It was a quiet night at the diner where I worked part time. I had a day job at the library but the extra money was handy and Joe and Lisa who ran the place were like family. They had given me a job and rented me a room when I arrived in the city as a student and they had a baby on the way so I was happy to help out. Of course it filled my recently single nights as well!
Being a town diner, not a truck stop our clientele comprised of on duty cops, gossiping women, lonely businessmen, dating kids and studious academics.
It was the latter two categories that remained. A young couple frugally sharing a sundae and a young man who was a regular. He was dressed in dark clothes and always had his head in a book, reading and annotating, always so ensconced that I had to have a few attempts at interrupting to offer him a refill. He looked quite cute from what I saw which was mostly the back of his head and I wondered if he could do with a good woman!!
Lisa had just called Joe begging for ice cream and so I agreed to lock up. I wasn't going to be much longer and certainly didn't have anything better to do!
On his way out he placed the checks on the tables as a subtle hint to them that it was closing time. I was grateful.
The teenagers must have realised they had a curfew as they quite quickly paid me with their pooled coins of change and even threw some in the tip jar, I smiled and thanked them as they scurried out.
That just left the scholar. He had barely acknowledged the check and remembering my student days pitied him a little, he probably enjoyed the peace here. I decided that I would go and clean the kitchen and bathroom and then if he was still there I'd have to say something.
This time filler took around half an hour, 5 minutes of that was spent critically examining my reflection, my long dark hair that I had worn up was trying to break free and a strand kept covering my eyes, they were looking a pale blue tonight, a sign that I was tired! I also noticed a slight coffee mark on my snug fitting white blouse -and was my short black skirt a little too short now that I was a respectable wage earner?
I emerged from the ladies all prepared to evict the man in black but to my surprise he was not there, the booth was clear - I only hoped that he had left some money to cover the bill. I went over and bolted the door, turned the sign round to show we were closed and switched the main lights off, leaving myself the lights from the various machines and the kitchen to work with as I knew this place in my sleep!
I approached the booth and to my relief there was a pile of coins, almost hidden by the menu, probably in case anyone else walked in and took it! I had to stretch and reach across the table to retrieve the coins so I gave it a quick wipe first, knowing that such leaning would cause my breasts to rub against the cool surface.
I was suddenly aware of a shadow over my own, a presence behind me as I spun round I came face to face with him, the first thing I noticed were how attractive and pale his blue eyes were, not usually being able to see them. The second thing I noticed was the sounds of his palms smacking against the table as he leant forward, forcing my to lean back and all but pinning me down without actually touching me.
Understandably I was a little nervous, I managed to almost giggle as I reprimanded him for sneaking up on me, expecting an apology or some movement. He didn't respond.
My next instinct was to glance towards the door, as if to measure my distance. His gaze followed mine briefly and then he smirked as he spoke in a deep, commanding yet matter of fact way. "You locked it."
Was he challenging me? Threatening me? I couldn't be sure, I could, however, tell that a big part of him was enjoying this discomfort as I desperately racked my brains for a plan whilst butterflies danced a jig in my stomach.
I shifted a little, subconsciously telling him that the position I was in wasn't comfortable but his response was to lean in even closer. I smiled then, knowing he was waiting for my next move and hoping I could endear myself to him, "Excuse me" I said, lightly and in a friendly way. Again, no response. I could feel panic starting to tighten my chest, who was he and why was he doing this?
The next words tumbled out of my mouth in a babble, "Please, excuse me, I have to finish up here, my boyfriend is expecting me, if I am not there soon he'll come here, he hates it when I work..." I was cut off by him raising a finger and gently but firmly pressing it on my lips, he lent closer still and spoke quietly down my ear. "You're lying. I don't like lies. You haven't got a boyfriend."
I insisted that I had, reiterated that he would be on his way any time now, all the while clenching my fists a little and planning that (A) I would just shove him and run and (B) failing that I would kick him where it hurt.