The Love Story #23

Ann was floating again. Forcing her to make up with Billy paid off. She was daydreaming at work, in class, everywhere they went. Lee was glad she was happy again. Having an angry Ann wasn’t beneficial to anyone, not even total strangers, especially not her sisters.
“It’s a slow day girls, I don’t think you need to stay any longer.” Luke, the owner of the diner was standing at the door looking out at the empty streets.
The Palm Bay beach party had made all the businesses around very slow. Everyone was there, well except the girls. They had their shift to work, which was turning out to be a half-day.
“Luke, why don’t you go, we’ll lock up,” Lee offered. There was also no point in him staying.
“Thanks girls.” He walked to his office, took his coat and left the back way.
Maria had already started putting the sauces away. Lee cleared the tables before they put the chairs on them. Ann was at the counter talking on her phone. One guess whom she was talking to? Her phone had been glued to her ear for a week.
Ann flipped her phone shut and jumped off the counter. “The guys are coming to take us to the party!” She was spinning around dancing to music only she could hear.
“Great!” That came out more depressing than Lee had intended it too.
Ann danced to her and placed her hands on her shoulders. “Don’t worry, Lee, we’ll get you another boyfriend tonight. He may not leave as many bruises on you, but he’ll do.”
“Thanks, I feel so much better now.” Lee was feeling a little self-conscious of her bruises. They had faded to a lighter shade of purple but they were out there for everyone to see in her short-sleeved uniform.
Maria and Ann were worried about her. She walked around the house like a sad depressed zombie. They said she was worse now than she was when it was Steve. It made them madder than she’d seen them before. Ash wasn’t their favorite person at the moment. Lee had to pretend to be in a good mood most of the time. She didn’t want them to fight with their boyfriends because of her.
Lee hadn’t seen Ash since he picked her up from school. He was determined to stay away from her after she stained his car seats with tears. She was too much of a child to be with him. She wasn’t enough; she was inadequate as a woman.
It had been a difficult week. Jane was pissed at her because Ash opted out of the date, and George was furious when she asked for a rain check. The thought of dating only made her cringe. She wasn’t ready for another rejection neither did she want to be used.
She brought Ash’s gift with her to work, she wanted to give it back to Joe. She was going to insist on it and if he wouldn’t take it, she would either pawn it or give it to Jane. If Ash thought she was an annoying little girl, Jane would be a thorn in his ass.
*Maybe I should get her his number?* Her constant nagging would drive him up the wall. That would be the best revenge unless he likes it and eventually comes to like her.
The door opened and Billy and Joe walked in. That was fast. Ann gave a shriek and ran to Billy, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist. Maria however was more gracious about her approach. She walked to Joe and gave him a peck on the cheek that however didn’t stop him from lifting her into the air.
“Joe!” She giggled. He slowly brought her down, low enough to kiss her then he put her down. Maria was blushing so bad Lee thought her cheeks would bleed.
“Hi, Lee,” Billy greeted her with a smile on his face.
“How’s it going?” Joe added happily.
“Hi guys.” She gave them a short wave and a smile. She was the only depressed person in the room. Ash’s rejection had put a cloud over her entire existence.
She reached for the diamond pendant in her pocket but thought against it when they coupled up in different corners of the diner. They were happy and it would only stir up trouble if she brought it up now. She went back to work hoping to get a private moment with Joe and convince him to take it back.
The door opened. Lee didn’t even bother to look up from what she was doing. “We are closed,” she called out over her shoulder.
“Hi, Lee.”
Lee didn’t dare to move. She thought she’d never hear that voice again.
“Oh hell no!” Ann shouted. She pulled away from Billy and walked up next to Lee.
Lee looked up and turned to face him. Maria was already next to Ann. The guys didn’t move; they stayed where they were and silently watched them.
“Hi, Steve,” Lee said quietly. He hadn’t changed, he still looked like a surfer and judging by the amount of sand he had in his hair, he might have been living at the beach.
“What the hell do you want?” Ann didn’t hide her distaste.
“How can we help you, Steve?” Maria had her patient tone on.
“I came to see Lee not you,” Steve added then waited for Ann and Maria to leave. They didn’t budge.
“The faster you speak, the sooner my bodyguards disappear.” Lee was trying to hurry him along. She didn’t want Billy and Joe to witness whatever volcano would soon explode.
“Baby, I want to come back. I miss you, I love you and I’m sorry.” He held her hands, rubbing her fingers with his thumbs.