"Hello?
"Hi, this is F.
"Hold on a second...OK, F., I have Micheline’s number for you."
I wrote the number down.
"Thanks. Bye."
I hung and picked up the phone in a single move, then dialed the number.
"Hello?
"Hi. Are you Micheline?
"Yes.
"My name is F. I got your number from the Agency.
"Hello F. How are you?
"I’m fine, thanks. How are you?
"Not too bad, so to speak.
"I’d like to know if we could meet someday and get to know each other.
"Why not? That’s why we joined the Agency, didn’t we? Tell me when you want.
"Wednesday, would it be OK for you?
"....Yes, that’s OK with me. Could we meet at Place des Ternes?
"I’ll be there. 6pm?
"Just fine.
"See you then.
"Good bye."
***
I parked the car in a nearby street and walked to the metro exit on Place des Ternes. In the distance, I could see some women waiting for the bus. I knew she was blonde but I couldn’t tell who. The bus arrived before me and I slowed down to observe. Fortunately, only one blonde remained on the sidewalk when the bus was away. She was petite with a round figure, wearing black leather jacket and skirt.
"Hi. Micheline?
"F? Hi.
"So...
"So?
"...do you want to have a seat and drink?
"Sure."
We went to a nearby pub. We talked, telling each other’s life story. She was divorced with one child and looking for friends, hoping she might find true love again.
"I want company, to go out, to have a good time. I’m not that old to live like an old maid.
"You’re right."
Time passed until it was too dark to see each other. We left the pub and wandered around, looking for a place to eat.
"Say, I know a place not too far from here. They make great pasta.
"Oh, yes. I love pasta. Show me the way."
The waiter took us to a quiet table, the right place for a candlelight diner, except that there was no candles.
We ordered and started eating. After the antipasti, she pulled out a pack of cigarettes.
"You smoke?" I asked.
"Yes.
"That’s too bad.
"Why so?" she asked.
"It’s a drug and it’s lethal.
"Yes, but it’s legal."
We resumed eating and, with some helping wine, the atmosphere got warmer. She was about to take another cigarette when I stole her pack.
"Could you give it back, please?" she asked.
"I know I shouldn’t but I trade you one cigarette for one button."
She was wearing a tight T-shirt and minutes before I had teased her about the way her generous breasts stretched the upper buttons to the edge of explosion.