They didn’t get the Memo

James tries it again. It still won’t start. He goes back under the hood and tries the battery cable again. A moment later and still no cigar. The car must be in need of more serious repair. He shuts the hood and broods about what to do next.

He is on the way to meet Anna. Furthermore, they are meeting on the opposite side of town, from where they live. This strikes James as odd. It isn’t like Anna, to be apprehensive, and vague. Additionally he is sure he had detected a hint of anxiety, or worry in her voice. It was hard to tell over the phone. However it was enough to be unsettling.

Now he is stranded on the side of the road. He calls Anna but gets her voicemail. So he leaves a quick message, and then texts her as well. Within thirty minutes, he is on his way again, via taxi. They are to meet at a small restaurant they frequented during their brief, but romantic engagement. Again, James feels intrigued.

They Didn’t Get the Memo

Furthermore, this strange deviation from their usual routine, was worrisome. James understood that Anna was world famous, and maintained a very public image. Likewise he is sensitive to the difficulties her fame and notoriety lends to her daily life.

With this in mind, it is with a sense of cautious optimism that he exits the taxi, when he arrives at the restaurant. James enters the restaurant and Anna is there at their table. Therefore, he greets her warmly and they quickly catch up on their time apart.

They have dinner, and they enjoy some small talk. However, James is still perplexed by the elephant in the room. What had Anna wanted to talk about? They have only chatted so far. Why all the mystery? He is wondering these things when Anna helps ease the suspense.

“I wanted to talk to you this evening, away from the house.” She looks steadily into his eyes. “There are some things I’ve wanted to share with you, and…up until now…I’ve just not had the time.” Anna continues to hold his gaze as she continues, “I have a confession to make to you, dear James. It is very difficult to say. However, I want to share it with you. There should be no secrets between us”.

They didn’t get the Memo

James waits quietly. Anna summons the waiter and they pay their bill and leave the restaurant. They go in Anna’s car, and Anna drives silently, as they hold hands. Twenty minutes later they are pulling up to an old warehouse on the outskirts of that side of the city. Anna stops the car and says, “We’re here”.

James can hear a slight tremor in her voice as she turns off the car, and then gets out of the vehicle. She walks to the door of the old small warehouse and turns to wait for James. He joins her at the door and together they enter the small building.

The place is old inside, and largely empty. The old exposed timbers of the ceiling speak to the age of the old warehouse. Across the open area of the floor, and on the other side of the building, is an old standing chalkboard. Anna takes James hand and leads him to the board. There are chalk written words upon the board.

Realization

As Anna stands beside him, and holds his hand, James scans the writing on the board. Consequently he feels rocked, and sways on his feet, as one in particular catches his eye. Written in Anna’s handwriting, the words are simple and clear. Marry James Stephens. James sways because the date on the board is one week before they met at the convenience store, six months ago.