Free First Class to New York by AJ Harmon

something. Beth’s image appeared in
her head and Janie had a fleeting glimpse of the problem. Beth was every man’s
fantasy and Matt had been married to her. How could Janie ever think to compete
with that standard? Well, obviously I can’t!
    After walking around her room for the umpteenth time, Janie
decided she may as well just head out into the weather and head to the
Guggenheim, one of the must-see’s on her list, where she could stay dry.
Dressing in tan linen slacks and a light blue sweater, she headed off to take
her mind off the man who didn’t seem to want her.
    Janie had walked for what could have been 10 minutes or 2
hours, she wasn’t paying attention, when a sign in a window caught her eye;
‘Say it with muffins’. Janie stopped and looked at the display. There was a
basket with muffins and a bag of coffee beans; one with muffins and a cheese
assortment; and one with muffins and a thermos, that boasted being “spill-proof”.
Janie smiled as an idea formed.
    Twenty minutes later she was hailing a cab and giving the
driver the address her phone said housed MEL Holdings. They drove through all
kinds of insane traffic and Janie now understood why Matt had a driver. She
vowed never to complain about the congestion on the I-5 again!
    It was almost 45 minutes before the cab pulled up in front
of an extremely tall glass building that the driver assured her was the address
she had given him. She handed him an insane amount of money and walked towards
the building, a muffin basket in her arms. Making her way inside, Janie looked
around, trying to find a clue as to where she would find Matt’s office. She didn’t
want to see him, just drop off the gift and a card and be on her way. Realizing
she would have to go to the security desk to get the needed information, she
began crossing the marble floor.
    “Janie?”
    She turned in the direction of the voice and heard her name
again. “Janie!” She turned her head to the left and was met by Maureen Lathem.
    “What a wonderful surprise seeing you here!” Maureen was
smiling and pulling Janie into a hug.
    “Hi!” smiled Janie. “I was just dropping this basket off for
Matt, as a thank you for the other night.”
    Maureen’s eyebrows raised high and she mouthed an O.
    “Oh,” Janie blushed. “For taking me to the dinner. On
Sunday. Where I met you and Mr. Lathem.” Janie was rambling and Maureen chuckled.
    “Let me take you up to his office. I was here to see one of
my other sons, Mark, but I am always happy to stop by and surprise Matthew.”
    “Oh no!” exclaimed Janie. “I can’t go, I mean I can’t
interrupt him. I just wanted to leave this for him.”
    “Of course we can interrupt him! I’m his mother!”
    “No, no. I uh, don’t have time. I was um, on my way, to um,
and appointment, so I can’t stay.” Janie tripped over her tongue, desperately
trying to avoid seeing him.
    “Well, dear, if that’s the case, I’ll take it up and deliver
it for you. I wouldn’t want you to be late for your, er, appointment .”
Maureen held out her arms for the basket and Janie handed it to her, the card
perched on top.
    “Thank you very much. Well, I have to be going. Thanks
again.” And Janie turned and all but sprinted across the lobby to the door and
out into the wet air.
    *****
    Matt was on the phone as his door whipped open and his
mother flew in. She marched directly to stand in front of his desk and all but
slammed a wicker basket down on the folder he had open. The cellophane made a
loud crinkling noise and Matt mumbled an apology to the person on the other end
of the phone and hung up.
    “Well hello mom. What brings you here with…muffins?” Matt
looked surprised.
    “What did you do to her?” Maureen’s voice was low and
controlled but Matt could tell she was livid.
    “What? Do to who?”
    “To whom,” corrected Maureen. “To Janie! How many other women
are there?”
    “What? Mom, what are you talking about?” Matt was