Sarah called Donald on Monday morning. She was having trouble with a spreadsheet application and confused his card with one that she had received at a professional networking party from a cute guy who said he would be glad to help her any time. He knew computers inside and out. As soon as he answered, she put the card down and saw his message.
"Hello, this is Donald."
"Oh, hello. This is Sarah. I um... you gave me your business card. On the train."
"Are you the one with the toes?"
"Yeah," she laughed nervously, "the sad toes."
"Would you like to talk?"
"Yes," she said with an unequivocality that surprised her.
"Are you free after work?"
"Yes, I am." She thought about that, about being free. She felt giddy, as if saying she would be free would actually make her free, that all the bonds upon her would disssolve. And together, she and Donald made arrangements to meet for dinner at Kratzin's Restaurant.