I was walking down the streets, enjoying the peace that I seemed to achieve. Gatsby was gone, this I knew. But I could never forget such a man. Whether I was in Minnesota or London, I would always remember Gatsby, or James Gatz, as was his real name. I don't believe that I would call him by his true name, however, because I did not know him as James. I knew only Jay. He was a man who, led by the blind and foolish desires of love, followed after Daisy Buchanan, a delicate and beautiful flower. I did my best not to choose the same outcome for myself that Gatsby had, but life doesn't always agree with what humans wish for.
I stopped my thoughts for a moment to open the door of my favorite restaurant and sit down at a table. No sooner than I sat down did I notice a poster on the far wall.
"It can't be..." I whispered. In disbelief I swiftly rose from my chair and paced in direction of the poster. Written in large letters it said 'Women's Golf Tournament this Weekend 10-4'. But this was not what drew me to get up from my seat at the far end of the room. I was not astounded by the fact that there was a golf tournament; that was not uncommon. It was the picture featuring Jordan Baker that threw me out of composure.
I was not one to act out upon impulse, so I was confused as to how a picture of a woman I once knew could make me jump from my chair. I tried to pull my eyes away, but it was impossible to do so. It was Jordan, and she looked lovely as ever.
What was left of my appetite was now gone. The man sitting at a table near me asked me if I was okay. I must have looked pale.
"Do you need anything?" he asked.
"No, Thank you. I really am fine, just in shock." I replied.
"Do you know her?"
"Who?" I was very confused.
"The woman in the picture!" He pointed to Jordan's serious face.
"Oh! Yes, she is an old friend of mine."
"Are you going to watch her play this weekend? That's the date of the tournament."
"...Actually, I'm not sure about that," I paused for a moment. That thought never even came to mind. I had relations with Jordan many years ago, but we hadn't spoken to one another since leaving New York. It was as if Gatsby was the one who held us all together. When he passed away, the Buchanans, Jordan, and I all dispersed to different locations, hardly holding any contact with each other at all. I just recently heard from Daisy and her family, as I was designated to watch Pammy, but Jordan had become a ghost in my life. She once existed, but now she was unseen and unheard. That led me to my answer.
"Come to think of it, I will." I finally responded. "Maybe we'll get to talk to one another for a bit."
"Sounds like a good plan!" The man smiled up at me and then dropped his head back down to his menu.
After processing what I just told the man, I smiled as well. I had not seen Jordan in so long, it wouldn't hurt to get reacquainted once more. I was not trying to recreate the past of what we had, but instead I wanted to build a future that possibly had her in it. I did not expect Jordan to be the same as before, nor had I built her up as an idealistic dream-woman. I did not have any expectations of her. I just hoped that she was still somewhat herself, and that she would remember me.
