Another Day

Chapter 26

“Did Paul talk to you?”

I looked up from my cup of tea. I was sitting in the back of the diner; sulkily inhaling all the caffeine I could in a half-hearted attempt to stay awake. Ever since Paul’s visit last week, I have been thinking about things, resulting in my inability to sleep.

Linda had her hands on her hips and her lips pursed into a scowl. “Yeah” I said, wondering what she was so upset about.

“Why Paul?” She demanded.

This confused me. “What do you mean ‘why Paul?’”

She sighed. “I mean, why didn’t you tell me what was going on? I just figured after you broke up with Danny you’d start seeing George.”

“Well” I said slowly. “You didn’t ask.”

She didn’t say anything, just sighed and grabbed a pot of coffee for a customer.

It was true, she hadn’t asked, and Paul had been the only offer of comfort. She’d been too wrapped up in him to do much lately. I understood why, but still.

I was still sitting at the table when she came back, brooding.

Linda sighed and slid into the seat across me. “They’re having a show tomorrow night. Why don’t you come?”

I shook my head and smiled a little. “I don’t think so.”

Her mood shifted drastically, immediately getting angry. She rolled her eyes. “Fine” She snapped “If you want to be miserable and alone the rest of your life, go ahead. It’s not like there’s someone out there who actually likes you.”

Linda snatched her coat off the hook and stomped out, not even looking at me. The words stung. Maybe if they weren’t so true it wouldn’t bother me as much, but as it was, they were true. Harsh, but true all the same.

I dragged myself to my feet; I needed to actually do some work before I headed home…

All day her words played on repeat in my head. I couldn’t help thinking about what she said.

It was all in my head, this fear of being lied to. I wasn’t willing to take the risk because I was afraid of losing control. If I let myself love George as much as I wanted to, then I’d be vulnerable. I could get hurt. Was that risk worth it though? I thought George and I had something, but I hesitated because I just didn’t know for sure.

All my life I’d always gone the safe route, protected in my little bubble that once only held my self and Danny. Now Danny was gone.

I left the diner after my shift was over but all night I was haunted by questions.

Was I willing to take the risk? Could I even do it? Was George worth it?

By the time I fell asleep, I decided that yes, I could do it. George was worth it.