x
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~I’ve been cursed with isolation, you see.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPO9sYaa9i
219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqm8o5AZlb
Bright headlights beaming into bricks and concrete of the sidewalks on Park Street. The trees’ branches swayed in the wind, and so did the leaves, like a ballet dancer, droves of people were scampering into the Park Street MBTA station, entering the metal and glass doors, hastily marching down the stairs. The other buildings on Park street had closed their windows, but some had the lights on, to light the sidewalk for other travelers. And for some, a fancy restaurant on the upper end of Park Street, nearly below the street with no clear way on how to get inside. Samantha wondered where the entrance was.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNzCudHR1A
A car drove by, speeding through the red light, honking its horn. The tires squealed as it turned the corner, and Sam covered her ears as the noise scratched her inner lobes.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLGIpDjiVe
“I take it you didn’t get an overseas conference call,” Samantha knew Michael couldn’t make it every Tuesday, because his clients’ operated in numerous time zones, and sometimes he was forced to stay late.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LHeN8YOXO
“No. I got an email that that’s not going to be happening for a while, I think. Tensions are rising quickly overseas, with Poland and Ukraine,” Michael covered a yawn with his hand.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy90qbAWhYW
“What do you mean?” Tim’s head immediately jerked, turning to Michael with alarm. The lights from inside the church flashed out as the receptionist flicked the switch off and on.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIAGND0BXU
“Well,” he began, his eyes darted back and forth, making sure no one else was listening. “Look, you didn’t hear it from me, and I’m not sure the validity of this, but it has a lot of people overseas concerned. We won’t be trading anything overseas for a while, or that’s what I heard. And this is just a rumor, but apparently NATO is disbanding.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe7CtpwDx4
Sam turned her gaze to the ground, kicking some pebbles to the side. She reflected on what that might mean. If NATO disbands, will the U.S.A be protecting anyone anymore, and if not, who are the allies? Will this turn into a world where every country is independent, just waiting for a large superpower to come in and swallow them up? What will keep those superpowers in check? What will that do to diesel fuel prices? Ukraine and Poland, what cause do they have to be tense with one another?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWTvDCzgrg
“Wait. What?” Jennifer jerked her head to him. “Why? That’s a big development for that to just be a rumor. Michael, you realize it would take fifty liars to even think of spreading a rumor that big!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHBHPVVZ1x
“Again. Rumor. That’s all I know, and you didn’t hear it from me,” he replied.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpeJb3DDe3
“Dang it. I think I might be fine. I don’t know how much my customer takes in imports. I think it’s all local though,” Samantha said, interlacing her fingers in between her hands. The only thing that would really affect her in the brokerage, would be the gas prices. It makes it difficult to find trucks cheaply to deliver truckloads of groceries.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNf9fSl2Ea
Michael sucked air through his teeth. “Yeah, and I’ll likely take a pay cut as many of my associates are over there. But the effects of that is going to change the market considerably. Sam, I think it’s only a matter of time before the effects catch up to you; even if this is a rumor.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkxHV7Me9L
“If it’s only a rumor, what’s the harm?” Tim asked.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz7AtL4oAj
“The market changes drastically, constantly. There’s no way to accurately predict what it will do. Besides, even these rumors will affect the market eventually, creating a great rift in the economic sphere. These rumors, even if they aren’t true, will cause an economic collapse eventually, or just a severe recession,” Jennifer explained. The doors opened and the rest of the congregation walked outside. Samantha stared at Jennifer, shocked that she put so many coherent business sentences together in a row. She didn’t give Jennifer enough credit, apparently. “I’m not an economist. My brother is in stocks. Options specifically. He told me about all of this. The market is impossible to predict, but we can get close; behavioral finance and all that.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX0jppl2GL
