3,2,1

I’m stepping through the door
And I’m floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today
-David Bowie

Eric had this time coming to him. He'd taken extra shifts and worked the January holidays, as well. He was due some time off. So he was taking it, to see Syd. Of course, she wasn't there to find him at the airport. He hadn't told her he was coming. As it was she wasn't taking his phone calls. Just his luck she wouldn't be home. All this way for nothing. He was being pessimistic, yet bold. He'd had enough with the sobing and letting the cat fend for herself. He'd finally cleaned the place up, gave Cory the keys to the place to check up on the cat and well, he was here. Scared of the unknown, but ready to face it.

And there she was in the hallway. Of course, he blinked. Had he forgot what she looked like? That couldn't be Syd? Could it?

"What are you doing here, Eric?" Well, this person knew his name, but she didn't have make up, and she was wearing thick black rimmed glasses. And..and she had zits. She wasn't wearing anything becoming, either. All frumpy and a little sad. She had a basket of laundry with her.

"Uh, to see you, of course." He winced, thinking that was the worst line ever.

"I can't believe it." She kind of smiled.

"Why wouldn't you return my phone calls?" He stared at her.

"I'm sorry. Its just-"

A male voice called for her then, behind the door of her apartment.

Eric's eyes lit.

"Can we meet somewhere?" She quickly said. "There's this diner a block away from here. Clark's diner, can you wait for me there?"

"OK." He said quietly not wanting to start trouble. Eric turned quickly and walked out of the building to the place where she said to go. He didn't know what to think. She never mentioned anyone. What was going on? He wasn't sure what to imagine. Who was that guy? He hurried to the diner and found himself a booth at the back of the place to wait.

He downed the ice water the waitress gave him and ordered coffee.