It was from Imogen that he learned

Jeannie Hammond

would need his help that afternoon. The tone within the texts although far from scathing couldn't be considered warm. The neutral, room-temperature tone made him expect the worst. What had Jeannie done this time?

After the ritual of scrolling up and down the list of his most recent conversations Ivan finally escaped the bed. One glance outside convinced him that it was chilly. So he put on a sweatshirt.

Along the way Mr. Moonlight was tending his immaculate garden. The bent over, bare, sweaty back, was rotund and tan: a sight that made sweat beads form on Ivan’s palms. He began taking his sweatshirt off, and while still enveloped within the humid cocoon of his yellow sweatshirt a jolly voice rang a bit too nearby.

“Why hello there, Mr. Babikov!”

After exiting the cocoon and emerging into summer afternoon, he immediately tucked down the T-Shirt, that had rose past the bellybutton to see that Mr. Moonlight had gone from being crouched over in his garden to crossing the street over to Ivan's side at unbelievable speed. Especially given his age.

“Looks like you’re figuring out the right idea," the shirtless Mr. Moonlight said. He beat his chest like a happy gorilla child. “It’s a beautiful day isn’t it, Mr. Babikov?”

Following a few exchanges of friendly remarks, mostly Ivan asking about the garden, Mr Moonlight offered some lemonade that he had freshly squeezed.

“I would like that, but I’m actually in the middle of an errand right now. A friend thing.”

“Oh." The remark was drawn out in the way older people do to signal commending support for something virtuous. “Well godspeed. On your way! And best wishes to your friend.”

At the cafe was a flurry of faces. Some discontentedly staring at laptops, one tunnel visioned into a paperback novel, others in fixed smiles and perpetual head nods. None of them Jeannie though. Ivan put on the sweatshirt again, glad that it wasn't moist from sweat.

"Hi, Ivan."

Her voice was neither warm or cold. Just like her text messages. However the sound of it in real life didn't cause him the same worry as did words through a screen. "I was just about to text you. She's gone."

Ivan looked around by instinct. Because of course he didn't doubt that Imogen was telling the truth. But he still felt like there was a chance that he might spot her if he took a look himself. Similar to when his roommate Georgie always swore that a certain item was missing from a cabinet only to be found when Ivan went over and looked.

"That's okay. I could use a drink anyway."

"The usual?"

"No. Give me something cool. It's hot out today."

Inside the car, against blowing AC, Ivan wished that he had gotten his regular House Roast black coffee after all. He had expected to be taking a long walk over to where Jeannie had most likely gone, but Imogen offered a ride instead.

Imogen asked how Ivan's script was going. A question she asked anytime the two found themselves within a timespan demanding more than just hellos and how are you's. Before he even thought of the actual answer to the question his words had already uttered, alright.

"That's good to hear."

"Yeah. I don't know. Actually I feel kind of stuck. But I do a little bit everyday anyways."

"That's the key isn't it? To work a little everyday no matter how you feel?"

Ivan nodded and didn't add anything knowing Imogen wouldn't pry. He instead told her that the

beet carrot smoothie

was delicious. He was glad to be able to tell the truth on some things.

"I'm surprised but delighted. I didn't take you for somebody who would like beets."

"I actually don't like them. In a smoothie though I guess I do."

When they arrived at the parking lot of

Kransz Mart

, Ivan suddenly felt like things were happening too quick.

"Well good luck."

"Thanks." Ivan lifted his smoothie to her and gave a smile with his crimson teeth.

"You can text me about it later you know. And I'll stay in the parking lot a while. You know just in case she's not here."

Ivan told her that he would text her once he found out whether Jeannie was in the grocery store or not. And also that he would text her about what happened next. He finished the rest of his smoothie just as he approached the automatic frontdoor. He threw away the plastic cup and took a deep breath before being enveloped by hit music from a decade earlier.

Imogen ==

Imogen Howe

Ivan ==

Ivan Babikov

 
Georgie == 

Georgie Wilcox