Awakenings: The Greek, The Russian and Me

Chapter 19

As soon as I get home, I shower again and change into fresh clothes. Then I sit on the bed and just look at the beautiful watch he gave me. I replay yesterday's events in my head and cannot under- stand how we can make love with that intensity, and then he is talking about us having other families in the future. It's not like I want to marry him or anything, but then that means that I'm nothing to him. Damn, I gave myself to him believing that he was sorry, and all he really wanted was to fuck me. The tears run freely down my face as I feel a heaviness in my heart, and sadness overcomes me. Shoving the watch in the nightstand, I head to the bath- room and wash my face. I hear Mona and rush to feed her and give her fresh water. Then, needing to escape, I grab my keys and head out the door.

It's eleven thirty, and Pete is expecting me at one o'clock, but I don't want to think or be alone, so I decide to walk the half hour to the coffee shop. The walk does me good, as the air is fresh, and the scenery distracts me from thinking of him. I arrive at the coffee shop, and Pete glances at the clock and then at me. "You're early," he says.

"I had nothing to do at home, and it was lonely, so I decided to come early." I grab an apron from under the counter and tie it around my waist.

"Are you all right, Fran? You look a little down," he says in a concerned voice.

"Nothing a cup of coffee and a jelly doughnut can't fix," I say, smiling and helping myself to a cup of coffee as Pete hands me a doughnut. It's a slow Saturday morning, and the usual customers trickle in. Pete is on the grill, and as I'm wiping down the counter, I ask him, "Pete, what do guys look for in a girlfriend?"

He flips the burger he's cooking and says, "That depends on the guy. Some guys are interested in looks, others want someone who shares the same interests, and others are just interested in sex." He plates the burger and fries, and I take it to the table and then return to the counter. "Fran, you're a beautiful girl; you're smart, funny, and have a heart of gold; any guy would be lucky to call you his girlfriend," he says with a smile.

"You're just saying that, Pete." I head off to a table to take their order. I bring the ticket with the order to Pete, and he starts cooking as I begin to fill the drink order. "Fran, don't waste your time with that Greek guy I've seen you with at school. He's not right for you. That's the type of guy who is focused on getting an education here and then going back to the homeland and marrying a Greek girl."

I feel my shoulders slump as I take the drinks over to the table and take an order from another table. I head to the register and ring up a customer, and then, hearing the bell ring, I head toward the grill and pick up the food orders. Thank goodness things are picking up; at least when I'm busy, I don't think about Conn. "You know, he said he is going to Cyprus for six weeks this summer, and he asked me to take him to the airport," I tell Pete.

He stops and stares at me. "Fran, I don't want you to get hurt, but I bet if you ask him for his contact info in Cyprus, he won't give it to you. You deserve bet- ter. What about Erik? He's a good guy, and it's obvious that he's crazy about you." He waves his spatula in my direction. I smile as I think of Erik, but I don't reply and busy myself refilling napkin holders and waiting tables. The afternoon flies by, and my feet hurt from so much standing and walking. Glancing at the clock, I notice it's a half hour to closing, and it can't come soon enough. "Fran, my dad will be bringing Mom to the restaurant after we close. We are all going to have din- ner here and want you to join us; you're like family," he says, grinning.

"That is so sweet, Pete. Of course I'll stay. I love you guys, and your mom is such a kind lady," I reply, giving him a mock punch on the side of his arm; then I head off to clear some tables.