Dr. Skye Series: "Trapped"

Session #3

Listening to the lawn mower outside has made me hungry. I looked at the clock, and it was lunchtime. I grabbed my sports coat and slid towards the door. Miss Amy was sitting at her desk working on a crossword puzzle. "Amy, I'm going to the café," I said. She looked over her glasses, smiled, and nodded her head. That let me know she was comfortable in the position she was in. You would say I was rude, but Miss Amy is old school. She only eats her cooking.

I walked inside this bright but relaxing place with smooth jazz instrumental playing in the background. The sign on the counter says if dining in, take a seat. I had about an hour until my appointment and rush hour had passed. Dining in was my thought. Before I attempted to take a seat, a lady with light skin and pretty long black hair approached me, "Mr. Charles, glad to see you back. I have been checking on you through Miss. Amy."

It was Jasmine, my usual and favorite waitress. My face gloomed into a butterfly smile, "Thanks. You should have gotten my number and called me yourself." She giggled and gave me the said eye, "You are funny." Still smiling and admiring her glow, "I'm serious!" She crossed her legs and bowed her head, "Well, I am glad to see you smiling. I can see that God is most definitely a healer. Just to see the light shining over you right now. I don't think I could manage. You lost two family members. My Lord! Bless Your Soul."

She brought God into the conversation. So I had to change my mode. Have you ever flirted with someone, then their response changes their whole outlook on things? I replied, "Yes, God is able." But that still didn't change my point of view. She asked, "Have they found that guy or person that did it? Honestly, I bet it was Nathaniel's grandson. He has been missing since that night."

Now she got my attention. Back into investigation mode, I frowned and said, "Nathaniel?" Hopefully, my facial expression didn't scare her like Monty & Miss Amy. "Are you talking about the guy that used to be the Principal? Didn't he die about a month ago?" I asked. Confused but yet making connections.

Snapping back into reality, I heard her say, "Yes, his son took over. Haven't you been watching the news?" As you know, my facial expression speaks before my words come out. "No. The news has been depressing for me." Seeing the sorrow on my face, she responded, "Oh, I'm sorry. I should not be mentioning this right now. What can I get you?" I wish she would have hugged me, like the other two, but I wouldn't have let go.

So, I said, "You meant no harm, but give me the usual." The café was a regular lunch spot for me. Often, I would walk a block on my lunch break just to eat here and behold God's creation. My absence for a week has not fogged Jasmine's memory.

"A BLT, baked chips, a diet Coke, and a sugar-free cookie?" She knew just what I wanted. Further than an eagle's wing stretch, I smiled, "You got it." Putting her pen and tablet back into her pockets, she walked away, confirming my order, "Coming right up." I knew she was feeling me too, but to play it off, I responded, "Thanks, my friend."

About 15 minutes passed, and I called her "Jasmine!" She came running to my rescue. "Yes?" After scrolling through TikTok, I wanted to talk. "Do you think your manager will let you have lunch with me today?" Why not have a female on the team? Thinking she knew my plan, "If you ask her, she might say yes," giving me a smirk.

Honestly, I wanted to know more about what the news had been saying (wink-wink). Coming back with a fake sad face, "The manager is on an important call. Here's your drink. Are you okay?" she asked. Jasmine must have seen right through my mask. I was looking out the window. I saw this lady and her little girl walking down the street, and instantly I thought about Shalonda & Carly. I turned my head, "You got me thinking about how Nathaniel's grandson has been missing since the accident. I hope he's okay."

Feeling the hurt in her voice, "I feel bad. I talk a little too much." Comforting her, "No, you are fine." She looked down and saw my cup was empty. Jasmine asked, "Need a refill?" That was her door to get away from the emotions that were shifting.

Not stopping her, "Yes, please." But still curious, I asked, "Do you know what the boy drives?"

I do not know why I asked that question because they do not know what the person was driving that his family. She replied, "No, but I think your order is ready." She placed the plate in front of me, not sure was the food smelled that good or her. No, I did not say anything. I just inhaled the aroma.

Thirty minutes later, I let out a loud burp that scared me. "That was good!" I said as she approached the table to pick up the trash. "Did you make that yourself?" I asked. "Anybody can make a sandwich." I reached inside my pocket to pull out my credit card when she said, "Oh, lunch on me today," giving me a piece of paper with a number on the back.