Issue 14
Hope
Rekha Ambardar
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Car Wash
Through the glass Nick watches the agile orange-clad staff of the Jiffy Car Wash pamper his new black Olds. One aisle over, another crew is fussing over a small beige sedan, probably belonging to the slim girl sitting a short distance from him, reading a slick magazine.
His gaze locks on her pencil skirted hips and the white sleeveless blouse showing tanned arms. She looks up and smiles, her big brown eyes impersonal.
He's about to change all that, at least for the time that the car cleaning is in session.
"That your car there?"
"Yes."
"Nice model." So is she, he wants to say, but he gives himself a mental slap across the face.
"Thank you. Just hope they get done soon, then I can go buy lunch."
"Is your office nearby?"
"Downtown -- the office equipment store."
"That's close to where I am. The insurance agency."
Just then a fat guy barrels in between them, picks up a magazine and stands there reading, forcing Nick to can the conversation for the moment.
The fat guy decides to move finally, and Nick looks for the girl. But she has vanished. His car is ready too. So much for his idea of asking her out.
Cindy checks over an invoice when the phone rings. Her co-worker gets to it before she does, and then says to her, "For you."
A male voice says, "Hi. I'm the guy you met at the car wash. We didn't get properly introduced. I'm Nick Wade."
"I'm Cindy Torrence. How did you know to call me here?"
"You said you worked at the office equipment store. So I just called and asked for the girl with the big brown eyes."
~Rekha Ambardar
Rekha Ambardar has published over fifty short stories in print and electronic magazines, and is currently working on a book. She teaches business classes at a university in Upper Michigan.
© 2003 by Rekha Ambardar<. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2003 by Cayuse Press. All Rights Reserved.