Thinking Out Loud

8/22/23 6:47pm

She didn’t come into work today.

Evening to you too, buddy.  Why, was she sick?

I think so.  Kinda a bummer; I’ve been working up the courage, you know.

Yes, I know!  

I decided where I’m going to take her.

The sushi place.  The one on second.

I told you, I don’t like when you do that; this is still so new for me.

My apologies!  Being in the dusty coffin that is an antiques store becomes endlessly tiresome.

Sometimes I feel like I shouldn’t have bought this…

On the contrary!  All I’ve done is help you.

Just…don’t read my mind like that, ok?

I’m not reading your mind, bud.  We are the same.  Remember?

8/23/23 8:00pm

Hey.

Evening.

Melissa was back today.  She just had a little cough.

And?

No, I didn’t ask her out.

You need to!  You’re so often all alone, nothing to do, no friends to see.  This is good for you.

I know what’s good for me.  That doesn't make it less difficult.

But it’s within your power to ask her.  You literally can, and yet you choose not to.

If she says no, then that’s that!  No more chance at her.  She would tell our coworkers.

You’re right.  Melissa would tell coworkers about how brave and courageous you are.

If I was so brave and courageous, then I wouldn’t be talking to you. 

You’ve always talked to me; you just never realized who you were really talking to. 

8/24/23 7:14pm

I did it.

Hooray!  Look at you.  I knew she would say yes.

She did, she did.

How did it go down?

I asked her if she wanted to go to Roy’s Sushi and then do wine tasting here at my place.

Good move.  What did she look like when you asked?

What do you mean?

Well, was she surprised or happy or what?

She seemed excited, which is making me excited.  I haven’t been on a date in years, man.

Are you nervous?

Of course I am.  I want it to go well.  I know already that I want a second date.

Would you like any advice, bud?

Huh?  What would you know?  You don’t go out.

I go out as much as you do; no need to be testy.  If you want any advice, I’ll be right here.

I’m sure you will.  I’ll be back a little later tomorrow, so I guess I’ll see you after my date.

Like I said, if you need me, I’m right here.

8/25/23 9:30pm

Hey, psst, look at me.

Oh?  What’s up?  Where’s Melissa?

She’s in the restroom.  Said she needed to take a dump.

What do you need?

Keep your voice down.  I don’t know, man.  Everything’s going well and it’s almost over.

And?

And I don’t know where to go from here.  I’m freaking out.  Do I go for a kiss?  Let her go?

I mean, it’s up to you.  Is she really into you?

Do I ask her to spend the night?

You could.

But is that too much for a first date?  I don’t want this to be one night, ya know.  Ok I gotta go.

Wait, wait.  You haven’t decided what to do!

I could ask her to stay.  Lemme just kiss her and see where it goes.  I’m gonna go.

But what if she pulls away?  What if that ruins it?

Dude, stop.  I hear the faucet.  I’m going.

Your life has been plagued by indecision, don’t let this night be a consequence.

It won’t be; shut up.

I just don’t want you to ruin it.

YOU”RE THE ONE RUININ-

“Frank?  Who are you talking to?”

Frank spun around madly, cheeks flushed and eyes wide.

“Oh!  Did I catch you thinking aloud?  Haha, Frank it’s alright.  Everyone talks to themselves out loud sometimes.  Nothing to be embarrassed about!”

Frank turned to look at the mirror as Melissa’s heels clicked to him.  Breath slowly pushed out his nostrils, steaming the glass.

“Are you ok?  What’s up with the mirror?”

“Nothing!  Nothing.  Just thinking about what a nice ti-” 

Frank keeled over, water spilling onto the carpet from a flailing hand.

“Oh my!  What’s going on!?”

“I can’t see.  I can’t-”

He righted himself abruptly, and gripping an armchair he steadied himself.  Throwing a wild glance at the hanging mirror, a smiling Frank met his gaze.

Melissa’s eyes flicked to where he was looking and saw a different Frank in the mirror.  A smiling, stiff-backed, put-together Frank.  

“What the fu-”

Hey Melissa.

“SHUT UP!”

That’s not kind, buddy.  Hi, Melissa.  I’m Frank.

“NO YOU’RE NOT!!”

“What is happening?!” Melissa squeaked as she fell to the rug, her heels catching one another.

“I must be dreaming, Imustbedreamingwhatishappening,” as she sprung up.  

“Melissa, no!  Come ba-”

The apartment door boomed as it collided with the frame.

The echo softened in the now-empty room.  Ripples in the wine glasses ebbed.

“You ruined it,” whispered Frank, “why do you keep DOING THIS TO ME-Aahhhhhhh!” 

Frank slumped against the mirror, face oils smearing like a smudged window.

Your head is throbbing, isn’t it.  That’s the worst part of this ordeal.  I remember how I never felt such a headache before!

“What is this,” he moaned as consciousness dissipated.  

This is the process.  When someone else sees us on the inside…we are allowed out. 

Frank opened his eyes to a kaleidoscopic lens of distorted glass.  He felt paralyzed. 

I can’t move, I can’t talk, I can’t-

“Hey Frank.”

Reality fractured into a complete picture: Frank’s apartment.

What…

I was caught in that damn mirror for too long.  Thank you for providing me the opportunity.

No, no. Nononono…

Well, yes.  

Please…no.  Let me out I can’t-

I don’t know why you bought this mirror.  It’s pretty ugly.  I think I know what I’ll do.

Please, man.  You can’t keep me in here, let me out please.

But I can.  Hm, as I was saying, I think I’ll sell it…