Those Green Eyes

Chapter Four

Billie:

"Where is she!?" I demanded. I stood at the counter of the diner where Mike had claimed to see Melanie. I wanted information and I wanted it now.

"Excuse me? Can I help you?" I man in a black suit and blue tie approached me.

"Are you the manager?" I asked angry now. "Why yes, I am." He smiled a big goofy grin, I was ready to knock his teeth out.

"I'm looking for someone." I lowered my voice as I glanced around the crowded room. "And who is it you are looking for?" He asked confused. I walked closer to him. "She's a waitress here.. Or something.." I fumbled on my words realizing I had no idea what she actually did here or if it was even her to begin with.

"Her name is Melanie." I glared at him. "Why are you asking?" He paused. "Who are you?" He asked again, defensive now. I pulled a one hundred dollar bill from my wallet and held it out to him. I realized this wouldn't be easy.

"Come with me." I watched as he tucked the money into his pocket. We walked out back of the restaurant to a small building. "What's this?" I asked walking through the front door. He smirked. "You ask a lot of questions you know that?" I shrugged. "It's my office." He finished.

"What do you wanna know about Melanie?" He lit a cigar. "Everything." I stood with my hands tucked into my jacket. He chuckled. "She started working here last week, keeps to herself. She's got a story I know that much." Maybe he wasn't as dumb as I thought. "Anything else?" I asked trying to play it cool. "Nothing I can think of." He tapped his finger on the desk. "Well there is one thing.." He trailed off. "What is it?" I asked beginning to sound desperate. "The kid that's always with her." My eyes widened. "Kid? What kid?" I wonder if Mike new about this? "After her shift she goes to the elementary school down the street to pick her up." He looked deep in thought. "I can't believe this." I began pacing back and forth. She has a kid. I can't believe she had a fucking kid. She must be married then? HA some husband forcing her to work in a diner all while taking care of a child!? I will kill that fucker.

"Can I have her address, phone number? Something?" I asked panicking now. He eyed me suspicious. "I can't give out that information, I'm sorry." I nodded understanding. "Thank you for your time, I appreciate it." I stopped in my tracks as I reached the door and turned around. "One more thing." I looked over at him. "This little girl of hers.. How old is she?" I asked. He tilted his head to the side. "Dunno eight or nine maybe." There was a silence. "You're kidding?" I asked, unsure if it was really a question or a thought spoken aloud. He looked confused. "I don't think I caught your name." He waited for my response all while ignoring my question. "It's Billie. Billie Joe Armstrong." I slammed the front door behind me.

Melanie and I dated close to ten years ago. If her daughter was eight or nine years old then.. Then.. I winced at the thought. Then she must of been cheating on me... Is that why she left? Was she to ashamed to tell me she was pregnant with another mans baby? No absolutely not. Not my Melanie she wouldn't do that to me. Or would she?

I was so close yet still so far.