So he decided to leave in the next few moments to avoid any of the customary traffic jams that LA was known for. Allen reached Le Petite Four, ten minutes early and absorbed the shining sun, scene of pedestrians walking and expensive cars driving down Sunset Boulevard. It seemed that everyone that occupied the streets had not a care in the world. Many of them laughed aloud as they talked about the night before and the fun that they had at one of the many Hollywood parties.
Some spoke loudly on their cellular phones to
give either the illusion of importance or to let it be known that they were
important. With everything happening on the Boulevard, Allen managed
to focus on the issue at hand. He removed, from his briefcase, the legal
information that Mary had sent him via FedEx upon his return from
Toronto. He thought it would be a good idea to get a head start on the
case information so that when Gwen arrived he would be caught up on
the current events of the case. Allen read all of the new details of the
case, shaking his head to show his disapproval of Mitchell's actions.
From what Allen could see, the only defense that Mitchell had was to
reconcile out of court.
"I agree with you." Gwen said as she stood behind the available chair.
Allen looked up knowing the sweet voice he heard was Gwen's. He
stood and welcomed her as he pulled out her chair.
"Thank you," Gwen said showing her appreciation of Allen's kindness,
"are you always this kind?"
"I try to be." Allen said as he again took his seat.
"I like kindness in a man." Gwen smiled.
"So can I take that smile and comment as you would like to have a
little small talk before we begin with business?"
"Small talk is always a good way to break the ice," Gwen answered.
"I'd like to think the ice was broken a while ago," Allen smiled, "but I
could be wrong."
"Well, there is something that I'd like to ask you."
"Really," Allen said calmly in an attempted to hide his excitement.
"I
find that hard to believe."
"Why is that?"
"Well," Allen delayed as he searched for the right words, "we have
never really had a real opportunity to talk and you have something to ask
me. I just find that a little hard to believe. But,"
Allen said quickly not
to detour Gwen from asking her question, "since you have a question for
me, I'm all ears."
Allen and Gwen informed the waitress they would both be having
lemonade as they continued to talk.
"When I came to your office," Gwen began with her question, "you said
that you knew me. Where do you think you know me from?"
"I don't think I know you, I know that I know you."
"Well excuse me," Gwen said playfully, "where do you know me from?"
"I had the privilege of meeting you almost a year ago. We were at a
grocery store in Woodland Hills when we met. Does that sound familiar
to you?"
"No, I can't say that is does," Gwen lied with hidden excitement as she
sipped her lemonade, "but I am listening."
"I was shopping, getting things for my customary Friday night. I
walked down one of the aisles to get some kool-aid. I was stunned with
all the different flavors and you caught me talking to myself. Does it
sound familiar yet?"
"It does," Gwen said as she smiled.
"You know," Allen started slowly, "this is going to sound a little weird,
but since that day, I have thought about you constantly. Almost never
ending. I wondered if you were doing well, I hoped you were at least. I
guess the biggest thing I wondered, was if I would ever see you again.