Mayday Stories: Day 25 Finding Yourself at the Door

 

Storyaday prompt 25 focused on the mystery of two dates written in your handwriting. This is our response to the prompt which is a short scene that explores the idea of a doppelganger.

Me at the Door

Lonalli Emer woke up that morning the same as always. She lifted her head and squinted at the clock. Red numerals blinked at her. 9:15. She'd gotten a little over seven and a half hours of sleep and felt like she'd been run over by a truck. She flopped back down, contemplating sleeping longer. It won't help. It never does. Sighing, Lonalli tossed the comforter off and let the morning chill prick her skin through her thin pajamas. She shuffled to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. Her mind wandered as she brushed her teeth. There wasn't anything pressing to attend to today. Maybe a walk would help clear her head. She'd see how she felt after breakfast. Turning left from the bathroom, Lonalli followed the short hallway to the kitchen. Bright blue morning light peeks through the curtains in the living room, seen through an opening big enough for two large men to dance through. That wasn't an idle example, either. The last time Lonalli had thrown a party, her married besties Burleigh and Shha Encomb had a bit too much to drink and decided to reenact their first dance. The memory softened Lonnali's mood. She felt light as she stepped up to the fridge. The note pinned there with a smiling sunflower magnet catches her eye. Lonnali frowned a bit as she moved the magnet, feeling markedly less cheerful despite the sunny character. Two dates are listed on a piece of paper identical to the one Lonalli kept on the counter by the fridge for important reminders. The dates are in her handwriting, but Lonalli has no idea what they mean. She crossed to the calendar to double-check but there were no marks on either date. Puzzled, Lonalli returned to the note. The first date was the day after tomorrow. For the life of her, Lonalli can't figure out what could be happening that day. Her phone breaks the silence.

Burleigh's name showed up on the collar idea. As soon as she answered, her friend quickly went into, "Do you know what's in two days?" 

"I do not," Lonalli said, a little relieved Burleigh had some idea. "What?"

"My and Shha's anniversary! Remember? I asked you to help me think of ideas?" Burleigh's voice was frantic. 

Lonalli sat the note aside. "Of course!" How had she forgotten? It wasn't like her to let her friends down. She presses the heel of her hand against her right eye. "Does he still like succulents?"

"That's what his mother always gets us." She sighs. "Maybe we can go shopping later? The man has everything."

"No, listen," Lonalli says. "There's an art exhibit at the Crafts to Last store, and I'm pretty sure one of the artists did a whole collection using succulents as a theme."

"Interesting... Maybe we should go check it out? You free in an hour?" Burleigh asks. 

"You could make it romantic," Lonalli agrees. She opens her fridge and gathers eggs and milk. "I have nothing to do today," she says. "I'll eat something and meet you... where?"

"Meet me outside the gallery across the street... say at noon?" 

"Perfect." Lonalli smiles to herself. Her day was already better just for talking to Burleigh. "Remind me to tell you about the silly moment I had this morning," she says.

"Will do. Love ya!" Her friend hangs up. A frantic knock comes from the front door.

"What is going on today?" Lonalli grumbles. It couldn't be Shha, he was a late sleeper, but she didn't know anyone else. She considers ignoring whoever it is, but the knock comes again, more insistently this time. "Fine!" She calls, setting aside the initial ingredients for French toast. "I'm coming!" She marches to the door and grumbles to herself while unlocking it. "This better be good," she says. "I'm hungry." She swings the door open to find herself on the other side.

The other she didn't seem at all surprised to see her answer the door. "Come on. We have a lot to do today!"