Gail looked at the clock and sighed of relief. The work day was finally over. With all that was happening, Gail could not wait to get home and just relax.
Dolph was dismissed an hour ago. Gail had been aware of her assistant's involvement in his friend's wedding. She figured she give him a break and let him have the rest of the week off despite how much she needed him. After all, Dolph had been working hard since he started. She would have felt bad making him work when he could be enjoying himself.
While Gail cleaned up, she had seen Joe's business card fall to floor.
"So that's where it was," she said to herself, picking up the card. "I wonder if he's close. I guess we'll see."
She took out her cell phone and began dialing his number.
"Hello?" Joe answered.
"Hey Joe, it's me Gail. Um I was wondering if you were in the area. I am getting off of work soon and I need a ride home."
"Funny you called. I just dropped off someone not to far from where you are. I'm about three blocks away. I will be there soon."
"Great. I'll be waiting outside," Gail smiled. What a relief. I didn't want to take the subway tonight.
"Stay inside. It's dark out and there is no telling what could happen with these idiots roaming around. I wouldn't want you to get hurt or anything like that."
"You have a point. Well just ring the bell and I will come down."
"Alright. I'm on my way. Bye."
"Bye." Gail finishes cleaning up the rest of her office and closes up for the night. She goes to wait in the lobby for Joe. Sitting on the couch all alone, Gail finds it hard to stay awake. She beings to doze off.
Moments later a buzzing sound wakes her up. Gail jolts up from the couch. She looks at her watch then at the door. Gail patted her hair down and straightened her clothes.
"He's here already? Thank God." Gail goes to answer the door.
"Hey ready to go?" Joe asked.
"Yeah. Just let me get my things."
"Do you need any help?"
"Uhh," Gail looked back at her belongings that sat on the couch, "No I got it. Thanks. Come in." she motioned Joe inside.
Joe stood near the door and examined the lobby. His attention soon turned towards Gail who had her back turned to him and was bending over. He couldn't help but to admire her.
Mmmm . . . Not bad
Joe was taken out of his trance when Gail turned around.
"Well it seems like I do need some help after all. Didn't know I had so much stuff," Gail giggled.
"Uh ok. W-what do you need me to take?" stumbled over his words.
"All of this right here," Gail pointed to her briefcase and shopping bags.
Joe walked to couch and picked up the bags.
"I got a bit carried away with the shopping at lunch. I had realized that I would have to carry all this home after I got back. Talk about careless right? I just have so much on my mind. Shopping helps me relieve stress."
"Hey I'm not judging you. I mean if shopping helps you, so be it. Besides, you can always return the stuff you bought."
"You're right about that. I'm quite sure there are some things in that bag I wouldn't be caught dead with. I don't think I want to look through those bags."
Joe and Gail laughed and talked while they left the building. Joe placed Gail's belongings in the back of the car. He opened the passenger door for her when he was done. He got inside the driver side and took off.
During the drive, neither Joe or Gail said a word. They listened to the radio while trading glances and smiling at one another. Each time one of them wanted to speak, something would distract them. Finally, Joe spoke.
"So you were in there by yourself?"
"Yeah. I'm usually the last one to leave. I stay late even when I don't have to. I make sure that everything is in order so I won't have to waste time with unnecessary tasks."
"Figures. You are one hard working woman."
"That I am."
"You're boyfriend must be proud of you," Joe said.
Gail shook her head and laughed Is he trying to flirt with me? I knew this was coming.
"I wish. Don't have time for one of those. Besides, men are pretty worthless these days."
"Not all of them. There are some decent guys out here. Give them a chance and you will see."
"You're right. When you meet nothing but toads it becomes frustrating. That's when you begin to stereotype instead of looking at things objectively. I trying to have hope. I know there is someone out there for me. I may not meet him today or tomorrow though I know we will be someday."
"I like the way you think. I always believe that there is someone for everyone."
Gail chuckles at Joe as he returns a few as well.
