Interview with the Captain

Part One: Introduction

     Avery gazed pensively at the swirling steam rising from his freshly-made latte, brows furrowed with sympathy for his friend sitting across the booth. Tanya had her eyes focused on the table, trying to "hold it together." She'd told the waiter that she didn't feel much like eating or drinking, especially now, in her present predicament.

Avery lowered his head to look into her violet eyes, and spoke softly, "Hey, don't get so down on yourself. There are plenty of job opportunities here in Chiswick.

The glassy glaze of tears continued to increase and cloud her vision. Waiting a moment to keep from crying, she retorted, "That was my DREAM job, Ave."

So much like his father, the young man became excited in his occupation of cheering up his best friend. His head shook from left to right, rapidly, and he waved his arms and hands about. The dark, doe-eyes, lighting up in inspiration.

"SO? That doesn't mean it's the only job, or even DREAM JOB, for you! Just look at my dad!"

Tanya hadn't been to his house in ages.

"How is Bruce, by the way?"

"Great, actually, but one thing is pissing me off."

He took a sip of the drink, and suddenly the blonde was regretting not ordering one for herself. With the expectation of her friend concluding his report, she looked at him intently, or at least, tried to look intent, with all that was going on in her life.

"He won't stop asking when you'll next come over, or if you're coming over that day. I think, 'Da,' why don't you just marry her, then?'"

She giggled and blushed.

Avery sat his cup back down and an epiphany struck him. "Say, are you afraid of flying?"

She shook her head like a timid little girl.

"Da' has a flight attendant position open, I'm sure he'd be happy to consider you as a candidate."

Tanya's brows automatically rose. "You really think so!? Oh, that would be great!"

Her dear friend smiled sweetly, shaking his head, "I can't make any promises..... But I don't see why he'd refuse since he's so obsessed with you."

A noise interrupted the conversation.

He felt for his mobile in the pocket of his dark, denim jeans and hastily saw whom was calling.

"Speak of the devil," he told her, and answered the phone.

Tanya looked on intently.

"Hey, dad, guess who I'm with right now!"

She couldn't hear what was said on the other end, but could hear the excitement.

"Yeah, yeah. She was just fired. The shop is going out of business.... Yeah, I just mentioned it to her, she says she's interested."

She nodded silently, but energetically.

"He wants to speak to you." said Avery, handing over the phone.

"So, are you REALLY interested in working with me?"

Her face turned rosy with the sound of his authoritative voice. It took her a moment to answer, as she felt alittle intimidated.

"Yes! Ofcourse!"

"Great!," he replied, "meet me at my office tomorrow at 19:00."

"So late?" she asked.

There was a chuckle on the other line, and then, "I'm a very busy man, Miss...."

That was right. Shed never divulged her last name.

"Gray," she answered.

"Gray," he echoed, "do you need the directions?"

"Nope! I mean, no sir."

Another sly chuckle on the other end.

"See you then....."

Tanya handed the phone back to Avery, and walked around to embrace him.

"Thank yooooou!"

"Heh heh, alright, alright!" He said, as if being greeted by a puppy.

"I'll see you later!" she told him, practically jogging out of the café.

"Bye! Oh! And make sure to be five minutes early! Da' is a stickler for punctuality!"

The young woman was already halfway down the street by the time he finished this sentence.