Minnesota

 Connections

Connie stood in the middle of the luxurious hotel room. She stared at the walls, contemplating her next step. Monique and Bruce left for Canada. And I made no progress in finding out more about Regina. It was hard for Connie to let it go. Focusing on Regina helped her forget that she was alone, in a strange city and not entirely sure this road trip was a good idea.

            What if the car breaks down, or I lose my wallet? I could have an accident, then what would I do? I don’t know anyone here ... She paced the length of the room with increasing worry, feeling out of place, the world too large.

            Stop fretting, it’ll be fine.

            She looked at the sticky note on the desk. It had the visitor center's address on it. She remembered the hotel clerk giving it to her, along with directions. It was a few blocks down the road, and Cafe Noir was on the way.

            The door closed behind her. With the prospect of having something to do, Connie's step regained her usual bounce.

***

“Hello - again.” Nena greeted Connie the moment she stepped through the door.

The young woman's smile was warm and genuine. “What can I get you?”

“Are you still looking for a roommate?” Connie had convinced herself that spending a few weeks with this young woman was a good idea.

“Yes. Are you interested?” Nena's face lit up with surprise.

“Well, only for a few weeks. My son is expecting me in New York next month. I thought I could get to see Minnesota with someone that already knows it. Besides, I'm a bit nervous being on my own for the first time in decades, and I can teach you how to cook.” If possible, Nena's face lit up even further.

“Tell you what, why don't we talk details later. I'm dying to try another type of pastry.” Nena clapped her hands, her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes, large with excitement.

***

“Well, this is it, not much, but I own it outright.” Nena concluded the short tour through the small apartment.

“I don't need much, thank you.” The apartment was clean and sparsely decorated. A few pictures of mountains, oceans, rain forests, and castles, a town in Wisconsin and the skyscrapers of New York City. I get New York. It's a tourist attraction, but Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. Where is Fond Du Lac, anyway?

Nena saw Connie looking at the posters. “I'm saving up to visit Wisconsin and New York and that’s why I wanted a roommate, to make extra money. And with your help, I'll get there sooner than I thought.” Nena smiled, her face glowing. She’s the easiest person to make happy. Connie suppressed the urge to ask what was worthwhile in Wisconsin.

Nena sighed. “Well, I don't know about you, but I'm hungry; not that I want to put you to work right away. I was thinking we could order in, as a celebration of some sort?”

Connie put her arm around Nena’s shoulder and led her into the kitchen. “No. I want to cook. I haven't cooked in weeks, and I'm tired of eating out. Let's go into the kitchen and see what you have. If we can't find anything, we'll go shopping, and you'll get your first lesson tonight.”

Nena let out a tiny scream. “Yes, I would love that.”

“Let's do it, then.”