One Night Only

Monday

Mondays are typically the boring days of the week. Writing, editing, and sorting emails are just the right amount of trying-to-stay-awake boredom you'd expect. The big and tall room has had its share of loud encounters and rendez-vous, but it turned so silent. Most of its furniture is now toned dark wood and mellow colors. It is now officially one year since Kaycee and Kirsty left to go study at a circus school. Who knew that calling them clowns for all those years would end up like this? Ironic, but not disappointed. Burdine recalls all those moments she has supported her two mini-hers. From their first day at work when they showed up 45 minutes late due to the smoothie shop being only open at 10 am or that time that the girls brought back a goat! That was hilarious. Now it is so quiet.

It is noon. Time to go get some lunch. Burdine's long slim legs rushed down the small stairs from her desk to the main floor grabbing her purse and her coat. It is still fall after all. She locked the door and then rushed down the stairs. The leaves are amazingly beautiful. It is rare that Stilesville gets such scenery due to its location. The beach was cold, the wind was chilling and school started a few weeks ago. New faces and new things were happening. Good thing she got that coat.

''Ouch! You imbecile! Look what you did to my coat!'' Burdine yelled at a skater boy after he tripped next to her.

''Sorry, miss. I swear I didn't mean it'' the poor petrified boy answered.

''Is there a problem here?'' a mysterious voice behind her back said.

She turned around and there he was. Damon. Rich, handsome, but most importantly rich! He was there with... a child?

''That child just... excuse me, have I seen you somewhere?''

''My name is Thomas, that is my grandson''

''GRANDSON!''

''Yes, Cloe, do you know this woman?''

This situation went from charming to incredibly awkward. Damon was Cloe's dad? How come she didn't know?

''Sorry about that Burdine, Zayn is learning some skateboarding'' Cloe shyly said pushing her son away.

''Let me make it up to you, I'll buy you a new drink and get-'' the blonde woman tried to finish her sentence but it got cut.

''-NO! No, no no no, it's fine. I'll go get it dry up. Hum... anyway, see you at the event, Cloe'' Burdine interrupted.

''Event?'' Damon answered.

''Yeah dad, I- I mean... we! We invited Burdine to the speed-dating for rich and hot singles. I mean she is rich and hot!'' Cloe answered.

''Why. well yes my angel, but... sort of''

Burdine looked at him with despair. Didn't they spend a weekend talking about their future together? What about that time he left her alone at that hotel? That's not hot! So many things were happening in her head. Was she too much for him? Too poor? Too... unattractive? How about her hair? Or her surgeries? Was it not enough? The chatter kept going as an afterthought but all she could think of is why, how, how dare he, why her, and why now?

''Burdine!'' She heard from the back.

She turned and saw a familiar face. It was Polita, an old friend from Fashion Police. The old pal embarrassed her tightly leaving barely enough room to breathe. It was uncomfortable. She and Damon, or Thomas, regardless, had been recently both divorced after 25 years of marriage. They had tried everything from therapy to travelings to dog therapy to more travellings. Literally, anything to spend money. It became apparent that Polita had no idea about the whole... Damon thing. He really took that O away from his own name, huh? Cheating on his gorgeous wife for money. Good thing those insufferable Bratz caught him.

The conversation ended and it was time to get back to work. Burdine rushed with her black coffee, completely different from what she usually would have taken. She sat in front of her keyboard. Title of the month:''How to get away with spying on your ex?''. Page: blank. It stayed blank for hours. Nothing. There. Was. Nothing. The wheel was spinning round and round about that awful news she got. It has been 15 years, why can't she let it go?