3. First Meeting

When I arrive, the walls of Remedy Café are plastered with colourful posters advertising local shows and events. At the milk and sugar station, two hipsters wearing identical ‘uniforms’ of jean jackets and blue jeans stand and contemplate the merits of almond versus oat milk. Nervously, I scan the large cafe looking for my new friend. I know from her pictures that she has long brown hair and wears cool, trendy glasses. However, I do not know how tall she is, what kind of clothes she likes to wear or what her voice sounds like which makes picking her out of a crowd where fifty percent of the people have brown hair and wear glasses is quite hard.

Suddenly, I make eye contact with a brown-haired girl sitting alone in the corner of the café. I smile because I am delighted that I have finally found my pal and she waves me over. My anxious heart beats fast in my chest – thud, thud, thud. I hold my purse close to my body as I walk over but it is not until I have sat down in front of my friend that I realize I have been holding my breath. 

“Hey,” I huff.  

“Hey,” she replies smiling warmly. 

I survey the girl sitting across from me and make a mental note of her clothes (a black t-shirt and jean shorts), her height (5'4) and her voice (slightly high-pitched, but not as high sounding as mine) so that I can identify her next time.

“I’m Annie.” I say, reaching my hand out to shake hers. 

When I have finally caught my breath, Sapphire encourages me to sit down across from her.  “Damn, are you feeling as anxious as I am right now?” She asks, motioning to her heart. I can hear it going – thud, thud, thud. “I’m Sapphire by the way.” 

I nod and we both start to giggle awkwardly.

Portrait of Sapphire drawn by Annie Wildemann (me).