2024-10-04 “I Can Do This” by Merritt

I had to go out to Staten Island today to do a post-project meeting with a client—it was a small office, and NYC SysCo automated the lighting and HVAC. When I finished I stopped at a fast food place on my way back to the train.

As I was approaching the counter, I noticed a girl looking at me. Intently. She was stunning. So much so, I felt awkward that I had noticed her staring at me, so I looked down, then focused on the menu. But out of the corner of my eye, I could see her approaching.

“I never forget a face.”

I turned, not sure what to say, but she carried on. “Miami. The festival. I saw you on a site doing volunteer work on a house. I’m Shay.”

“I’m Merritt.” I was hearing her, but my brain was spinning, fending off feeling guilty about how attractive I thought she was while being in a fledgling relationship with Hannah.

“Do you live here?”

“Brooklyn. You?”

“I do now. I’m working with Habitat Housing. We have a project here in Staten Island. I live in West Village. Come… let's have a seat…"

She led me to a table and we sat down.

“West Village… That's… nice.”

“It’s not mine. My dad’s. He insisted that if I was going to work for a charity, I live in a safe area.”

“Sensible…”

“Look… are you involved in anything like Habitat Housing up here? We really need volunteers…”

I looked down and shook my head, then looked up. “I’m in a new job. New city…”

I didn't mention that I didn't actually belong in 2024.

“Well, think about it. We really could use help. What do you do for a living?”

I told her I was an engineer, and that seemed to move her into some place where she assumed I would be working with her charity. She went through all that they were doing and all the ways I could help out.

“Even if just one day a week. Or a month. I’ve been sort of a loner most of my life. Habitat Housing has sort of become the first steady thing I’ve been part of. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do.

Then, I mentioned Hannah and Devon—you’d have thought I promised her a treasure. So, before I knew it, I had agreed to come to a project tomorrow and help out. Devon and Hannah would be expected, too. I’ll let them know…