hoping for anything to take her mind off Thomas. She had a presentation due in a few weeks on a proposal for a new park downtown. That should be enough to keep her
mind wandering. Savannah walked through the door, made small talk with the receptionist, and continued down the hall to her office.
She threw her stuff in the chair in the corner, and took her seat at her desk. As always, the annoying light on her telephone that indicated she had messages was blinking. She grabbed anotepad, and pressed the button on the machine. After listening to three messages, and scribbling down call back numbers, she froze at the sound of a familiar
voice in the next message. "Hey! It's Collin. I am doing some traveling, and I am going to be near Alex City this afternoon. I was wondering if you had a comfy bed, and a shower I could
borrow. Call me!"
Savannah picked her jaw up off the floor and scrabbled to pick up the receiver and dial her brother's number, which she knew by memory. The phone barely hadtime to ring before someone answered on the other end.
"Hello?"
"Collin! Of course you can stay with me! What time will you be getting in?""I am actually in town now, in your apartment to be more accurate."
"What?! But how did you.."
"You, Savannah, are far too predictable. I found your spare key without evening thinking about it."
Savannah laughed, "Well then, I will see you when I get off work."
"See you then sis!" Savannah was smiling when she hung up the phone. It had been about a year since the last time she saw Collin. She adored her brother, even though she was the only one in her family who talked to him. He dropped out of high school his junior year to pursue art. Their parents weren't very thrilled, and kicked him out.
The day seemed to drag after that. Savannah really just wanted to get home and hug her big brother. Finally five o'clock rolled around and Savannah couldn't
run out the door fast enough. She got home and raced through the door to find her brother asleep on the couch.
"Collin!" Savannah screamed as she very roughly sat on her brothers stomach."Oh god! You'd think with as much money as you make you could afford a gym membership."
"You ass pirate! I can still wear my favorite jeans from high school, thank you very much."
They both stood up and turned to hug each other. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too! So what have you been up to lately?""Same old, same old. Painting, partying, just living life. How about the life of my blue collar sister?"
"Shut up! I am very pleased with my nine to five job!"
"You're a sell-out!"
"I am not! Just because I took my art, and went to school and now have a job with a steady income does not make me a sell out. It makes me smart!"
"Do you even free sketch anymore?"
Before Savannah could come up with an argument the phone rang. She glared at Collin as she turned toward the kitchen and grimaced, "I am not done with you."
"Hello?""Yes, can I speak with Savannah?"
"This is she."
"Hi, Savannah, this is Luke."
"Oh... hi! How are you?"
"I am great. Listen, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go out for drinks a little later?"
"Oh, um... could you hold on a sec?"
Savannah ran into the living room, "Omigod, Collin! So I gave this really cute waiter my number on Saturday, and that's him on the phone! He wants to go out for
drinks later! What do you think?"
"Well look at little sis trying to get her some action."
"Shut up! It's not like that. I wanna get to know this guy.."
"Yeah, right."
"So anyway, would you come with me? I don't know him enough to feel comfortable going alone and..."
"Whoa! I am not going with you as a third wheel on your date."
"But what if I had a date for you?"
"Now you're talking my language. Set it up!"
"OK! Thanks Collin!"
Savannah went back into the kitchen and picked up the phone.
"Hey, Luke?"
"Yeah..."
"So, I would love to come tonight, but my brother is in town."
"Oh, I see."
"Well, actually I was thinking he could come. I was going to set him up with my friend Jane. Like a double date."
OK, great! So meet me at the Purple Grape around 9:30?"
"Sounds great."
Savannah hung up the phone and turned on her heels to see Collin standing in the kitchen. Collin walked to the fridge and grabbed a beer."I have seen many things come out of that fridge, but that is not one of them."
"I stopped by the store on the way here. Want one?"
"No, I'm good." Collin cracked open the can and took a sip. "So who is this Jane? Is she hot?"
"She is a good friend of mine. Cute and spunky, likes a good party. She's just your type actually. I guess I should call her, huh?"
Jane answered before the first ring, and agreed to go before Savannah could finish giving her all the info. She was always up for a good time. Jane agreed to
meet them there at 9:30 because Savannah wanted some time to chat with her brother.
So, tell me how things are...really.""You never answered my question. Do you still sketch or not?"
"I do from time to time. But I work a lot, Collin. That doesn't make me a sell-out. I love my job. I get to make sketches and plan things. It's organized art.
I really love what I do. Now don't avoid my question, how are you?"
"Things have been slow lately. With the economy the way it is, no one is buying frivolous art these days. I had a showing at a big art gallery about seven
months ago. That was the last time I made any money. But it's no biggy. I am still breathing right?"
"Oh Collin. Can I buy a painting? I know you have some in the car. You always do!"
"What car?"
"You can't be serious! How are you traveling without a car?"
"Public transportation works fine, Van. Besides, you know I have never been a fan of extravagant living."
"I know, but at least let me give you some money. Please?"
"Well I won't turn that down!" Savannah went to her purse and grabbed a check book and scribbled out a number, then handed it to her brother.
"I wish I could give you more, but I am kinda saving up for a house."
