A Heart's Desire

Chapter 11

Since Natalie only got an hour for lunch, Samantha arrived at her office building around 11:45am. She told the receptionist she was there to meet her friend for lunch and Carla said Miss Moore was expecting her. Samantha headed down the hall and passed a few office doors until she arrived at Natalie's. She walked right in without knocking and found Natalie sitting behind her desk working on her computer.

Natalie was a real estate agent and had just received a promotion that made her a regional manager. She had been the #1 seller almost every year since she started, so it was well deserved.

"Ah you are finally here." Natalie said as she was printing off some sample sell sheets for her new clients.

"What are you talking about? I am 15 minutes early."

"Yes, but I have a meeting at one o'clock so let's leave now, I can't be back late." Natalie finished printing and opened her bottom drawer to grab her purse. "Should we hit the fry truck across the street?"

"But of course my dear." Samantha said as the two friends headed for the door.

Outside they crossed the street and walked over to the fry truck. Samantha looked over the menu board that was written in erasable marker and nailed to the side of the truck.
Natalie looked up into the truck, "Hey Ernie, how are you doing today?"

"Ah Ms. Natalie, I am fantastic! Your usual today?"

Ernie was an older man, somewhere in his late 50's with silver hair and a moustache so long he made handlebars out of it. He had the fry truck in the area for the past 25 years and with all the little business in town he made a nice living. He had a soft spot for Natalie who was one of his regulars. She would always take the time to ask him questions about himself and they quickly became friends.

Ernie was married but they never had any children and thought of Natalie as the daughter he never had. He lost his wife three years ago to cancer and had no other family. Every other Sunday, Natalie met Ernie at Sally's Diner for breakfast, a tradition they started just as he lost his wife.

"Yes please and my friend here is going to get something." Natalie turned to look at Samantha.

 "Do you know what you want?"

"What is the usual?"

"Foot long with chilli, cheese and fried onions."

"Oh that sounds good, I'll have one of those."

Natalie turned back to Ernie, "Make that two please and can we get two Sprites."

It only took a few moments for Ernie to prepare the hotdogs and pass them through the window with their drinks. Natalie passed Ernie some money but he waved his hand and shook his head.
"Today lunch is my treat for two beautiful ladies."

"Ah thank you Ernie." Natalie replied as she put the money back in her pocket. "You have a good day and make sure you behave yourself."

"Thank you Ernie." Samantha said as she followed Natalie over to a parking bench.

The girls sat on the bench and placed their drinks on the ground beside them. Samantha took a bite of her hot dog and was suddenly thankful she had grabbed extra napkins.

"How is it?"

"Messy but really good."

"So enough with the small talk. Update me. What happened with your little encounter the other day with Brett? I want all the details." Natalie leaned in so she could hear every word Samantha was going to say.

"He confessed that he never really cheated on me and of course now he sees how stupid of a plan that was and regrets it all. We talked about it. I'm not sure if I have forgiven him yet, but I sort of understand why he thought he had to do something so extreme. And then he asked me out on a real date tonight." Samantha took a bite of her hot dog and with her mouth full said, "And I said yes."