Available Keys by Art by Star LaMoore
Part V Available Keys by Art by StarLaMoore, http://orig05.deviantart.net/37af/f/2012/185/3/f/available_keys__by_starl33na-d56176f.jpg
Ying waited a week before going back to the antique shop to see Eleanor. Once she was there, she told the guardian what she’d done the previous Friday.
Eleanor’s eyebrow arched. Ying watched as the fingertips of Eleanor’s right hand tapped on the sofa arm and Eleanor stared off into space. “Interesting,” she finally said. “No, no women, that we know of, have ever held the key. Times were different, women didn’t go into business, in general, anyway.” She smoothed the gray skirt over her legs. “What has the key done?”
“Nothing different than last month. My projects are all going well. I’m getting valuable clients. Presentations are flawless.”
“You haven’t met your dream match?”
Ying shook her head. “Nope. Not yet. But it has just been a week. It looks like the key wants to stay with me, so that’s something.”
“Indeed.” Eleanor’s fingers tapped again. “Not to pry, but I’d really like to follow this, if you wouldn’t mind sharing.”
“Why not.” Ying shrugged, then stood up. “You don’t want the gory details, just the progress toward making a family. I can do that.” She picked up her purse and briefcase. “You don’t mind if I email you, do you, with updates?”
“Not at all. You have the shop card. Use that email. I’m the only one that checks it.”
“Appreciate it. I’ve left early two Friday’s in a row, now. People at work notice these things.”
Eleanor stood and walked with Ying to the door, holding it for her. “Not at all. But don’t be shy. When you can, come by and we’ll have tea. I like our chats.”
“I’ll do that. Thanks again.” Ying started out of the door and as she cleared the recessed entryway onto the sidewalk, a young man in a gray business suit collided with her. She spun and the heel of her shoe broke. Her briefcase went flying, tangling with the man’s and both of them skidded off of the curb into the street. “Oh!” She landed on her hip, stockings shredding on the sidewalk.
The man was down on one knee, having done his best to catch her when she fell. He was looking at her face, an arm around her shoulders.
Eleanor hurried to them. “Are you all right?”
Ying took a breath. His face pulled her in, high cheek bones, deep brown eyes and sandy brown hair framing it all. She blinked the second time Eleanor called her name. “Uh, yes. I think so.”
“I’m so sorry,” the man said as he helped her to her feet. “I didn’t see you there.” He hurried to the curb and picked up both briefcases. “A little scuffed, but I’m afraid I’ve ruined your shoes and your suit.” He handed Ying her briefcase.
Ying was brushing off. “I’m sorry. I didn’t look before I came out of the doorway.”
“My fault entirely, miss.”
He looked so upset she had to smile. “I’m Ying Lee.” She held out her hand.
“I’m Jason Fitch.” He shook her hand. “I am like a bull-dozer. I am so sorry.” He looked at Eleanor. “Thank you for rushing to her aid.”
Eleanor smiled. “No problem at all. I wasn’t much help, I’m afraid.” She turned to Ying. “I’ll leave you to it, then.” She quirked an eyebrow out of sight of Jason and went back inside.
“I should catch a cab, I think.” Ying took off both shoes. There was no way to walk in them with one broken.
“Let me pay,” Jason said. “It’s the least I can do.” He walked to the curb and went between two parked cars and began to wave down an approaching cab.
“That’s not necessary. Really.” Ying picked her way to the street beside him. Gravel dug into the bottoms of her feet.
“It is, Ms. Lee. I won’t take no for an answer.”
The cab pulled up and Jason opened the back door. “Please. My treat.”
Ying sighed. “Very well, then.” She got into the cab and pulled a business card out of the brief case. “Call me.”
His face brightened. “Certainly. I’d be happy to.” He closed the cab door and leaned in the front passenger window. “Please take the lady where ever she’d like to go.” He pulled his wallet out and handed the driver a hundred-dollar bill.
“Yes, sir.” The cabbie gave him a salute.
As the cab pulled away, Ying could see Eleanor in the shop window watching. She told the cabbie her address and settled back into the seat. She patted her suit jacket pocket. Thank you, key.
She thought about Jason Fitch’s eyes. How she’d just fallen into their depths. She tingled with excitement. He seemed nice. Polite. Considerate. Well dressed. And obviously successful the way he paid the cabbie. Her cell phone rang. She pulled it from her purse and looked at the screen. Perfect timing.
“Hello, mom.”
“Hello, Ying.”
“You have perfect timing. I just met someone.”
“Really!”
Ying had to chuckle at the excitement in her mother’s voice. “How do you know exactly when to call?”
“I’m your mother. Now. Tell me all about this young man.”
“Okay, mom. I’ll tell you everything.”
She was still talking to her mother when the cab pulled up in front of her building. “Hey. I’m home. Let me call you later.”
“You’d better.” She blew her daughter a kiss.
“I will, mom. I promise.” Ying clicked off and thanked the driver. In her apartment she tossed the shoes into the trash, the stockings too.
She’d just finished washing the blood from her scraped leg when her phone rang. Unknown number, she noted. “Hello?”
“Is it too soon to call?”
Thank You!
End Part V: 945 Words