Carrie and Keith 2

"What's the matter with you?" Kim asked when Carrie stormed into the kitchen with her arms full of papers.

Carrie dropped the sheets on the kitchen table.

"I just ran into the rudest guy," she said.

Kim sat down at the table, resting her cheek in her hand. "Aren't they all rude?"

"This guy was above average. I had my headphones in and I was walking and reading my story when I barreled into this guy standing at his mailbox. I didn't even see him until we were both sitting on the pavement. He walks with a cane and when I hit him, we both fell. I apologized three times and tried to help him up, but he just yelled at me." Carrie was sorting through the pages, trying to put them back in order.

"And then, I went to give him his mail and he asked if I realized it was July and ninety-five degrees. Like I might be dressed this way for fun. Shit," she said and flopped down in a chair. "I'm missing a page." Carrie said and took off her hat and scarf. She sighed. "I"m either going to have to rewrite it or go look for it." She ran her fingers through her hair and decided she wasn't interested in doing either.

***

Two days later, Keith was standing at his mailbox, grumbling at his bills when the woman walked by him again.

"Hey," he said as she stepped around him. She stopped and slowly turned around to face him. "I have something you might want."

Again, she was covered head to toe so all he could see were her eyes. She looked at him warily.

"Wait here," Keith said and limped up the stairs and into his house.

When he came out, she was sitting on the low brick wall that surrounded his front porch. He showed her the page. Her eyes lit up.

"Oh! Thank you. I thought that page was gone forever!" She slid off the wall and took a step toward him.

Keith pulled the page back and held it to his chest. "You can have it back on one condition," She stopped and her eyes narrowed. He could see she was waiting for him to continue. "I want to read the rest of it."

She cocked her head to one side as if deciding whether he were serious or not. Then he saw her eyes smile.

"OK. I can make you a copy if you don't mind reading my handwriting," She stepped forward again.

"Can I trust you?" he asked.

"Cross my heart" she said, making the motion. Keith realized she was wearing fingerless gloves. He held out the page to her.

"What's up with the outfit?"

"I'm allergic to the sun," she said matter-of-factly. "What's up with the cane?" she shot back.

He looked at her for a moment in silence. "Motorcycle accident." he said.

She took the page and held out her hand. "My name is Carrie O'Hearn." Keith hesitated a moment before taking it. Her grip was firm and sure. "Keith Connell," he said.

Her eyes smiled at him. "Will you be home this time tomorrow?" she asked.

"Probably," he said. He realized they were still holding hands. He swallowed hard.

"OK. I'll bring it by then." She released his hand and walked down the stairs. Keith took a deep breath to try to disperse the weird feeling in his chest.