Free Invisible by Ginny L. Yttrup Page A

come here one afternoon before we open? We make a good cup of coffee.”
    â€œI’m sure you do. Coming there would be lovely as long as you wouldn’t rather get away from work.”
    â€œNo. I’m at home here and we won’t have to fight the tourists for a table over at Thanksgiving’s, which, besides Moody’s Coffee Bar, where you have to stand and drink your coffee, is one of the few options.”
    â€œPerfect. My schedule is wide open. What day works best for you?”
    We set a date and time and I hang up the phone. I glare at Rosa across the kitchen. “You meddling—” The phone rings again and I grab it. “Ellyn’s.”
    â€œEllyn? This is Miles Becker.”
    My heart shoots out of the gate again, only this time it seems it’s jumping hurdles.
    â€œOh . . . hi.” Brilliant Ellyn, you’re an astounding conversationalist. I get up from where I’m sitting and stretch the phone cord as far around the corner, toward the office, as it will go. Someday I have to join the twenty-first century and invest in a cordless phone for the café.
    â€œYou said to call—” He pauses and chuckles. “Actually, Rosa said to call you today about getting together for coffee. But when I thought through the conversation, I thought I’d better give you an out, rather then let Rosa accept for you.”
    He thought through the conversation? He’s giving me an out? I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out.
    â€œWhat I’m saying is that now’s your chance to tell me you don’t drink coffee.”
    â€œOh, um . . .” Wait, I know what to say! “I drink coffee. I do. But your invitation confused me. Would you mind telling me why you’d like to get together for coffee?” There. Well said. I wait for his response.
    And wait.
    â€œI’m sorry. Your question threw me.”
    Trying to come up with a good excuse to cover for the pyramid scheme?
    He chuckles again. “I guess I’m out of practice. And, to be honest, I’m somewhat confused myself.”
    â€œOut of practice? I don’t understand.” Why is he confused?
    He clears his throat. “Ellyn, it’s been more than thirty years since I’ve asked a woman out. I’m rusty, I guess.”
    He’s asking me out ?
    â€œI’d like to get to know you better. I’ve enjoyed our conversations through the years . . . and I’d like to spend some time with you. It may lead to an enjoyable friendship.”
    He just wants to be friends?
    As he talked, I turned myself in circles, for some reason, and now the phone cord is wrapped around my knees. Which, might be good, as I think it’s the only thing holding me upright.
    â€œEllyn? Are you still there?”
    â€œYes. Yes, I’m here. But, I’m . . . I’m sorry . . . I’m tangled—” I turn circles in the opposite direction and untwist the cord, and then step out of the last spiral. “I was tangled in the . . . cord.” I’m stalling. I’m the one who’s confused now.
    â€œI’m . . . I’m flattered.” I am? “But, what about Nerissa? I thought . . .” I don’t give him a chance to answer, I keep rambling. “Anyway, I don’t . . . date . . . I mean, not that you’re asking—”
    Rosa comes whirling around the corner mouthing something.
    â€œWhat . . . Dr. Becker, excuse me for just a moment.” I put my hand over the receiver. “Rosa, what ? I’m on the phone.”
    â€œIf you don’t say yes to dat man, then I quit.”
    â€œYou can’t quit, Rosa. Save the drama for someone else.”
    â€œOh, I can quit.” She unties the apron she’s wearing and pulls it over her head. “You jus’ watch!” Then she throws the apron at my feet.
    I jump back, more from her anger than her apron.
    She stands there, all 5' 2" of her, with her hands on