He looked up at the sky, streaked with orange, yellow, and pinkish hues, the last light of summer fading into the west. Behind him, traffic hummed along Highway 17. The small bistro sat tucked between the road and the intracoastal waterway, hidden at the edge of a strip mall. A gem for locals, it was known for its wine list and modestly priced food.
He chose a table outside, just in case things went south, if she even showed. The waitress brought a drink list. He ordered water and waited. He’d picked a place close to her house, hoping it wouldn’t feel like an inconvenience. For reasons he couldn’t quite name, it felt important to see her one more time.
He was halfway through his glass of water when the waitress returned.
“Still deciding on drinks? She asked.
“Yeah, can I get a menu?” he said, stalling.
Traffic buzzed in the background, and the salt-heavy air from the nearby ocean clung to his skin. He glanced toward the corner of the building, facing the side parking lot and there she was.
She wore tiny denim shorts and a crop top. Blonde hair, blue eyes, the kind of beauty that turned heads from a distance. She was curvy, but her face gave nothing away. Her hips swayed slightly as she walked toward the table.
“Wasn’t sure you were going to make it,” he said.
“My mom needed some help,” she replied.
“I knew you wouldn’t stand me up.”
“Honestly, I don’t even know why I’m here.” She picked up the drink menu, then set it down without looking. “I almost didn’t come. But… I guess I wanted to see you.”
The waitress came over. “Would you like a menu?”
“No, I’m not eating, but thank you,” she said. The waitress nodded and went back inside. Jack slid the drink menu across the table.
“Want to get a bottle of wine?” he asked.
“No. One drink. That’s it.”
She scanned the menu. Silence settled between them, not the peaceful kind, but the kind that makes even the cars and crickets disappear.
“I know you’re not out with the girls,” he said. “So, you probably don’t want an Italian spritz.”
“Jack, you know me too well,” she said, smiling.
“They’ve got Petite Chablis by the glass. You always loved that.”
The waitress returned. Jess ordered the Chablis, and Jack asked for a Maker’s Old Fashioned.
“I thought you were going to ghost me,” Jack said. “It’s been a month since I heard from you.”
“I’ve been busy with my internship.”
“That’s all?”
“What do you mean?”
“Never mind,” he said.
The waitress returned with two felt coasters and set them on the small metal table. She placed his drink down first, then poured Jess’s wine from a small decanter.
“Is it a fresh bottle?” Jess asked.
“I think so,” the waitress replied.
She took a sip of wine, then looked across the table. “So, what did you want to tell me?”
“I’m moving. I sent in my resignation last night.” Jack smiled. “I guess you’re off the hook.”
She stared at him, her expression blank. “What about your job? Did you get a new one?”
“No.”
“See this is why I couldn’t take you seriously. Eight months of this. You’re so impulsive.”
Jack gave a small laugh. “I’m just tired of the grind. Feels like I’m laying brick on a road that never ends.”
“Jack, you make good money.” She sipped her wine. “So, what are you going to do?”
“Jess, I’m not here to sell you dreams.” He saw a flash of disgust cross her face. “When you get a real job, you’ll understand.”
“You don’t have to sell me dreams. I realized I was wasting my time a while ago.”
“I never meant to waste your time. This all happened recently. I saw a future with you,” he said.
“We never even dated. You’re a man with a teenager’s mindset.”
“Ouch,” he said, smiling as he placed a hand over his heart.
The waitress returned. “Any appetizers?”
“I’ll take a look after this drink,” Jack said.
“I should go,” Jess muttered.
“You’re not innocent here, Jess.” He took a long sip. “Who is he?”
She slid her chair back, weighing whether to leave. But the fire in her eyes held her in place.
“Yes,” she said. “I’ve been seeing someone else.”
Jack stared at her. His fingers twitched around the glass, a tremor he quickly disguised by taking a sip. “Figures.” His jaw tightened; then he forced a smile.
“I’m not mad. I’m happy for you.”
“No, you’re not. You’re hurt.”
