Return to Me

Ten

The short walk back to the coffee shop seemed unbearably long as I pondered what I was getting myself into. Better yet, what has come over me? I just told my ex-finance' that I'd hang out with him alone. And I also said it just to please him--just to make things worse!

Why did I do that?!

Still in my own world when I entered the shop, I didn't hear Liz talking to me. It wasn't until she was snapping her fingers in my face when I came to my senses again.

"I'm sorry, what?" I ask, giving my head a little shake.

"What did he say?" Liz replied, eager for an answer.

"Who?"

Liz sighed and grabbed hold of my arm. "Jack! What did he say?"

"Oh--right. You have nothing to worry about. He said he's not going to put you out of business."

"Oh, thank God!" Liz smiled and gave me a quick hug.

"I told you so,"

"Thank you, Rosie!"

"No problem," I began busying myself in effort to get my mind off the conversation I had with Jack.

"Hey, are you alright?" I should have known Liz would see there was something bothering me.

"Oh--um, yeah...I'm fine." I turned into the back room to fetch a dish rag.

"No, something's bothering you. What happened back there?"

Knowing I was trapped, or at least soon to be, I told her of my conversation with Jack and asked her what I should do.

"What harm could come from just going over there and checking out the construction site?"

"We're going to be alone, Liz! He asked me out on a date, and I said yes!" I exclaimed running my hands through my hair.

"It's only a date if you want it to be."

"And I don't!"

"Then you have your answer." Liz, being the nice friend she is, gave me a gentle pat on the shoulder and let me be alone with my thoughts. Although, she helped some, I still didn't know what came over me. I shouldn't want to go near him, and I sort of do, while another part of me doesn't. I'm at war with myself and I can't seem to figure out why this has all of a sudden happened. None of this should have happened. And it started when Jack moved to Chicago. Why did it have to be Chicago? Why of all places? And better yet, why did he have to live in my building? There are tons of apartment complexes in Chicago, and he just happened to pick my building? This whole situation wasn't making sense to me.

I disappeared like I was supposed to, now it seems like I didn't go far enough, and a strange feeling coursed through my stomach. I have a feeling that soon enough my secrets are going to be revealed...ones that I've kept buried away.

"Oh, shit..." I muttered to myself before leaving the back room and joining Liz up front to help with some customers.