DESTINY
February, 1966
Cinnamon Carter sat alone at a table in the cafeteria at Company headquarters, reading from a thick three ring binder and eating a salad. Rollin spotted her from where he stood by the cashier stand. He had been told that she was a very accomplished agent. He had wanted to meet her for sometime, having seen the numerous magazine covers she had graced. He took a deep breath and started toward her. He cleared his throat as he came to stand her table. She looked up at him as he smiled down at her. “Cinnamon Carter?” He asked.
“Yes?” She asked looking up at him returning his smile.
“Hi, Rollin Hand.” He said introducing himself, balancing his tray on one and extending his hand to her.
“Mr. Hand.” She stated, grasping his warm hand. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“No, I just thought I’d say hello, I’ve heard some very impressive things about you.”
“Really?” She said, her smile brightening slightly.
He nodded his head and released her hand. “Would you like to hear?”
She laughed lightly and indicated the chair opposite her. “Please.”
Rollin placed his tray on her table, removed his sandwich and drink to the table, placed the tray on another table and sat down opposite her.
“So?” She asked; her curiosity peaked.
He smiled at her, looking into her green eyes. “I understand that you have some special talents.” He said taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Oh?” She said picking at her salad.
“Photographic memory, to name, but one.” He said taking a sip of his drink.
“I wouldn’t say photographic, but it’s pretty good.” She said cupping her chin in her hand, watching him.
“Expert marksman, brown belt.” He continued.
“You’ve certainly done your homework.”
“I usually do.” He said sipping his drink.
She smiled at him. “What’s the catch?” She asked.
“Catch?” He asked surprised.
“You must want something.”
“Nope,” He said shaking his head. “Just curious. I thought it would be nice we met, since I suspect we may be working together soon.”
“Really, me assigned to work with the legendary Rollin Hand.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. I’ve been pretty lucky and had some good partners.” He said looking at his plate.
“Maybe that was a little strong, sorry. But I’ve done some homework, too.”
“And what did you find?” He asked with a smile as he took another bite.
“Pretty impressive, two years with the company and at least two commendations. Also, some pretty good acting roles along the way. But then, I only had a few hours.”
“You make it sound like our meeting was inevitable.” He said.
“Maybe it was.” Dan said coming to stand beside their table.
Cinnamon and Rollin looked up simultaneously.
“Hi Dan.” Rollin said, getting up to shake hands with his team leader.
He shook hands with Dan and turned to Cinnamon. “May I introduce, Miss Cinnamon Carter.”
“Mr. Briggs.” Cinnamon said extending her hand to him.
“Don’t let me interrupt your lunch.” Dan said as Rollin sat back down. “Just wanted to say hello. Glad to see you’re getting to know one another.”
“That’s my pleasure, Dan.” Rollin said smiling at Cinnamon.
“It usually is, Rollin.” He retorted. “Nice to finally meet you, Miss Carter.” Dan said moving off.
“You’re in the big leagues now.” Rollin said with raised eyebrows.
“You think so.” She asked.
“Mmhuh. Dan doesn’t usually just drop by unless something is up.” He said.
“Like this meeting, I would hazard to guess.” She said smiling at him.
Rollin winked at her, smiling. “You do catch on fast.”
“That’s what they pay me for.” She said softly leaning across the table toward him.
“I think you’re going to do just fine.” He said smiling devilishly at her.
“Thank you. I take it the interview is over.” She said closing her binder.
Rollin looked at her appreciatively and pushed his plate away. “Definitely, I never have liked the food here.”
“Where would you prefer?” She asked getting up from her chair.
“Jerry’s deli on fifth.” He said standing to join her.
“Just around the corner from my place.” She said gathering her book and purse.
“I know.” He said falling into step beside her.
She cast him a sideways glance as he accompanied her from the cafeteria. It was a walk that would change them forever.
She wasn’t surprised when she was assigned to Dan’s team shortly after their initial meeting. Her first assignment with her new team was a relatively simple one.
She met Rollin a few weeks later, thanks to his interrogation of Willy as to just when Cinnamon liked to work out.
It was late afternoon when Rollin entered the gym to find Willy in the free weight area doing power lifts. As he hoped, Cinnamon was in the dance studio, which adjoined the gym area. He crossed to a waiting treadmill for a warm-up.
He watched Cinnamon through the glass as she continued her stretching exercises. He watched as she placed her leg on the toe bar and stretched her limber body to touch her toes. He smiled in spite of himself.
Willy noticed Rollin on the treadmill as he put down his weights. He crossed to him. “Hey Rollin, what are you doing here?” He asked with a smile.
“Thought I could use some workout time.” He said as he continued walking briskly.
“Since when?” Willy asked.
“I thought it was about time.” He said, his eyes watching Cinnamon.
“Oh, I see.” Willy said following his eyes. “Cinnamon?”
“What’d ya mean?” Rollin said, moving the treadmill to a higher incline.
“Come on Rollin, you haven’t been in here in months. She’s got to be the reason.”
“Maybe she inspired me.” He said winking at Willy.
“Whatever works.” Willy said throwing his towel over his shoulder and moving toward the locker room.