“There’s your answer. Even if it’s false, it’s bad,” Michael shook his head and patted his pants with one of his hands.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHjFPEX9qQ
“Well, there goes my 401K flying right out the window,” Tim exclaimed, putting a hand through his hair. “Oh well, I suppose I could opt out of it now, I’ll just get taxed heavily on it. Thanks for the heads up.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tsWqZMUyN
The noise of the rest of the studiers came out to a dull roar. Brian came up to them, he had a thinly shaved beard and mustache, his eyes were wide awake. He was scrawny for his height, built much like a basketball player, only significantly shorter. “Hey, you guys coming to Terri Nation?” He wrapped his arm around Michael like an old friend and had that overbearingly enthusiastic smile on his face.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvClVlI6Gt7
Samantha rolled her eyes at the mention of Teri Nation, the local pub right around the corner, where they all went out for some dinner, and drinks to continue fellowshipping together after the study. After all, why waste a perfectly good night to play catch up.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVhiIaSrcG
“You know it,” Michael shook his hand. “Wouldn’t miss it.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK01qxIEJm2
“Great! I’m going to head back over here now. I need to recruit some of the newbies,” Brian disappeared into the small crowd, talking to a few new faces Samantha didn’t recognize.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr076tvWDi
“Well, I suppose it’s time,” Michael said. “You all coming? We should start leading the cattle.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nv3BIdbps
“Such a specific metaphor,” Samantha said.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWV5KdzTMK
“Not really,” Michael and Tim started walking backwards up Park street, towards Beacon street, waving their hands towards them, ushering everyone to follow. “Last stop, Teri Nation. Who’s coming?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhH4ChfaEQ
Michael and Tim started chatting to each other as they briskly walked up the sidewalk towards the City Hall.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoeym74u7G
Many of the other people around them continued to talk. Others started following in small groups. Jennifer linked arms with Samantha. Erin ran towards them from her group. Her giddiness gave her a child-like aura that was only complemented by the freckles across her cheeks. Samantha braced herself for what she expected to be ten times the amount of Erin’s normal bubbliness.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUAB42ytMO
“So, what are you smiling about?” Samantha asked as they walked onwards.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2I4lwlJYj
“Well, our office just hired another broker out of nowhere last week. He seems to have already settled in,” Erin smiled. “Though he often refers to me as the press.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YdeeWPAsb
“The press?” Samantha’s eyes stretched open.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHG8GDt9GHL
“My last name. Gutenberg. The Gutenberg Press,” Erin explained.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4fahR2Kfb
“Okay, but what does that have to do with you smiling already? Do you like him or something?” Samantha teased.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSsMEoVnbt
“Erin’s got a crush again,” Jennifer chuckled, elbowing Samantha in the side. “Seriously, if it is not one man, then it is an equally terrifying different man, sometimes a stranger.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNVHBo7m1D
“I do not!” Erin scolded. Samantha assumed Erin was blushing in the dark. “Jennifer, you always find a way to make something innocent sound so inappropriate. Anyway, he’s very smart apparently. He is an excellent resource to go to for help. My job would finally be secure if I went to him for advice.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK3RfWS6ES
“How do you know that? He just started the job last week?” Jennifer asked. “No one learns the job that fast.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwDbwqyfmE
“He already closed a few hundred-thousand-dollar-deals last week,” Erin said. “Either he knows what he’s doing or is extremely lucky.”
