Sometimes

MONA : Are you sure? I really don’t want to do things last minute. I can type it now.

DAVIS : Just enjoy your time off Mona. We’re glad to have you. Maybe I’ll see what one of these interns can do.

Davis laughs hysterically while Mona puzzled, shrugs her brows trying to find a funny bone. After an 8 second silence.

MONA : Alrighty Davis, I’ll see you in two weeks.

Both lines disconnect.

Mona sits in her bath tub relieved, knowing she didn’t want to get out. This work break has been long awaited. Aside from grinding it hard as Sletcha, Mona has really been emotionally distraught. She now is one of those people who can say, oh yeah, I used to be cool with such and such.

Work has made Mona lose friends and even closeness with family members.

I personally think she just wants someone to pity her. But what do I know, I’m just the voice she chose to narrate the experience that gave way to her lifestyle change.

Sometimes.

Fresh out of the tub, Mona stares in the mirror. The mirror would think she’s searching for something but really her brain and heart are silent. Without drying she goes into her bedroom and turns on the tv. Mona blankly stares and the tv would agree with the mirror.

A sudden rush of emotion over takes her and she’s in fetal position crying. The tears won’t stop. Mona keeps trying to control herself. Her mind keeps judging how she feels and although no ones there, it feels like the world knows what’s happening right now. An hour into sobbing and the phone rings. Monas thinks, finally, something to stop this.

Missing where the phone was, she knocks it on the floor and the screen reads, Ex-Friend. Mona answers thinking this call was everything she’d hoped for and the tears would be done as soon as she said hello.

MONA : Heeeeeeeeellooooo?

Mona cries even more uncontrollable.

NIA : Mona?!? Is that you?

A little less unrestrained but now using a kid voice.

MONA : Yessssss, it’s me.

NIA : Uh, look hun, I left a coat over there. I felt it’d be childish if I sent a mutual friend so, maybe, I could come get it?

Back to the hysterics with an occasional hiccup and snort.

MONA : Yeaaaaaahh, that’s fine.

I have somewhere to go somewhere so I’ll leave the door unlocked.

Mona hangs up. Beyond embarrassed, she rushes to get dressed because if she knows Nia, she probably needs the coat now and will be there within the hour. Scrambling, Mona finally is dressed. She grabs her essential adult leaving the house items, grabs Nia’s coat out of the front coat closet and hangs it on the hat racks, grabs whatever feelings she didn’t cry out on that floor and walks out.

Mona has no idea where she’s going.

For a split second she thinks, I never leave without a destination. Before exiting the building she informs Peter of Nia’s visit. Peter informs Mona she looks a little sick and puffy. Mona rolls her eyes and gives Peter a note to give to Nia.

One foot forward and our girl is walking on sunshine. Well unbeknownst to her - her destination is sunshine. However, it’s 8:47pm, a tad dreary and wet, but the breeze is so crisp it feels like opportunity is in the air. Mona hails a cab and tells the driver to take her to, Massimo, her favorite Mediterranean restaurant.

Mona hasn’t been in a cab in 3 years nor eaten at Massimo in 11 months. Mona feels excited.

Mona arrives at Massimo.

CONSTANZA: Mona? Oh, my sweet, kiss kiss, Mona. Why have you not come in - in so long? Darling, you have missed out.

Constanza in understanding fashion nods to Mona’s full reply. Constanza is the type of woman every person needs in their life. It takes a while to get to know her but if you do, you’re treated like royalty. With the exception of her brother Amar.

MONA : Constanza, this past year and a half, I just. Work, friends, family. Wanted to venture to a new place. I felt like this would open new doors. Doors have been opened but not like I thought, ya know? I honestly have been so drained and even worse not so happy. I’ve missed you. I’ve missed the food. Truly. So please lay it on me.

CONSTANZA : You never have to worry. C’mon you know that. And you do look a little puffy in the eyes. Don’t worry I have something for that too, yeah? But tonight no dining in darling. We have a huge party tomorrow. You know how Dad is. But here, you order two things, plus I give you two dishes you never had before, okay?

NIA : OKAY! Give me my usual.

CONSTANZA : Easy peasy.

This time lapsing catching up between Constanza and Mona kind of has me hungry. So hungry I can smell what Dad is making. So hungry that once this story is finished, I'm getting Mediterranean.

Amar walks in from the kitchen with the food. Somehow, as usual, Constanza and Amar get into an argument and Mona gradually backs out with her food. The plates are heavy and the smells are permeating. She can’t wait to get home.

Mona thinks, maybe I shouldn’t go home. Park, Sunset Cliffs, or Marina, Mall.

At this point I wish she’d hurry up and pick something because the smell of her food is driving me crazy and I want to go get my own.

