Duncan did, in fact, come to the cafe the next day. I was in early, which was a bit of a drag, having worked late the day before. But, then, I was off the following day, then starting late the day after that, giving me a big chunk of leisure time. He sallied in about noon when it was particularly busy. We have a simple lunch offering, and people who want a sandwich or a bagel followed by a decent coffee drink come in. I have the whole thing set up for speed, so I can handle the rush. Tips are good at lunch time.
Duncan got on line with the rest. When he got to the counter, I had no time for chit-chat, so I made his cappuccino and sent him on his way. He stood for awhile until a table cleared out. I began to wonder if he had somehow got a look at the work schedule for the cafe. How would he know I was working the morning shift? Or did he know? The schedule was hanging in Marty's office, and the door to that was always open. Plus, you had to pass the office on the way to the restroom.
Once things died down, I went to his table.
"Did you look at my schedule, Duncan? In the office?" I said flat out.
Duncan's mouth dropped open, but nothing came out. It looked like he was turning a bit pale.
"What?" he finally said.
"The schedule. Did you look at it." I said. I stood there with my hands on my hips. I suppose I was glowering. I just wanted answers. I've been stalked in the past, and it was no fun, let me tell you.
"No! No, Julie, no, no, I ... No! I wouldn't! Please!"
He was about to blow a gasket, and I was beginning to regret that I hadn't given the matter a bit more thought.
"Why are you always showing up when I'm here, then?" I said, feeling unsure about my footing at this point.
Then, no kidding, Duncan dropped his face into his hands and started crying. Not real loud, thank buddha, but, you know, I could hear him just fine.
Some people at nearby tables looked over, then turned away.
"Hey, take it easy, Dunc. I'm just asking... hey, I'm sorry." I said.
There were a couple of people waiting to order at the counter.
"I'll be right there!" I yelled over. Then I turned to Duncan. He was pulling himself together by this time.
"You okay?" I said in a low voice.
He looked up at me, and it was about the saddest face I've seen since my old man came within one number of winning the Powerball.
'I didn't... Julie..."
"Hey. I believe you. And I'm sorry if, you know, if I came across a bit rough. I gotta get back. Stick around, okay? I'm done at two."
He nodded, then just looked down at the table. Jeez. Talk about thin skin! But in some situations, that could be a very nice attribute. And my mind, of course, was heading down that creative - some might say twisted - alley.
Leaving at two, there was no bank drop. I got things squared away with my replacement, then looked up Duncan out on the floor. He had his book out and seemed very absorbed in it. I startled him a bit when I appeared at his side. He looked up at me.
"oh... you're done." he said meekly. "I want to apologize for making a scene before. I, well, I...".
'Interesting', I thought. I practically accused him of something, and he wants to apologize.
""Don't sweat about it, Dunc." I said, giving him a little pat on the shoulder. "Look, the next few days I'm kind of busy, but why don't you swing by Tuesday, if you can. We can hang at my place for awhile. Are you busy then?"
"No,no, I can be there. That would be nice. Thank you." he said, sounding happy at the prospect.
"Seems like you have a pretty free schedule. Do you, like, work?"
"I do. Sure. But at home." he said.
"And?" I prodded.
"Oh, well, I'm what's called a consulting editor. I work mostly for textbook companies."
"Sounds exciting." I said with mock enthusiasm.
"It's a living, as they say." he said. "They give me a rough version of the different chapters, and I polish them up. I do a lot of my work at night. I like to be out in the daytime."
"Well, that's a nice little schedule." I said, moving a bit closer to him. This seemed to make him a bit nervous.
"That was a very nice footrub you gave me the other night, Duncan." I said, softly. "Thanks for that."
"It's I who should be thanking you." he said, looking up at me. His eyes were tearing slightly. This guy didn't need a resumeΒ΄. Those sweet grey eyes of his told me all I needed to know.
Come Tuesday, I was still lounging in bed when I heard footsteps on the stairs, then a light knock at the door. I'd been at Dylan's til closing the night before. I looked at the clock - twelve sharp. I slid out of bed and went to let him in. I had on my usual jimjams: a pair of soft, maroon,satiny shorts, and a light blue cotton tanktop.
"Hey, Dunc. Come on in." I said, and closed the door behind him, yawning. I headed for the kitchen.
"I'm making coffee. Put your feet up. I'll be back in a sec." I said, and made a beeline for the dark roast.
"Want some?"
"Okay." he said.
"Cream?"
"Yes, thank you."
If Duncan had a dime for every time he thanked me, he'd need a financial advisor. Still, it fit him perfectly.
I came into the room with the two cups. Duncan was sitting on the carpet by the coffee table.And in front of him was a little vase with some purple freesias in it. I could smell them before I even put the coffee down.
"And now you'll pull a rabbit from a hat, I suppose." I said, incredulously.
"Duncan, where ever did these come from?"
I had them in the breast pocket of my jacket, Miss Julie. I hope you like them." he said. I wanted it to be a surprise.
I could see how he could have pulled that off. The vase was very slender.
"Miss Julie? Why so formal, Dunc?" I queried, though I did like the sound of it.
"Can I call you that? Please? I just, well... I don't know, I ... Can I, please?"
"Absolutely, my friend." I said, putting his coffee in front of him.
"You comfortable? I mean, there are chairs here, you may have noticed." I said, giving him a quizzical look.
"I'm fine here. I like sitting here, actually." he said.
I flopped onto the sofa and swung my feet up. I took a big slug of java, and the caffeine molecules went to work. I get my coffee from the cafe. Marty lets it go for wholesale for employees, which is decent of him. It's good stuff.
With Duncan on the floor in front of me, I felt our relationship was taking on its core shape, i.e., me above, Duncan below. As I looked at him from my vantage point, I could see, once again, that he was a natural. So, I thought to myself, watching him sit passively, hands folded tidily in his lap, 'let the good times roll'.
"Nice flowers, Duncan. Why don't you come around to this side of the table. You seem far away over there." I said, and he immediately did so. He was in footrub position, and, in truth, my feet were just inches away from him. Still, I had more interesting plans for him.
"Mind if I rest my feet on your shoulders, Dunc? Elevating them relaxes me." I said, and moved closer to him.
"I don't mind at all, Miss Julie. It's nice to be of some use to you, to be honest." he said, all smiles.
I arranged the throw pillows so that I had good back support, then draped my feet over his shoulders.
"Okay with that?" I asked.
"Sure. Really, it feels good. I mean to be of use, that is."
I knew exactly what he meant. His pants weren't tight in the crotch, but things did look a bit different there, I noticed. I sat back and took a sip. It was kind of cool seeing his face flanked by my feet, like bunny ears. He was beaming, feeling right at home, it seemed.
I stroked the side of his head with my foot a few times, gently, and there was no doubt: I could see Duncan had a hard-on.
"Could you get me a refill?" I said, handing him my cup. "Cream, no sugar."
It was amusing watching him get up sort of hunched over, then turn away from me with the coffee cup, and head for the kitchen. The little boy hiding his shame. I giggled a bit, and I think he might have heard me. So what?
When he returned, his shirttails were pulled out so that the bottoms of them covered his groin.
"You look somehow... more casual, Dunc. Hmmmm. Oh, sure. It's the shirttails. You've pulled them out of your pants. Good. I want you to feel free to unwind when you're here."