Nine Women, One Dress(39)

From his location on the tracker I realized he must be going to the one in Grand Central Terminal. He’ll be there forever, I thought. I realized a little too eagerly that I actually did need to go to the Apple Store. And it was the perfect errand for an unplanned day. We were down to one laptop cord in our house and it was causing lots of bickering. It never ceases to amaze me that they can make two-and-a-half-pound devices that carry all your photos, music, movies, work, and the entire Internet but can’t make cords that last as long as their computers. I put on my coat and was out the door before you could say “totally inappropriate.”

As I noticed the Fifth Avenue Apple Store out the window of my cab, heading a whole seventeen blocks and three avenues out of the way to the Apple Store that I hoped John was at, I couldn’t help but giggle. I was excited to see him, and the spying element made it more fun—for the time being, at least. I promised myself that if I saw him I wouldn’t approach him first. I would let him find me. As if that little deal with myself would magically turn this unethical planned encounter into a real chance meeting.

I checked my (his) e-mail again. There was another.


We’ll be ready for you shortly. Please make your way to the Apple store.



It was almost too easy. I often thought about how people in my profession did this before modern technology. Like the detectives who inspired fictional sleuths like Sherlock Holmes and Philip Marlowe. It was a whole different world. My girls had been obsessed with Nancy Drew lately; I like to think that had something to do with what their mom did for a living. I bought them a complete hardcover set of the originals. I began thinking up titles for modern Nancy Drew books: The Secret Hidden Web Portal, The Mystery of the Facebook Group. My cab pulled over to the curb.

Upon entering the great hall at Grand Central I was, as always, awestruck by its beauty. I’ve never been a commuter, but I couldn’t imagine traveling to and from this place to be a routine worth complaining about. There is something romantic about train travel to begin with, but add in the grandeur and history of Grand Central station and it is downright enchanting: the constellation-covered ceilings, all the times visitors and natives alike have uttered the phrase “Meet me under the clock at Grand Central,” the majesty of its marble columns and arches. I could stare at the great hall for hours, but I had to move on. I had a mission. I headed to the store as his next Apple e-mail arrived.


Thanks for waiting. We’re now ready for you. Please check in with a specialist.



I walked into the narrow store just as John Westmont was being escorted to his seat at the Genius Bar for his appointment. I decided to put myself directly in his line of vision but vowed not to make the first move. I perused the power cords and chose two, pretending to be absorbed in the task. I approached the technician to John’s right, who was gently breaking some bad computer news to a woman who looked like she was going to cry. I think they both welcomed the interruption.

“Excuse me, can you please tell me which of these goes with the MacBook Air? I have the thirteen-inch,” I added, purposely not saying the year in case I needed more time to be noticed.

“Which year?” the technician responded, as I knew he would.

“Two thousand fourteen,” I said, which he followed with a tap on the box in my right hand.

“Don’t I know you?” asked John Westmont, tapping my left. I looked at him with what I hoped was a quizzical expression.

“You’re the lady from Bloomingdale’s, right?” He looked at his feet to hide the flush in his cheeks. “I never got your name.”

I smiled to ease his embarrassment. “I never gave it to you. I’m Andie.”

“Just Andie?”

“That’s right,” I said coyly.

“Okay, then,” he replied, reaching out his hand. “I’m just John.”

As I took his hand to shake it I felt a little jolt, and it wasn’t coming from the power cords. “How did your wife like the bag?”

“She exchanged it, I think. Well, she said she was going to…” He paused, then said gently, “I thought it was a great choice though, really. Thank you.”

I smiled, feeling a little regret. Now that my plan was working it felt like a really bad idea. Just what this man needs is another woman lying to him. I’ll say “Nice seeing you again” and leave, I thought. This couldn’t go anywhere worth going.

“How long is your wait?” he asked.

“Oh, I’m just here for the new cord,” I said.

“That’s good.” He smiled. “From the way my computer’s acting, I’m guessing I’ll have a bit of time to kill.”

“You’re not going to leave it and come back?” I asked, wanting him to say yes but also wanting him to say no.

“Actually, I’m going to do something I’ve always wanted to—take the walking tour of Grand Central.”

I lit up. I couldn’t help it. I had always wanted to take the tour of Grand Central too. I used to ask Derek all the time, but he thought it was too touristy. And then the last few years I hadn’t had anyone to go with. It definitely seemed like the kind of thing that was better to do with someone.

“I’ve always wanted to do that!” I blurted out.

His Genius guy arrived just in time with an introduction and the standard “What seems to be the problem today?”