I heard Sheryl answer, “Sure ….” as I made my way to the rest rooms on the other end of the long hall of tables.

I stumbled into the bathroom and locked the door behind me. Again, I found myself staring into the mirror. “Get it together, Aerin. Whatever feeling you think you felt when you saw Harley, and when you touched her hand, is insanity, alright? In your 29 years, you’ve only felt that way twice, fine. First time was with Chris. And now with Harley. Okay, I won’t dispute that. But she is a fucking straight girl who will mess you up really well.”

I splashed water on my face, and yanked on the paper towels. As I dabbed on my face, I continued my self-coaching, “Plus, there’s this Jack person in her life that she clearly has something going on with. Besides, you have no idea if she’ll ever be attracted to another woman. Find a way to get the lawyer to deal with her because you will not make it if you’ll have to spend any more time with her, understand? On top of everything, you will need to square this with the memory of Chris.   Just remember that little eye-encounter you had and the hands touching, and how much you liked listening to the sound of her voice. Maybe Chris would understand. Of course she would. But remember that with all that alone, Harley’s managed to drive you into this bathroom, soul shaken, stomach flip-flopping, panties soaked. Yet you have no idea about how you’ve affected her.”

Which reminds me.

“Are you going to take longer in there?” I heard somebody ask after a series of gentle knocks on the door. And then I heard the cries of a young boy. Must be the mom who’d been in front of Harley in the cashier line.

“If you need to continue talking to someone, could you maybe do that outside of the bathroom?” the woman continued.

I felt chagrined.

“Just a couple more minutes, ok?” I called out.

I had affixed a toilet seat cover as she’d talked so I sat down to pee hurriedly, flushed, and then washed my hands.

“Sorry,” I said, flashing her a quick smile as I exited the bathroom. The mom shook her head, “No, I’m sorry about rushing you. The little guy had to go so …”