LOTTIE PULLED INTO the parking lot, her hands white around the wheel. After a moment to brace herself, she looked around and bit her lip. He wasn't in sight; not yet. Then she paused, fiddling with the leathered bracelet, before scoffing at the idea. You can't miss another day. With that, she stepped outside, slammed the door shut, then pursued into Culvers. 

Where are you, Eliott?

Lottie was already flustered with her first shift of the day, so after seeing the usual buzz of customers, she could only sigh. There were about fifteen people, she estimated. Friday is going to be another long day. 

"Five minutes early?" came a teasing voice; one she knew all-too-well. 

"Hazel, can we not do this?" Lottie glared at her, contemplated, then started for an unused register. "I really need to get to work."

"Normally, you're late," she said, following after, "so why are you early?"

The woman paused after a few steps, then turned with a scowl. "Hazel, please just leave me alone." But her face soon softened. "We'll talk about all the gossip or whatever you want later, okay? Just not now. We're not on break."

"Since when did you become a model employee?" 

"I-"

"-wait." Hazel searched her face, her own sinking. "Did the boss nearly fire you? Did he let you off with a warning?"

Despite herself, Lottie chuckled softly. "No, it's not that. Just... I might tell you something during break. We'll see..."

"Well, until a few hours, I guess." Then she spun around, whipping her hair. "Bye, Lottie."

-

"Joseph." Lottie gave him a gentle nudge but flinched when he let out a yelp. "I'm sorry."

In response, the man stepped back from the metal stove, suddenly pale. And in the next moment, he turned her way. "Why'd you do that?" His voice was just above a whisper. "And what are you doing back here? You're not a cook..."

"It's our break." She patted him awkwardly on the shoulder, but then her face stiffened. "I want to talk to you... away from here."

"Well, I can't go anywhere, or I'll get fired." He slowly removed his hairnet, his fluffy golden locks spilling out. "I don't want to get into trouble."

"No, just outside. It's too chaotic in here."

Joseph studied her, considering the offer, then smiled. "You actually want to hang out, don't you?" Then he made way for the exit and paused. "Wait, this is about that one man, isn't it?"

Lottie bit her lip for a moment. "Let's just get outside, okay?" 

"Okay." The word was muttered. "Let's go outside."

She followed close behind him, their steps in sync. When he stepped through the door, he moved aside, holding it open for her. "Thanks..." she said, watching him, "but I could have done that." But then she scolded herself. Can't you be nice for once?

He continued lining the building, going around the corner to where there wasn't much commotion. That was when he turned, waiting for her to meet him there. "So, what's this about?"

"You know what this is about, Joseph." Her words came out too quickly, so she looked to her feet. "I just want to be sure you told me everything." Then she met his face, her own crumpled. "I need to know everything you and my brother talked about."

Just as last night, Joseph stared down, kicking at stray pebbles. 

"What is it?" she pressed. 

"I just wish you trusted me. That really was all I knew." With that, he looked steadily at her, giving a sad smile. "This was fun. We should do it again sometime." And he dismissed himself, his steps slow but even. "Bye, Lottie."

Lottie sighed, feeling a twinge of guilt. She shouldn't have questioned him; not after last night. 

And as if on cue, she soon heard another voice. "So, what did you want to tell me?"

How did she know I was here?  she wondered, only to conclude that she must have been seen leaving. After a shy moment, she looked up at Hazel, shifting on her feet. "I just thought you should know that... a friend came over and we were up all night. I barely got any sleep."

Hazel eyed her for a moment, her face blank. Then, without warning, she trudged in the other direction, leaving her behind. Unlike all the times before, there wasn't a bounce to her step. 

This was the second time Lottie was left to herself in under a minute. There was a lump in her chest and she felt a tear run from her face. But as soon as it came, she scolded herself because she wasn't a child anymore. So, after setting the hurt aside, she began for the entrance. 

She had work to do. 

-

Ding. 

After the chime, Lottie set her trash tray down on a nearby table and turned. She didn't expect it to be him, since it hadn't been all the times before and it was already five. But she soon gasped, watching as the person strolled to a cleared away booth by the entrance. 

That was when he met her eyes. 

Brown shoulder-length hair. Short, stubby nose. Dark grey eyes. 

It was that same man. He was here. 

Lottie covered her mouth, at a standstill. But then she let them fall, creating fists. She must appear intimidating; otherwise, he would get the upper hand. After inching forward, closing the gap, she studied him for fear, question - anything. 

Instead, a smile took to his face. "You found my note."

Lottie clenched her jaw, grabbed his wrist, then pursued outside. She needed answers. It had been long enough. 

All the while, he went without a struggle. 

She rounded the building, to where she had followed Joseph, then paused. Her grip tightened, unable to turn his way. "Why?"

"I knew where you lived long ago, Lottie. I knew for the last year, but don't worry... Auntie doesn't."

In that same moment, she snapped around, then searched his eyes. They were blank, staring right back. "No, I said why? Why after all this time?!"

He remained silent. 

"Answer me, Eliott!" Lottie quieted down, waiting, and scoffed. "Just say something before you lose me again. Soon I'm gonna walk away and call the police. This is the last chance. If you mess up, you're banished for good. Forever."

Eliott's gaze fell, stumbling for his words. 

"Give me something to work with, please."

"I saw you a year ago, eating at El Dorado, right here in Ashland. I was alone, but you weren't. A man with wavy blonde hair sat across from you. Instead of being upfront, I... followed you guys home."

"And then you began to stalk me," she equipped. "How could you-"

"No, this was a year ago. I told you this!" Then he huffed, glances for witnesses. "You two must have walked there, but I had a car. First, you walked him home, and then yourself. Only recently did I have a reason to come to you, but not before I went to your boyfriend."

Lottie paled, losing her voice. 

"I-"

"He's not my boyfriend. We've only eaten out three times... and we've been co-workers for years." When he cocked his head, she crossed her arms. "Well, after you found your little reason, you interrogated Joseph, asking him about me."

"I wanted to know about you, in case it might come in useful. I wanted to know my sister again."

She suddenly looked up, her face twisting. "Don't pull that 'sister' card! ! I was in a panic for the last several days and I skipped work! I don't have much money as it is."

"Lottie, I never told Auntie," Eliott said, breaking eye contact. "Not after that day. Never after that day... which is why I'm here..."

"What do you mean?"

"I could have brought her here, but I wanted to come to you first."

"No," Lottie sneered, "I'm not going back. Not after this!" Then she pointed to her scar, tears ready to fall. "Never again."

"Lottie, you have a week to decide. I'm staying at the hotel half an hour away. If you don't stop by, I'll take the hint and leave."

"Is this not hint enough, brother?"

"Lottie, Auntie's sick. She doesn't have much longer."

Hey there! I hope you are well. I appreciate whoever has made it this far. <3 Also, feel free to point anything out, whether it's just unrealistic or a spelling error. Admittedly, those are my favorite comments as it helps me get better. 

Well, anyway, it's time for our interrogation! Feel free to skip this if you want to:

1) What's one of your most embarrassing moments?

2) What's your dream job?

Anyhow, I wish you well and God bless. <3