"I know it's corny but it's true. It's like you said; you may not meet that special someone right away but you will eventually."
"Eventually," Gail repeated. She and Joe were quite once again.
Gail starred out of the window. She watched the people as they drove by, lost in her thoughts. She thought about many things from what Joe said to her ailing father. Gail soon found herself overwhelmed by them and wanted to break free. She ended the silence by asked Joe a question.
"So are you in a relationship?" Gail wanted to know.
"No. Don't really have the time for it. Though I would be lying if I said I didn't think of having one. Sucks to come home to an empty, cold bed at times. We humans can't deny our need for intimacy." Joe's attention was still on the road.
Gail didn't respond. She thought of another question to ask since Joe has sparked her curiosity.
"How long has it been since your last relationship? That's if you don't mind my asking."
"It's cool," Joe assured her. "Um let's see . . . It's been . . . About three years. Is it three years? Yeah it has been."
"That's a while."
"It is."
"Do you mind if I ask why it ended?"
Joe hesitated. The cab driver was someone who did not like sharing his past, especially with a stranger. Even though Gail was one, Joe figured what the harm would be in telling her since he knows he probably won't see her again.
"I wanted to get married and she didn't. She told me that marriage wasn't for her and that she was fine with the way things were. What she really meant was that marriage was going to keep her from doing her thing which she was doing regardless. I can't be mad at her though. At least she was honest. Well, sort of."
"I see. I have a couple of friends like that. They some how believe that being with their significant other is enough and that marriage isn't needed. In reality, they are only being selfish because they feel once they get married, they lose their identity when that isn't the case."
"Exactly. Relationships don't mean loss of identity. They mean compromise. You can still be who are but a better version. My ex didn't get that. I didn't want to change her. I only wanted to be with her. That's all."
"I'm sorry things had to end that way."
"Don't worry about it. I would rather be single than be with someone who is only sees me as a continence which I clearly was," Joe sighed. He quickly changed the subject when he seen he was arriving at Gail's apartment building. "You're almost home."
"Thank goodness. I can't tell you how tired I am," Gail said happily as she felt wide awake.
Joe was now pulling up in front of the building. Gail got ready to exit to exit the car.
"Do you want me to take your things inside for you?"
"Yeah, sure. Let me get my keys ready."
Joe got out of the car and began unloaded Gail's bags. Gail searched for her keys which were buried deep inside her handbag.
"I have got to get me a smaller handbag. Here they are" she said to herself finding her hidden keys.
Gail lead Joe inside the building and to her apartment. Once inside, Gail directed Joe on where to place her bags.
"So how much do I owe you?"
"Nothing."
"Are you sure? You already gave me a free ride today."
"It's cool. I enjoyed your company which is better than any payment."
Gail blushed. She was caught completely off guard. It was strange that Joe said that because she was thinking the same of him.
"That's really sweet of you."
Joe extended his hand to her. "Goodnight, Gail."
"Goodnight," she shook Joe's hand.
Joe left Gail's apartment and got inside the car. He sat for a while thinking to himself. I really did enjoy your company Gail. Hopefully this isn't the last time we will see each other.
Before he could turn the ignition, he heard Gail calling out for him.
"Joe! Wait!," she approached the car.
Joe rolled down the passenger side window.
"Yes, Gail?"
"Hey are you doing anything tonight?"
"No. Why?"
"I want you to come with me to see a house I'm trying to sell. We can pick up something to eat on the way there."
Joe was surprised. He was not expecting Gail to come back down or even be asked to go out. He collected himself to respond.
"Ok. Where is the house?"
"In New Jersey. Do you want to go?"
"Sure. Get in." Without hesitation, Gail gets inside the car as Joe pulls off.
This time around, the ride wasn't as silent. Joe and Gail talked as if they were old friends. Both were enjoying every moment of the ride. Soon they had arrived to their destination where Joe had realized how familiar the house was. It was the one he shared with his ex.
