lunch with lee [dated to 12/15]

[puckandpie]

Though I haven't seen Lee since his first day, we've been exchanging text messages here and there fairly regularly for awhile. It started out at first just with questions, but it quickly turned into friendly, easy conversation. I still don't know him very well, but I know he's nice and he seems to be adjusting pretty well.

When he asks to meet up for lunch, I don't even have to think about it. I give him the address of the little sandwich shop that lies halfway between my apartment and adjust my morning schedule so I can make it to the rink and back with plenty of time to shower and change first.

Or it would've been had I not gotten a little carried away in trying to dream up a new routine that I'll absolutely never perform for anyone.

"Goodness, I'm so sorry I'm late," I tell him, half running the last half block when I spot him waiting just outside the door. It's not too cold out today, at least. "You haven't been waiting too long, have you? Did you get my text?"

Comments

[puckandpie]

"Oh my goodness, am I up to making an apple tart?" I say, laughing and shaking my head. "I will absolutely make a tart and bring cheese! Just text me what you want before I come over."

It's taking all my willpower not to bounce right out of my seat in excitement. I force myself to take a breath and calm down though and take anther taste of my soup. "Gosh. Anyway. Wine dates aside, is everything going well for you here? Forgive me for saying so, but you seem like you've adjusted pretty well so far."

[lee_fallon]

"Well, if you're not, that's just fine," Lee replies. He's not trying to stress his friend out, only trying to give him an opportunity to contribute. "You can bring whatever you want. Or nothing at all. Either way, I'll have your wine on hand and ready for tasting."

He smiles at Eric across the table from him, how kind and considerate he is, and lit up with excitement, as always. "I'm doing okay," he replies. "I'm good at moving around, so this doesn't bother me too much." It doesn't hurt that he's met some good people here, Eric definitely included. "This isn't a bad city, really. There are bars and I can run, a lot of nice people. I could do much worse."