“I can’t be hurt anymore. Maybe just disappointed.” He paused. “I bet you met him while working at the hospital.”
“How do you know that?”
“The internet’s undefeated,” he said, smiling.
“Maybe… you’ve been stalking me?”
“You know I’m not the jealous type. I’m moving anyway.”
“Where too?”
Jack paused. “Out west, for a while. If I don’t like it, maybe I’ll come back—just a little further south.”
“Charleston?” she asked.
Jack ignored the question and leaned forward. “Tell me about this guy. Is he a doctor?”
“He’s finishing his residency. Long hours, always on call, but… he makes time for me.”
“Knew it.” Jack leaned back, smirking.
“Let me see a picture of him. You can show me one of yall together.”
“No.”
“Jess I’m moving, I care about you. Just wanna make sure he doesn’t give me serial killer vibes.”
She reached in her pocketbook and pulled out her phone. A pale man with brown hair, grinning and leaning into her so hard he was practically on her shoulder.
“There’s no way he’s giving it to you like I did,” he smirked.
“Jack, there’s more to life than sex.”
“Sex and respect. That’s all that really keep people together,” he said. “Both are why we’re sitting here tonight.”
“The sex is fine. He even wants me to move in.”
“After a month?” Jack laughed. “He knows he’s playing out of his league.”
“Maybe you were, too.”
“Fair enough.” He smirked.
The sky darkened to the east while the west still held soft clouds, streaked with fading color. They sat in silence, the muggy air thick around them.
“You gonna move in with him?” he asked.
“Probably. It’ll get me out of my mom’s house. My internship ends in August.”
“Do you love him?” Jack stared at her. She met his gaze. Silence fell again.
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you just say you didn’t even know why you came?”
She ignored him, eyes lifting skyward. “Remember the first time we hung out?”
“Yeah, on my balcony. We drank wine. Your arms wrapped around me, your head resting on my stomach.”
“That’s all you remember?” She looked up at the sky, smiling a little. “We tried to find animals in the clouds.”
“Oh yeah.” He laughed. “That was a good night.”
She pointed upward. “That cloud, you see it? It kind of looks like… a pink giraffe.”
Jack tilted his head, leaning closer. I think I see it, the mouth, the pointy ears.”
“And the long neck. The four legs.”
She went quiet for a moment, then shook her head. “Funny the things we remember. Doesn’t even matter now.”
“I see it. It does look like a pink giraffe.”
“Told you.” She laughed, but her eyes stayed on the sky instead of him.
“Jess… I’m going to miss you.”
“What are you going to miss?”
He smiled, eyes drifting down to her chest.
“You’re so dumb.” She laughed. “I hate you.”
“As long as you’re not indifferent…I’m good.” He smiled.
She laughed again, but the smile faded as she stared at him. She sipped her wine, never breaking eye contact.
Jack reached across the table and gently placed his hand along her jaw. His thumb brushed her cheekbone. Her eyes smiled, but her face stayed distant. He withdrew his hand and dipped his head.
She looked down into her glass, twisted it slightly, finishing the last three sips.
“I really need to go.”
“I understand.”
She rummaged in her purse and pulled out a ten-dollar bill. “Want me to pay for my drink?”
“No. Don’t I always pay?”
She smiled faintly, stood, and walked away. Jack watched her fade down the sidewalk, knowing he’d never see her again.
“His hand trembled, spilling a few drops. He set the glass down harder than he meant to.”
The waitress returned. “Is she coming back?”
“No,” Jack said.
“Want the check?”
“No. I’m going to eat. Can I get a double Maker’s on the rocks and the chicken pesto with penne?”
“Half-size or full portion?”
“Full, please.”
The waitress left. For a moment, Jack stared toward the corner where she disappeared. Still hoping. Almost waiting. Thinking she might reappear. When the waitress returned with his drink, he took a sip and looked up. The colors had faded. The clouds shifted. The sky had turned dark.
The pink giraffe was gone.