Chapter 17
17
The rest of the day flew by, and before she knew it, several chapters were written, and her brain was tired. This was the kind of day she loved. She stretched her back, trying to work out the knots from sitting in front of a computer for hours. When the creative juices were flowing, she didn’t move until every last word was typed and saved. A feeling of accomplishment flowed through her.
She rolled her shoulders as she walked toward the kitchen. Her landline phone rang, startling her. No one close to her called that number. Everyone had her cell number. She hesitated to answer it, knowing a robocaller was on the other end. She hated answering this line, but she took a deep breath and picked up the cordless phone. There was only one other person who would call that number, and she vowed to make sure he had her cell number.
“Hello?”
“Michelle?”
“Gene?”
“Good evening. I hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time.”
“No, I just finished working and thought I’d heat something up for dinner.”
“Don’t you hate that . . . cooking for one?”
“It isn’t my favorite thing to do, that’s for sure.”
“I’m getting ready to head home myself. I put it off as long as possible every day.”
“I’m sorry, Gene. How long has it been?”
“She went back to Chicago about five years ago now.”
Michelle thought it was odd that he still harbored those types of feelings. “Wow, that long.”
“I only use a few rooms in the house. Maybe I should sell it and get something smaller.”
“Sounds reasonable if you aren’t using it. In today’s market, you might get a good price for it.”
“Yeah, maybe I should.” He cleared his throat. “Would you be free for coffee this week?”
Michelle grinned to herself. “Let me look at my calendar. Hmm... Looks like Thursday morning is open.”
“Great. Would you join me for coffee and breakfast, say around nine?”
“I’d love to. Where?”
“You know that little coffee shop over by the hospital?”
“The Coffee Café. I love it there. The coffee and breakfasts are wonderful.”
“I could pick you up if you’d like.”
“I’m sure you’ll need to go to your office. How about I meet you there?”
“I would need to be back here for a meeting at eleven. So, it’s a date?”
“Yes. I’ll see you Thursday at nine at the Coffee Café.”
“Looking forward to it. Have a good evening, Michelle.”
“Thank you, and you as well, Gene.”
Michelle hung up the phone and opened her refrigerator, taking out storage bowls with who knew what in them. She heated up a chicken dish and poured a glass of wine, then settled in to watch a few episodes of a beloved TV show.