The Breakroom

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up. Follow me.”

They dashed through an alley full of steam, around dumpsters, past darkened doorways. The smells from the dumpsters invaded their nostrils and seemed to propel them forward…faster and faster. But only he knew where they were going. She was all in now and she knew it. She held his hand as she dashed along behind; excitement filled her heart along with a tinge of fear.

“Here, here,” he rasped, “let’s go.”

Light broke as he plowed through a door and flew down a flight of steps; she had trouble keeping her feet and just as she was about to fall, he caught her and whispered, “I’ve got you.” They were at the bottom of the stairs now and the light from the top now faded and darkness closed in on a damp hallway. She was afraid now. She trusted him but she was afraid.

“Don’t worry. You’re with me.”

Every time she reached a stopping point he reassured her with perfect timing. And his voice comforted her and his confidence emboldened her to hang along and follow him into the darkness…but just not unafraid.

“This is it, this is it” he spouted as he flung open a double door that somehow magically opened to a restaurant kitchen filled with all the sights, sounds and odors of a busy restaurant. “This is one of the best restaurants in the city and I know one of the cooks and he lets me eat in a small breakroom and he cuts me a deal. Are you cool with eating in a breakroom?”

Her heart soared, her fears flew away, and she simply melted at the thought of him. And now to be in front of him after this gesture was just too much. “Are you kidding, I’d love to eat in a breakroom. Can we get shrimp cocktail?”

“We can get whatever you want.” He gripped her hand a little tighter as they breezed past line cooks and waiters as he strolled up to a man who appeared to be the manager. “Hey, Joe, is it ok if we get some shrimp cocktail and flatbreads in the breakroom?” “Sure thing” he said as he winked at him.

He grabbed two bottled waters before he came upon the doors of the breakroom. He smiled at her and looked her right in her baby blues. He kept his gaze on her as he opened the door. She thought he was about to kiss her so she never looked away from her as he reached back to close the door. Then he turned out the light and the breakroom went completely black.