The Single Woman Files: Chance

It was a cold night in the city and the wind whispered through the streets. The cold bitter air provided no comfort to the evening commuter trying to get home. In a local deli Chance brought his favorite cup of hot coco. It was the only thing in this city besides his winter coat that kept him warm.

Chance exited the deli and found himself looking through his pocket for his iPod. He needed some musical company to get him to the subway a few blocks away. As he looked down searching for the perfect song he bumped into a woman and dropped his hot chocolate to the ground.

“I’m so sorry, miss. Did I get anything on you?” As the woman flipped her hair to show her face Chance was taken by her beauty. She had brown eyes, full lips, two small dimples, curly natural hair and brown skin. She responded “I’m okay, just watch where your going next time.” as she giggled. The laughter revealed a smile Chance was instantly drawn to.

He continued to apologize for bumping her while asking her name. “My name is Rachel.” “Nice to meet you Rachel and I am Chance. Are you heading to the Q train? “Yes” she replied. “The least I can do is walk you there.” Chance said.

Rachel and Chance hurried towards the subway to escape the cold. While waiting on the platform they talked about life and why they were in the city. Chance told her he was an architect who admired beautiful buildings and the history one design could make.

Rachel told him she was in marketing. She loved that her job allowed her to showcase the best parts of a product. The train finally arrived and they both took their seats. As the train swayed back and forth through the tunnels Chance kept Rachel’s attention by sharing a joke. As they laugh Rachel realized her stop was next.

As the train approached her stop she asked for Chance’s number. “Maybe we can get together sometime.” “Sure that would be cool” he said. Chance gave her his number as he watched her wait by the train doors.

As Rachel stood waiting for the doors to open, she quickly waved goodbye before exiting. He smiled and waved back then watched the doors close behind her. The train continued to travel fast through the dark tunnel and Chance was eager to get off and out of the nasty weather.

Chance’s train stop finally came and he walked home. As he walked into his apartment he kicked off his shoes, hung his hat, and coat. As he emptied his coat pocket he checked his cellphone only to find a text message from his ex-girlfriend Kim.

“I was just wondering how you were and I miss you. Call me ♥”

He read the text and then deleted it. Chance couldn’t believe she had the nerve to reach out after she had cheated on him months ago with her work colleague. Kim was not what he needed and Chance knew that. He cut all communication with her after the cheating incident. Chance’s trust issues would not allow him to go back to her although he still loved her.

After discarding the text Chance grew hungry. He then called the local Chinese food restaurant for dinner. While waiting he showered, changed, and turned on the television. The program became background noise as he started to think about Rachel. Rachel was beautiful, smart, and had a great sense of humor.

He checked the time to see if it was too late to reach out. Realizing that it was only 8pm he sent a friendly text.

Hey Rachel what are you up to?

After a few moments she replied

Bored, cold, and ordering my dinner. What about you?

Chance laughed to himself knowing they were doing similar things.

Are you ordering Chinese? 

Rachel Replied

How do you know? Are you stalking me? lol 

Chance’s text response was interrupted by a phone call from her. “Hey Rachel, What’s up?” he answered. “I got lazy and didn’t feel like texting any longer.” she laughed. “Well are you stalking me Chance?” “Do you want me to stalk you?” he laughed. “Umm no.” Rachel replied with laughter. “Your real cool Rachel” said Chance. “Your pretty dope as well” she replied playfully.

The conversation continued with laughter and exchanges of similarities. Chance then laid in his bed while he listened attentively. He wanted to show her his interest by asking questions about her life, relationships, and goals. Allowing every word to sink in. By this time the night had turned into early morning and Rachel became tired.

“Wow it’s 4am, I should call it night” Rachel said. “Yea I should get to bed too. I will call you sometime today” Chance replied. “Yea that sounds perfect. Goodbye Chance.” “Good morning and Goodnight Rachel.”

Chance hung up the phone feeling great. He felt something real was happening between them and couldn’t wait to see it further. He didn’t want to get too excited due to his experience with Kim. He was still bruised from that relationship and knew he needed to take it slow. He then threw the blanket aross his body and thought of Rachel until he fell into a deep sleep.

Chance woke up later in the day feeling well rested. He couldn’t believe he could connect with someone after just one conversation. He was anxious to speak with her again but he didn’t want to seem desperate with the usual “good morning” text. He wanted to play it cool. He took a mental note to call her once he finished working out. Chance showered and got dressed. He then walked out of the door in route to the gym. As he walked, the bitterness of the cold was the last thing on his mind. His thoughts of Rachel’s sweet voice kept him warm. Approaching the gym door he heard “Chance!” from the distance.

He then turned around only to see his ex-girlfriend. “What’s up Kim” Chance said. “You get my text?” She replied moving closer into Chance’s space. “What do you want Kim?” he answered. “Chance I am sorry for everything.” Kim caresses his chest while looking deeply into his eyes. “Why can’t we try to work this out.”

She then reached out to hug Chance. “You don’t love me anymore?” Kim asked. As Chance paused Kim took the opportunity to kiss him. Her lips pressed against his and he was instantly disgusted. He broke free and walked through the gym door leaving Kim without words.

Chance was pissed by Kim overstepping her boundaries yet he knew he still loved her. He couldn’t stand the fact he felt anything for her. He then quickly reminded himself of her disloyalty and moved on. He knew that a good workout would relieve him of his frustration.

