Cleopatra
2/17/2023
***Disclaimer: This story was inspired by a prompt provided by Reedsy.com. Prompt is provided below. Visit their site https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/ to learn more.***
—
***I removed the song lyrics that were in the original, but I was also inspired by the Lumineers song “Cleopatra” when writing this story***
—
Prompt: You’re moments late to everything. You watch buses pull away as you run behind them, you miss the first 5 minutes of every movie, and you have never caught a green light. One day, you arrive on time.
—
Katherine hummed along to her favorite Lumineers song as she sat in traffic, late for work as always. She was so unusually punctual when it came to being late that it was almost comical. Her boss, her family and her friends all came to expect it no matter the occasion. After missing the bus so many times she lost count, it became a necessity for Katherine to have her own car. She never seemed to be able to catch a green light, and even missed the start of every movie she was invited to. Countless dates bailed on her because they would show up early and think she stood them up. But at this point she was used to it.
—
Karson was sprinting down the sidewalk towards the bus, screaming as it closed its doors and sped away.
“Wait! Stop!” he yelled, but the bus was already vanishing out of sight. Just his luck. Karson was never late, but for some reason his alarm didn’t go off that morning.
“Guess there’s a first time for everything,” Karson declared to no one in particular as he stared after the bus. Right as he came to terms with the fact that he’d have to walk ten whole blocks to the office in his corporate work attire - not to mention in the world’s least comfortable shoes - there came a horrendous downpour. He just stood there, tilting his head back to shout at the heavens. “Why me!?” he cried in despair.
Still staring at the sky as the rain poured down, he was startled by the sound of a car horn. An old, beat up red sedan pulled up to the curb, the passenger side window unrolling to reveal a young woman. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, a brunette in corporate office attire.
“Hey there,” the woman called to Karson, who was currently drowning on the sidewalk, dumbfounded by the beauty of this stranger that just appeared out of nowhere. “Do you need a ride? I’m heading downtown and I thought you could use a lift. It’s really coming down out there,” the woman acknowledged, looking out of the window towards the dark sky with a look of slight concern.
Karson didn’t realize he was gawking at her, mouth slightly agape in infatuation. For a moment he forgot he was standing in the middle of a rainstorm.
“I uh…yes,” he snapped out of his daydream, shaking his head as he made his way to the passenger side door of her car. “Yes, please, that’d be fantastic. Thank you.” He hopped in, shutting the door quickly, as if it mattered if he let in a few more drops of rain when he just got into the passenger seat completely soaked. “I really appreciate this. I’m Karson,” he held his hand out to the gorgeous mystery girl.
“Katherine,” she replied, reaching for his wet hand and giving it a firm quick shake. “So where are you headed?” she asked as she put her blinker on and slowly merged back into morning traffic.
“I work at a corporate building on Seventh Street,” he informed her.
“What a coincidence, so do I,” she said, a hint of pleasant surprise in her voice. “Well, I can finally say that my knack for being late worked out for someone; if I had been on time I wouldn’t have found you when I did,” she laughed to herself as if she knew something he didn’t.
“Really, thanks again. I owe you one,” he said in response.
“No problem at all,” she replied with a warm smile.
As Katherine turned onto Seventh Street, Karson gestured toward a vacant parking spot on the curb.
“You can just drop me off here. It looks like the rain has let up.”
“Oh okay, if you’re sure,” she said politely as she pulled the car over and put it in park.
“Yes, you’ve done plenty for me already,” Karson replied, hoping she heard the gratitude in his voice as he got out of the car.
“Well, I guess this is where we go our separate ways then,” Katherine said as Karson bent down to look at her before shutting the door.
“I guess so.” Karson lingered a moment longer, admiring the beautiful stranger that saved him from walking a mile in the rain. “Thanks again.” He smiled as he shut the door, patting the roof of the car before Katherine drove away. He stood there for a long moment, waving and watching her go in a daze, until he suddenly remembered he was very late to work. Karson sprinted to the office in a panic, already rehearsing the words he would tell his boss to explain his unusual lateness to work.
—
Just one block down the street from where she dropped Karson off, Katherine parked and took her time walking up to her office, as she always did. She was lost in thought, thinking about Karson. He was a handsome man: tall with dark hair and almond brown eyes. His corporate attire was expertly tailored, and Katherine thought he seemed like a very nice man. Upon first impression, it was clear that Karson wasn’t used to having bad mornings and running behind. Katherine laughed lightly, smiling to herself as she walked into the building.
