Lyft

Day Eleven of Thirty Days of Writing

Amanda DeNatale
Jul 25, 2017 · 5 min read

Ana thought the date was going well. It was her first date after escaping a three-year relationship that she thought went on at least one year too long. This guy’s name was Josh, and her friend Serena had hooked them up. Ana agreed because she knew that she had to get back out there at some point, but she really wasn’t looking for another relationship just yet. So far, Josh had been great. They both loved to read and had extensive libraries, a topic that had dominated most of the conversation as they huddled together at a table in the back of some bar.

“So, which is your favorite though?” Josh pressed, leaning forward.

“That’s so — How am I supposed to choose?” Ana slapped her palms on the wood table.

Josh smiled, as their beers sloshed side to side, almost spilling. They both happened to love the Nine Stories collection by J. D. Salinger, and agreed that although The Catcher in the Rye was a book of great merit, Nine Stories was where Salinger really hit them.

“Sorry, too excited.” Ana could feel her face heat up. Andy had always hated when she “made a scene” like that in public — Why did she have to be so excited? Ana felt her heart deflate, but quickly tried to shake it. Josh didn’t seem to mind.

“But really, don’t think, just answer — ” Josh put his hand on her forearm.

“Okay.” Ana sighed in extreme frustration. “If I have to choose — “Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut.”

“What?” Josh leaned back in mock shock. “I would have thought you would be “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” kinda gal.”

They argued on about the sub textual prowess that they eventually agreed Salinger achieved in the collection.

“Okay, well I’ll have to see your library sometime.” Ana stated. “I cannot believe you have that 1st edition copy.”

“Absolutely.” Josh looked at his watch.

Ana looked at her phone — 11:30PM.

“Now?” Josh asked.

Ana’s stomach dropped. That butterfly feeling, was queasier than she remembered.

She really wanted to go, but would he expect something? Her gut told her no. He seemed like a good guy, but they had just met. He worked with Serena, so if he were a bad guy, she wouldn’t have set them up. She could always leave, and she remembered she did have that mace in her purse. She tried to push those thoughts away quickly, but Josh noticed her hesitation.

“Books only,” he said with his hands raised in surrender.

“Okay, okay.” Ana said. “Like I said, I’ll believe it when I see it.” Ana felt a little heat rise in her cheeks.

“I’ll get us a Lyft. Neither of us should drive, I don’t think.” He plugged the destination into his phone as they walked to the front of the bar. They had both had three or four beers. Ana felt nervous about going there without her car, but he was right, they shouldn’t drive.

They walked out the door, and the temperature had noticeably dropped. Ana felt warmth from the beer, but her body shivered at the drastic shift in temperature. She pulled her jacket tighter around her chest.

They stood looking at each other awkwardly. They were going back to his place, Ana thought. She hadn’t done something like this in over three years. Naturally, her brain couldn’t think of a single thing to say, even though they had been talking nonstop for the last four hours.

“So who’s our ride?” Ana asked, leaning over too look at the map pulled up on his phone.

“Drew, in a 2017 Nissan Sentra,” Josh said. “Fan-cy.”

Ana giggled. “What kind of car do you have?”

And then Andy pulled up, in what was presumably his new car. Drew my ass, she thought. Her heart pounded, and she prayed Andy wouldn’t mess this up for her.

“That’s it I think,” Josh said pulling her toward the back seat of the car.

Ana followed speechless. Andy hadn’t recognized her yet. She had done the typical girl thing and chopped off her hair after the break up, and bleached it blonde. She did look different.

“What’s up, Drew?” Josh asked as they slid into the car.

“Hey ma — ” Andy started. His mouth hung open as he stared at Ana. “Ana?”

“Hey,” Ana said softly. It had not been the cleanest break up. She had left all of his things on the front lawn after she caught him cheating with one of his co-workers. She had refused to talk to him at all after that revelation. There is nothing left to say, she told him.

“No way, you guys know each other?” Josh asked.

Ana nodded, with a thin smile and “Drew” sped off sending both of them flying into the back seat.

“We’ll be there in three minutes,” Andy said mechanically.

The whir of the heat flowing from the vents was the only sound in the car. Ana looked at Josh apologetically, and touched the top of his hand briefly before roping her arms around her stomach. Josh looked confused and shrugged his shoulders.

They came to an abrupt stop in front of an apartment complex called The Cresent.

“OUT,” Andy yelled. Ana and Josh scrambled out of the back seat, and listened to the engine rev fade away as Andy sped off.

“Damn, how do you know that dude?” Josh asked.

“That’s, um, well he’s my ex,” Ana replied. Her face twisted into an uncomfortable smile.

“I see,” Josh said. His brow creased with concern for a moment. “Well, shall we go inside? Got lots of books to get through still.” A huge smile ran across his face.

Ana smiled and nodded. He honestly didn’t seem to care. She was shocked, elated, but shocked.

Josh held his hand out for her to grab. Ana hesitated for a moment, looking into his light green eyes, before intertwining her fingers with his.

“Now lets see these “first editions”. She made air quotes with one hand, as they walked into the brick building. She knew where to look to make sure they were legitimate.

Amanda DeNatale

Written by

Writer/Bartender/Junior Editor for F(r)iction/ MFA grad/ Hula hooper/Daydreamer/Adventurer

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