Chapter Text
Chapter 1 – Nook and Dannie
Therese finds herself daydreaming while staring past the wall of customers in the coffee shop. Her mind is lost in all that is and isn’t as she looks out over the denizen of people shuffling through onto the city streets. She is constantly in a state of flux as of late. She doesn’t know if she is coming or going, and uncertain of where she belongs.
Instead of forcing herself to figure it out, she finds herself mindlessly going through the motions. She works Thursday through Monday and spends her weekends photographing anything that gives her inspiration. At least she does when she is not fending off unscheduled visits from Alex. She feels badly about the whole relationship. She finds that when she looks at it from the outside, she fell into and agreed to continue dating, because that is what she thought people are supposed to do as they age. She doesn’t actively dislike Alex, and enjoys the time they spend together for the most part. In retrospect, it’s likely because it allows her to forgo taking a good look inward and making some choices regarding where she is going and what she wants to do next.
Lost in self-reflection, Therese notices that it is nearly 3 pm, and she should probably pack up if she wants to catch some sunset shots. She hurriedly stuffs her books into her messenger bag and pushes her way through the pack of people entering the coffee shop. She makes a right on 85th as she heads for central park. As she turns the corner, she nearly runs into a biker who is making his way downtown and is mesmerized by the spectrum of light shining off the window above. She quickly raises her camera to see if she can catch the shot.
As she sighs, content with the thought that she captured what she wanted, something across the street catches her attention. She is completely blindsided by a tall, elegantly blonde woman who strides out of one of the local cafés as if she is on a mission. The woman is so stunning; she is breathtaking. As she picks her jaw up off of the ground, she is shouldered by a man trying to make his way around the corner. Thankfully, this jostles her back to reality. For an instant, she and her mystery blonde lock eyes, and Therese is completely mesmerized. The blonde is quickly joined by a sophisticated brunette and they make their way down the street as Therese continues in the opposite direction towards central park.
As she enters the park, she is completely unaware of how she made it there because she is still lost in her mind and the images of the blonde beauty. She is lamenting with this reflection as she takes her camera out to continue shooting the sun as it makes it way out of the city.
Therese exhales as she finishes up a few last snaps before putting her lens cap back on her camera. She decides to drop off a large portion of her stuff at her apartment before meeting Dannie for drinks. She makes her way to her small apartment still lost in thought about that brief moment with the woman outside the café.
Her cellphone ringing breaks her reverie. “Oh hi, Alex. No, tonight, I’m going to have drinks with Dannie, remember? He has some big news he wants to share with me. No, I think he just wanted to tell me first. I am not sure how late we’ll be out. How about I call or text when we’re done. Okay, talk to you, soon.” Another conversation with Alex where she is deflecting more time spent together. She doesn’t understand Alex’s need to be constantly in contact. She’s thankful that they work different shifts on different days. She would likely feel smothered otherwise.
Therese quickly changes into something more suitable for dinner and drinks and slips out of the apartment with just a small messenger bag and her camera. You never know when the perfect opportunity for pictures may come along. Why hadn’t she taken a picture of the blonde? Doh! Damn, it was a missed opportunity.
As she swings into Mel’s, her favorite local spot for dinner and drinks, she spots Dannie at the bar. “Therese! Over here,” Dannie bellows. Therese makes her way to him, and they embrace in a genuine hug of affection.
“Dannie, I am so happy to see you. I can’t wait to hear all about your good news,” Therese confesses. “And I can’t wait to tell you, sweetie. First, let’s order you a drink. What’ll it be? Red or white tonight?” Therese responds, “How about I step outside my comfort zone? What should I try?”
