The next day Casey woke up and did her usual routine. She took a shower, got dressed, quickly ate a kashi bar, grabbed her purse, and was out the door. She was greeted outside by a familiar face.
"Surprise." Cappie said handing her flowers. "Freshly picked today." They were small and dying, so Casey assumed he picked them from a neighbor's yard.
"Aw thanks Cap." She took the flowers and smelled them, and just to be polite she said, "They're so beautiful." Then she hugged him.
Cappie beamed.
"Oh, Casey I see you have a gentleman caller." A voice said from behind them. Casey turned around to see her friend and coworker Patricia.
"Hey Trish!" She smiled, "Actually this is my very, very good friend Cappie."
Patricia studied his old tattered jeans, black t-shirt, and plaid flannel over shirt. When she deemed it somewhat fashionable she extended her hand. "Patricia Westcott."
"Pleasure." Cappie replied shaking her hand.
"Likewise." Then she turned to Casey, "So Case, are you in cords, a sweater, and converse for a particular reason? I mean is it casual day or something?" she asked studying her purple suit.
"No, actually I'm going to ask Heather if I can have the day off."
"Really? How do you think that'll work?"
"I'm really not sure. And if she says no, then I'll work in this. I think it's cute. A casual look."
"A teenage look."
Casey blushed. "Just because I turn thirty in two weeks doesn't mean I'm trying to look young."
Cappie and Patricia chuckled.
"Let's go, I need to get to talk to Heather ASAP!"
"Okay. Good idea. Nice meeting you Cappie." Patricia said as she turned in the direction of W 57th street.
"Oh, actually Cap's coming with us. You see I haven't seen him in almost seven years, and we're going to celebrate his birthday today."
"Really? Oh, in that case, let's go!"
The three walked down the sidewalk engaging in light conversation as they went.
"So Cappie…" Patricia began, "Is Cappie a nickname of some sort?"
"A fraternity name." he replied. "back in college I was part of Kappa Tau Gamma and they gave out funny nicknames to their pledges."
"Oh, Casey was in a sorority in college weren't you Case!" Patricia turned to Casey.
"Actually, that's where I know Cappie from. We both went to Cyprus Rhodes."
"Ah, that makes a lot of sense!" Patricia said. "So, tell me Cappie. Why 'Cappie'?"
"I don't know." He shrugged. "Egyptian Joe—that was the president when I was a pledge—made it up."
"What's your real name." Patricia asked. Cappie froze. He didn't tell anyone who didn't know his real name. Not even Casey.
"Um…well about that…"
"It's Craig Newman." Casey interjected.
"Why can't he say it himself?" Patricia asked.
"Well, recently his father—Craig Newman Senior—passed away."
"We were really close." Cappie said looking down at his feet, "It was so hard when he…when he…"
Casey put her arm around his shoulder.
"Ohmigosh. I'm so sorry!" Patricia cried, "I didn't mean too…"
"It's okay. It's fine. Cap's just emotional." Casey assured her. By now they were only minutes away from work.
"I'm going to go get some coffee." Patricia said pointing to the Starbucks at the end of the block. "I mean we have five minutes, do you want to come?"
"Actually I think Cap and I will go try to get me out of work. Thanks though."
"Okay. Bye Case."
"See ya Trish."
When Patricia was out of earshot Cappie and Casey broke into laughter.
"Good acting!" Casey said high fiving him.
"Thanks. Nice cover name. Craig Newman."
"Ha, thanks."
The two linked arms and walked into the building. With Cappie's good acting skills, and Casey's quick thinking they could defiantly get her out of work for the day.