“What?” Samantha couldn’t believe it. She herself was working a deal with another customer, but she is not making nearly that much in gross revenue, although it was a different business altogether. “How?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKQR1lplVV
“I’m going to ask him tomorrow. I’ll let you know. Although, I don’t know how that will help you. You’re in logistics, not in stocks,” She snapped her fingers.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2WTo3ofFe
“Maybe I’ll just invest in a mutual fund,” Samantha sneered. She had little interest in stocks to begin with.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnaujVXkUX
“You two go ahead and talk finance if you want. I’m sticking to my germs. Much more interesting,” Jennifer said as they turned onto Beacon street.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ePyZg2QE3
“So, what’s his name?” Samantha leaned into Erin, bumping against her.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ5Za9E9LD
“He goes by Ted,” Erin answered. “He said he’s from Ohio. Not a very social person though, doesn’t talk much.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir4wiYeUKu
“So, enough about this individual that neither Sam nor I are going to meet. July Fourth. Erin, are you still coming? I need to order the canoes, and I need to have an idea of how many I need to reserve. We plan on meeting at Kendall Square at 6PM.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJP3AG3gXf
“Yes, I’ll go,” Erin exclaimed. “I’d love to go, I might be late, I need to skip lunch to leave work early.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpdNCxYZ11
“Don’t worry about food, there will be plenty. I’ll be packing sandwiches again,” Jennifer said. They were approaching Terri Nation which was on the corner heading back down towards Tremont Street. The City Hall was staring down at them with the lights behind the gates, and the Joseph Hooker Statue, riding on a horse.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYRmHHTpl1
“That’s probably not the best thing. You might want to think of something else. Sandwiches don’t taste good out in the open sea,” Samantha suggested. “Maybe we can get Michael to cook something with his smoker. Or perhaps just bring some vegetables or something.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtpY6cDx4V
“But poor dear Erin will be hungry. She’s skipping her lunch after all.” Jennifer chuckled as she opened the door into Teri Nation. “I mean to be fair, most of us, except me, will not have time to actually eat something after work. I mean, you get out late enough as it is.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXiBuSf4mr
“It’ll take a few hours, its fine,” Samantha replied.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ip34CRjlF
They walked through the restaurant section of the bar, walking through the wide hallway and took a left of the statue of a little girl flying a kite at the side. Michael and Tim were already sat in the back of the upstairs bar, talking to one another about something, while sipping on their own drink. Michael was always trying the weird concoctions that the bar tender mixed. He was like Scott’s guinea pig.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ntlBK1rAX
“What’s goin’ on Sam. What can I get you?” Scott wore a black vest over a white button up shirt and black slacks behind his bar. Everyone on the wait staff wore the same uniform.
“House Cab is fine,” she answered pulling out her card. “I’ll close out.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj54nEFlXPL
Scott took the card and went to pour her a quick glass of red Cabernet wine. He always had a heavy pour.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXM7exJzfB
“Scott, I’ll take your specialty. Whatever that is at this moment,” Jennifer asked. Like Michael, she was also an adventurous drinker.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnipueicryU
“I’ll also take a cider. Bottle please,” Erin called out; her hand raised as her other hand reached for her pocketbook.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRzTYTaaKX
“Together or separate?” Scott called as he reached behind the bar and undid the cap of a frosted bottle of hard cider.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fAAoIiVnQ
“Together. I’ll buy it,” Erin said, nudging Jennifer in the side. “The least I can do if I’m trusting you with my food on the Fourth of July.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3SbO89Kpj
Erin winked at Jennifer and squeezed her shoulder.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajI88ThpVh
He then made the very odd drink with Bourbon, triple sec, coke, muddle mint and cucumbers. Jennifer frowned curiously as the drink was handed to her. Her eyes skimmed over the physical ingredients, noting this beverage, whatever it might be, should taste refreshing; however, such a taste would likely contrast unwelcomingly with the bourbon. “Well, it is different,” she took a sip. And made a puckered face as if filled with something that was too sour. And it did contrast, the way Jennifer expected it to, “Did Michael like this?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D9z7GONH5
“He liked it,” Scott started chuckling. “Do you?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm9RgfCnWE
“It’s certainly different, I’ll give you ten points for originality,” her face cringed. “I haven’t decided if I’m going to like this or not yet. Give me a few minutes.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Hxy4TTclE
