*shrugs* I Don't Know

 

When I left my apartment building, I didn’t think I would be followed, but I was. A face I vaguely remembered from sometime in my past, followed, but I didn’t pay any attention. I just thought he was heading in the same general direction, like most of the people on the sidewalk with me. My pursuer looked like the stereotypical stalker guy from any movie you can think of. Dark hoodie pulled over his eyes, dark pants, and shifty eyes. Well, the shifty eyes part might be a lie since I couldn’t see them, but it seemed like the sort of thing he would’ve had. Anyway, I walked to a local coffee shop, as per morning ritual, and ordered myself a bagel and a chai latte, then I sat down at a little corner table away from the window. He apparently ordered a very strong black coffee because the cashier thought he was crazy, rambling on about sugar and cream and yumminess, or whatever. Not wanting to draw attention to himself, the guy following me threw a 20 on the counter and walked away. Away meaning toward me. That was when I realized that I had never seen him at the coffee shop before. He sat down across from me and looked at me, expecting me to know who he was. “Uh,” I started. “You know, there are other tables you could sit at… You don’t have to sit with me… Mister.” He just stared at me but a hit of pain crossed his face as he realized I didn’t know him. He heavily sighed then spoke. “Look, I know you don’t recognize me, but I need you to think back to when you last saw me. Okay, Ella?” I coughed when he said my name. “How do you know my name? No, let me try that again. Who the hell are you?” He looked like he wanted to say something but stopped himself. The barista was calling his name. And mine. He quickly stood at retrieved both of our drinks and my bagel. Then he gently set them down on the table. “Please, just think. When did you last see me? What did I say my name was?” he pushed. “No. Not until you tell me how the hell you know my name. It’s freaking creepy that some random guy stalks me from my apartment to here and then sits-“ “You told me. You told me your name was Ella a long time ago. You called me a creep then, too.” He chuckled. “But then Toni came along and you left without saying anything.”