After a very intense workout, Chance collects his things and leaves the Gym.  On his way home he pulls out his phone to text Rachel;

“Good afternoon Rachel, I enjoyed our conversation last night; give me a call when you can.”

He returns the phone to his pocket, and walks into his building.  Entering his apartment, he turns the TV to ESPN to catch the basketball game and jumps in the shower.  Now clean he puts on sweats and a tank top and plants himself on the couch with a beer.  Chance is alerted by the door bell; he gets up from the couch, and answers the door.

When he opened the door he realized it was his good friend Ivan with more beers.  “Whats up man?!” Chance greets his friend with a handshake. “Glad you’re in”, Ivan said as he walked into the apartment and shut the door.  They sit on the couch and continue to watch the game.  “Hey bro, you’ll never believe who just called me” Ivan said. “Who” Chance replied.  “Kim!” he says as he jumps up.  “What the fuck is she calling you for?” said Chance.  “That bitch asked me to help her.”  “With what” replied Chance; “Get back with you” Ivan said shaking his head.  “She wasted her time” Chance told him.  “I already know” his friend replied.

As they continued to talk, Chance told Ivan about his encounter with Kim earlier that Day.  He mentioned her disrespectful kiss; Ivans face showed shock at her boldness.  “It’s all good, I’m talking to someone else anyway” said Chance “Who?!” replied Ivan. He then told him about Rachel, explaining that she was funny, smart and beautiful.  Ivan was happy to hear the news because Chance hadn’t dated in a while.  He congratulated his friend for moving on, and continued to watch the rest of the game.

The hours passed and Ivan finally left.  Feeling tired Chance called it a night and went to bed.

Sunday Morning arrived and Chance got dressed for Church.  He left the house early, because he needed to pick up his mother who lived nearby.  After retrieving his mom, they walked a few blocks to their Church.  Before service started, Chance checked his phone to see if there was a text from Rachel; as he glanced through the inbox, he found no new messages.  In his mind he created an excuse for her, ‘Maybe she’s busy.’  Not giving it another thought he enjoyed the Service.

After Church, Chance gathered his mother and walked with her to her home for Sunday dinner.  Fellowshiping with his family the time flew by.  His mother wrapped up a plate and sent him home.  Chance then placed the plate in the refridgerator and prepared for work the next day.  He showered, ironed his clothes and got into bed.  Before placing his phone on the charger, he checked his inbox one last time finding no new messages.  Upon his discovery, he placed the phone on the charger, turned off the lights and went to sleep.

The next few days went by and Chance heard nothing from Rachel.  In the middle of the week on the way to work, he stopped at his favorite deli for hot coco.  Exiting the store he saw Rachel.  “Hi” he said.  Her stance was indifferent she replied “Hi.” Chance was confused by her reaction, unable to understand what went wrong after such a great conversation.  “you okay?” he asked.  before she could answer, a man emerged from the deli and stood next to her. “Who’s your friend?” he asked Rachel.  This is Chance she said turning to her male companion, “We gotta run” said Rachel.  Chance stood there completely dumbfounded and unsure why she had not mentioned a boyfriend.  His thoughts immediately turned to Kim.  He wanted to tell the man, what he shared with Rachel, but it was too late.

After the uncomfortable encounter, Chance shrugged it off and proceeded to work.

A week flew by without any calls from Rachel;  He knew that she wasnt his girlfriend, but he needed to know what happened.  He couldn’t help but to dial the number he never erased.  The phone rang twice and he hung up.  ‘What if her boyfriend is there he thought to himself, what are you doing?’  As he grew frantic about his decision to call Rachel, his cell phone rang.  “Hello, did you just call me?”  It was Rachel.  “Yes, I did. I think we need to talk.” answered Chance.  As he stood there nervously, he did not know what to expect.  “Yes we do need to talk.” she replied.  He then asked to meet her at a coffee shop near where she exited the train that night.  She told him to meet her in an hour and they hung up.

Chance left his apartment for the coffee shop and arrived early.  After about 15 minutes Rachel walked through the door.  Chance lifted his hand to signal that he was near the back.  As she walked towards him, he was still taken in by how beautiful she was.  Taking a seat they began to talk.  Chance explained that he had no right to ask her who she was dating, but he couldn’t help but to wonder who the man at the Deli was.

As he asked her to confirm her relationship status with the stranger from the Deli, he noticed her facial expression grew angry “You got a damn nerve Chance!” she said.  Not understanding her frustration he became confused “Why are you so angry?” he asked. Rachel looked away and said sharply “Why don’t you tell me who you were at the Gym with?” Chance begins to search his mind for answers, but then remembers Kim.  He explained to her, that Kim was an ex-girlfriend who cheated on him, and advised her  of Kim’s unwanted advances.  Rachel explained how she saw the kiss, and it appeared to be much more than he let on.  “I’m not in love with her.” said Chance.

She rolled her eyes in disbelief while folding her arms.  “I came here for you to tell me the truth, and you chose to lie”  He became lost for words when he knew deep down he cared for her.  Rachel started to collect her things and before she got up from her chair, she revealed “That man, from the deli, was my brother.”  Rachel took one last look at Chance, and walked away.  Chance finished the Hot Coco and walked out of the shop.  As he walked in the cold, the same chill that he felt upon his face was now across his heart.  He knew that he could never be open again.

Moral: Don’t allow other people, or insecurities to stop you from finding Love.  Allow the truth to surface without making your own assumptions.