Finally, the rain picks for her. Startled by thunder, Mona jumps back underneath the Massimo awning. She feels this disappointment in her stomach then looks up at where she is. Mona puts her hood on then lightly jogs two blocks to Cafe Café.

Mildly panting Mona finds Cafe Café is closed due to Covid.

After expressing her frustration then staring at her reflection in the storefront door, she sees the library across the street is open. Logically, she makes sense of going in there, knowing that eating isn’t permitted. Once she’s fully convinced herself, she thinks of how she’s going to hide the smells. That brainstorming was hopeless. Fourteen minutes go by and she gathers some gall. Marching across the street as if the library owes her something, Mona is feeling a fierceness unbefore found.

No one is at the desk. Mona rushes to this quiet nook. People are staring at her like, how dare you come in here with those wonderful smells and not have enough for everyone.

Mona in her new mental fashion begins devouring the food unapologetically. Once the strong desire for flavor fades she remembers she has headphones in her coat. She grabs a few books and props up her phone to watch some show.

I think the show makes her more dull.

Her phone keeps slipping and she eventually gets tired of standing it so she goes around the library looking for some of those book end holders. She soon finds the library does not use those. Out of irritation she tells herself forget it and just get back to her food before someone finds it.

Mona turns the corner aggressively and bumps into Micah.

MICAH : Aw, i'm so sorry. I should of,

MONA : No, no! It’s fine, neither of us was , Uh

The two laugh in sync. Although interested they walk away.

Mona is back in her little nook. About 20 minutes into the show and food, Micah walks past. Mona doesn’t notice but he sees her. He walks backward and stares for a few seconds.

Mona notices and takes her headphones out.

MICAH : Is that? Massimo?

MONA : Are you? Following me? Because I kind of feel like no one should of found me here. I even like put on a Harry potter cloak. How did you see through it?

Micah, full of joy and intrigue laughs at Mona’s response. He sits down really tight next to Mona.

Mona slightly turns her head and the two share a strong eye contact. Mona realizes jazz has been playing on the library speakers.

Finally they come out of the eye contact.

MICAH : There’s this company called Bright Cellars. If you go to their site you can take this quiz where they pair you with the perfect wine based on likes. Now I know this is going to be like whaaaaaaat? But I have a bottle in my backpack with two cups, unused of course. I see you have enough food for like, half the library. I’m willing to bet you can't eat in here. But! But I’m willing to keep my lips sealed if we can share.

MONA : Are you black mailing me? You’re black mailing me, to drink with you, in public? I just want to be clear.

MICAH : I think I just did? I can neither confirm or deny.

Micah unzips his bag. Pulls out a wine reading Acquaforte - Barbera 2019 - Pavia IGT, Italy. The wine had notes of boysenberry, cherry, date, cinnamon etc. Micah pours wine into two styrofoam cups. Then he reaches across Mona and opens her other food containers.

MICAH : I will play you rock paper scissors for this one.

MONA : Or, how about we just split them all.

With his chin up, Micah nods yes.

MICAH : So is this going to be one of those stories where two people meet. Remember the night forever. Possibly wonder what-if forever. Then meet randomly only to realize they were actually a good couple.

MONA : Either you’re a helpless romantic, so so full of yourself, or you felt something when you saw me.

MICAH : Hmm! I see.

MONA : You see?

MICAH : There's no need to play the game with you.

MONA : Even if there were, why would you?

MICAH : Sometimes life gets boring.

MONA : I can second that. And third it and so on and so forth.

Mona’s phone vibrates. She picks it up and it’s Nia. Mona doesn’t want to speak now. Micah finds this as the perfect time to see if she’s single.

MICAH : What’re your thoughts on the wine?

MONA : It's good.

MICAH : Just good? Like good enough for a christmas gift? Good enough for a family dinner? Good enough for a binge watching session where you accidentally intentionally get drunk and have to start the show over? Or good enough like if I were shallow I’d sleep with this guy?

MONA : Wait? What?

MICAH : Or good enough like I have to tell my boyfriend about this?

MONA : Definitely single.

MICAH : Me too.

MONA : How's the single life?

MICAH: Void

MONA : Sounds like my work life.

MICAH : What do you do?

MONA : I don’t want to talk about it. But I work at Sletcha.

MICAH : That’s the third biggest building downtown right?

MONA : No comment.

MICAH : I believe women should be taken care of. Work is a man's thing.

MONA : In a perfect world. I’d agree.

MICAH : What’s a perfect world?

MONA : Where men and women know the physical, economic, emotional, and spiritual value of union ship.

MICAH: Oh

MONA : Oh? Here I was thinking you are deeper than that.

MICAH : Okay, I’ve been to Massimo billions of times. Never had this! What is this?

Micah stares at Mona while she twirls her fork. Once he realized he was getting no response he grabs his cup.

MICAH : Let's toast.

MONA : To what?

