If you dont want to sleep?
"Just half, thank you" I stopped her with a quick gesture - breaking my concentration at the leaves playing on the sidewalk in the cold night air. "When does the kitchen open?" Not till 5:30 sweety, but I can make you up some toast or something if you'd like . . . couple doughnuts?" She half pointed towards the counter "Nah" .. ."ok honey, let me know" . . .
The battle with-in is a curious thing. Human beings are the only creatures on the planet that suffer their own existence.
"You aint from around here, are you? You in some kinda trouble or something? " I gave her my best 'familiar with this' smile - just passin through " . . ." where ya headed?" "I dont know . . . Wanna come with me?" She laughed "got room for my husband and 2 kids?" I chuckled at her 'used to shit from strangers' response.
Silence of the leaves . . . .
The old bells jingled harshly as she barged in - breaking the mood of the dragging lonely night . . . "can I use your phone!?" . . . "Please? " . . . "payphone sweety" Brenda pointed towards the back. "I dont . . . Can I . . . ." She shot a look at me, back at Brenda . . .
"Here" . . . I tossed some change on the table.
Its not fair to judge a book by its cover, but we all do it - dont we? Why was my first thought "hooker"? I suppose it is a survival instinct thing - engrained in our dna.
She was an attractive girl - late 30s maybe. Not really dressed like your stereotypical 'lady of the evening'. I heard the phone slam . . . And then silence . . . .
"Thank you" - tears welling up in her eyes - she tossed the remaining change on my table
"Sit down, i'll buy you a coffee" . . .I nodded at Brenda.
". . . .and he said he'd be there . . . .he promised me! . . ."
I was half listening, half guaging who I was dealing with. was she a hooker? Player looking for an easy score?
" . . .whats that?" . . . "I said whats your name? "Oh, sorry . . . Jack" "Its nice to meet you Jack, im Katie . . . . Why do men suck?"
"I think we were programmed that way, but im not entirely sure". She gave a slight grin and slipped out of her coat
"Thank you, do you have any sweet-n-low?" Brenda pulled a couple packets from her apron. "Thank you".
To be continued . . .
(If someone wants to continue this story, please feel free)