4:15 is a time I worry about every day. As the day draws to a close, and the conversation continues further than I’d like and deeper than it should go without a MD license. I always had to make time to be home by 4 a clock to make sure traffic didn’t cause an issue, and that I never gave in to the impulse of speeding, the last thing I need is a run in the police.

Molly had scheduled only four other appointments for the day, which all passed without much difficulty or delay. The last one, a Mexican American woman named Rosamaria smiled widely through her tears. She recited a Spanish chant, probably religious but I had no idea specifically if it came from any denomination or specifically what its significance was. Nevertheless, I maintained focus and smiled as she shook my hand, dabbed at the tears with a tissue and strode from my office.

I mulled over the conversation and considered what I knew and what I figured. Then I turned to a document, blank, sitting open on my computer.

This should make my book agent happy, flexing my fingers I began to write.

First timers always let their emotions run while. These days match makers are the last person you want to talk too about relationship issues, but when they’re not ready for a dating app or to try a hangout catering for single people. They always take a chance I’d like to think of it as a mode of self-discovery. That’s a good way to instill encouragement and confidence.

By 2:30pm, I had concluded basic opinions and I was ready to orchestrate the next step but after several phone calls, a lot of answer machines if not a rookie staff member for the theater, gallery or play I called to make some reservations for a new upcoming events. I dropped my phone onto the couch and rubbed the bridge of my noise as I turned and stared at the window. There wasn’t much to see that I hadn’t seen dozens of times before. Yet the city noises and the thousands of people trudging, skipping or pleasurably walking, in the right setting they were fascinating to watch.

Occasionally I headed out and walked the streets, I never wandered to far, especially into the dangerous parts of the city. Yet, from this height and unobstructed view, I liked to observe and explore what was happening right around me. As I stared out into the distance before visible thanks to the condo’s height. I winced and jumped as my clock read, 3:05. I needed to go.

I took my briefcase in hand, and with my suit coat draped over the case I hurried to the elevator and pressed the button. While there, I used the few seconds and put my coat on. With a ping the cart clicked into place and the doors opened. To my dismay, the cart wasn’t empty.

“Ah thank heavens,” a man stammered, he was breathing heavy, a second-hand tie dangled from his neck and his wavy blonde hair appeared unkept and a bit dirty.

“Hello,” was the only thing I managed to get out. Molly rushed to my side as the man stumbled into my lobby, straightened up with one hand propped against the wall.

“Sorry,” he wheezed. “I was at a bar four blocks away and I got stood up on an internet date. I’m really at my wits end, and I saw one of your ads on the internet. Since I was so close, I figured why not. I could really use your help. I’m desperate to find love.”

I glanced at my watch and bit my lip. “Well, I think we can make an appointment for some time later this week. I’ve got to step out right now and I’m under serious time restraint. This is my assistant Molly she can get you set up and-”

“Mr. Kincaid please,” he begged, “I don’t get where I went wrong. Can you give me a little hope?”

“Hope?” I repeated, “what’s your name?”

“Joseph Martin, I’m a lawyer.”

Not a good one, if I had to guess. “Mr. Martin, you probably sent your potential date mixed signals. You’re not dressed like a lawyer, rather a good-natured choir boy. If any of your profile pictures present you in that suit. I have no doubt you’d made your date wonder why on earth would you invite her to go to a bar, and on this street, most of them are low key cop and bully bars. They are not a place to take a woman for a romantic evening. I would find a better outfit and investigate better locations that would fit your budget, so you don’t come off as cheap or give the type of women you want to attract the wrong idea. Now I’ve got to go, if you’ll talk with Molly, she can set something up and I’ll see you then where we can have a longer conversation.”

I turn to Molly, “if you would.”

“Absolutely.”

With a sigh of relief and a nibble of regret that I didn’t charge him fifty bucks for the delay. I stepped into the elevator and headed to the buildings parking garage.