Third Chances Are Uncommon
Part 2 of a fiction challenge I gave myself. View part one here:
After they met, Chance Ultimo and Maggie Stonewilder each made decisions about their time and their technology.
Chance and Maggie both were curious and wanted to get to know each other more.
Walking out of the phone store they were about to part ways. Chance’s heart started pounding in his chest. Maggie felt butterflies.
“Was so great to see you again, you look beautiful by the way.” Chance said gazing deeply into her eyes.
“That’s so sweet of you! It’s been wonderful seeing you again too Chance.” Her cheeks flushed with the colour of St. Valentines.
For some reason, Chance smiled and began to walk away. Maggie was surprised, and almost chased after him to ask if they could meet again sometime. She looked down at her shoes and realized it was not a good idea to do any chasing in high heels.
Somewhat disappointed, but undeterred she shrugged it off. Oh well, she thought, maybe we’ll bump into each other again. She smirked and chuckled to herself. She imagined an onlooker watching both her and Chance enthralled in their devices. Then walking briskly into each other, and snapping out of the trance. What a funny scene that must have been! Was anybody watching? Or was everyone else in a trance on their device that day too?
As she daydreamed and strolled leisurely for a few blocks Maggie felt a tap on her elbow.
His heart was still beating fast and hard.
Chance was walking away, but his mind never left. Maggie’s eyes and smile had him. As his mind repeatedly pictured her beauty, he began to question himself. Why did you walk away? Where are you even going? You’ve got nowhere to go, you quit your job remember? You have all the time in the world! Maybe I should have said something. What? Asked for her number? You gave up your phone….
As this internal dialogue went on, it coincided with reminiscing over their first encounter. The powerful attraction from first laying eyes on her.
Suddenly, a voice and feeling foreign to Chance entered his mind and body. He felt a strong tingling and tightening sensation running from his abdomen up through his chest, where his heart was still racing. In his head, another voice joined the conversation and drowned out his thoughts with its own questions.
“What are you doing?!” A loud and direct question from a voice he didn’t recognize. “Go back!” the voice commanded with absolute certainty.
Chance was startled by this, but instantly knew he had to go back and try to find her. He turned about-face and began to jog back towards the device store. The sidewalk was busy, and he weaved through the masses of people. Dodging the crowds looking down deep into their devices. He quickened his pace as he passed the glass doors of the store they were in a few minutes ago, and scanned the crowd ahead.
His eyes were looking for the floral dress Maggie had on and her chestnut hair. Where did she go? He knew she was probably walking fast. A few blocks down from where they gave their farewell Chance began to slow his pace down to a walk. As his legs absorbed his momentum he spun around glancing in all directions.
Nothing. Everyone around him seemed to not even notice him. Chance was the only person in the crowds of people that had his head and neck in proper alignment. He peered above and around everybody else with their necks craned downwards into their phones. He kept searching everywhere for the flowers Maggie wore with such unpretentious elegance. As he looked and looked, he was caught by a delicious and sweet smell and the aroma of freshly ground espresso.
I blew it, she’s gone. Chance thought this as a sense of finality crept over him.
Maggie turned,
and noticed a small elderly man who had tapped her to get her attention.
“Gelato?” The man grinned and motioned towards a small gelateria offering free samples. His kind eyes, and dark mustache reminded Maggie of her grandfather.
“Sure! Thank you, sir.” She smiled and walked over and entered the small store.
“I’m Vito, and this is my wife Stephanie.” The man said as he introduced the lady behind the counter. Stephanie smiled warmly but did not speak. “What kind of gelato would you like to try?”
Maggie looked into the case and marveled at all the delicious flavors. Outside beyond the doors, life bustled on.
“Rose. I’ll try rose please.” Maggie decided with very little hesitation.
“Very good.” Vito said as he looked lovingly to his wife Stephanie. “Rosa mi amore.” He said in soulful Italian.
Stephanie remained silent and nodded. She went about getting a small sample cup and spoon of the muted pink gelato. As Stephanie worked, Vito turned to Maggie.
“Espresso?” Vito asked with the look of a sly fox.
“Si.” Maggie said as she succumbed to the indulgences of the moment.
Oh well,
thought Chance with resignation as he began to lose hope. I should have seized the moment, this is what I get.
Although he was happy with the new freedom and abundance of time on his hands, he kicked himself for letting an opportunity with such great potential slip through his fingers. Next time. He told himself. Chance wished that somehow he could see Maggie again, just once more, and things would be different. What were the chances? They had already tested fate and managed to find each other in a dreary device store of all places. Maybe he should accept that she’s gone this time. He should move on. Chance closed his eyes and wished for one more shot.
As Chance was ruminating on never seeing Maggie again, he felt a tap on his elbow. He looked down. A dark mustache and warm smile beamed up at him. His initial reaction was wondering what does this guy want? But, the kindness in the eyes disarmed him.
“Yes?” Chance asked.
“Gelato?” replied the man. He turned and motioned towards his shop.
Chance stopped breathing. Inside the window of the gelateria sat a beautiful woman with rich chestnut hair and a chic dress emblazoned with flowers.
Chance looked up into the sky and said aloud,
“Thank you!”
If you missed part 1 of the story you can find it here.
This is the 56th installment of Writing Wednesday. Keeping the fiction flowing for the time being. Good practice, and definitely not something I’m comfortable with.
Let me know what you thought.
