Thomas went into the library ages ago, but I'm still in the parking lot. Just processing. 

I mean this stranger, who basically is still a stranger, found my note, asked me for coffee, found my joy list, and persuaded me into doing everything on the list together. He seems excited about it! It seems like this is something he is looking forward to. Look at a few minutes ago when he made me pinky-promise that I would show up tonight. Tonight we will be watching clouds in a park together! 

Of course, in some ways, I consider this to be a good development. Thomas and I can grow and find our own happiness as we go through the list together. We could even become friends!

Wait, is that what Thomas wants? What if he wants to be more than friends? I don't think I'm ready for that. I mean yes, it has been five years, and while there is a part of me that feels guilty about the idea of dating men after Jack, but Jennifer has reassured me that it is fine and that's a normal feeling. Being a widow and coming to terms with dating other people is a very personal thing, and it is not up to anyone except myself. Of course, this entire conversation began when Jennifer asked me if I was interested in getting a partner and if I have dated since Jack passed.

I say all of this because what if Thomas wants to date me? Even if I were ready, which I'm not, he's the one who said he had all those failed relationships. That's not to say that I think Thomas would be a horrible partner, but I don't think he's ready to date again. Also, what I can assume since he didn't tell me any of the details? Plus, it sounds like he feels guilty and responsible for why every relationship ended.

Okay, okay, let's just assume that we are both on the same page that we are just friends. Acquaintances? Pals? The more I think about it, the more odd this arrangement is.

On that note, it is time to go. I put the key in the ignition, turning it just right, hearing the engine roar. I start to drive by putting the gear into reverse as I twist my body looking for cars as I back up. Once safely done, I swivel around in my seat and adjust the gear into drive, and I am headed to "Dough Re Mi." I keep my thoughts on driving as I put on my turn signal and wait at the light.

In an attempt for my mind to do anything else than what it is doing right now, I focus my attention on everything surrounding me. At the light at the corner of the library, there is a pharmacy and antique stores flooding the street to my right. To my left are dozens of houses that are perfectly lined up, enjoying the proximity of the downtown.

The light turns green, and I turn right towards the bakery. The bakery is closer to my apartment than to the downtown area, but it's surrounded by new stores and restaurants that we believe will be a success. We, as in Sophie, Terry, and I.

I wonder about their thoughts for this grand opening. Are they excited, nervous, frustrated, everything at once? I hope I can alleviate any worries they have about opening because I really want to do a good job since they are good people, and they are giving me this opportunity even though I've never done work like this before. Of course, they will be there to help me, and there are plenty of resources that I can rely on and use for this to work too.

However, as Sophie already knows, I cannot help in the baking department. At least not as I am right now. Although Sophie told me she would gladly give me lessons and have me help at the store, I think she has enough on her plate at the moment.

I'm enjoying the drive to the bakery when I finally arrive and pull into the parking lot. I have started to park in a specific place there too, which if you want to know what being an adult is, it's having a parking spot for the places you go on a daily basis. Anyone who says differently, they're a liar.

I hop out of the car and run to the door, waiting to talk to Sophie and Terry. The door is locked since it hasn't officially opened yet, so I knock for a while until Terry comes to the door.

"Lucy! My oh my, it's good to see you! How have your days off been so far? Did you relax a lot, do anything fun?"

The past three days flash through my mind like it's a recap on a show, and I smile and tell Terry the truth.

"Yes, it's been fun. It's been good so far."

The smile on Terry's face could make a grown man cry, "I'm so glad to hear that, Lucy! Now, let's get Sophie, and we'll talk business!"

Terry guides me through the store to the back with the little managerial office, where Sophie has her red, polka-dot glasses on, reading through some documents. When she peaks up and sees me, she hurries over to me and gives me the warmest hug. She is quite small, but she certainly has a tight grip on me.

We talk and talk and talk about all of the decisions that need to be made about the official opening day, how should I ramp up social media for the grand opening, what kind of outreach do they want, who is the target audience we are trying to reach, and much more. We spend that time planning and preparing, where I have all of the official social media set up, we have a plan for when to share information, and we want tons of pictures of the products and the opening day.

The plan is to entice people into coming through free gifts and coupons to use in the future, where the official grand opening will be this Friday at noon. The hours will be different than that, but with opening on Friday, we can reach more people during what likely would be their lunch break. Plus, it should allow Sophie and Terry to ease into the weekend early on, especially when more and more people can come in.

Everything is in the works that as we are talking, soon enough, it is already past 6:00. 

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to cut us off like this, but I have plans at 6:30! Is it alright if I go?"

Sophie gives a 'mom' look like she can somehow read my mind that I'm going to be seeing a man later. I don't know how she'd react to hearing how a stranger I met at the library is meeting me at a park to watch clouds. Saying it like that only makes me think I'll get murdered.

Sophie and Terry shoo me along as I head out of the office and make my way to the front door as I shout my goodbyes. 

I rush out the door and to my car as I plug in the directions for Starling Park. Estimated time: 20 minutes. 6:38.

"Dough Re Mi" is in the complete opposite direction of Starling Park because it happens to be located right next to the library, where I think Thomas could walk there if he needs to. Now, I'm just thinking about why he took so long to pick a place for our meeting. I mean if it's right there, doesn't that just make sense?

I shake my head as I cruise through the main street, making way quickly and as safely as I can. I don't have a lead foot, but I certainly don't like being late. A certain gift I got from my mother. Also, we pinky-promised!

It's at this point that I accept my fate because it is rush hour for our little downtown suburbia. I follow the directions exactly as I am suddenly facing the park. I made it! I made it!

It's only... 6:40. Two minutes slower than expected. 10 minutes late. I look around at the cars surrounding me, and I try to peek around if I spot Thomas.

I cannot find him in any of the cars, and Thomas is not waiting around here for me.

It's only at this moment do I realize that we should have exchanged numbers before. I slap my head a few times as if to wake my brain into functioning as it should considering I should have paid attention to the time, but I should have also asked Thomas for his phone number, so we could have avoided this exact situation. I mean c'mon, what are the chances both of us were going to be late, but we can't even contact each other.

Another part of me is reminded that parks are usually bigger than just one parking lot as I suddenly realize Thomas could be at a totally different spot than where I am.