First Impressions

The bickering from the couple at the neighboring table didn't help her anxiety level. She wasn't usually the type to get sweaty palms, but today was different. She lifted her hand to reach for her coffee and the moist outline of her fingers were still visible on the diner table. Hardly a quality you would see in an attorney, but then again, this was a personal, not the courtroom.

She was brilliant in the court room. Her record needed no explanation. In her 8 years as a criminal defense attorney, there had only been two guilty verdicts. The rest either never made it to trial thanks to her persuasive tactics, or the plea agreements allowed her clients to go home. She was one of the best in Atlanta and she knew it.

But here she was sitting in the booth waiting for him to walk in. She wondered if she would recognize him right away. The few exchanged emails and what would be generously called an older photo, was all she had to give her an idea of his current looks.

Her mind wondered in and out, her thoughts spinning. Would he like her? What kind of things would he want to talk about? She hadn't felt nerves like this since she was 15 years old. Those first date jitters you get when you can only focus on your hair being perfect. But she wasn't 15 anymore and this wasn't a date.

The clanging as the waitress stacked dishes into the sink behind the counter brought her mind back to the diner. The sun was almost down. He was late. Was he not coming? Why can't she control her nerves? Its not like they remember each other.

The bell from the door clicked instead of the usual chime. It probably needed replacing long ago, but in a busy diner, who cares? She saw his broad shoulders first. He had started his browse to the right of the room. She wanted to call out, but she needed to know. Would he know her when he saw her?

He spun enough to meet her eyes. He grinned and walked in her direction. She tried to stand but her legs wouldn't allow it. She wiped her hand on her trouser and stretched it out. As they shook hands very formally, he sat across from her. He tried to smile again, but the nerves overwhelmed him and all he could do was stare. She had flecks of purple in her eyes. A very familiar sight he had seen every time he looked in the mirror.

"Nice to meet you Dad"