Dannie surprised by this turn of events contemplates for a moment or two and then asks the bartender to weigh in on their dilemma. “Hey Jimmy, Therese wants to try something new. What do you think suits her?” Jimmy thinks for a moment and then says, “How about this new Rhubarb-Fennel Gin Cocktail I’ve been making for all the young ones lately. They seem to really like it.” As she deflects the “young ones” comment internally, Therese agrees, and Jimmy starts mixing their drinks. Therese smiles at the comfort in their friendship and Dannie grabs their drinks as Jimmy has finished mixing. Dannie tells Jimmy to, “add it to my tab,” as they make their way to the restaurant.
Sandy smiles as Dannie and Therese approach. “Just the two of you tonight?” she asks as she looks around Dannie and Therese for Alex or more of the gang. “Nope, just us tonight, Sandy, thanks,” Dannie replies, as they make their way to a corner booth.
“So,” Therese begins, “what is this big news you wanted to share? I hope you don’t mind, by the way. Alex asked to come, and I asked that she not. I’d much rather it just be friends tonight. If you want to share with everyone later, that’s okay. I just kind of wanted to enjoy this with just you.” Dannie smiled. “Therese, of course. I am actually really glad it is just us. You and Alex are still in that uncomfortable stage, huh? I figured you would have pulled through that by now. But, back to me,” he beamed.
“Remember when I told you that I wanted to open my own book/coffee/juice nook?” Therese nodded her assent as sipped her drink. “Well, my small business loan just came through. I got approved! I am going to own my own business, Therese!” “Oh my gosh, Dannie!! I am so happy for you! This is amazing news!” Therese responded. She hugged her friend in absolute joy for his new found happiness and wished him the best success. “I am so glad everything is going the way you planned,” she said as she noted that her life simply wasn’t, and perhaps this should be a wakeup call for her to get her ducks in a row. Dannie smiled into the hug, and then drawing back asks Therese, “so about you and Alex, what’s up? What’s going on with your photography?”
Therese sighed, as again she turned to self-reflection and confession. “Dannie, I am just not sure. I mean I really enjoy Alex’s company, but there just is no passion there. It’s not bad, but it’s not great either. I honestly feel like I am just going through the motions with everything lately, and I need to shake myself out of this rut.” She thought back to the reflection of the window and the elation she got from attempting to capture that picture, and then she again thought of her blonde beauty. Her blonde beauty?
Dannie grabbed her hands and said, “Therese, if you want something from life, you need to take it. It is not going to come to you.” “I know,” Therese replied. Dannie responded, “but do you? It’s okay to be content with life, Therese. There is nothing wrong with that. Many people go through life content to just make it through the week. But, I think you long for something more, and that’s why you get so melancholy sometimes. I love you, but I’d also love to see you push yourself more.” Therese nodded, somewhat surprised and saddened that her internal struggle was so apparent. “Am I that transparent, Dannie?” “No, hon,” he replied, “but to someone who is your friend and who truly loves you, I can see it. “
“Okay, enough of this poor Therese bullshit,” Therese replies, “let’s toast your good fortune. Also, I am pretty sure you’ll need some photographs for your new nook.” Dannie laughs easily, “Cheers, friend, and yes I will. I’ve meant to talk to you about it. Your stills are amazing, but I would love to have something more personal for a section of the store. I was thinking you might focus a little more on humans.” Therese thinks about Dannie’s comment and her mind again drifts back to the blonde outside the café. Oh how she’d like to focus on that human.
The night progresses quickly, and she and Dannie share many laughs about the past, present and future. Therese finds herself a little light headed as she makes her way inside her studio apartment. Shit! She forgot she was supposed to call Alex. She glances at the clock. It’s late, 11:09 pm, but she should text regardless. She knows Alex has to work in the morning, but she feels the need to let Alex know she made it home safely.
Sorry for texting so late! Just got in from dinner and drinks with Dannie. He’s so excited! I didn’t want to call too late, but I wanted to let you know I made it home safely. <3 T
Alex’s message came back immediately and was less than jovial.
Thanks for letting me know you had fun without me. Good night, love A
Passive aggressive bullshit. Whatever. Therese was in a euphoric place, and it was time for bed.