Someone seems to know you.

You walk through the mall in a haze, this can’t be real, right? A voice beside you asks, “No classes today Zoe?” You turn and look. A maybe 50ish rather average looking guy, a bit heavy set, slightly balding, is standing there in jeans and a grey windbreaker over a red t shirt. An image of him at the front of a classroom, teaching history, flashes through your head. You know him.

“Hey mister Walsh.” You answer. You catch his eyes flash away from your ass as you turn to face him. Another flash of memory, a class schedule, you are a freshman in college, “Last class ended at noon. Decided to check out the pre Black Friday deals. They basically start at the beginning of November now.”

He nods. “Lucy needs a new phone. The iPhone max I think. I hate shopping for her. I always feel like I’m going to get the wrong one and she will yell at me.” Another flash, a blonde, cheerleader type, all of you are at dinner together. A fight. You leave. She ignores you the rest of the semester. You know exactly what phone she wants. She told you a hundred times.

“She still isn’t talking to me. But I can help. If you want.”

He laughs a single nasal laugh, “You were a cute couple.” He kinda frowns. “I’d love the help if it isn’t too much trouble.”

“Come on.” The layout of this new mall fills your head. The phone store is just past the coffee shop. You lead, he follows, his eyes wander down to your ass and legs just about every time you look back at him. They always snap up the instant you catch him. You help him navigate the process of getting her phone. The store is busy, it takes a while. Which is really odd as you were sure it was ready to close when you got here. Another flash. You are parking. Your car, but not, a sporty new looking ice silver Subaru BRZ, you hop out, the sun is high in the sky, just after noon.

Finally finished he says, “I really appreciate the help. Let me buy you dinner.”