FREE FLYING HEARTS -- A collection of short stories from Tonig73

The Park Bench Chronicles ... 1

First things first ... my alarm didn't go off, or if it did, my nose was so far up my ass that I didn't hear it.  So, late for work it was, then.  I didn't worry too much, my boss is lovely, and he knows all his staff are a conscientious bunch, so if we open five minutes late, no biggie.  But then, I forgot my keys in the mild panic that being late might have caused.  I called my lovely shop girl Fran, who lives only five minutes away, on her day off, bless her, to come and let me in.  I can use the spare key to lock up.

Not much is needed in the way of set up and prep in the morning, just setting out the gelato in the freezer cabinet, and get the coffee machinery up and running.  Fill the cake cabinet with today's yumminess, and wait for the caffeinated faithful to fill the shop.  As I stood with my first coffee of the morning, I looked over to the park.  Few people were there yet, a few excited kids with their yawning parents, thinking I'm sure, that 8 a.m. was too early to be at the playground.  Maybe a stop off before going to the child minder, and work.  A few joggers, and dog walkers. The usual.

It was a warm day already, though overcast, the threat of rain looming in the air.  It cast about it the feeling that had already engulfed the day, with it's less than auspicious start.  A collective consciousness kind of day loomed on the horizon, as everyone went about their business in the same manner, good or bad.  And I wasn't looking forward to it, if that was the case.  

It was Tuesday, so it was Laurent's (yes, I'm a nosey cow, I found out his name,) day today.  He told me he meets with his daughter two afternoons a week, her mother too.  That they're divorced, but still on good terms.  That he was lucky enough to have a very flexible work schedule.  He's a lawyer, I thought I recognized him from somewhere, and a high profile one too.  Eight out of ten interviews held on the Courthouse steps involved Laurent Bourgeois somehow.  I was surprised he volunteered the information, maybe he was just in a chatty mood.  Anyhoo ..... 

The day flew by, we were busy.  I'm about to take a quick, late, lunch break, when Mr Sexy Schmexy himself saunters in.  I swear to God, the whole world stops when he walks towards me and smiles.  The tight jeans that encase his slim hips perfectly, the tight sweater pulled across his chest and biceps, that glorious 'fro bobbing too and fro.  Jesus F Christ ..... 

"My usual, please, Eve, and the suspended coffee too."  He just smirks at me as I stare at him, openly and hopelessly, not focusing on his drink enough to stop the steamed milk frothing up and over the side of the jug.  

"Sorry, Laurent, oh God, I'm.... shit ! .... "  His smirk only widens, and now he chuckles at me, his eyes crinkling at the edges.  Dear Lord in heaven .... 

"You OK, Eve ?  Something I can help you with ?"  He winks, and I melt into a giant puddle.  Then I did something stupid.  I mean really, incomprehensibly, unfathomably, kill-me-now, stupid.  I blamed Laurent, because if my brain hadn't turned to mush, I might not have done it.  I said might not, no guarantee.  

As Laurent leaves, Larry (yes, I found out his name too, I had to virtually pull it out of him, I'm so fucking nosey, and he's so fucking shy,) comes through the door.  Without thinking, as is my wont on occasion, many occasions, I open my mouth, and insert my huge size nines.  

"Larry ..... !"  I yell across a crowded lunchtime cafe' floor, "this is the gentleman who buys your coffee .... !"  By now, Larry and Laurent are standing side by side, having glanced at each other, but are now just glaring at me.  Laurent obviously didn't want anyone to know about his generosity, and Larry certainly didn't want anyone to know he accepted charity of any kind.  I stopped breathing and wanted to cry.  In my addled brain at that moment, I thought it might be nice if they met.  I thought wrong.  Laurent was just embarrassed as he scooted around Larry to leave, Larry angry with embarrassment too.  

--  What the fuck have you done, Eve ?  --  

"I guess I should say thanks then, for your generosity." Larry told Laurent's retreating back sarcastically.  It was neither of their fault, but the cafe' was silent now and you could cut the air with the knife Eve desperately wanted to stab into her chest right now.  

"No thanks needed."  Laurent turned to glare at Eve again, those gorgeous, usually warm and friendly chocolate brown eyes were now cold and unforgiving.  Laurent left, the little bell above the door heralding his hasty exit.  

Larry just stood stock still, as we all seemed frozen to the ground where we were.  The chatter started back up again, but it was about Larry, and I hated it as he still stood, red faced, not knowing what to do.  I hated it, and I hated me too.  They talked about what he looked like, his vaguely dirty clothes, his disheveled look, his huge bag of belongings hung from his shoulder, the curtain of hair that hung over his sad eyes.  No wonder, I thought, if people kept treating him like this, and now I was the cause.  He moved to leave, but I literally ran to try to catch him, tears falling now.  I didn't even deserve my own self pity, I hated what I had done, inadvertently or not.  

"Larry, don't leave, please.  Sit, I'll get your coffee .... and a sandwich, on the house.... " 

"No, I .... um .... I'd rather just leave, if it's all the same to you.  You've done quite enough .... "  It was the first time he'd looked me directly in the eyes, and he was so hurt, so angry, and it made me cry even more.

"Larry, I'm so sorry .... I didn't mean to .... "

"I know, it's OK."  he smiled weakly, nodding his head slightly in resignation, trying to make what had just happened insignificant.  "People never mean to say what they say, do what they do, but they do it anyway."  He twisted the hem of his worn out jacket nervously, looking for all the world like an abandoned child, then turned and left.  I turned to go back to the counter, cursing my stupid fucking self, wiping my tears away, as they just didn't seem to want to stop falling.

Like I said, just a shitty day all round.

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Not a good start for Eve, huh ? ..... Poor Larry, he's homeless ..... Laurent get's to see his baby girl at least ...... but, as is to be expected, things are not always as they seem ..... tell me, tell me ..... Next one up soon ..... x T