No second chance
by
Rufus Kirk
SMASHWORDS EDITION
* * * * *
PUBLISHED BY:
Chris Gainsford on Smashwords
No second chance
Copyright © 2009 by Chris Gainsford
NO SECOND CHANCE.
A story by Rufus Kerk about 1630 words
A tale from the “BOOK OF LONESOME MONSTERS”
The demon shyness claims many victims and if only he could be overcome. Let your mind imagine the happy ending to these brief encounters,. If tongues were freed, if fears were cast aside how different the outcome - if only…
For the second time the beautiful girl with long black hair and sea green eyes looked furtively in my direction. “671! Ticket 671!” The middle-aged woman in the faded blue uniform called out stridently, her large bosom heaving with impatience. “Here, that’s me I called out. As I strode to the counter, the girl’s eyes locked with mine for a heartbeat, then fled like a frightened gazelle. So…”she is watching me” I told myself, repelling the smile threatening to overrun my face, lest blue uniform think it meant for her! Clutching the tray loaded with my meal I threaded my way back to my table, throwing the girl a hesitant flicker of a smile, which bounced off the ice of her eyes and fell! Cursing myself, I felt my ears and cheeks burning with embarrassment! Feigning indifference I casually ate the pie and drank the lukewarm coffee. Thought I actually had a chance there I ruminated. Why is she watching me if not?
*****************************
Marvin found the place easily; he could hardly miss it, the meretricious sigh so loud it almost shouted – “GOBBLE ‘N GO.” Inside his eyes searched the small crowded
Diner but there was no sign of her. Checking his watch against the grimy clock on the
wall, he saw that either he was seven minutes early or eight minutes late, depending on
Which timepiece was true. Either way Claire was not here yet.
A woman and two small grubby urchins vacated a table over by the window and he hastened to claim it. Picking the cleanest of the four dirty chairs Marvin sat down and waited for Claire to arrive. An attractive young waitress, her appearance spoiled by ugly stains on her green uniform asked for his order.”Nothing just yet.” She raised an eyebrow but he preempted her protest “ I am waiting for someone, do you think you could clear this mess?” he asked brusquely. He waved, almost angrily at the empty milkshake container, empty coffee cup and the dried brown ring where another had rested. There were smears of jam and cream along with a sprinkling of crumbs on the table. “I’ll get a cloth”the girl stammered, flushing scarlet. As the young girl bustled away Marvin felt sorry. She was clearly run off her feet, not another waitress in sight. The small diner must be popular it was packed like a sardine can, people jostling and squeezing; seating seized as soon as it was vacated Poor girl. It was not her fault those urchins made a mess, much less so that Claire was not here!
“So is it always this busy?” Marvin asked.
“I don’t know sir” she answered smiling shyly. “It’s my first day.”
“Boy, talk about a baptism of fire!” Marvin laughed but the girl stared blankly.
“Um” he said uncomfortably, “I think I will have a flat white coffee thanks, no sugar.”
When she brought it to him he handed her a ten-dollar bill.
“No sir, you pay at the till on the way out.”
It’s not for the coffee; it’s for you he smiled.
“Oh! No, I couldn’t” she stammered.
“Of course you can, it’s called a tip, go on, stick it in your pocket!”
Crushing it quickly into a ball she surreptitiously slipped it into her pocket as though somehow a thief, then smiling unsurely thanked him in little more than a whisper. He finished his coffee and rose to leave, Claire was not coming. As he walked down the street he was smiling, that’s how he would disguise his disappointment over Claire’s non-appearance. All the way to the station he wore his frozen smile.
*****************************************
Sarah sighed and pursed her sensual lips. The young man was clearly interested, so why didn’t he come over and say hello? Or do one of those corny lines perhaps? Have we met? Or have you got the time? Anything! Can’t he see I am waiting for him to make a pass? What’s the matter with him, I really want to meet him”! “Oh pleeeese come over and talk to me,” she silently willed him! “Joondalup express departing in two minutes” Bellowed the loud speaker. “Damn, damn, damn”, she silently cursed, all at once jumping up and running out of the platform diner. CLACK, CLACK, CLACK, CLACK, her heels
beat out her disappointment as she ran to catch her train.
Joondalup? That’s the opposite direction from me, I told myself stupidly! Rupert b bear” I muttered to myself, run, go, talk to her! For once in your life take a chance!
Hurry…run! I pounded along the platform, this carriage, there she is! Two arm lengths
from the door and it slid shut mocking me with a quiet hiss! As the train began moving, she looked up regret and disappointment crowding her eyes and as the train gathered speed a sad wistful smile then she was gone