A New Love for Life

The next week, Nicky felt like she had uncovered a new form of inspiration for her creativity. When her alarm clock went off at six in the morning, she felt like a schoolgirl on the first day of school, only this time, Nicky was excited about going to work. She was looking forward to seeing Alex again, and the thought of talking to him everyday suddenly brought new meaning to life.
Alex and Nicky usually got lunch together three times a week. A few minutes after noon, Alex would walk into Nicky’s office and ask her if she wanted to get lunch. In the past, Nicky saw his actions as predictable, but now she was seeing his gestures as steadfast. And sure enough at 12:03pm on this day, Alex walked into Nicky’s office and asked if she ready to grab a bite to eat. She agreed, and acted surprised when he invited her out to lunch.
When they walked outside of their office building for lunch, Nicky was carrying a bag that held a box of shoes.
“Do you mind if we stop at the shoe store after lunch? I need to get the heel fixed.”
“Not at all,” Alex said.
Just then, Nicky’s cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her purse and saw that it was James calling. She turned off the phone without answering it.
“So what happened to that guy from last week, Stephen? Did he call you on Monday, like I predicted?” Alex asked.
“Yes he did, and he got my voicemail,” Nicky said. “I’m not going out with him again. I know his type.”
“And what type is that?”
“He’s a player who only wants one thing. Boys. I should have been a lesbian.” Nicky rubbed her lips with her tongue.
“It’s not too late to try,” Alex said. “I have a friend who can help with that.”
“Alex.” Nicky hit him with her purse. “You’re horrible.”
They both laughed.
“So Stephen is a player,” Alex said. “Where have all the good men gone?”
“Certainly not to Westchester. I saw you at that wedding,” Nicky said. “Mister Rico Suave with little Miss Sunshine. What an endearing couple. So what’s the latest with you and Elizabeth?”
“We’re going out again on Friday night.”
Nicky stopped walking. The bag of shoes slipped from her hand. Alex picked them up off the floor.
“Again?” Nicky asked. “When was your first date?”
“We’ve gone out a few times,” Alex said. “She’s a lot of fun, and she has some really cool friends.”
Alex handed the box of shoes to Nicky.
“And when did this happen?” Nicky asked.
“We’ve been talking for awhile. I don’t know when it happened.”
“We’ve been talking?” Nicky asked, imitating Alex’s mannerisms. “Talking about what?”
“What do you mean, about what? We talk about the same things you and I talk about.”
Nicky put her hand on her heart and let out a big sigh.
“You talk about the same things we talk about?” Nicky asked.
“It’s an expression,” Alex said. “I don’t know what we talk about. We talk about different things, I guess. I don’t know. What do you talk about?”
Nicky left Alex on the street and walked into the shoe store in front of them. He followed her inside.
“I thought you said you wanted to get the shoes fixed after lunch,” Alex said.
“So do you like her?” Nicky asked.
“Who?”
“What do you mean, who? Elizabeth Rosenthal. Do you like her?” Nicky asked, looking straight into Alex’s eyes, expressionless.
Alex didn’t answer. Instead, he nodded politely towards the cashier, who was waiting for Nicky to stop talking. Nicky handed her the shoes, and explained how she needed the heel fixed.
When they walked outside, Nicky broached the subject again.
“So do you like her?”
“I don’t know. We’ve only gone out three times. I hardly even know her.”
“You’ve gone out three times?” Nicky’s mouth stayed open after she asked the question. “Why didn’t you tell me this? Why didn’t you ask me for advice, like you normally do? Why didn’t you open up to me after the first date? Are you hiding something?”
Alex looked away, pondering her questions.
“I’m not sure. I guess I didn’t really think about it,” he said.
“But you always keep me in the loop with your love life, and I always tell you everything,” Nicky said.
They stopped at a light. In front of them was a new sushi restaurant, with a banner that read: Grand Opening.
“You up for sushi?” Alex asked. He walked up and looked at the menu in the window.
The light turned green and Nicky stepped into the intersection.
Alex was still reading the menu in the window when he heard the brakes of a car screeching. A couple of people yelled, watch out! A car horn blarred. A woman screamed.
When Alex turned around, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Nicky was on the ground and she wasn’t moving. She had been hit by a cab. Alex ran up to her, and tried to hold her. She looked into his eyes briefly.
“Alex, my head hurts,” she said.
“You’re going to be okay Nick. Stay awake.”
“I am, but I’m really tired,” Nicky said. She started to close her eyes.
“Someone call 911,” Alex yelled.
He caressed Nicky’s forehead and face.
“Nicky, listen to me. Open your eyes. Let’s talk,” Alex said.
Nicky mumbled something, but Alex couldn’t hear what she said.
“Nick. Nick,” Alex yelled.
He pulled the cell phone out of his pocket and dialed, 9-1-1.
“Help, my best friend’s been hit by a car. I need an ambulance.”