Short Story: The Last (Part 2)

Hotel Window - Edward Hopper

Jillian was silent for a few moments. She loved what Shana just said. New York City, with all its glorious collection of lights and sounds, was isolating. And even sharing a 2 bedroom apartment with a roommate didn’t make one feel less alone.

Instead, it made one feel even more alone, as if the world beyond the dark air shaft and glass windows was inviting everyone else out in the sunshine. And when the roommate wasn’t around, that sense of isolation felt like an even bigger snub. That everyone from the next door neighbor’s maltipoo to the loudmouthed teen kid heard through the wooden floors had something to do, somewhere to be. The only people left isolated were ones with actual night shifts—doormen, janitors, and subway station attendants.

“I love that.” Jillian finally said. “I love how you said having someone means you are less isolated. That there’s comfort in knowing someone is just around, able to be with you. But, I don’t know—my biggest fear about dating is that I will get tired of the person.”

“Maybe you will, after a while. But that just means you keep looking until you find someone who you won’t get tired of. And that’s when you will know that person is for you.” Shana tore off a piece of pita and dipped it into the plate of thick hummus topped with pine nuts. She looked up quickly and smiled, the edges of her brown eyes crinkling, before chewing.


Written: 3/25/09