“Gotcha,” he chuckled, quickly moving back to address the rest of his guests.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4MberQ9XQ
Brian came in with his crowd of nearly fifteen different guests. Looks like he succeeded in inviting the new people here. Well, this certainly is great for the community. They are all new to Boston, or many of them anyways. This isn’t a bad spot to be, Sam thought. Brian’s friendliness and his great charisma was what kept Samantha interested in these little late-night gatherings, and surprisingly, kept her going to Park Street Church instead of some local church.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJm4N95eoo
Samantha knew that Scott was going to have a good night. She sipped her wine as she gazed up at the TV screen. Scott generally kept the news on in the back: unless they requested the sports channel. He was always very friendly, though when she first came here, he did seem like a tired and disgruntled man. He couldn’t have been more than thirty. He hid a smile underneath that thick beard of his.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlepvaHlf4L
Sam looked over to Brian again, noticing he took out a little pen and piece of paper, engaging enthusiastically in conversation with everyone he invited. He spent more time with the new faces than the old ones, nodding as they spoke, showing his elite listening skills. Sam guessed quite accurately he was offering to buy them a round tonight, by jotting things down on his notepad. Brian leaned over the bar top, and slapped his hand on it, and looked intently in Scott’s eyes as they engaged in some unrelated conversation which Sam couldn’t hear. Brian read off the slip of paper, and Scott immediately punched some buttons on the electronic touch pad and printed out a receipt, handing it to Brian before hastily disappearing behind the bar. Brian immediately returned to the newcomers, turning their hesitant smiles to enthusiastic ones. Samantha thought, Brian was better at making anyone feel comfortably at home.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyy9U6os8J
Then she noticed something familiar. The hair on her head felt like they stood on ends, and the chills came over her, cascading like a powerful wind. Goosebumps rose-up from her arms. She looked around, not trying to alarm anyone, hoping this may have been her imagination. Other people around the bar were putting on their sweatshirts or wrapping themselves with their arms. She chose to ignore it. Someone probably just turned the thermostat down. But damn it’s cold!219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIdcjVtWB1
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed someone. He was sitting by himself at the other end of the bar, perhaps ten paces from her, drinking a glass of red wine, like hers. Merlot? Or Cab? It was the same man from Saturday, first at the cross walk, then inside the Garden. Now here. And it seems the last time the temperature dropped so much and so quickly was with him around. Who was he?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdiwvteEdo
Scott brought this man a plate of mashed potatoes. This man still seemed to be smiling very widely as he thanked Scott for the plate. Scott asked him if he needed anything else, but he declined, and said,219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtcUhjxGS3
64219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0hFHKkm0R
“I have more than I require right now. Thank you.” She took a closer look as the man took a fork and put it into the mashed potatoes and started eating it. Sam squinted her eyes at the man to see some lined scars on his face. The words barely made it to her ears with the volume of the bar.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF7jz63HQ9
Twice she saw the man in a social setting. Twice she saw the man isolated in the social setting. Perhaps he was new to Boston, and looking for friends, perhaps socially inept. Well, I’m not Brian. But I’ll see what I can do. I at least know something to spin off on, she thought.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8wT2ExltF
She took a sip from her glass, scanning the bar top for Scott when he got a second. She raised her arm and called him over. Scott walked over, drying a beer glass with a towel. Scott leaned over the bar, both palms rested firmly on the bar top after setting the glass down, “What’s up Sam?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltqMnQK2LM
“That man over there,” she leaned in over the bar, pointing a finger to the man in the corner, retracting the finger around her wineglass.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iAenkQmYb
Scott turned his head briefly to look, “That’s Ted. He’s been coming here lately.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtqK06R8FA
“Do you know what he does?” Sam asked.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGRoHNbaGD
“No, he’s a polite person, but a man of few words.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QfG6wgFbn
“Well, thanks for that. That was it. Thank you!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2wQ5GeQZn
She started walking quietly towards him. He ate silently. She was standing behind him as he was engrossed in his food, scarfing it down quickly. He took a sip of his wine again, turning the glass and looking into it as if he was lost in thought.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop6IhwjAFM
