The Pick-up
Joe E Hartley
June 2021
This is a humorous little piece about role reversal later in like.
-Joe-
Mike sat at his usual table in the corner with a book in his hand and a latte in front of him. He came here often for the quiet relaxing atmosphere this time of morning. It was a nice place to spend an hour or two drinking coffee and reading his book.
He suddenly felt someone close and staring at him. He looked up to see a woman, not an employee. She was older, and not like other employee who looked to be most college aged young people. This woman looked to be retired, like him, but nervous. She also carried a book.
"Hello, my name is Gail, ... and anyway, I saw you sitting here, ...and well. I'm divorced and I've seen you here often, ...and anyway, I'm reading this book, you see...and, anyway, it says that if you don't take any risk, the answer is always no. So, anyway, I saw you here and alone. You are alone aren't you?" She blurted out without taking a breath.
Mike stared at the obviously very nervous middle-aged woman and tried to understand what she wanted. "Hi Gail, my name is Mike and I come here most mornings to enjoy a cup of coffee and to read a bit. What book are you reading?"
"It's 'Taking Control of your Life,' it's written for women who are alone. Anyway, I've seen you here often and thought that maybe...well, maybe, ...I don't know." She paused and took a deep breath, "I thought that maybe...do you mind if I sit down?"
"Please." Mike said pointing to the chair opposite him. He marked his place in the book he'd been reading, set it on the table in front of him and looked at the woman giving her the calm attention she seemed to need.
"Thank you," Gail said, pulling out the chair and taking a seat. She stared at the man opposite her and after taking another deep breath, started again, "I've seen you here a lot and wanted to talk to you, but ...you see, I don't know, I guess I just don't know how to do it." She paused.
Mike took that small break to ask her a question, "Is that why you bought the book?"
She looked at him in awe as if he'd said something intelligent and earthshattering, "Yes! How did you know?"
He smiled and responded, "lucky guess." He saw her relax a bit, so he decided to press his luck; "You said you're divorced, how long since your divorce? Do you have any family you can talk with? How about friends?"
She seemed much calmer now as she started to relay her story. Her divorce had been finalized last year and her children were grown and moved away. Her ex had not approved of any of her friends and so she was now alone." Her nervousness reappeared, "so anyway...I thought that if you're... maybe... alone too that...Well anyway... you probably have someone... and wouldn't be interested." She then looked down taking on a attitude of defeat.
"I don't have anyone in my life at the moment either," he shared, "I've been divorced for three years and found that all my so-called friends decided to divorce me as well."
Gail looked up, a new brightness lit up her face as if she'd just been chosen as "Queen for a Day" and she leaned in closer to him.
Mike again determined to learn more about this stranger asked, "have you tried dating sites?"
"I have," she answered as her face again showed signs of rejection, "the men I found there either wanted me to take care of them or support them."
"I know the problem. I tried dating right after my divorce and found the same," Mike agreed. "So what made you want to approach me?" he asked.
"Well," she now blushed, "I've seen you around here for several weeks and you seem healthy and can afford to buy your own coffee."