So Different by Ruthie Robinson

thing that came to mind.
    “I work.”
    “Work where?”
    “Rehabilitation for the blind,” she said.
    “What do you do exactly?”
    “I’m an O&M instructor—occupation and mobility specialist.”
    “And what is that exactly?” he asked. This was turning into work, this trying to get her into his bed, to get her to talk to him. And why was he doing this again? It wasn’t supposed to be this hard.
    “I teach the visually impaired how to get around town.”
    “Oh,” he said again. He didn’t know what he thought she did for a living, but it hadn’t been that.
    “Yeah, again not what you expected,” she said, smiling.
    “Honestly? No. But don’t hold another assumption gone wrong against me. You’re not still angry about the victim misconception are you? I did apologize to you. You said yourself it was an honest mistake.”
    “I’m not angry, but it did—does—bother me that you were so quick to assume that I’d be the one with the boyfriend who beats her. And now the one that would fall into bed with you. So quick to assume that I didn’t have a job that you’d be impressed with, because you are impressed now.”
    “You want to impress me?” he said, laughing at the look she gave him. “I don’t recall asking you to fall into bed with me. But if you’re interested, I could be talked into it.”
    She gave him another look.
    “So does that mean you want me to leave you alone? That you aren’t interested in hanging out with me?”
    “Why are you here?”
    “You’re interesting. I’m interested.”
    “You have a newly ex fiancée. What exactly are you interested in?”
    “Hanging with you, seeing where it goes.”
    “ If it goes anywhere,” she said.
    “If it goes anywhere,” he replied, nodding and standing up with her. Most of her team members were making their way toward the exits, glancing back at them, but he didn’t think she had noticed.
    “So, do you want to go somewhere for a beer or grab a bite to eat?” he asked, holding the door open for her as she preceded him into the foyer. He followed her out, and held the outer door open as they walked out into the night. It was cool and quiet out here.
    “No, I’ve got to get home, but thanks for stopping by and for apologizing again,” she said, turning to walk to her car. He watched her as she reached a red Volkswagen, the old school kind. He didn’t think those were still around, and this one looked liked it was close to rolling over, wheels in the air. The back was covered with more bumper stickers than one person should have. His mother’s car came to mind, and he groaned. Walk away and don’t look back , he thought, but he stood and watched her throw her stuff into her car.
    I march to the beat of a different accordion . All who wander are not lost. Don’t believe everything you think . He read a few of her stickers and yes, he’d seen those before on his mother’s car. They even had that sticker, the one with all the symbols of the world’s religions spelling out the word Coexist . And of course there was the required Keep Austin Weird sticker .
    She waved before getting into her car, and then backed out and drove away, leaving him standing there looking at her rear lights as she faded into the night.
    Mariah glanced at him standing behind her. She could have been nicer, but she wasn’t feeling it. She was surprised to see him, that was for sure—hadn’t expected to see him again. She was still hurt by the way he’d assumed she was the domestic abuse victim and didn’t trust his interest.
    She felt a surge in pleasure that he’d put forth some effort. He must think she would be something special spread-eagled underneath him. Why else would he be here, working so hard to get her to go out with him? She knew she was nowhere near his ex. She’d heard the rumors of how blonde and beautiful his Jamie had been.
    What to do? And no definitive answer came to her mind, so she’d shelve it until the direction she