—
Home sweet home, Karson thought to himself as he unlocked the door to his apartment and dragged his feet across the threshold. 220 Maple Lane, Apartment 4. After a quick dinner he went straight to bed. He turned on the classic movie channel and settled in under the covers. As he laid there, he thought about his chance meeting with Katherine.
“What a day,” Karson said as he smiled. He fell asleep thinking of the girl in the old, beat up red sedan.
—
Katherine got home from work, late as usual. 220 Maple Lane, Apartment 5.
“What a day,” she sighed dreamily as she kicked off her shoes and tossed her purse and keys on the counter. She poured a glass of wine and took a long bubble bath before climbing into her warm bed. She thought of Karson and their unexpected meeting that morning. She smiled to herself as she turned out the light, closing her eyes and drifting off with Karson on her mind.
—
Karson was out the door at 7:20 a.m. sharp the next day; he wasn’t going to miss the 7:30 bus today. He always made time to stop at the local coffee shop on his way to work, just a block from his office building. He didn’t get the chance yesterday, but he ended up stumbling upon something even better than coffee. He smiled to himself as he remembered the day before, watching the passing cars on the street as he rode the bus, hoping he would see an old, beat up red sedan.
—
Katherine was preparing to leave her apartment the next morning and the time on the microwave made her do a double take. 7:40 a.m. That was new. It wasn’t usually that early when she managed to get out the door on a work day. Not giving it much thought, she headed out the door. She usually stopped to get coffee on her way to work, acknowledging that she missed out on her regular morning latte the day before. As she remembered Karson and thought about how nice the chance encounter was, she suddenly stopped thinking about coffee, deciding that meeting Karson was well worth the detour.
—
As Karson was standing to leave the coffee shop, he looked out the storefront window and he did a double take. There was a red car parked out front on the curb. He couldn’t believe it. It was her. As he walked out of the coffee shop, Katherine was walking around her car towards the entrance, head down as she put her keys in her purse. When she looked up and saw Karson, her face lit up, and she smiled and waved. He returned the greeting and awaited her approach.
“Wow, fancy meeting you again, and at one of my regular spots,” Katherine said in a light and friendly tone. “Are you following me?” she raised an eyebrow as she smirked.
“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Karson answered her with a quizzical look of his own, raising his eyebrow in a comical fashion.
“I just work two blocks down from here,” she told him matter of factly. “I’ll have you know that this is my daily route.”
Karson flashed a handsome smile as he said, “Really? Well I haven’t seen you here before. I definitely would’ve remembered.”
Katherine let out a sweet laugh, looking up at Karson as she said, “Well, you wouldn’t know this about me based on our first encounter, but I’m a natural at being late to just about everything. And based on how I found you yesterday cursing the gods in the rain, you aren’t typically the last one to the office,” she joked lightheartedly and added, “I guess we’ve just always missed each other before. Something got me out of the house earlier than usual this morning, and it surprised no one more than me. But here I am,” Katherine gave a casual shrug along with an endearing, slightly crooked grin.
“Well I don’t know how we’ve missed each other all this time, but I’m really glad I ran into you again,” Karson replied, realizing he was desperate to stall as long as possible to spend time talking to her. She was a sweet and kind soul, and Karson was so excited to see her again that he forgot what time it was. Glancing down at his watch, Karson sucked air through his teeth and grimaced.
“Oops, I’m running late to work again. Seems like you’re rubbing off on me,” Karson said playfully as he re-situated his laptop bag on his shoulder and looked down the street. “Well, it’s been a pleasure again, Katherine, but I guess I have to go.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” said Katherine, smiling. There seemed to be something in her facial expression, the slightest indication that she didn’t want him to go.
“Maybe I’ll see you around then,” Karson said as he slowly walked away, turning to look over his shoulder one last time as he headed off to work.
“See you around then,” Katherine said as he walked away. She watched him go before she ducked into the coffee shop.
—
Katherine rushed home after work to get changed. She had a date that evening. A coworker had asked her to a movie a couple weeks ago and she forgot it was tonight. As she hurried to get ready on time, she couldn’t help but think of Karson. She probably would never see him again, shrugging off the thought of him hastily as she ran a brush through her hair and applied the last bit of her makeup. Pushing the thought of Karson out of her mind, she grabbed her purse and sprinted out the front door to the car.
It was 7:15. Katherine was supposed to meet her date outside the theater at 7:00. Driving as fast as she dared, she arrived a little after 7:30. She stood out front where she and her date agreed to meet. But something told her he had already given up hope that she’d show. With a sigh, she leaned against the wall of the theater, tilting her head back so it thudded lightly against the brick behind her. She really couldn’t be on time to save her life, she thought. “What’s wrong with me?” she groaned aloud in despair.
