Incredible! thought Ava as she watched Carole King hop from the prow of the boat onto the cement embankment. Chris rushed out through a doorway and the two threw their arms around each other hugging long and hard then kissing each other on both cheeks. Chris held Carole back from himself to take a good look at her. Finally wrapping their arms around each other’s waist they walked into the Café side-by-side.

Ava sat there smiling warmly. Chris and Carole certainly looked  happy to see each other. Their body language spoke of two people who’d known each other a long time; were comfortable with each other. Ava sipped her glass of Chardonnay as she watched a small group of men unload musical equipment from the Taxi. What must it feel like, wondered Ava, to have a beloved friend who when laying eyes on him after a long absence filled you with such joy.

She wouldn’t know anything about that for Ava had been a loner all her life. Sure she was friendly with people, always had been, but something inside her had always resisted growing close to anyone. Ava suspected she had a problem with trust. Her trust had been betrayed so many times that the only person she felt she could really count on was herself. But that kept a person isolated in many respects. She was wondering more and more lately if safety was as important as she for so long had believed.

“Great you haven’t disappeared on me!” said Chris smiling at Ava as he followed her gaze down towards the boat where the men were hauling in the last of the musical equipment.

“Did you see Carole just now?” he asked.

Ava nodded. “You both looked so happy to see each other. It was wonderful to watch you together.”

“We’ve known each other for years. That’s why Carole agreed to stay an extra day to do this benefit. We’re raising money to restore the old Music Hall over on Lapham Street. Do you know it?” asked Chris.

Ava nodded. “Look you don’t have to sit here with me.” said Ava, “I should think you and Carole would want to be visiting with each other right now. I’ll be fine here on my own. Really.”

Chris studied  Ava closely trying to figure out this beautiful woman sitting across the table from him. Ave laughed nervously. “Really, I’m perfectly at ease sitting by myself. I do it all the time. It‘s a rare talent.” she said looking away towards the river. Chris remained seated. “After I gave  Kate a ride home last night, I rang Carole at her hotel. We talked a couple hours - we’re all caught up,” said Chris.

So, thought Ava, he didn’t go up to Kate’s condo last night. If Ava knew Kate, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. That would explain Kate’s mood this morning. Ava wondered if Kate was blaming her for not getting anywhere with Chris Graber last night.

They could hear the sound check going on down on the lower level. “It won’t be long now,” said Chris lounging back in his chair and gazing out at the river. “You know.” he said suddenly, “I would like the answer to my question. Were you trying to hand me off to Kate last night.”

Ava stared out at the water unable to look in Chris’ direction. “I broke a cardinal rule last night. Never allow a man to pick you up.” Ava blurted out.

Chris paused a moment to process what Ava had just said. Reaching across the table he took both of Ava’s hands in his own. “I wasn’t picking you up last night. I was recognizing a kindred spirit in you. You recognized it in me as well, I know you did,” said Chris softly. “Kate is, well…..interesting, but she’s not you. Do you understand what I‘m saying?”

Ava released her hands from Chris’ and took her sunglasses off. She willed herself to look directly into his face for the first time. She studied it’s broad planes. Ava knew from her photography classes that a camera lens loved a face like Chris’. He let her eyes roam over him, not nervous or embarrassed in the least by her direct gaze. Ava wasn’t exactly sure what it was but there was something of her own face in Chris’. She recognized a similar shadow of sadness just below the surface. Is this what Chris meant when he said he recognized a kindred spirit?

Chris’s friend appeared at the doorway. “Chris? She’s ready!” he called out.

Ava stood up and held her hand out. Chris rose and took Ava’s hand in his own. Lifting it to his lips he kissed the back of her hand. “Thank you,” he said.