“Well, well, well, so a rat sneaks behind me, eh?” said the man. He never bothered to look from his wine. “To what exactly do I owe for the pleasure of such as this?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStBMUOt6Ed
Samantha abruptly halted. Her wineglass trembled in her hand as she looked down at the ripples inside the glass. Did I make a sound? No. Wait. Could he smell my perfume or was it the wine?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FcXUHIUag
“The scent of Cabernet was coming closer and closer. I could smell it approaching me, and then suddenly the scent just lingered. You can’t be more than twenty-three inches behind me.” He turned in his stool and looked up to her, and his smile was still wide. “How may I help you?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YwHook0cQ
“Startling, well I’m not a rat,” she chuckled nervously.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7I2wfwAYi
“And yet you came to me as silent as a rat.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGu7nJwmOq
Well, he’s not socially inept, that is certain. He’s eloquent and very formal. She found him to be unnerving, yet intriguing all the same, “Rats can be silent nuisances, but I couldn’t help but notice that I’ve seen you before,” she commented.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRozWxbTj9
“Well, this is the Heart of Boston. Odds are there are many faces we see again and again, and maybe we recognize a few reoccurring faces here and there, but we never make a point to meet one of them. I know I certainly don’t,” he replied. His smile never faded. He stood up and rose his glass to hers. She clinked their glasses together, “Cheers.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp845ikQXb
Sam found him to be more mysterious, greeting her with a friendly smile, but the words comparing her to a rat was a bit unsettling. He was confident, this was evident, but was there something about her he found to be untrusting? She bit her tongue, fearing she made some kind of social error. Brian is better suited for this, but I can’t back down now.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGXqbcXN50
“That is something true you have just said. My name is Samantha Harris,” she said. She brought her hand out to meet his other hand to shake it.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEhL8dcHcK
He reached out his hand to meet hers, shaking it. Samantha could hear the bones in her hand crack: he had a very firm and strong grip. “My name is Ted Anderson.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlyd5rSWno
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She didn’t want to make it too obvious she asked about him.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgHqzMHYmR
“To be sure, Miss Harris, the pleasure is all mine. Now, I ask again; to what do I owe the pleasure of such an introduction?” There was something different about him though, his brown watery eyes looked right into hers. Ted appeared to her to be in his mid-twenties, but the eyes told a different story, as if they were much older than his body.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHg7mCIM3L
“I ran into you twice on Saturday. Right on the corner of Park and Tremont, and then again on the same day at the Garden, towards the end of that night,” she admitted, “You seemed to be by yourself, while everyone else was grouped together, or coupled.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo58avlWmb
“Was that around the time the temperature dropped?” he asked.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlRy2aDvlc
Her eyes blinked repeatedly. So, I’m not crazy. “Y—you felt that too? I thought I was just imagining things,” she stammered as she took another sip from her glass, looking cautiously at Ted. She felt something in her gut, like she should be wary of this man. Numerous people were with her that night, and only she and Ted felt it. And only they acknowledged it. Why didn’t any of them feel anything?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o6Y1nLn7V
“Yes, I felt it also,” he said, “Well, that’s New England for you.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCqAJgrEqL
“Yes,” she said, lowering her voice a little bit. “Have you been around Boston for very long?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtUWIDzRBX
“A few weeks,” He answered.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgqUm9dzoS
“What brought you here?” She thought to ask another question, hoping to find something to latch on to. She could hear multiple steps behind her, and the music played from the speakers, and the chatter sounded like white noise.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ceX2uXNhH
“Work,” he answered.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTD1x9W1tI
“Where are you from?” She was dissatisfied with the answer, as simple as it was. Sure, it very well could be true, but there wasn’t enough information released from him to pose any meaningful conversation.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQNvjPkCNk
“Ohio.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn115YtbB63
“What part?” You’re like a steel trap.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WqnzZqm9g
“Delaware,” he shifted on his stool as he took another bite of his mashed potatoes.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dlmbNuM5t
“There’s a store I deliver to frequently over there,” excitedly, she finally found something.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1AitOwaoZ
