she used to be mine - waitress

prologue

Dr. Pomatter knew what the world had in store for him, the moment he walked into Jenna's hospital room. The way she held the baby, the way she looked at it-- everything seemed to align in place. He found it difficult to even disturb the two, as they seemed to be in their own world.

He wanted to deny it so much. But, is this is how it was supposed to be?

She in her own world and him in his own?

He didn't want to think about it, though.

"Jenna. How are you?"

The woman turned to him and smiled, a sight that could've washed away all his doubts.

"I'm good." She looked back towards her baby and let out a sigh. "Isn't this the most beautiful baby you've ever seen?"

He chuckled. "Out of the six-thousand seven-hundred and two that I have helped give birth to, yours is definitely the most beautiful."

He truly meant it.

Jenna laughed and signaled for him to take a seat at the edge of the hospital bed.

"I-I can't thank you enough. For ev'rything you've ever done for me." She sat down next to him and out of instinct, he leaned in-- it was rash, but it became comforting to him. Before their lips could meet, she lightly pushed his shoulder with downcast eyes.

"You shouldn't kiss me. Not here... and from now on.."

There it was.

     The ending of the most exciting chapter of his life was approaching mercilessly behind him.

"I see the way your wife looks at you with so much trust. I can't ruin that, or else I could never live with myself. We can drag this drama out for a couple of years and make ev'ryone miserable, or we can end things right here and right now. No body count."

Using all his might, he mustered up a reassuring smile and squeezed her hand. He didn't cry, no matter how much he wanted to, because Jenna didn't deserve to deal with his selfishness. She was a mother now and he had a role to fulfill as a husband.

"So this is goodbye?" He whispered softly, as Jenna squeezed his hand back and nodded sadly.

"I'll never forget you."

The way she said that single line made his heart wrench with anguish. What a strong woman, from the moment he first met her to the end of their illicit affair. She was uniquely Jenna Hunterson, and he could never forget her either. How could he?

The passionate waitress with a heart of gold, so selfless and modest, who poured every ounce of emotion into her pies. A woman who had been torn apart by her shit-faced husband, yet still managed to stay together for the people she cared about.

Was there ever any chance for them?

"Another lifetime?"

She nodded, grinning as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Rummaging through her bag, she took out a box and placed it carefully in his hands.

"Here. I know you deserve homemade, but try telling to a vending machine."

He grazed his thumb against it, feeling his throat go dry.

Looking back up, he saw all the gratefulness and sincerity that gushed within her eyes. The way she looked at him, like no one else did, it sparked something inside of him. Something warm, and so inviting, and that's what Jenna brought to his life.

She brought his life meaning.

She made him feel needed.

"Dr. Pomatter?" Her voice cracked. He hummed in response, feeling the emptiness within his heart.

"'Thanks for taking me to the Moon' moon pie."