MICAH : To the first two people on earth to meet and within less than 1 hour agree on everything. I mean I think we should call Guinness.

Mona chuckles and touches his cup. When the cups touch, Micah locks his pinky into Monas.

MICAH : I haven’t kissed someone in 7 months.

Mona snatches her pink away. She sits up her phone and plugs in her headphones to continue her show. Micah stares at her then begins eating his food. When his taste buds and curiosity can take no more, he begins doing push-ups. That expires and he does a handstand while reading a book. The feeling boils over. Micah gently takes one headphone out of Mona’s ear.

MICAH : I didn’t mean to offend you. I do feel something and I’d like to know what it is.

MONA : Me too.

The moment by Kenny G begins playing.

Micah knows this song but Mona doesn't.

I think the song is ridiculously corny for this moment but I don't argue with God. A lot.

Squatting on her left side he puts his right hand on her left shoulder. Then he moves her food from her lap. With his left hand he holds her chin. Mona moves in then Micah.

A pause before the rapture. The two of them come together at the same time to meet in the middle. Sharing a kiss that would lift any negative energy. They pull away, then, come back for another.

POLICEMAN : Uh hum, excuse me.

Micah and Mona lookup.

POLICEWOMAN : We need you both to come with us.

MICAH : Is there something wrong officers?

Mona knows any type of public indecency could cost her at work.

POLICEWOMAN : We don’t want to make a scene. This isn’t a big deal, just pick up all of your items and follow us.

POLICEMAN : We are going to need you to put your hands behind your back.

MONA : Wait what? You said follow you out. You didn’t say we are being arrested. What’re we getting detained for?

MICAH : Don’t worry. Lets just do what they say.

MONA : NO!

MICAH/POLICEMAN/POLICEWOMAN : No?

Mona starts grabbing all the food and whatever else is hers.

In her mind she’s finding the best moment to run off but then she thinks of the consequences.

MONA : We have a right to know what this is about. You can’t just force your authority on innocent people.

Mona snatches her pink away. She sits up her phone and plugs in her headphones to continue her show. Micah stares at her then begins eating his food. When his taste buds and curiosity can take no more, he begins doing push-ups. That expires and he does a handstand while reading a book. The feeling boils over. Micah gently takes one headphone out of Mona’s ear.

POLICEMAN : We got a call two people were having sex back here. We get here to see two fully clothed people, fine. Maybe someone made a mistake. But you have open alcohol. Now we can go to the station and make this a whole thing. Or you can pack it up, not come back for at least a month, and go home.

MONA : Got it! We’re out of here.

Mona walks past both officers while Micah sits confused.

Mona makes it outside. The rain has stopped and the night sky has streaks of light blue and purple. She finds her moment of awe interrupted by Micah’s touch.

Micah grabs one of the food bags.

MONA : Sometimes, things are just over. They just happen and you think about how they could have happened better. I can’t be one of those people who live on maybe, what-if, sometimes, feelings. I’m the type of person that needs a consistent thing. I don’t want to guess or worry.

MICAH : I’d never do that. Back there you just left me. I mean you just walked out like everything wasn’t something. Like I made the cops come.

Mona scratches her head.

MONA: What do you want?

MICAH : I want to keep getting to know you tonight. If you’re free tomorrow I want to meet again. And again and again. I

MONA: You don't believe in love. And you’re using me to find hope.

MICAH : Maybe you’re right. But you don’t believe either. Why can’t we just enjoy the rest of the night.

MONA : Because I’m done with void.

MICAH : Sometimes you have to meet people where you found them.

Mona walks away. Micah leans forward as if he was going to chase her.

His feet wouldn’t let him move.

Mona arrives at her building. Peter stops her to give a note left by Nia.

When Mona gets inside she reads the note.

Mona read it in her head but I’m going to read it aloud because it's essential to what happens.

Hey Mona! Life is strange.

More strange than the strangest thing we can think of.

Yesterday I felt you were the worst person on the planet.

When I stepped foot in your apartment to get my coat, I felt a genuine love.

So many memories of us being, real people to each other.

Unafraid and sometimes inhibited.

Where did all that go?

It’s strange because I don’t remember either of us doing it.

It just happened. Anyway I’m wishing you well.

Maybe we just don’t need to be as close right now.

That can’t be a bad thing when two people's hearts are pure.

Regardless, I'm here and open to try.

I’m open to being the closest people on the planet again.

I feel like Guinness should give us an award for something.

Lol, Love Nia

Mona went back to her crying station. But it seemed she was all cried out. While sitting on the floor she saw a disc underneath her tv stand. It was the movie, a movie I cannot say the name of. It’s a love story. Kind of corny but definitely action provoking. Mona puts the disk in. About 40 minutes in she falls asleep. The ending is what she really needed to see.

Now I’m one of those people that believe in dreams being advice or guidance when you can't make a conscious decision. Sue me but it is what it is.

