Hello Stranger

by Katherine Center

“But you don’t have to.” “But I want to.” What part of I don’t need your help did this guy not understand? “I appreciate the gesture, sir,” I said then. “But I’m fine.” “Why are you calling me sir? We’re, like, the same age.” “Sir is not an age thing.” “It absolutely is. Sir is for old men. And butlers.” “Sir is also for strangers.” “But we’re not strangers.” “Gotta disagree with you there, sir.” “But I’m rescuing you,” he said, like that made us friends.

“Identify yourself, please,” I said into the roof. A rustling beside me as whoever it was sat down. “It’s your pal, Joe,” the voice said, closer and softer now. “Hi, Joe.”

I’m crying, I love this sm

“Sure I do. I said I would.” “Yes, but I’m giving you an out.” “I don’t need an out.” “You don’t know what I’m about to do to you.” “You can do whatever you want to me.”

Joe took a step closer. “Sadie,” he said, meeting my eyes, “the person you dumped … was me.” Hadn’t we been over this? “I’m telling you, I didn’t dump you!” “Sadie,” Joe said again, waiting this time until he had my full attention. “I am Dr. Oliver Addison.”

So I nodded mine, trying to help her get there. “The dashing veterinarian, whose face I couldn’t see … and the douchey guy in the building—” “Hey!” Joe protested. “Whose face I also couldn’t see…” I let Sue catch up. “Were the same guy?” she finished for me.