(look anxiously over shoulder) Maybe they didn't hear that over there at Ellie's school....Maybe.
So now every Thursday I order an Americano, flip open my computer and write for an hour.
Usually.
Unless Loud Guy On Cell Phone shows up.
Then I spend my hour recreating the other side of his loud phone conversation.
Loud Guy On Cell Phone: (walks into coffee shop, places computer bag on chair next to mine) Why does Evan even have to come back?
Person on Other End Of Cell Phone Tower/or Me. In my own head. But Typing Replys On My Computer So It Doesn't Look Like I'm Eavesdropping**: (incredulously, obviously) Because he makes his own ice cream! And there's that... ice cream contest. At... the company.
Loud Guy On Cell Phone: (Interrupting. (Dude. How rude?)) Right. I don't think he's going to come back.
Person on Other End of Cell Phone Tower/Really Me Typing: No, Dude! Ice cream is like a really big deal for Evan. He, like, full on transports last year's trophy to and from work every day. He's not-
Loud Guy On Cell Phone: (Interrupting. (I know! Who'd of thought!?!)) I don't think he's going to accept it if he does-
Person on Other End of Cell Phone Tower/Maybe I Should Just Say Me: (Interrupting. Because two can play at that game.) That new thing down from HR? He might! Plus he was talking about this new flavor, Lemon Chocolate Chip. He seemed really-
Loud Guy On Cell Phone: (Interrupting. (Because that's just how he is.)) I'm sorry, but I think he's going to do something else anyway!
Cell Phone Tower Person/Me: (Sign. Eye roll. Throws hands in air. Like I just don't care. But because I'm annoyed, not to indicate inhibition on a dance floor.)
Loud Guy on Cell Phone: Look, what do you think of-I'm just looking at Joel-
Me: Because he wears funny shoes? I don't-
Loud Guy: I thought you said you did have it in there!
Me: (Oh! OK, I get it now. Still on ice cream. Loud Guy is pretty concerned about their ice cream making team. Which is good, because I know all about making homemade ice cream! Thanks, Mom!) Well, it seems there are holes in our ice cream team wait list, man. You've just told me we've lost our best ice cream maker, it's gonna take time to get the team back in the same freezer canister, so to speak, once they hear of this.
Loud Guy: Right.
Me: Exactly, we'll need to suggest someone. Now, Libby has her own antique ice cream maker, crank and all. But, Karl, Karl used to work for Cold Stone Creamery. Bolden just wrote, "I like ice cream" on his application. We're all over the place! We're going to need to dash these people into shape. Ice cream maker pun intended there, Dude. (I'm doing so well! It's like I'M actually having the conversation with Loud Cell Phone Guy!)
Loud Guy: Right. I just don't know which one. Because, they all look good and I don't know how to pick.
Me: We could-
Loud Guy: What did you think about Gino? Did you like him?
Me: (rude breathy noise) Uhhh...no. No one likes Gino.
Loud Guy: Ok, so it's not just me.
Me: (I can say this, because Loud Guy and me? We're friends now.)Nope. He smells funny.
Loud Guy: I know. I know! Can I ask you a question? Why not just put all your buckets into interns?
Me: (Scrambling, because, if they have an ice cream contest at this guys company every year, I want to work there! So, I need to make a good impression!) Because of...the...um...zebras? On ...Joel's shoes?
Loud Guy: Ok, coooool.... Sure. Um, You hang in there. (Puts phone in pocket. Walks away. To order coffee. Or because He and Joel are like best bestest besties and Loud Guy thinks Joel's zebra shoes are amazing, and now, I've totally insulted him.)
Me: (Mumbling as I close my computer, and start to pack up to volunteer. At Katie's school. Again.) Shoot, man! I'll never get a job at his company now. (tsk) Good goin', Martha.
*Ellie did my hair. I look pretty. She told me so.
**Look, it wasn't just me, Okay? EVERYONE was eavesdropping in the coffee shop that day.
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