It was 1:45p.m., almost closing time, when I walked into the restaurant. It closes between 2:00 and 5:00 to get ready for the dinner crowd. Debbie was the hostess today.
She saw me come in and walked over to greet me. She reached for my arm and led me to the large booth in back. Most of the other lunch customers having already left, this side of the restaurant was deserted. Some of the lights had been turned off to indicate the section was closed, so it was dim where I was seated.
As I sat down, Debbie said "Coffee?"
"Please," I replied.
"Bobbi will be here in a minute." That meant today was Bobbi's turn.
"I'll get the coffee," she said.
"Thanks."
Deb leaned over and gave me a quick peck on the mouth as I caressed her ass, then ran my hand up the inside of her thigh. As she walked away, I admired the slender legs and great ass. Dark brown hair cut above her shoulders. Naturally brown. I know. I couldn't see them from this angle, but she has large breasts for such a slender woman. She has to be in her late thirties, maybe early forties. I never asked. It never mattered. But I've been coming here for a long time and she has been here all that time. Not really a pretty woman, but attractive and strong willed. I like women with strong personalities. Watching her walk away, I remembered how this all started.
It was late, a long time ago. The restaurant was closed but as I was walking by I saw a light on where one shouldn't be so I let myself in. As I walked toward the back, I saw Debbie curled up on the seat in one of the small booths, looking forlorn. She had her knees pulled up to her chest, her head resting on her arms, eyes hidden from view. I could tell she was very close to crying just by looking at her. I walked noisily down the aisle so I wouldn't startle her. She looked up and watched me slide into the seat across from her.
"How did you get in here?"
"I've got a key," I told her.
"You know Anita?" she asked.
"Yeah. Are you all right?"
She started crying, tears streaking her cheeks. I moved around the table and slid in next to her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face in my chest, her tears soaking through my cotton shirt. I put my arms around her to comfort her.
"I can't go home."
"Can I help?" I asked. That's me, helpful. Clueless, since I didn't know what she was talking about, but helpful.
"You hardly even know me."
"Once a Boy Scout, always a Boy Scout," I said. That's gotten me into some weird situations over the years, but that's the way it goes. She didn't reply, but she stopped trembling, still huddled in my arms. We sat like that for a while.
"Why'd Anita give you a key?"
I debated with myself for a moment, then decided there was no reason to tell her Anita is my mother. It's not something we advertise since there's a chance it could put her in danger. A really tiny chance, but possible. I waffled, while still telling the truth.
"We're partners," I said, "Sort of, anyway. But Anita runs it. I'm a silent partner. More like an investor than a partner. I just like having some place to come to."
"But you always sit alone and don't talk much."
"Umm. I don't need to be part of it. It's a friendly place. I like being around people, but I also like to be alone." We were quiet for several minutes, then I said, "Don't take this wrong, but if you need a place to stay tonight, I' ve got an extra bedroom."
She looked up at me, not answering.
I pulled my arms from around her and held up both hands, making a 'stop' gesture.
"No agenda. It's got a lock and it's own bathroom. You're welcome to use it. That's all. I'm not hitting on you."
"You never hit on any of us. You don't even flirt like most guys. Why not?"
"No reason. That's just the way it is."
"No one would mind. All of the girls like you. They . . . we all think you're hot."
"Right," I chuckled.
"Serious. The way you look and walk. You don't talk much and you're always so polite and friendly, even if something gets screwed up. You treat us like people, not slaves. You talk soft, but it's . . . I don't know, like you're quiet and friendly but don't mess with you. No one even knows your name." I told her my name.
So softly I barely heard her, "I'd like to use that extra bedroom. If it's ok."
"C'mon," I said pulling her to her feet. "It's just a block down the street."
"You live there?" she asked, surprised. It's a luxury residential condominium complex. Each unit has a private entrance. I have a two bedroom & den unit I call 'the suite.'
"No," I said, "but I own one of the units. I spend time there sometimes."
Holding her hand in mine, I led her out and locked the door, then we walked down the street.
She stood quietly while I opened the door and reached inside to turn on the light. Closing the door behind us, I went to the fireplace and lit the gas log. When it was adjusted, I started toward the kitchen.
"I'll make some hot chocolate." I said. "Or would you rather have coffee? Or tea? Real or decaf. Or something else. Soda. Milk. Wine. Beer. Not much of a selection of hard stuff. Scotch. Bourbon. Maybe some vodka."
"Hot chocolate'd be great."
When I walked back into the living room, she was sitting on the sofa watching the fire. I put the mugs on the coffee table. She didn't seem to notice the chocolate, so I took her hands and wrapped them around the mug. I sat on the sofa near her. Not so near that it would alarm her.
"Oh. Thanks." She turned toward me. "Want me to tell you what happened?"
"Up to you," I said. "No obligations. Remember?"
"It's really stupid. Ralph's mom thinks I should get a 'real' job. Ralph's my husband. I told her to stay out of my business and she got pissed at me. Ralph took her side. We've been living with his folks until we can afford our own place, so she thinks she can run my life. Anyway, I got mad back, got mad at Ralph and just left. It'll be ok, but I can't go back tonight."
"Ok." I stood up, reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet; then led her down the hallway.
"This is the guest room. It has its own bath. There's new toothbrushes in the medicine cabinet. Toothpaste, etc. Oh. Wait a sec," I said. I walked to the master bedroom, got a clean T-shirt and brought it back.
"This should work to sleep in." I handed it to her, and she held it up against her chest. It drooped almost to her knees.
"Take a shower. Bath. Whatever you'd like. Toss your clothes out, I'll put them in the washer so you have something clean to wear tomorrow."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." I smiled. "I'll be in the den if you need anything. It's right there, that first door this side of the living room." She nodded and walked in, closing the door.
A couple of minutes later I heard the shower running so I walked back to the guest room and grabbed her clothes. She'd left them on the floor just outside the bathroom door. I tossed them in the washer, started the machine, and went back to the den and fired up the computer.
About half an hour later, I heard Debbie walk in. Her hair was brushed back, glistening from the shower. I caught a whiff of lavender soap. My T-shirt hung around her small frame, except where her large breasts held the shirt out from her slim torso and tiny waist. Her nipples were erect, poking through the fabric. From the cool air, I figured. The shirt ended a couple of inches above her knees, revealing the rest of her marvelous legs. I felt a stirring in my pants.
"Something wrong?" she asked.
"No. I startled a little. You were so quiet coming in. Hungry?"