Gemini

Mr. Short read for me and I listened intently as I took another huge bite out of my sandwich.

“You may receive word from a friend today with a career tip or inspiration for a new hobby. Whatever the case, Gemini, a friend will play a significant role in your life bringing forth business opportunities.”

“Interesting. I’ll keep it in mind,” I said.

Mr. Short gestured silently that I had dressing on the side of my mouth and I wiped myself with a napkin.

“Are you sure you are okay, Allison?”

“Yup,” I said with my mouth full of food, as I wiped it again.

I could never admit to what I was really obsessing over tonight. It would sound so stupid to him, really, admitting that I was nervously waiting for a man who would probably never show.

I changed the subject and started asking him questions about Vietnam, his favorite topic, which inevitably led to as long of a story I was willing to sit for.

***

The crowd in the diner died down after about ten. At that time of night, it was more about cleaning up and restocking for the next morning. There were a few stragglers sipping on coffee and eating pie, but for the most part, the real work was done for the night.

I finished wiping down the last of the empty tables and grabbed the broom from a side closet to sweep the floor behind the counter as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” played. I was crazy all right. I thought about how stupid I felt looking at the door every thirty seconds tonight, when, even if he had come in, he would have taken his card and gone away just as fast back to his cosmopolitan life. It might not have mattered even if he came in. Why was I obsessing over this guy anyway? Was there something truly missing in my life that I had to create this imaginary drama? Is the significance of him all in my head?

I thought about the past year as I swept the floor: how much I missed my mother and how badly the relationship with Nate ended. I hadn’t focused on anything other than my problems until the distraction of Blue Eyes…Cedric. If I can take away anything from this situation, at least I know I have the capacity to be interested in something again.

***

It was 10:55 and time to start shutting down for the night. Max and whichever waitress worked the late shift would always walk out together before he locked up.

I turned off the neon “Open” sign in the window and grabbed my coat. I waited by the door for Max to come out of the kitchen, looking out at the streetlights. He wasn’t quite ready to leave yet and I could hear some last minute washing and clanking of pots and pans. Besides that, the music was off and the diner was eerily silent overall.

I couldn’t wait to get out of here, back to my apartment and into a hot bath. Pathetic. What a waste of energy today was, I thought, as the draft from standing near the door made me shiver.

The last train leaves at 11:20, so I wished Max would hurry up. I closed my eyes imagining how good the hot water bath would feel.

I opened my eyes just as a silver Audi pulled up out front.

CHAPTER 6

CEDRIC

I have been sitting at this business dinner for over two hours and I couldn’t tell you one thing that was said. I have been aimlessly nodding and nursing this scotch because I don’t want to get hammered tonight if I have any chance in hell of making it to the diner before they close. I would much rather be on the highway headed north right now, but couldn’t get out of here to save my life.

Earlier this afternoon, after I got the voicemail from Allison that I had left my credit card at the Stardust (idiot move by the way), I rushed back to the office elated and nervous, but determined to make it back to the diner after work.

In the midst of this development, I realized I had forgotten about a major client meeting followed by dinner scheduled at night. Westock was trying to woo Boston’s top sports anchor from a rival agency and he and his wife had scheduled a meeting with my colleagues and me. It wasn’t until I walked in and saw Julie waiting in my office panicking that I remembered.

Sports anchor Scott Ellis was already waiting in conference room B and he didn’t look too happy. Thankfully, I was skilled in the art of schmoozing and ass kissing and by the end of the meeting, I had him wrapped around my finger. I offered to take a lower percentage commission than he was paying his current agent and guaranteed that I could get him a higher salary. I had already had a meeting setup with TV station management who owed me a favor anyway, after I stopped another client of mine from suing them for breach of contract. I knew the higher salary was a given and I knew Ellis would be my client before the week was over.

***

No longer needing to kiss-ass, Ellis, his wife Maureen, a few of the other agents and I decided to celebrate our new relationship at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the city.

It was 9:30 and I knew I needed to wrap this up soon if I wanted to get to the diner and allow time to go home and change out of my work clothes first.

Just when I was about to make up an excuse and leave…Karyn showed up. Apparently, she had called my assistant Julie’s cell phone to find out where we were and decided to join us. Karyn worked with Scott at the same station and must have thought her presence would help; little did she know how much worse she made this night for me by showing up when she did.

“Hey, babe. Hi, Scott…Maureen…” Karyn said as she walked in like she owned the place, asking the waiter for an extra chair and squeezing in beside me.

“Karyn, what a pleasant surprise.” I lied flashing a fake smile.