I'm accelerating as I take the left turn onto Fairfax. I glance over and I notice the dog pressing and leaning into the passenger seat. He's learned to lean with my race car driving, even I take it down a notch when he's with me.
I shift up and put my foot down on the accelerator.
I decide to stop at Mani's for coffee. Then I look in the mirror. I've skipped applying make-up this morning in my rush to get into the office prior to our long engineering meetings. I think, darn, what is the fun in stopping in for coffee if I look like I just rolled out of bed. I think, if I lost 30 pounds, I would be mistaken for a star. And I remember, several years ago that was indeed the case.
However, I've got a long engineering meeting ahead of me and I need some nourishment lest I lose focus or get irritated. So I tell myself, if there is a spot immediately out front, I'll stop. There is. So I don my huge purple Versace shades (brand names just end up in your regular wardrobe after living in LA for a few years), put the car in neutral and slide into the spot. The pup is still chilling in the passenger seat.
As I jump out, I notice a guy sitting at a sidewalk table. He stands out to me. Something about him shines. I'm feeling self conscious in Navy: boots dress, jacket, and fumble with my coins at the parking meter. It's so obvious he's checking me out, that he states the obvious aloud to me and his dog. I must be a whirlwind of energy. As I leave, I ponder dropping my business card, but I don't want to necessarily indicate I'm interested in him... too bad I don't have one of my purple tornado stickers with me.
* * *
I'm sitting at the traffic light, my hands folded in my lap like a buddha meditating. I am in some ways. My gaze softens, I take in the entire scene around me. The 99 cent truck trying to pull out into traffic. The white SUV in front of me. The black mazda sportscar to my front left. The orb is quietly pulsing on my stereo. The light turns and traffic moves. Without thinking my hand connects with my stick shifter, my left foot engages in a dance as I accelerate through the levels. I feel glazed wood under my hands. The woman who ordered my car opted for the luxury package and my dash, wheel and stick are walnut. I feel a soft lick. Pup's attention is on my hand. He knows where the action is and he wants to be in it.
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