I went back to catching the 6.20 on Monday afternoon. Though Adam had told me he wouldn't be on the train, I searched for him anyway. It seemed to take forever to get home. I dragged myself along the road and checked my mailbox to find nothing but junk mail. When I went inside, I searched the floor, hoping he might have called by and left a note under the door. I checked my phone messages but remembered he hadn't asked for my number. After my shower I sulked over a bowl of soup and crawled into bed, pissed off for being stupid and feeling sad.

On Tuesday, I wore my blue diamante butterfly navel ring and chose my favourite midnight blue costume at work to make myself feel better.  I always got lots of nice comments when I wore this colour. I tied the hip scarf so that the knot sat below my belly button, and the butterfly sat in the V-shaped area the knot created in the scarf. Then hooking the veil over my face I started my day's shift.

Around eleven o'clock, a tall man in a dark suit came through the door. I cleared the table, carried the dirty dishes to the servery, and collected my order book.  Gary asked me a question. Turning to face him, I walked backwards toward the new customer. 

When I turned to face the customer, I gasped. Adam. I didn't know if he recognised me with the veil on. He surveyed my body as I got closer. Our eyes met. The surge of connection took my breath away.

His eyes glistened as he said, "Hi."

"Hello. What are you doing here?" I tried to sound casual to hide that he'd been on my mind every minute of every day since our date.

"Just passing and decided to come and say hello." Adam studied my veil, then unhooked it. He cocked his head at me and said, "Not sure now if it was the right thing to do."

I swept my hand around the cafe. "It's okay, we're not busy yet."

Adam laughed and shook his head. "That's not what I meant." He touched my cheek with the back of his hand. "You look amazing. I won't be able to concentrate on my work with this image of you in my head."

I blushed at his words and grinned. "You look pretty amazing yourself. Do they make you wear suits at your work?"

"I'm off to court. I have to dress up."

The idea of Stan and the drug deal I believe happened flashed through my mind.  Farrowing my brow, I said, "Are you in trouble?"

"It's a work thing." He smirked at me. "But seeing you dressed like this puts me in deep trouble."

I smiled and puzzled over his comment. What would the transport department need to go to court for?  "Is the government suing someone for not paying their rego?"

Adam laughed and took a step toward me. "Yeah, something like that." He put his thumb on my bottom lip and stared at me.

The door of Kæ'feı 'Rɒbərt opened again. I glanced around him. The attractive brunette from the train stood there.

"Adam," she called. "We have to go."

My heart cracked. I stepped back as he faced her. She looked beautiful in a smart suit.

I secured my veil to hide my anguish. "Well, it was good to see you. I better get back to it. Good luck with the court thing."

"Hey." Adam stopped me with a concerned expression.

As he did this, the brunette called him again, "Adam, come on!"

He exhaled. Irritation crossed his face. "Sorry...I've got to go."

I shrugged and fought hard to put on a bright facade. "That's okay, I've gotta go too. Tables to clear."

He watched me walk to the nearest table to collect the empty plates in front of the two old ladies who sat there.

Brunette called his name again. I glanced in her direction. She sneered and when he got closer said, "That's the girl from the train, isn't it?"

I didn't hear his answer. Adam shoved his hands into his pockets as they crossed the road. She hooked her arm through his. He stepped sideways so her arm dropped away. I assumed he did that for my benefit. I guessed this woman's name was Kay, and she was his wife or girlfriend.

Hate for her swept through me. How weird to feel like that? It was him doing the dirty on us both and to come to my work knowing she was with him and would recognise me left me dumbfounded. I guessed the court case was for him, not work, and she was his support person.

Gary sensed my mood change. "Did that guy harass you?"

I shook my head. "I need to sit for a bit. I'm not well."

He surveyed the restaurant to check that everything was under control and said, "Take your ten now."

I removed my veil and headdress then splashed water on my face. I scolded myself for expecting anything other than what I was getting. You didn't meet nice men the way I had met Adam.

I always choose the wrong type of man. You'd think I'd pick up on the signs after my last experiences. I dabbed my face with a towel and couldn't understand why I was so upset because I hardly knew him.

That's not true. I was upset because I'm not the sort of girl who has sex with anyone. Doing what I had done with Adam was way out of my league. I felt that I had cheapened myself for allowing it to happen.

Girl to girl question.  Have you felt like that?  It really sucks, huh?

I rang Belinda when I got home.

She couldn't understand me because I was babbling so much. "Pack some things and come over," she said. "Stay at my house tonight."

Belinda lived in a bed-sit similar to mine except she had more space for a lounge. She let me get it out, called him a prick at the appropriate times in my story, and cuddled me. We curled up together because, like me, she had one bed. I went to work from her place and caught the train home Wednesday afternoon, my squash day.

Playing squash that night was the best thing for me. No thoughts of Adam entered my head, and the exercise lifted my endorphins.

Poor Jasmine.  Adam pulled a real low act showing up at her work with this other girl in tow.

Photo Copyright - Amazon

Word Count - 1049