“Oh, and what is it that you do?” His expression didn’t change, but he leaned back against the bar and crossed his hands over his chest.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj1pkgJJwA
“I work for a 3PL. I deliver groceries for a major wholesaler. I’m a broker.” Dang it. She wasn’t expecting him to start asking questions, not that she had anything really to hide from him, but she wasn’t done trying to figure out who he was.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Aqp2RWKXt
“As am I. I deal with stocks,” he answered. “And options.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtLJEtAVXg
It finally hit her. He might work with Erin. “Do you know Erin Gu—”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrfWgC63v7
“The Gutenberg Press? Yes. I work with her,” he laughed.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9U82gZk0P
“Yes!” she laughed. “That is exactly what she said you call her. She said something about you today on our way over here.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVC0W9Wx9g
“Terrible things, I’m sure,” he replied, never lessening that smile.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7geJKXogz
“No, she said you are very good at your job.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLMj2cNPkX
“No. I am just very lucky.” He got a buzz from his phone. “Excuse me a moment.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvzHUbPuNw
He pulled out his phone and opened something up. Samantha assumed it was a work-related email. He read it intently. He shut the screen off from his phone and put it back into his pocket. “Well, on one hand that was terrible. On the other, I’m glad I sold all of those.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkDeCbSJ0z
“What?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTLoEkFms5
“Oh, NATO just disbanded, and Russian just declared War on Ukraine,” he said nonchalantly. “I just sold most of my foreign assets. Those values are going to drop overnight. I wonder, how will the rest of the European Union fare? Will they follow suit? Will they get involved? Most likely, as they have always done. It’s unfortunate that the world came to this.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdI14Bdc1W
“How do you know?” she asked. Well, I guess that confirms the rumor Michael told them, but how exactly are you this calm about it? Ukraine is apparently pissing everyone off! Samantha knew that national allegiances were trembling as of late, the news told them that much. To her it seemed most everyone was inches away from everyone’s throats at any given time, and Russia and Ukraine were now the only confirmed cases of political collapse. How soon will this uncertainty reach America? Sam couldn’t help but wonder.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU7UkUxTFe
“Like I said, I’m very lucky. However, some of the higher ups might think I actually know something when I don’t,” he let out a brief sigh. “Oh well, I’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXP7PcE8v2
She turned abruptly, “Michael!” she waved at him as he was now talking with Erin. Samantha noticed that Erin frowned at them with her pouty eyes. She noted that Erin seemed to be boy crazy, she didn’t expect that kind of behavior from someone going to church weekly. But we all have our own shortcomings.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGe1Y3bc2f
“Ted, this is my boyfriend, Michael,” she introduced them.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKxwgjXc4l
Michael walked over with a friendly smile on his face and introduced himself. Michael shook Ted’s hand, and Samantha could hear the bones in Michael’s hand cracking.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUahXJ6LcJe
“Firm grip. I like it!” Michael released his hand.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrma1ql8Bt
“So, Michael, you know that thing you talked about earlier?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXjxdrYm5X
“I said you didn’t hear it from me,” he said defensively, abruptly turning to her, frowning.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDuLNYSfVt
“It’s on the news already,” she frowned, knowing that since these rumors were true, global collapse might not be far behind, she guessed this would immediately affect Michael’s line of work drastically.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2SFYxCA9G
“Wait. What?” Michael asked. “Already? I just found out about it, but I thought those were rumors.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWf2C040GK
“Rumors have an unfortunate way of being steeped in truth. Odds are, if something is completely unbelievable, it is probably true,” Ted said. “I knew of the rumor but thought nothing of it until this morning. Thank God I followed my gut. I can sleep peacefully now.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgOGjyLTlO
“Well, it is only a matter of time then. Someone’s going to punch someone important,” Mike replied.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXpMdvqzUe
Ted threw his head back in laughter.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNNUfRvcca
“I think that already happened,” Samantha said. “Apparently Russia’s on a war path again.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsz3QYu3k1
The phone vibrated in Ted’s pocket again. He pulled it out of his inside pocket and looked at his notification. He read the notification, “That’s not the only one on a war path. Well, I guess it was only inevitable that this would happen.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yHsFYqTzB
