “Frank… What can I do?”

“Nothing. Need to call the team.”

Who is this woman? Do I know her? Do I know myself? Do I know anything?

“I’ll fix you a drink…”

Frank looked at her. “Do I know you…?”

She thought he must be joking. “Of course you do. Remember me? Shirley? Your wife. Remember?”

Wide eyed, he tapped his head. “You have a universe spinning up there that I’m not privy to. I see the occasional star twinkling in your eyes, but otherwise, I’m left out. Tell me…”

Genuine concern washed over Shirley’s face. “What brings these questions? You know me... chief cook and bottle washer…”

“No. You’re so much more than that. What goes on when I’m not around?”

“Thanks, Frank. You’re right. I am more than a cook and cleaner. Didn’t know you know that. But, if you pay attention, you’ll also know I’ve nothing to hide. How about you?”

“I’m me. What you see is what… you know my moods.”

Staring, they each tried to fathom the strange person before them. Each felt mystified, but for different reasons.

Frank said, “Could be my lapse. I’ve dropped the ball, not paid attention.”

“I can accept that.”

He took a step. “Tell me though, if you could do anything… anything at all. What would it be?”

“Eat dinner. It’s getting cold.”

“You’re avoiding the question Shir.”

“What’re you asking, again?”

“Do I know you?”

She looked at him, up and down. “I’ll say this… I know you. You can be moody, and, on occasion, are prone to flights of fancy.”

Frank fought his impatience.

Shirley continued. “You’re kind of a status quo guy, Frank. We’ve been together, constant companions... We have our routines. But that’s not the whole package – for either of us. Which ‘me’ would you like to know?”

“How many are there? All of them.”

“You sure about that?”

“What are my choices?”

She pointed at the table. “Sit. We can eat and talk.”

Frank sat. “Okay… When were you happiest?”

“Seriously? I guess when we were courting.”

“Ahh!”

“Everything was new. Learning about each other felt a great adventure. You’re so quirky. I never knew what to expect.”

“Well, that’s it. You’re right. We need to explore more things together. Rediscover surprise…”

“Okay…”

“Let’s take a trip.”

“Sounds like an idea, Frank. But you know I hate flying. Hate airports. Hate standing in lines.”

“A road trip then.”

“Deal. Pass the potatoes please… Now eat.”

Frank took a bite. He chewed and smiled. He loved Shirley’s cooking. He knew that.