A New Story: Plátanos Maduros

Marcus was troubled by the missing card he left on Julie’s keyboard.  Someone must have taken it.  Who would do such a thing and why?  He fully understood he didn’t know people very well in Julie’s department.  Still, he thought he worked in a professional environment.  Taking a gift or token meant from another seemed childish at best.  He didn’t want to consider the worst.

He and Julie walked to a Cuban restaurant three blocks from the office during lunch.  The couple walked side by side but didn’t hold hands.  There was no physical contact between them.  Though a word was never said, they both understood it was best not to show public displays of affection in a work environment.  It extended to the surrounding area where coworkers may be.  Neither of them wanted to give the office gossips any ammunition. 

As they stood in line looking at the menu, Julie asked Marcus, “What are plátanos maduros? 

“Those are ripe plantains.  Sort of like bananas but bigger.  To me, they are like a dessert.  I love them.” 

Stepping closer to the front of the line, Julie murmured, “I can’t decide!”

“I’m gonna get a Cuban sandwich and the plátanos.  Ya can’t go wrong with that.”

“What’s in a Cuban sandwich?”

Marcus frowned slightly as he tried to come up with a quick description. “It’s sorta like a ham and cheese sub Panini but it doesn’t have ridges when they squish it.  It’s good.  I think you’d like it.  Do you like ham and cheese sammiches?”

“Yes.”

They both ordered Cuban sandwiches and plátanos maduros.  When they sat at a table waiting for their orders, Marcus felt his hand being drawn toward Julie’s.  He saw flashes of their ride home from the hike in the back of John’s jeep.  The euphoria of holding Julies hand was omnipresent in his mind.  His hand could feel hers in his and it made the pull between their hands stronger.  As he started to move his hand across the table toward hers, Marcus spied the server bringing their food and he stopped.

However slight the movement, Julie noticed his intentions.  She welcomed the thought for her mind was filled with the same feelings.  However, Julie’s stomach called for her attention and the arriving food was a welcome sight.  The couple munched their food hardily.  Marcus broached the subject of the missing card.  He described the card he left at her desk and wondered aloud where it could be.  Finally, he asked, “Do you think someone could have taken it?”

“I have my suspicions.”

“Who?”

“I’d rather not say right now.  I want to see if I can learn anything or see anything first.” 

“Ok.”

They finished the meal with innocuous chit chat.  Julie asked Marcus if he wanted the last two of her plantains.  He was happy to gobble them up.  Julie’s right hand was resting on the table.  Marcus popped a morsel into his mouth with his right hand while reaching his left to Julie.  The instant she felt his tough, Julie smiled and wrapped her fingers around his.  She was content.  She was happy.  Unlike past relationships, she felt Marcus was a decent man.  She hoped, if the relationship should grow, this would be a new story. 

Upon returning to the office, Julie decided to audacious.  She would be nice but bold.  Rather than going to her cubicle, Julie marched to Marsha who was standing outside her cube talking with a couple ladies from the “29 Club.”  As she approached, Julie called out, “Good afternoon ladies!”

After hearing the standard greetings, Julie stated, “I hope you can help me.  A friend of mine left a card in my office recently but I haven’t seen it.  Do you know if one has been found?”