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Sundays are always quiet at work so when my mother dropped in after church to spend the day with Annie, I took the time to go into the coffee shop to deal with a mountain of paperwork and bills that I had been putting off.
Now that I wasn’t so worried about everything crumbling down around me, the day flew by in a flurry of productivity. I even mapped out my company’s next steps, which I haven’t bothered to look at for the last couple of years. It’s hard to see that far into the future when you’re trying to put one foot in front of the other and stay above water most days.
Foot traffic into the shop is always quiet on the weekends so I sent my two employees home to their families early.
I haven’t enjoyed the silence in a long time.
Even in moments of peace, my mind was loud with anxious worry.
Today, I made myself a coffee, grabbed one of my pastries and sat at my favorite table in the corner to soak up the last of the sun’s rays before it dipped behind the building across the street.
I didn’t answer Shane’s text from last night. I think instead, I’ll walk over there once I close up, and see if they have time for a drink so we can talk about everything that has happened.
I’m so deep in thought, I don’t hear the front door open. The drop in temperature is what alerts me, and a chill snakes its way down my spine.
As I stand to greet my customer, my smile fades away.
“What? No hugs? And here I thought you missed me.”
I used to find Dale’s features attractive, but now I clearly see the monster underneath, and my stomach rolls as I glance out to the street only to find it empty.
My worry quickly settles on Annie, and for the first time in my life, I’m grateful she’s tucked away in the hospital.
“I—you surprised me—that’s all.”
His only response is a slimy grin before he changes the subject.
“Get me a coffee, Babe. We need to talk.”
I flatten my palms against my thighs to hide my anxiety as I walk toward the kitchen. Once I’m out of sight, I’ll message Shane back at the number he messaged me from last night.
My hopes are dashed when Dale takes a step toward me.
“The coffee on the counter is fine. Hurry up.” His eyes shift nervously to the street.
My hesitant movement matches his and warning bells go off in my head. I know how one wrong move can set him off, and I don’t want to push any buttons.
Thankfully, he takes his coffee black and I get it quickly as he taps his leg impatiently with the tips of his fingers.
When I step out from the counter, he walks to the table I was just sitting at, and I place the mug down in front of him before returning to my seat.
I open my mouth to ask why he’s back and what he wants when he reaches across the table, sliding the plate with my pastry toward him.
His cold eyes stare me down as he lifts the treat I was going to savor and takes a bite, devouring half of it in one go.
I’ve lost my appetite.
“Wh-why are you here?” I bounce my leg under the table in fear.
I fear the man sitting across from me for many reasons. I don’t know why I’ve never told anyone how violent he could get. I think I was scared, but I was also embarrassed. If my mother thought I made bad decisions with what she knows, this would just seal the deal. I thought if I said nothing, then he would disappear. He would run away in his own shame and never come back. But if I told someone, there would be a reason for him to stay.
But he’s back anyway.
“I’m here to settle some scores and get what’s mine.”
“I don’t understand.”
He finishes my dessert on his second bite, chewing with his mouth open in a sleazy smirk.