—
Karson decided to catch a movie after work that night. He never minded going to the movies alone; he loved it when they had showings of classic films, and he always arrived early to get snacks and to watch the opening previews. As he prepared to cross the street, he saw a familiar face outside the theater.
“Katherine!” Karson yelled across the road, waving at her as he looked both ways and sprinted across the not so busy intersection.
Katherine’s head shot up when she heard her name, and as he came into view a smile spread across her face.
“Hey!” Katherine said in greeting. “Long time no see.” She continued to smile as Karson approached her, waiting for him to catch his breath after running across the road to meet her. “On a date?” she asked him nonchalantly, trying not to let her tone give away her feeling of eager curiosity as she awaited his response.
“Nah, just here alone. I come here a lot. What about you?” He could see that she looked dressed to impress, and he couldn’t help but feel a slight pang of jealousy as he pictured another lucky guy meeting her here.
“I think he gave up on me,” Katherine laughed nervously, grimacing like a scolded child.
“Aah, late again, huh?” Karson lightly jabbed at her, a glint of mischief in his eye.
“You got me. I told you, it’s an uncanny gift that I possess,” she shrugged, putting her hands up in mock-defeat.
“Well, I happen to be on my way in to see a movie now. I heard they were playing An Affair to Remember. It’s about a girl who didn’t show up on time,” he winked at her when he said this, before adding, “There’s still a half hour before it starts. What do you say? How would you like to be early for once?” He inquired, offering her his arm like a high-class gentleman from a classic film.
“Why not,” she smiled as she looped her arm in his and they walked into the theater.
—
Karson had seen An Affair to Remember a thousand times, but Katherine confessed she had never seen it before. They watched the movie in silence, stealing sideways glances at each other the whole time. Karson couldn’t help but notice how easy it was to be around Katherine; her warm and sweet nature was infectious. He couldn’t believe that he ran into her again. He was in a daze, admiring her as she became captivated by the film, in silent awe as she watched, unaware of Karson’s subtle stares. When the dramatic reveal played out on the screen at the end of the movie, Karson heard Katherine sniffling lightly next to him. When he looked at her, he could see that she was crying. Katherine turned to Karson, wiping a tear from her cheek as she smiled and laughed quietly. As the credits rolled and the lights came on, they sat there for a moment in silence before Katherine spoke.
“Wow,” was all she could say.
—
“So, what did you think?” Karson asked Katherine as they stood on the sidewalk chatting after the movie.
“Oh it was so wonderful! I can’t believe I’ve never seen it.” Katherine replied excitedly as she relayed all her favorite parts.
“And when he realizes why she didn’t show up…ugh it made me cry!” Katherine gripped her chest as she said this, sighing. “This is definitely going on my favorite classics of all time list.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Karson laughed as he said, “It’s one of my all time favorites. I fall asleep every night with the classic movie channel on and they show it all the time.” He smiled sheepishly as he confessed one of his guilty pleasures out loud. “I haven’t told anyone that,” Karson chuckled as he ran his hand through his hair.
“Well I think that’s nice,” Katherine smiled as she confessed that she usually got home too late to enjoy anything more than a hot bath and a glass of wine before barreling out the door the next day to go to work and do it all over again.
“You really do have a knack for being late, huh?” Karson joked as he and Katherine slowly walked down the sidewalk, taking their time as they conversed. Neither one of them was ready for the night to end.
“What can I say?” Katherine smiled. “It’s who I am.”
When they reached Katherine’s car, they stood there for a moment and talked and laughed a little longer.
“That was a lot of fun. Thanks for the impromptu invite.” Katherine said as she leaned against her car. “Where did you park?” She looked down the vacant street and noticed that hers was the only vehicle parked there.
“Oh, I don’t have a car,” Karson replied. “I took the bus here.” He glanced down at the time on his phone. “If I head to the bus stop now I’ll make it before the last bus of the night.”
“Okay, yeah of course. I don’t want you to miss your ride,” Katherine said, smiling as she averted her eyes. She seemed to be stalling, as if she didn’t want Karson to go.
“Well I guess I’ll be going then,” Karson said, hands in his pockets as he rocked back and forth on his feet. “I had a great time.” He smiled warmly at Katherine as he bid her farewell.
“Me too,” Katherine smiled back at Karson. “Thanks for a lovely night.”
Katherine put her hand on the door handle of her car, hesitating a moment before she stole another glance over her shoulder at Karson as he walked away. Without thinking, she blurted out after him.
“I mean, if you want I could give you a ride home? I’d hate for you to have to walk to the bus stop by yourself.”