“What now?” Samantha asked. She was considering how this news was going to affect her. It was clearly going to affect her business. Oil prices are going to raise. Rates for truck drivers are going to rise to reflect that change. Her rates are contracted.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr8UzYp2LA
Renegotiating her contracted rates are likely to be fruitless. Her individual margins are going to decline. Her profitability is going to plummet. How soon before this all hits home?219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVMGJq060p
“Trade deals with China aren’t going well apparently,” Ted explained. “That being said, it’s only a matter of time before someone declares war. It is like twenty years ago.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51y78C0Pvj
“Those were not good times,” Michael said. “Every major nation was at everyone’s throats.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AFsFkDHxV
“Precisely. The global economy was trash then,” Ted rose his hand in the air. He dropped it back down. “And just like my hand, we’ll probably be freefalling for a while, well, then it starts to decline that’s when we’ll be freefalling.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57md4d3vTn
“You seem to know a lot about this,” Michael said, taking a sip of his exotic, but potentially terrible tasting drink.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAauGo17Rv
“I was in the Army before I came here, China was never too keen on Americans,” he kept his smile, but reluctantly gave that answer. “I know too much already.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqUSFZaCLZ
Samantha knew this would pique Michael’s interest. His brother was in the 75th Ranger Regiment, “What was your—”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdeAjpoTnd
“My occupation in the Army is classified, above top secret,” he said softly. “I can’t disclose any information on what I did. I hope you understand.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBdlEaiS1k
“I do,” Michael said. “My brother is in the Army. He is much the same way. Doesn’t give out much information than what is necessary.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgWmKcYel9
Erin finally walked over, her hand resting across her chest. “Ted, did you just get Adam’s email?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CEm2qO907
“Yes, Gutenberg’s Press. I did. I got both of them. Well, if you have any foreign assets, I’d suggest selling them now. The market is still open. You may find a buyer, but if you don’t, I’d advise holding onto it and riding it out, or selling it as soon as possible.” This was clearly meant for Erin, and he gave her advice to work on, but Samantha picked up on something, noting just how volatile the stock markets are: Sell now, unless you can’t, then hold onto it until it rises again. Or just sell later. The window of trading that fast was small.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnG3uj5SJy
“Did you already sell yours?” she asked. “How did you know this would happen?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMT0IQ11YK
“I didn’t. I just guessed. You should listen to those rumors more closely,” he chuckled.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu62krTUkvf
“This is going to be a nightmare,” Michael said, ruffling his hand through his hair.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx77VJVz7UV
Jennifer popped up with her drink in hand. “Michael, you have terrible taste in this stuff. Why do I let you talk me into these things?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwhNxDW0iD
Samantha felt a weight lift off her chest as her attention was immediately turned away from the horrific events happening with the world to something, albeit random, more pleasant. For that, she was exceedingly thankful for Jennifer’s interruption.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wgLuvMY06
“First of all, I didn’t say anything,” he laughed, nudging her shoulder with his.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQVacbUbl6
“I mean seriously, this is disgusting, why would you drink this?” She turned her gaze to Ted. “So, who is this who is hogging up the party?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMsTvd3rmg
“I mean, you can barely call this a party,” Samantha said as Erin was back onto her phone, monitoring her emails.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy56pNJYQBR
“I have to go. I’ll see you next Tuesday!” Erin walked over to her green purse.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAMqZPVlal
Samantha waved as Erin walked out of the bar, relieved as Erin’s constant pining after men was growing tiresome.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1zwlFMaGd
“This is Ted. You know; that Ted,” Sam clicked her tongue as she pointed to Erin on her way out.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3WafmJDgZ
“What Ted—oh! That Ted! Well, I’ll say little to compromise anything. I’m Jennifer, and welcome to our little dysfunctional family,” she joked. “Never mind me. I’m the crazy one.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVigfrhQ5zJ
Samantha chuckled. She’s never boring.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nhyUNxcbE
