Charlene felt him hit her, but she didn’t have time to react. She was able to stop herself from falling, but her folder was knocked out of her hands and on to the floor spreading papers all over the pavement.

“I’m so sorry.” The man who ran into her said. “Let me grab these.” The red headed man bent over and pick up all of her things. “I hope these weren’t in any special order.”

“No they weren’t, and thanks.” He handed them to her.

“Not a problem.” He said. “I knocked them out.” Charlene couldn’t help but smile as the man walked away. He was in a hurry as he walked off rather quickly. He was dressed for the New York City summer in shorts and a polo shirt, whereas Charlene in a skirt and blazer was not.

Realizing that she was standing in the middle of the busy sidewalk, she quickly smoothed out her ponytail, and tucked her folder under her arm and continued on her way.

---

“Hey!” Charlene heard someone say. She couldn’t see anyone she recognized the crowded subway car so she looked back down at her papers. “You’re the girl I bumped into this morning.” She looked up again. The time, the red headed man was standing on front of her.

“I am.” She answered. She went to look back down at her open folder.

“Is this seat taken?” He asked looking at the open spot next to her.

“All yours.” She replied without looking up.

“I’m Claude.” He held out his hand for her to shake. She realized looked up, again.

“Charlene.” She shook his hand. She didn’t really trust strangers. Especially not in New York City, but she did realize she was going to get no where with her work while this man was next to her. She closed her folder.

“So, Charlene, I’m sorry I ran into you this morning.”

“Its fine.” She said. “My work papers were okay, so everything is good.”

“I’m glad.” He said. “What do you do with all those important papers?”

“I work in a firm that manages and sells surgical equipment.”

“Sounds boring.” He said.

“It pays well.” She replied. “What do do?”

“I’m Canadian.”

“Thats not what I asked.” She said

“I was giving background.” He replied. “I thought it would be obvious from the clue but guess not.” Charlene raised her eyebrow. “I play hockey.”

“Like professionally?”

“Yes.” He said. “Philadelphia Flyers.”

“Then why are you here?” She asked.

“It’s summer.” He started. “I’ve already been home, like any usual summer, and I’m always in Philadelphia. So I choose a new place.” Charlene shrugged.

“Cool.”

“Yes it is very cool here.” He said. “I’m enjoying myself.”

“How could you not?” She asked.

“I mean, I’m a bit of country boy, but here’s nice too.” He answered. She looked down at her shoes.

“I left the country to live here too.” She said. “There’s more here.” Claude smiled.

“Well, here’s my stop.” He said. “But I’d love to talk to you more.” He slid Charlene’s pen out of her hand and scratched his phone number onto the first paper in her folder. She rolled her eyes.

“I’m going to have to print this page out again!” She called after him. He turned around to grin at her, then shrugged and walked off the train.

Notes