Whilst listening to Bjork

It was him. She was definite on this. Seven years had passed since she had last seen him. It took several moments, searching for mannerisms to recognize him. He had lost some weight and time took a toll on him. His eyes no longer glistened as they used to.

She made no move, remaining unseen in the corner. He had not seen her as he came in, or if he did he made no motion of it.
He glanced back, feeling the invisible beam of someone's stare.

A girl in the corner had taken a sudden interest in her tea cup. She looked familiar but he could not place who she was.
He couldn't know her, he had only moved to this town two weeks ago.

Adjusting his shirt, he stood and left.

She watched him leave, tempted to pursue him. Logic told her otherwise.

They had met by chance her freshman year of college. He needed directions to the library. He was a slim and bookish student, she was a bit wild. His eyes told stories the words could not describe. They dated for 16 months.

The breakup broke her. She transferred out. Junior year began in a new town with fresh faces. A place near the sea. People smiled and life was simple. She graduated top of her class and had a half a dozen job offers waiting for her. A week later she was interning.

Now, looking back, she wondered how her life would have been had she stayed. Her parents never understood the transfer, she was so young and smart. Now, as she sat staring at her surroundings, she suddenly missed home.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mom. What's up?"

"Natalie! So good to hear from you, I was just about to give you a call. I'm doing fine. The new neighbors are lovely. I was just saying hello. Sheila has a son around your age. Graduated from Yale. He really is a sweet boy from the sounds of it. Attractive too. Your father and I are having dinner with them all this Friday, if you don't have plans you should join us. I don't know why you insist on living in that town, it's so much nicer out here. You always know I never liked the smell of fish, it is a fishing village isn't it? I mean, it's so murky and gray...."

"Mom."

"I mean really, your sister only lives a few minutes away..."

"Mom!"

"Yes dear?"

"Remember, I own my own bookstore. I'm quite happy here."

"Yes, and I'd be happy if you settled down and found a husband."

"I'm happy being single."

"Okay dear, if you decide to join us at dinner on friday, just give me a call."

"Alright mom. Oh, forgot to tell you, Lily gave birth to six kittens last Tuesday. When they get old enough I'm going to spilt up the litter. As much as I don't want to. But I can't have seven cats. Anyways, if you want a kitten or two let me know."

"Well okay dear. Oh! Silly me, look at the time. I have to be over at the Johnsons for tea right now. I'll talk to you soon. Bye bye."

"Bye."

As she hung up she thought of her last relationship. Nothing had been as long term as it had with Paul. What on earth was he doing in Farthington?

What was he doing in Farthington? He couldn't answer himself. He had graduated, gotten a job, an apartment, and an fiancee. He wasn't happy. What was he searching for?

He had used the last of his savings on the apartment. The wedding had been cancelled and his future was freed up. He had gotten a job, yet another one. At least his CPA degree let him find a job with relative ease. This time he was working with the fish sales. Fish sales. A 3.9 GPA and a full scholarship to college and this is where he ended up?

He saw a bookstore, Maine was the wrong place for chained owned stores and decided to stop in. Growing up, he had loved to spend away the afternoons reading.

ADD HE RETURNS TO HIS APARTMENT, SHE THINKS ABOUT MARRIAGE. HE RETURNS HOME. THROWS HIS BAG ON THE SOFA. READS HIS MAIL. she has a quaint house on a quiet road. its blue with worn wood. he has a studio apartment

Natalie went to check her messages. The usual ignored call from her mother and another reminder about the bridesmaid dresses. Her best friend was getting married in just under two weeks. They needed a final fitting.

Fitting, it didn't fit right. He tugged at the sleeve of his jacket. The sewing was off. that's what happens when you out source all the jobs to foreign countries, tailors were just to damned expensive.