"Van, five hundred dollars is more than enough. Thank you. You're the best."
"And I expect a painting before you leave. You can use my set. It's upstairs!"
"I will get started right now."
"And I insist on paying for your drinks tonight." Savannah took a one hundred dollar bill out of her wallet and handed it to her brother.
Collin took the money and smiled, "Thanks."
Collin jumped up and went up stairs, and Savannah decided to go ahead and get ready for tonight. Before she knew it the door bell rang. It was Jane."Jane, I told you we would meet you there!"
"Are you kidding me? You tell me there is a guy who actually wants to meet me AND he is my type, and you expect me to wait? No! Where is he anyway?"Savannah rolled her eyes and called over her shoulder to Collin, who came bolting down the stairs. "Well hello, I suppose you are Jane?"
"Savannah, you never told me how sexy your brother is."
"I guess I missed that detail. My bad! So are you ready to go Collin?"
"Hell yeah! Shall we?" Collin walked past Savannah and took Jane's arm and lead her out the door. Savannah rolled her eyes and followed.
When they walked in, Savannah immediately spotted Luke sitting at the corner of the bar. He looked up and noticed her, and she smiled in response and walkedtowards him. Collin and Jane followed. "Hi", Savannah greeted as she took her seat.
"Hi. You look amazing."
"Thank you. Oh Luke, this is my friend Jane, and my brother Collin." Luke acknowledged them both, and they slipped off into their own little world at the other
end of the bar.
"So, can I buy you a drink?""Of course. Gin and tonic?"
"Sure." He waved down the bartender and ordered Savannah's drink, all without taking his eyes off of her.
"Did I mention how amazing you look tonight?"
"Yes, and thank you. You don't look so bad yourself."
"I am not gonna lie, I couldn't believe a girl like you gave me her number."
"What do you mean a girl like me."
"I don't know. You're gorgeous for one. And you just look like you've got it together. I am just a waiter. I am not complaining though."
"Good, don't! So that's what you do full time? You're a waiter?"
"Yeah. It pays the bills. What about you?"
"I am an architect for C.D.C."
"Wow. Beautiful, and smart."
"You forgot talented." They both laughed, then stared at each other in silence. The silence was enough to allow her mind to wonder. Before she knew it she was
thinking about Thomas. She wondered what he did for a living. It had to be something good because he drove a really nice car. Trying to shake the thought she
changed the subject with Luke.
"So, how old are you?"
"Twenty-nine. You?"
"Twenty-seven."
"Where are you from?"
"I have lived here my whole life."
"Oh, so does your family live here? Do you have any brothers of sisters?"
"No, I don't have any siblings. My dad lives here, but my mom died when I was little."
"I am sorry to hear that."
"Don't be. So where are you from?"
"St. Marks, Indiana."
"Small town girl, huh?"
"Something like that."
Their conversation was interrupted by Jane and Collin stumbling towards them. "Hey Van, we're gonna get outa here, kay?""You're not driving are you?"
Jane chimed in, "Fuck that! I got legs, and I knows how to use them!"
"OK, just be careful."
"Mmkay." Savannah and Luke watched in amusement as they walked out the door, and down the street.
They continued their conversation, talking about familylife ambitions, and whether or not the Dolphins would ever make it to the super bowl.
"Omigod! I didn't realize how late it was, I have to work in the morning."
"Can I walk you home?" Savannah smiled at him, "Yes, I would like that very much." On the walk home they continued talking about random facts, and the more they
talked the more fascinated Savannah became with Luke.
Sooner than she wanted, they found themselves in front of her apartment door.'Well, I had a great time Luke."
"Me too. Can I call you tomorrow?"
"I would be upset if you didn't." Luke then grabbed her by her waist and kissed her lightly on her lips. He smiled, then turned on his heels and walked away.
Savannah went inside, walked upstairs, and looked in the guest room to see if Collin was home yet. He wasn't. She turned and went into her bedroom and put onher pajamas. She meant to read until Collin got home, but she fell asleep five minutes into her book. She woke up to the sound of the front door opening.
She rolled over to look at the clock and decided it wasn't worth it to get out of bed at four AM. She heard footsteps up the stairs, and the guest room door shut.
Savannah woke up to her alarm blaring, and she silenced it by slamming the off button. Moving quietly as to not wake up Collin, she tip-toed toward the guestroom to check on him. When she opened the door however, the bed was empty. She walked into the room, and noticed a painting on the easal. She smiled, and reached out
to touch it. It was still wet. The picture was of a beautiful field where they used to play as kids. She went downstairs to call Collin and thank him, but his
phone went straight to voicemail.
"Hey Collin, it's Van. Thank you for my painting. It's incredible. And stop by whenever you can. I love you."
Realizing she was running late, she quickly got ready for work and headed out the door. It wasn't until she got to the office that she realized she didn't eat breakfast. Figuring that something from the vending machine was better than nothing, she reached for her wallet to get some change. She flipped frantically throughevery pocket, but came up empty-handed. Starting to panic she went in search of her debit, but it wasn't to be found either, along with her credit cards. Sitting there staring at her empty wallet, only one name came to mind.
"Collin."
