New In Town Short Story

New In Town by Susan Zutautas

I think I made the right decision, and am going to enjoy my new life here in Toronto! Everything felt right to Morag as she had settled into her new job as secretary to the regional sales manager at Sharpe Electronics, and her newly decorated apartment was just the way she wanted it.

She would miss her friends and family back in Montreal, but it was only a seven-hour drive or a short one-hour plane ride away. The company she had been working for in Montreal had shut its doors, and because Morag was not fluent in French, there were not too many job opportunities left for her.

Luck had also made its contribution to her optimism. The building in which her cousin Jennifer lived had a vacant apartment. Both were single and 24 years old, shared a lot of the same interests and got along really well together, which made Morag delighted that she got the apartment.

Jennifer had taken joy in showing Morag around Toronto, helping her to choose furniture, and assisting with her apartment set up. One night they decided to meet at a pub for a few drinks after work. When Morag walked into the pub she looked around but could not find Jennifer, so she decided to sit at the bar so that she could watch for Jennifer when she arrived.

Morag was on her second beer and there was no sign of Jennifer. Just as she was taking out her cell phone to give her a quick call, a text message was coming through.

Hi M, sorry but I have been delayed at the office and will not be able to make it after all. Sorry talk to you soon. Jen

Feeling a bit disappointed, Morag put the phone back into her bag, and as she was about to leave, a nice looking man asked if the stool beside her was taken.

“No, go right ahead, please have a seat,” Morag said as she gazed into his husky colored blue eyes.

“Can I buy you a beer?” he asked

“Well I was just about to leave as I was waiting for my cousin, but she is not going to be able to make it. But thank you I suppose I could stay for just one more.”

After introducing themselves to each other, they discovered that they were both new to the Toronto area. Ian was single, in construction and ran a home renovating business. He had relocated here from British Columbia six months ago, and his business was doing quite well.

One beer turned into three, and when Morag realized it was midnight, she could not believe how quickly the time had passed. “I hate to leave, but I have to be up at six in the morning to get to work,” Morag said with a pout on her lips.

“Can I call a cab for you?”

“No that’s okay, I’m going to walk. I don’t live too far away.”

“I’ve really enjoyed talking with you, and maybe we could get together some time for a movie or perhaps dinner.”

“That would be really nice. Hold on, I’ll jot down my number for you,” Morag replied as she reached into her purse for a pen.

"Okay then, I look forward to talking to you soon."

Walking home Morag thought to herself, wow what nice guy Ian seemed to be, and he was absolute eye candy.

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One Week Later

Morag was sitting by the window staring out into the night sky, contemplating whether to sit up and wait any longer for the phone to ring. It had been one week since she had met Ian at the pub downtown and was anticipating his call. Remembering the twinkle in his eyes when he smiled at her asking if the stool beside her was taken. She had not had any type of interest in a man in over a year now, as her heart had been broken so many times that she had given up all hope of ever finding anyone she wanted to settle down with. There was something about Ian that she just couldn’t quite put her finger on, although he was charming, had a great sense of humor and his down to earthiness had her thinking about him ever since that night.

After climbing under the down comforter ready for sleep Morag thought about the day ahead of her, as her close friend Kelly was coming to spend a few days. They had not seen each other since last Thanksgiving, and it would be so nice to catch up on all that had been happening. Reaching over Morag set the alarm to go off at 6am, as she still had a few things to do before Kelly arrived.

The warm June sun was streaming in the bedroom window as Morag awoke to the sounds of the new baby birds tweeting, awaiting their breakfast. Morag pulled the covers off and went to put on some coffee before she showered and dressed for the day. Sitting at her kitchen table with a pad and pen in hand Morag made out a list of things she had to do before going to the airport to pick up Kelly. Kelly’s flight arrived at 3pm, so that gave her a few hours to go to the market and stock up on a few items for the weekend. As she took her first sip of freshly brewed Columbian there was knock at the door. Wondering who this could be Morag went to answer the door. The man on the other side of the door said “Flower delivery for Morag Stirling”.

Taking the large basket full of colorful spring flowers, Morag thanked the man and went inside to read the card that was attached.

Sorry that I have not called. I will explain when I get back into town.Signed,Ian.

Well this is strange, thought Morag as she’d only given Ian her cell phone number, not her address. She placed the basket in the middle of her dining room table thinking how nice this was of him to send flowers, and ecstatic that he was thinking about her. At the same time she had an eerie feeling. How did he know her address, did he follow her home that night after the pub? Well she would just have to wait and ask him when he returned from wherever he had gone to.

Part 2 of New In Town.