By Kelly Gombert
This is her first chapter of a recurring story.
This is her second recurring story with us.
Ian took a step forward. “I’ve been around the block. I know how this works. I’ve had my share of dating around.” He looked over to the table of 3 young women, talking animatedly but yet still on display, inviting. He caught the blonde’s eye but did not feel that spark he had experienced back in the kitchen of the hostel. He slightly shook his head and turned back around to face the bar.
“What am I going to do with you?” Etienne questioned.
Ian looked at his friend full in the face, put a hand on each shoulder and said, “You’re going to wish me good luck and say goodbye because I’m leaving and I’m going to go find that girl, somehow.”
“Good luck. Goodbye and go get her. Oh, and safe travels back to Ohio.” The two men exchanged a quick hug, Ian drained the dregs left in his glass and he left.
It had been more than an hour and a half since they’d met so Ian figured Jess would have long since finished her meal and left the hostel. She did provide a clue as to where she might go; it was her first day in Paris. Ian headed to the nearest Metro station.
Predictably, the line to go up the Eiffel Tower was unbelievably long. Ian hoped that his luck would hold out and Jess would still be in the queue. He gave up his pretense of being nonchalant and actively searched through the throng of tourists, hoping to see a familiar face. He made it to the front of the line and then searched through the figures buying tickets at the kiosk. Maybe she’d bought a ticket online. Maybe he guessed wrong, she didn’t come here first and is at the Notre Dame. Maybe he was being foolish to chase after this girl. He stepped back and strained to see behind the ticket booth to the line of people waiting for the elevator. And there she was, stepping inside with the door closing. He called her name but of course with the crowd and the distance, she didn’t hear him. He threw his head back and dropped his arms to his sides. There was no way he was going to make it through that line in time.
A twelve-year-old boy tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the front of the line. “I think your parents are over there”.
“Oh, there you are, Charlie. Hurry up! We’ve been waiting for you! Charlie, over here.” A mature couple almost at the ticket booth were gesturing and waving to him. Ian looked over at the commotion and the woman’s eyes lit up, “Come on!” Ian’s eyebrows furrowed but the tourists around him made room. He maneuvered his way over. The woman dropped her voice low and said, “I saw what just happened. You must have missed your friend. Come join us; we’ll get you in.”
“I can’t thank you enough!” Ian hugged her and shook the man’s hand. “I really appreciate this!” Their turn came and the man paid for 3 tickets to the top. Ian tried to pay but the couple wouldn’t hear of it. “Pay it forward. That’s all we ask.” They made their way to the elevator and crowded in with the other sampling of international visitors. As the elevator doors opened on the 2nd floor, Ian issued one more thank you and continued his quest.
Look for the next chapter of this story coming soon
