After the reading

After the reading, she sat at the bar to get a drink. Danny was there, but he didn't say anything to her at first. When it became obvious to both of them that they were the only people in the bar, the finally broke the ice.

"Hey," Hannah said.

"Hey." Danny nodded and gave her a smile.

"I can't pretend I didn't notice that you were here for my reading."

"Then I can't pretend I didn't hear it."

Hannah laughed. "Not the answer I was expecting. But it's okay. I'm Hannah."

Danny extended his hand. "Danny."

They sat in silence for a bit longer. Hannah took a breath as if to speak, thought better of it, then thought better again and spoke. "Okay, whatever, you didn't care about it, maybe you didn't like it, whatever, but ... nah, never mind. Whatever."

Danny chuckled. "I haven't said a word."

"No, you haven't." She paused. "Okay, forget me. Who are you?"

He took a breath. "I'm a guy who comes here on Wednesdays to listen to jazz. The vibes player is a buddy of mine."

Hannah thought about that, realized that today was Wednesday, and said, "Oh, you thought you -- I see." Danny nodded. "You a musician?"

"No, photographer."

Hannah sipped her drink. "Okay, this is going to sound totally stupid, but since you missed out on your jazz friend, maybe I can try to make it up to you for suffering through the angst of my sexual woes tonight."

"You want to make it up tonight? Or you just mean that I suffered tonight."

"Hm. I meant the second. But whatever. Maybe both?"

Danny shook his head. "Thanks, but I don't think I'm interested."

"Wait, okay, just the second thing then. What I really meant was -- I'm publishing my book, my book of all the horrible shit you listened to. And I actually need a picture for the inside cover. My agent, she said it would help sales."

Danny was surprised at the word "agent," as if the fact that Hannah had one somehow made her more legit than he thought she was. "So you want me to take pictures of you? You don't even know what kind of photographer I am. Maybe my specialty is zoo animals."

"Maybe it is."

Danny paused. "It isn't. And sure, I'll do your photos." He was intrigued by Hannah. He didn't like her poetry, but she was a different kind of woman. There was something about her, and he was curious to learn more. They agreed to meet on Saturday at her apartment. They traded numbers, she thanked him for taking her business and not saying anything snide, and Danny thanked her for the opportunity. Without even a handshake, they parted ways.