The Voices You Hear

... when the scratch turns to breakfast

They found a back-end diner and coffeeshop already open at six in the morning. Maine deliberately avoided bringing Richard to the coffeeshop where she and Andrew used to meet. Bic was right, all they ever did was argue whenever they'd meet there, her ex largely complaining of the long hours she puts in at work. She reasons with him, and oftentimes she's the one apologizing, even when Andrew is being childish with his tantrums. They broke up after being together for two years. Andrew broke up with her, saying the most cliché line of "it's not you, it's me", making Maine believe that there was no third party. Bic told her that he was actually cheating on her, having been misplaced in his bag for a day and finding there were condoms in his backpack, and he actually took out and used one. Bic heard moaning and giggling and dirty words exchanged while in his bag, and all these Maine dismissed, saying that Bic probably just heard a TV show.

"I don't know of any TV show with characters named Andrew, and oh, your name got dragged in there, too, you know! Isn't that such a coincidence?!"

Still Maine didn't want to believe that there was another woman, even with her gut telling her that Andrew, indeed, cheated on her.

"Bacon and eggs ok with you? I think they have big servings here, do you mind if we share?"

"Huh?"

"Are you ok to share a plate of bacon and eggs with me? I don't really eat much in the morning, more so having almost no sleep. But of course we can have separate orders, it's up to you. Or you want to eat anything else? They also have ham, hash browns, pancakes..."

Richard was rambling over the menu, worried that he might have jumped on ahead again assuming she would like to share a plate with him. She smiled at how cute he looked.

"Richard, make sure she eats well. Goodness, she's so thin, and there you go asking her to share bacon and eggs with you. Where are your manners?!"

Maine giggled, seeing Richard's ears turn red in embarassment.

"That's ok, Bel. We can share. I'm not much of a breakfast person, anyway. But will you also share an order of pancakes with me?"

Richard's eyes lit up.

"Buttermilk?"

"That sounds yummy."

"And coffee?"

"Tea, actually."

"A tea drinker. Wow."

"Why 'wow'?"

"Nothing. I'm just amazed at how some people prefer tea over coffee."

"Well, I stopped drinking coffee for a year now. I used to drink 4 to 5 cups a day..."

"Really? Why'd you stop?"

"Doctor's advice. I was palpitating heavily one day and I was told to lessen my caffeine intake, until I completely stopped drinking coffee altogether."

"Tea has caffeine, too."

"But not as strong as coffee."

"WILL YOU JUST ORDER ALREADY?!?"

They were both startled at hearing Bic's voice, loud enough to make the waitress approach them with a pad on hand.

"Ready to order, kids?"

Richard and Maine looked at each other. He turned to the waitress and gave them their orders, while Maine dug deep into her bag to hold her pen tightly. The water bottle was peacefully observing from the table, slightly shivering as if suppressing a giggle.

"Ok, that would be an order of bacon and eggs, for sharing, and a stack of buttermilk pancakes. Coffee, black, and chamomile tea for the lady. Anything else, kids?"

Just then the water bottle tipped over.

"Oh, uhm, do you have a water dispenser? I need to fill up my bottle, here."

"Over there at the corner. Your order'll be ready in 15 minutes."

He stood up taking the water bottle with him. Maine looked on as he walked over to the dispenser. She was openly admiring how fresh he still looks, even with no sleep. His chin stubbles are particularly giving her goosebumps, her heart flutter. He looked back at her as he was filling up the bottle, and as their eyes met, he smiled. He saw her bite her lower lip, he swallowed and felt a tug down south. He felt himself getting wet. 

The water that was already overflowing.

"Hush! Richard! I'm full!"

"Oh, right. Argh. Sorry, Bel."

"I know you're liking it very much how she is oggling at you but stay focused, dearie."

"I'll try Bel. But she looks so...gorgeous."

"Aww, dearie, you are smitten. But you still gave her a nasty gash on her jaw, so you still need to make up for that."

"Yeah, yeah, I know."

He made his way back to their booth, his pants with a wet stain on one leg because of the spilt water.

"I hope you didn't drown Bel."

"I'm ok dearie. Richard can be pretty absent-minded sometimes."

"Bel, please."

"Haha, I really like you Bel."

"Oh, dearie. You're very sweet, I like you, too."

"What about me, Mallows? Do you like me, too?"

Bic was wriggling inside Maine's bag, and obviously wanting to be included. Maine took the pen out and jumped (yeah, that could happen) on to Richard, who was quick to catch the pen.

"Whoa! Uh, sure, Bic, I like you, too."

"Ha! Hear that, Maine? He likes me!"

"There was a slight grudge in his voice, but ok, he likes you."

"What about you, girl? He's treating you to breakfast, you never eat breakfast, you must like him, too."

Richard, still holding Bic in his hand, looked up at Maine who was getting redder by the minute. She would have snatched the pen from his hands and shoved it back into her bag if only Richard wasn't holding it very gently in his hand. She returned his gaze, his eyes lighting up, hopeful, it seems to her, on what she might answer.

"Bacon and eggs, stack of buttermilk pancakes, kids."

They jumped at the voice of the waitress, their food on a tray and placed on the table. Maine took the pen from Richard's hand and pushed it back to her bag. Richard wet the water bottle on the side of the table.

"I'll be back with your coffee and tea. Enjoy your breakfast, kids."

Saved by breakfast.