As Max cruised through the streets, and while dodging in between cars and people, thoughts of this Valentine's Day kept going through her head. Am I supposed to get something for Logan? I mean we're friends...we're more than friends, but boyfriend? Loved one? But then again, what do I do if he gets me something? Max dropped off her last package, and started to go from street vendor to street vendor. What the hell should I give Logan? Ok, think logically, what does he like? Computers, cooking...me...
"Whatcha lookin' for? The question from the vendor broke up a thought that could've gone too far. Max was grateful for the interruption.
"Um, actually..."
"Wait, don't tell me. You need something for your boyfriend for tomorrow, but you don't have a clue what to get him. Am I right?"
Max looked the street vendor and her stall over before answering. The vendor was a short lady that had rags for clothing. Obviously she lived her whole life on the street because the smell emanating from her wasn't exactly a memorable one. Her stall had a few trinkets hanging from the upper portion, and a blanket covered the table. On the blanket were a couple of old watches and a few necklaces of varying gaudiness. "He's not my boy..." Max didn't want to get into this with someone she didn't even know. It was bad enough trying to explain her relationship with Logan with the people she did know. "...uh, yeah, that's right. But, you don't really have anything that I'm looking for." Max was about to turn away when the vendor pulled something out from underneath her table.
"Here, give him this." The vendor thrust the object at Max. Max took the object and looked at it.
"What is this?"
"It's a picture frame. Hard to come by these days. You can put your picture in it, and maybe write a little note that you can stick in it. He'll love it."
"It's perfect. How much?"
"Two hundred."
"Two hundred for a picture frame? That's extortion!" Max looked longingly at the frame, and then handed it back to the vendor. "Thanks for the idea, but I'll be looking elsewhere I think." She turned around and started to mount her bike to ride to another street.
"Wait!" Max stopped and turned around. The vendor motioned for her to return. Max got off her bike and walked back to the vendor. "You look like you really care for this guy of yours. I could maybe let this go for say...one fifty?" The vendor looked hopeful that Max would take the bargain.
"How about seventy-five?"
"One twenty."
"One hundred, and that's as high as I'll go," Max stubbornly said.
"Fine."
Max pulled her backpack around her body so that it rested on her stomach, and she had easy access to the contents inside. She rifled through until her hand brushed against her target. She grabbed the wallet and took out all the money she had in there. She flipped through the bills. "I'm three dollars short..."
"That's ok dear, I know we're all pressed for cash. Here you go." The vendor took the wad of bills out of Max's hand and replaced them with the picture frame. "Now all you need is a picture!" The vendor smiled a smile so large that Max could see that she had a few teeth missing.
"Right, thanks again." Max carefully placed her purchase in her bag, and slung it back around her back. She climbed aboard her bike and rode off towards home.
**************
Logan stepped out of his empty shower, and felt the sting of aloneness once again. He grabbed a soft, blue towel and was about to dry himself off with it when he took a good look at it. He stopped and held it close to his chest. It smelled of clean laundry, but only weeks ago, it had been snuggly wrapped around Max. She was pissed at me that night. I shouldn't have broke that date for work. I can't even believe I did that. Especially to Max. But, she looked absolutely stunning in this towel after her shower. Maybe it was for the best that I made her work that night. Logan smiled at the fond memory, closed his eyes to get a clearer image, and then continued to get ready. As he walked towards the kitchen to grab some food, he noticed a note lying on the counter. Maybe it's from Max. Logan reached for the piece of paper while quickly running through all of the things that she could have written to him.
Logan,
As I was coming in to the apartment today, I ran into
Max. She said I should come back later because you
were still in bed. Did you save anything for tomorrow?
I'll be back later today. See you then!
Bling
Logan's heart sank as he read through the letter. Just Bling. It wasn't from Max. Why would she leave me a letter though anyways? And what's this about tomorrow? What's tomorrow? Logan shrugged off the thought and made a mental note to ask Bling about it later on. Ok, let's see what I can do to protect the downtrodden today. Logan entered into the comfortable surroundings of his computer room and proceeded to get lost in his work.
***************