“Really?” Karson perked up as he said this. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“No trouble at all,” Katherine beamed as she unlocked the car and gestured towards the passenger side. “There’s always room for one more.”
“Great,” Karson replied as he jogged back over to the car and got in.
—
“I live on Maple Lane,” Karson told her as they buckled up and headed out of downtown.
“Okay, now I know you’ve been following me,” Katherine said with an incredulous laugh, her mouth gaping open in disbelief as she turned to look at Karson. “I live on Maple Lane, too.”
“No kidding?” Karson seemed just as surprised as she did. “I’m at 220 Maple Lane, Apartment 4.”
Katherine braked at the red light a little too hard as Karson said this. What she said next Karson couldn’t believe.
“220 Maple Lane…Apartment 5,” she said slowly, realization hitting her as she said the words aloud. They turned and stared at each other for what felt like the longest time. The traffic light had turned green, but they were still idling there, sitting in shocked silence. Without thinking, Karson leaned in to kiss Katherine. And she kissed him back.
The sound of honking horns behind them made Katherine jump. She laughed nervously as she slowly started to drive forward, in a daze as she realized Karson had lived next door all this time without her knowledge. Karson seemed to be in a similar daze, the air around them full of electricity. Stealing a glance at him from the corner of her eye, Katherine could see that Karson was watching her, admiring her. She reached over and grabbed his hand, smiling tenderly, a vulnerability in her expression Karson hadn’t seen before. They rode together in blissful silence, on their way to 220 Maple Lane.
—
2 years later
It was another ordinary work day. Karson leaned in to give Katherine a kiss before he got out of the car.
“Don’t forget, date night tonight,” Karson said as he stepped onto the sidewalk.
“I won’t,” Katherine smiled up at him. “What time do I need to be ready again?” She asked him, an air of playfulness in her tone.
“Reservation is at 6:30 p.m. Sharp,” he emphasized the word “sharp” making a gesture as if he was tapping a watch on his wrist.
“Okay, okay. I won’t leave work late today. I promise.” Katherine laughed as she held out a pinky to seal the deal.
“It’s a date then,” Karson leaned in and locked his pinky with hers, lingering to admire Katherine a moment longer before he let her go. He couldn’t wait for tonight.
—
Katherine picked Karson up from work at 6:30. As he got into the car, she was already apologizing frantically, hoping he wouldn’t be upset that she was late.
“I’m so so so sorry,” she sputtered as she gave Karson a quick peck on the cheek. “I lost track of time.”
“That’s okay, that’s why I told you the reservation was at 6:30,” he smiled his devilish grin and proceeded to tell her the dinner reservations were actually for 7:00.
Katherine laughed and shook her head as she said, “I have to admit, that was a pretty smooth move. Well played.” He knew her all too well.
After running home to get changed, they were on their way to dinner at the new Brazilian steakhouse a few blocks away. They decided to walk; it was a beautiful evening.
“Let’s cut through the park,” Katherine suggested as they approached the entrance.
“I was going to suggest the same thing,” Karson said as he led her down the sidewalk to a vacant bench overlooking the lake. They sat down, and Katherine put her head on his shoulder as they took in the view. The sky was illuminated with the last light of the day. The Golden Hour was Katherine’s favorite.
“You know, I’ve been thinking about how we met,” Karson laid his head against hers as he spoke. “If I hadn’t missed that bus, who knows if we ever would have crossed paths. It was also because of your uncanny gift to show up late to everything that we chanced more than one unexpected encounter,” he paused, smiling to himself as he recalled memories long past. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, I’m so glad that I was late for once. And I just wanted to thank you for being exactly who you are. I’m beyond lucky to have found you, and ever since I did, I knew that I had to find some way to make sure you stayed in my life.” He kissed her head before adding, “Do you remember the song that you were playing in the car on the day we met?”
Katherine smiled as she said, “Of course.” She started singing the words softly.
As she trailed off, Karson said, “You may have been late and missed a lot of things over the course of your life, but I’m so glad that you were late that day. If you weren’t, I wouldn’t have known that you were the love of my life, and I never would have known that I couldn’t live without you. The song might hold a lot of truth, but I can make you this promise, right here, right now.”
Karson slowly lifted his head, slid off the bench onto one knee, and presented Katherine with a ring as he made her a vow. “I will be here from this day forward, and I promise you won’t die alone, whether it’s on time or not. If you’ll have me, I’m ready to spend the rest of my life by your side. I love you Katherine. Will you be my Cleopatra? Will you marry me?”
As tears filled her eyes, Katherine couldn’t help but think that for once in her life, she was so grateful that she was never on time.
THE END