When Mona woke up the next morning she was a new woman. She wanted to find Micah. She wanted to call her Mom, Dad, Sister, Cousin, and Nia. She wanted to go see Constanza. First of all, she had to go to Sletcha.

Mona turns on her radio and It Was a Good Day by ICE CUBE was playing. She bobs into the bathroom. Undressing and moving to the beat. In the shower she’s rapping the first verse. By the time the song ends she’s out the door.

I think she should quit Sletcha, she’s a genius and she could work in a solo practice. Even help people get jobs. Knowing Mona she’s just going to demand things that will give her - her piece of mind back.

As Mona makes her way into the front entrance, Micah see’s her.

Mid his conversation he walks away, to get to her.

A car almost hits him.

A homeless man stops him about something to eat. He steps in dog feces. Micah is starting to feel like he shouldn’t even try. With his hands on his hips, he mustards up some heroin and goes through the front entrance. When he gets inside, without looking he yells Mona's name.

Everyone is looking at him like he’s crazy.

Mona has already made it to her boss’s desk.

DAVIS : I’m sure there is something we can work out. Anything, you name it. You just can't tell the others.

MONA : Davis this has nothing to do with you. I just need to be human again you know. I forgot about life. Maybe if you will have me, I can re-apply. In 10 or 20 years.

Davis with his mouth agape and eyes batting, watches Mona go to her office and collect her belongings. Down at the entrance Davis is deciding if he should stay. He feels a little embarrassed so he talks himself out of waiting. He goes outside and hails a cab. Mona see’s him from her office window. She tries her darndest to open her window but it’s stuck. As her stomach is fluttering with butterflies she thinks this what you get when you only use the AC.

I kind of wish I were Mona right now. The story is building quite nicely. She actually sounds alive. Upon exiting she gives a farewell smile and returns parking pass. For some reason she wants to keep her badge though.

Outside Mona is thinking of Davis and although he was the first one on her mind this morning. Her logical self is saying everything must be done in importance. Job down, now to call her family. She goes to the media facility next door, picks a room, opens her laptop and does a zoom meeting with her loved ones. She cries, they cry. She apologizes and forgives, they apologize and forgive. She makes promises and they make promises. By the end they’ve made family Saturdays a tradition.

Now Mona has to call Nia. Nia actually lives a few minutes away so she writes a note. I won’t read it because it’s not important but it was heartfelt. Mona walks to Nia’s and drops it in her mailbox. Nia’s garage opens and she’s looking at Mona from her car rearview mirror. They both smile. Mona realizes her work box is pretty heavy so she leaves.

Finally, I can get to the end. I'm so ready to go get some mediteranean. I wish Bright Cellars was sold near me, I’d love to try them now too. Anywho, here we go.

Mona is back at her apartment. She puts the clothes she wore yesterday in the washer. She calls Massimo and orders everything she had yesterday. Although she feels so relieved with her choices, she’s still nervous and worried that maybe she’s not being level headed enough.

Still, she persisted.

She cleaned her whole apartment. Mona threw away old stuff, put things in a bag to donate, she rearranged her fungswae, deeply sanitized and did a little self care.

8:47pm rolled around. Fully dressed in her clothes from last night Mona walks out of her building.

Peter says some snide remark but he’s just being Peter.

Mona is making her way Massimo.

After Massimo she goes to Cafe Cafe and stares at the library's reflection.

Mona goes into the library.

There’s someone at the desk. Of course! C’mon just let the girl go.

She argues with the front desk woman. The conversation fades out. It’s hard to even care because standing behind her is Micah. He’s got on new clothes but he’s got that good old backpack.

Micah grabs her from behind.

MICAH : I haven’t kissed someone since last night.

Mona sits the food down.

MICAH : I didn’t mean to offend you. I do feel something and I’d like to know what it is.

MONA: Me too.

MICAH : Let's toast.

MONA : To what?

MICAH : To the first two people on earth to meet and fall in love in less than 24 hours.

Mona turns around and the two share a more passionate and fulfilling kiss than last night.

Mona leans over to the front desk lady and asks a question. She whispered so soft, even I couldn’t hear.

Mona took off whisking Micah through the library. Micah looks confused but happy.

They stopped at the nook.

MONA : We have 3 minutes to take a picture.

Micah pulls out his phone. He took about 15 pictures. Amidst their re-enactment and kissing and laughter. Micah stops and gives that stare.

MICAH: Sometimes you just have to meet people where you found them.

MONA : Yeah, Sometimes.

Now Mona uses Sometimes, every chance she gets. In her conversations but mostly in her thinking and seeing of opportunity. She's a better person.

Not to be rude but I'm glad this is over. If you're ever in Washington D.C. stop by Zaytinya, food is beyond amazing. I'm headed there now. One Love! or Rare love!