A Man who was not there [Page #2]
Zito, the owner, understood Amil’s aversion to lengthy conversations. After a few short cordial exchanges, he promptly left to get coffee and porridge for his customer friend. Before Amil could rebound from an unusual encounter with Zito, he heard: ” Hello, I am Greta, sitting at your table.” With a notable smile that he was known for at the store, he replied, “That’s the only table with the best view of the Japanese maple tree outside.” He sounded as if auditioning but without a display of genuine emotion – the uneasiness about the meager control over life’s moments, the fear he envisioned about the blight that would come from his words once he broke his long silence unexpectedly. But with the calmness of a hostage negotiator to suppress true feelings of the moment and a gentleman’s nod, he let Greta lead the way to her spot while tending to his heartache. He was too comfortable to continue unplanned speechlessness, and breaking it seemed to drop a cherished crystal bowl of sentiments.
Greta had been planning to walk up to his table, she clarified while pulling up her chair and continued that her plan sprouted from observing his surgeon-like attention to writing, his rare use of a phone – which is unthinkable nowadays – and the praises about him she heard from employees. She spoke with certainty in her voice and smiled to go along, knowing that Amil would be flattered. He was surprised more than anything and mentioned that he, too, had seen her at the store several times over the last few months, but what ultimately robbed her of words was when he said in a beautiful French accent that she wears Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum most days! How could he possibly know that? She was so taken aback that she put a bounty to continue their conversation: Amil must demystify how he found out about her perfume’s brand.
“I had many jobs at designer perfume companies and learned the science of smell. The perfume you wear is fresh on your clothes and skin when you are at the bakery – likely your first stop once you leave the house for work. On the other hand, some days, I left the store immediately after you did so I could smell the leftover ambiance at the door – luxury perfumes carry excellent projections and longevity. My acquired experience needs a little hint to nail down the notes of perfumes. Now you know the exact autopsy of discovery about the Guerlain!” A smile appeared on Greta’s face as she surprised herself with a clap at Amil’s response.