Between Lust and Love 13a

Reality Awakes

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My eyes slowly open as rain pours heavily outside; the dream of the courtroom lingers like a foggy memory in my mind. Thankful it’s Saturday, I stumble downstairs for some breakfast. The rain is soothing outside as I sip from my cup, the rich aroma of the dark brew filling my senses, making me smile like new again.

“Hold on a minute.” I whisper under my breath. “Cruel blue eyes?  Goodness, now I'm dreaming about the man."  Feeling exhausted from my recent dramas, I lay down my head, my thoughts swirling, separating reality from dreams.

As if perfectly timed to jolt me from my musings, the phone rings.  "Hello?"  I answer, listening carefully at the cheerful voice on the other end.  "Yes, is this...Braeden Wyles?" The voice asked as my curiosity heightened. "Yes it is, how can I help you?"  The woman on the other end laughs with relief.  "This is the Coffee Stop Diner here on 2nd and 23rd crossover; we have your cell phone here.  It must have fallen out of your pocket when you were leaving last night."

My eyes shoot open with surprise.  "Wow, I'm afraid I didn't even notice I had left it. Thank you for keeping it for me.  Last night was kind of an unusual one for me."  The woman on the other end clears her throat.  "Yes, you left with that stranger that comes by here now and then."  I swallow as memories began to flood back of my terrible night. "Yes, you're right...you sound as if you know him?"  The woman laughs softly. "Only know him due to his poor tipping and occasional drama he drags with him now and then."

I laugh quickly to cover my slight shock.  "I understand.  Well, um, I think I'm going to come on over and pick up that phone of mine then."  I answered, ending the call quickly so that I could gather my thoughts.

After warm goodbyes, I hung up the phone, my mind spinning like a surreal dance of truth and myth.  Casting my cares momentarily to the side, I grab my keys and head my way to the familiar diner.

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My car screeches finally to a halt in front of the coffee shop and I run in the door to see the waitress that normally brought me coffee; she instantly recognizes me with a smile. “Is it a bad thing I didn't even notice this thing was missing?” I ask sarcastically as I place the phone inside my pocket.

The woman laughs heartily.   "Not so much...not in my opinion.  Care for some breakfast on this rainy morning to warm you up?"

I glance outside, quickly making my decision.  "Looks like it's coming down even harder now; so yes, I think I will."  She smiles as she sits me down at my familiar booth. A cup of coffee is promptly placed before my nose along with a menu covered in breakfast delights.

"So, you know him then?  I mean, the guy I left with last night, you've seen him around here often?"  The waitress sits down across from me momentarily, customers being minimal due to the rain fall.  "I have honey, yes; quite often in fact."

I nod, hesitating with how I should select my words.  "Well, I suppose that doesn't really surprise me...I mean the fact that he's probably been here with so many women. He's a suave one and handsome men are hard to find."

I end my words with a slight laugh tinged with regret as the older woman smiles softly with understanding.  “He may be handsome but he carries a past honey. I've seen enough people like that in my life to know one...it's in their eyes."

"Mmm, yes."  I answer, my voice agreeing but my eyes cast down in frustration.  "Yes, I understand he has some...issues."  The woman places her hand gently on mine as if to give comfort and stands up.  "But you know what?  People can change if enough goodness can shine into their dark places; and speaking of goodness...how about some pancakes?" Her contagious joy immediately begins to cast away the cloud over my mind.

"Please!"  I answer with a smile.  I sit gazing out the window, my mind lost deep within the rain tumbling ceaselessly about.  

CHAPTER 14

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