Cinnamon had completed her warm-up and turned on the music for her workout. She began with a series of pirouettes that carried her across the room. He watched her as she gracefully continued her turns.
Rollin continued his treadmill work then moved over the free weight area and Cinnamon continued her dance routine.
Half an hour later, Cinnamon opened the door to the dance studio with a towel about her shoulders and her dance bag. Rollin looked up from where he was doing sit-ups on the bench. Cinnamon hadn’t seen anyone else in the gym as it was nearly always deserted at this time of day. She noticed the man on the bench, exhaling as he raised up.
“Hello there.” He called out to her across the room.
She turned to him and smiled at him. “Mr. Hand. What a surprise.”
Rollin stood quickly from the bench and crossed to her. “Rollin, please. Surprise?”
“Willy said you didn’t work out much.” She said.
“Well, he’s just not around when I’m here.” He said.
“When is Willy not here.” She said, putting the towel to her forehead.
“I take it you see him a lot.”
“Every Tuesday and Thursday.”
“I see.”
“And you?” She asked him with a raised eyebrow.
“I’m usually here on the weekends.” He said quickly.
“Mmmm.” She said softly.
“I was wondering if I could buy you a coffee?”
“Coffee?”
“Harmless enough, isn’t it.” He said.
“It would seem.” She said, smiling at him. “I think I’ll have a shower first.”
“I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“Okay.” She said offhandedly.
He smiled as he watched her walk toward the locker room.
Half an hour later, Rollin waited beside his car as Cinnamon emerged, wearing a green short dress, which set off her eyes.
“That was quick.” He said opening the door for her.
“Didn’t want to keep you waiting.” She said slipping into the two-door mustang, placing her dance bag in the rear seat.
Rollin smiled at her as he rounded the car for the drivers’ side.
He pulled up and parked in front of a bar. “I thought you said coffee.” She stated.
“They have the best in town.” He said setting the brake.
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” He said opening the door.
They entered the dark bar, their eyes adjusting to the low light.
“Rollin Hand. Haven’t seen you in awhile.” The bartender called from the bar.
“Hey Joey, “Rollin said with a wave.
Cinnamon surveyed the place. Dark but tasteful she thought, with deep mahgonay paneling, a man’s bar.
“Who’ve we got here.” Joey said looking at Cinnamon.
“A friend.” Rollin said
He pointed Cinnamon to a booth in the rear.
“Hey Joey, how about two cups of your finest.” Rollin said as he passed him.
“Sure thing, Rollin.” Joey responded.
Cinnamon sat on the left side of the booth and Rollin slid in opposite her.
“You must be a regular.” She said, pulling a cigarette from her purse.
“When I’m in town.” He said, reaching to light her cigarette.
Joey joined them with two coffee cups that he placed in front of them. “Sure you don’t want something a little stronger?” He said.
Rollin looked up at him. “No thanks Joey, maybe later.”
Joey shrugged and left them to their coffee.
Rollin picked up his cup and took a sip. “Give it a try.” He said smiling at her.
She followed his lead and took at sip. “Very good.” She said appreciatively.
“I knew you’d like it.” He said smiling at her.
“Do you bring all your new recruits here?” She asked smiling slightly.
“Just the good ones.” He said.
“I’ll consider that a compliment.”
“You should, I don’t give them lightly.” He said seriously.
“I see.” She said, matching is tone and meeting his eyes.
“Actually, you’re the first.” He admitted with a soft smile.
“Oh.” She said, relaxing a bit as she took another drag from her cigarette.
They talked for over two hours, discussing everything from world politics to high fashion. She simply amazed him. She was well versed on most subjects. She had opinions, but none that “turned him off” as was the phrase of the day. He watched her as she talked, the way her eyes danced when she looked at him. He was truly being swept off his feet.
They soon ordered a drink as the bar began to attract a few more patrons. “Scotch?” Rollin asked with Joey standing beside them.
“I prefer bourbon and water.” She said looking up at Joey.
“Bourbon it is.” Joey said returning to the bar.
Rollin smiled after Joey. “He’ll always remember, you know.”
“Good bartender, huh.”
“You’d be surprised.”
He brought them their drinks in no time.
They continued their conversation over their drinks, which took them into the evening.
Cinnamon glanced at her watch. “Oh my.” She said.
“Problem?” Rollin asked, concerned.
“No, I just didn’t realize the time.”
“I guess I should let you get home.”
“A ride back to my car will do just fine.”
“Of course.” He said smiling. “I hadn’t intended on keeping you this long.”
“It’s been educational.”
“Very.” He said, smiling at her holding out his hand out to her as she stood.
He paid the bill and they left the bar and he returned her to her car. He pulled up along side it. “Will you be all right?” He asked.
“Fine.” She said stepping from his car and taking her bag from the rear seat. “Thank you for the coffee.” She said holding onto the door.
“My pleasure, we’ll do it again.”
“That would be nice, Rollin.” She smiling at him and closing the door.
He waited as she got into her car and started the engine. She gave him a smile and a wave as she moved off.
THE END
Elena Vorska
December, 1999