“Speaking of, Ted,” Jennifer seemed to take over the conversation. She would have made a great executive. “We are going to rent a few canoes over the Charles on the Fourth of July. I know it’s about a month away. You should totally come with!”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHDFK5hM9w
“Fireworks, over a body of water,” Ted said. “I appreciate the sentiment, Miss, however, I’m afraid I must decline.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMbZ2FG9Mi
“Oh, well that’s too bad. Everyone here is going,” she turned her head as if looking for someone. “Now, where is Brian?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk6YciNIkX
“He drove Tim home,” Michael answered. “Tim had an early meeting for an event that’s scheduled tomorrow. He couldn’t be out too late.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gXCOhFAla
“Such a shame. He really is personable. More fun than I am!” She wrapped her arm around Michael as she smiled.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJMlDWtD0e
Samantha and Jennifer’s minds were thinking alike. No matter how hesitant one could be, Brian can always get someone to bend.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8txDG1jqi
“I doubt that very much,” Ted commented, making eye contact with her. Jennifer’s hazel eyes gleamed in the dim light of the bar.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhoizILFxu
“Oh, well, I guess you can’t come under any circumstances, then, huh? Nothing we can do to persuade you?” Jennifer tried to coax some more amiable answer out of him.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXrfeItFBY
“Unfortunately, no,” Ted answered. “But I appreciate the offer, all the same.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCceeAUMnk
“Oh, well.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodh0fqpZjT
“Well, what about Tuesday next week? Are you doing anything after you get off work?” Samantha pitched in, eager to see more of this mysterious person. She barely struck the surface of who he was, and to her seemed one dimensional. She was eager to get the full picture and get the story of those ragged eyes and enthusiastic smile. The contrast didn’t sit well with her.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniVIL39Yqd
“Um?” he hesitated. Sam briefly noticed his hand shaking as he hid it in his pocket. “Depends, if I decide to leave work or not. I’m a workaholic, and perhaps that depends completely on the rest of the information I know you are inclined to give me.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKwwQ5rBWo
“We have a Bible Study that we go to on Tuesdays. It starts at seven at Park Street. This next week is tasty Tuesdays so there are snacks before,” Samantha continued, linking arms with Michael.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfjMv420KQ
“I think Sarah is making baclava,” Michael said, sipping his who knows-what-it-tastes like drink.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKhLGxLEO9
“Oh, yes, that’s a splendid idea.” Jennifer butted in again, clapping her hands together. “Seriously, Ted, you must come. It’s much less of a commitment than going canoeing with us in July. Especially if you’re new to Boston. It might be nice to have some kind of community that doesn’t include drowning yourself in work.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ZAH0FTDf
“I’m not going to lie; I do like working,” Ted explained, sipping more of his wine. “But with everything else that is going on in the world, I likely won’t be able to find anything worth buying in those oversea markets anymore. What’s one day going to hurt? Where is it?”
"Yes. But its tasty Tuesday so you don't have to show up right at seven. You can show up a little after,” Samantha answered, suddenly conscientious about how much she’d been speaking. “It is the best time for it a newcomer. We’d love to see you there, but no pressure.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7qucatjt9
“I’ll be there,” he drank the rest of his wine and grabbed his tab. “I’ll see you Tuesday.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF19kbRVU88
Samantha smiled as he left, and she felt a weight being lifted off her chest. I’m still not Brian. Brian could have gotten him to go out for the Fourth for sure.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSxitqOUnI
“So, how did you meet him?” Michael asked.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBT0CMOgrpo
“Spill it, Sam, spill it. Details girl!” Jennifer exclaimed. “I need details.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZhZIicwty
“I saw him twice on Saturday. First at the corner of the church, and then at the garden,” she answered.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGDCCD82jR
“Like when you swore the temperature dropped?” Michael inquired. He seemed a little more curious now.219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey2bEwyRoM
“Yes. He was there when the temperature dropped, and then again when the temperature dropped again in here. Didn’t you feel it?”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kDGMU2yXs
“Yes,” Michael admitted. “But that could have been anything. I wouldn’t worry about something so trivial as the temperature dropping, especially here in New England. The temperature and weather changes daily, besides, if it happened here, it was probably just the air conditioning,” he glanced at his watch. “And look at the time! It is time to be going.”219Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JkyMp39lR
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