Jack. Jack. Jack. Anna needs a new prayer. She drove back to her apartment and gave herself a hot shower. Jack was the only man who had the privilege to surprise Anna in the shower. Anna’s handgun is loaded, safely resting next to her Benchmade knife in the customized compartment next to her body wash. Nobody tells you the level of risk you are getting yourself into when entering such a profession. And again, nobody discussed what life is all about with you before your arrival.
Jack experiences life with all of him. He touches and lets life touch him. Anna understands the importance of touch on a conceptual level and only knew what she needed until Jack grabbed her neck in the shower. It feels like how a mother lion carries her cub. He could snap her neck in a split second. Anna surrenders when Jack has his hands on her. They are warm and never hesitant to let Anna know where they want to go. Determined hands.
Anna picked up her phone and texted Micheal, “Dinner is off.” Anna knows that she is hurting. She wants a brain and a body that doesn’t know Jack. Jack’s weight on her, Jack’s grilled cheese, Jack eyeing her across the room in parties, Jack towering over her, Jack’s birthmark, Jack lifting her up in the middle of an argument. Life was tolerable before Jack. This man came and split Anna open. Now, this Anna hurts. And the old Anna is gone. If you look at Anna’s situation and you’d say “Just have kids! Why don’t you want to have kids? You obviously love each other. What’s this nonsense?”
Let’s go, Anna. Let’s get some food in you.
Anna walked into her kitchen naked. It looks like she needs to run to the grocery store. Anna has two quirks. One, she spends a ridiculous amount of time at the fruit section in the grocery store. She likes to touch and smell the fruits. It’s wonderful to watch her. Two, air dry. Toweling off isn’t a thing.
She is craving for nectarines. Anna has a steady love for fruits and didn’t grow up with any meat. The first time she tasted bacon, she had to have her stomach pumped. So, no meat. Anna quickly wrapped herself in a dress and walked to the grocery store around the corner. Summer night is her favorite. The sky is flirty.
Anna walked directly to the nectarines. The sweet smell and inviting plumpness put a smile on Anna’s face. “Dr. Wu! Dr. Wu!!” Anna looked up, nectarine in hand. Oh, shit. It is Belinda, John’s ex wife. Belinda is walking towards her with a man in her arms. Anna squeezed the nectarine tight and took a step away from the fruit pyramid. Come on, let’s do this.
“Hi, Dr. Wu! How have you been? It’s nice to see you. This is Adam. Adam, Dr. Wu is the one who taught me the trick you like. She is the best. Man, the transformation she’s helped me go through. I miss you, Doc. We were like BFFs.”
“You are welcome, Adam. Good to see you doing well Belinda. I am in a rush. Enjoy your evening.”Anna grabbed her bag of nectarines and rushed out of the grocery store. Thank God for nectarines.
Anna returned home and sat on the carpet. The space looked cold and empty without Jack. He takes up so much room. And his warmth is like the sun – undeniable. Anna still has Jack’s jersey in her drawer. She has put away the polar bear that Jack threw at her when they first met. Anna had no idea that a hungry stomach, an energy bar and a tall fit stranger would change her life so dramatically. Drama and Anna are archenemies.
Jack managed to find Anna’s contact information from the event venue. He sent Anna an email one week after their encounter. The email reads:
“Hi Anna Wu,
Or do you prefer Dr. Anna Wu? My name is Jack Cooper. I am a footballer. Last week, I got you an energy bar that might have saved your day, and a small polar bear. I am tall and you cut me off during my check-in. Do you remember me? How was your talk?
I’d like to take you out for dinner. What do you say?
Jack Cooper
”
When Anna got Jack’s email, she didn’t even give it a second thought and replied:
“ Hi Jack Cooper,
Thank you for letting me cut in front of you and thank you for the energy bar. I appreciate your kindness. It did save my day.
However, I am not interested in going on a dinner date. Work is taking up most of my energy. Dating a footballer would wreck the perfect imbalance I have set up.
How does low maintenance friendship with no benefits sound to you?
Anna
“
Anna was certain that she would not hear from this Jack Cooper again. And she was wrong.
