Dale
I couldn’t read her, all I could see was the shock and that was all. Then she became distant like she was lost. She didn’t look upset, sad, or even happy. And that confuses me, it made me wonder did I made a mistake.
Shit! Maybe I shouldn’t have the fucker killed. Maybe I should just let him rot in jail. Maybe I should let him take the beatings just like she did, and he would learn his lesson the hard way.
God damn! Did I really just made a mistake?
Minutes after she left, Mable woke up, and then I was busy with our usual Sunday morning routine. Mable did ask for her, but I told her that Amanda would come by in a couple of more days.
“Auntie Amanda is busy… she needs to paint, work, you know the thing you said about us adults being boring by needing to work?” I explained while preparing her favorite pancake breakfast.
“But it’s Sunday, you don’t work on Sunday…” she pouted adorably, obviously wanting to spend the day with her too.
“Come… let see where we’re going this Sunday, are you ready?” I said as I took her to sit on my lap and get our Sunday adventure jar.
This is our Sunday tradition that we started since she was three years old. Angelica told me about hers with her family, where all three of them would put a piece of paper for their holiday destination, and none could object when one of the papers was drawn each month.
So one day I adapted hers for our weekly Sunday adventure jar, and this had made her excited for every upcoming Sunday. We would each suggest a destination, and I would write it down for her. Then come Sunday morning, one of us pull out that said folded piece of paper and that would be our destination for the day.
“Okay… kiddo are you ready? who’s turn is it to pull out the paper?” I asked while tickling her sides, her pout was gone instantly replaced by her giggles.
“ME! ME! ME!…” she held out her hand and reached in for the jar. She was smiling wide, waiting in excitement for our destination.
It was the downtown park, she asked if we could visit the library nearby and so we went there for a couple of hours. I called Angelica while waiting for her as she was playing at the park.
“… yeah, I mean if you could swing by her place I don’t think she should be alone you know? I text and call but all went straight to her inbox. I mean it’s her ex, I didn’t know her back then… yeah? okay… look, thank you for this Angie, yeah I know… okay bye…”
I was back to playing with Mable, she’s laughing each time I push the swing a little too far. I snapped a picture of us by the ice cream vendor and send it to Amanda, hoping that it would cheer her up whenever she decided to open her phone.
It was well after lunchtime when we decided that it was time to go home. The little Rapunzel was exhausted, we had a real good time but my mind was still wandering off to Amanda every now and then.
Mable finally took her nap, after having me read the book that she asked to borrow from the library. I kissed her temple and look at the clock, reminding myself to be back for her wake up time. I leave her room moments later, then went straight to the coffee shop downstairs.
Tom greeted me and we work, as usual, I texted Angelica in between customers after she texted me that they had all gathered to be with Amanda. She was saying that Amanda looks alarmingly calm. It wasn’t good, but I guess they’re there to make it all better for her. I do hope she would feel better.
The afternoon went by very slowly, I was agitated. Though Angie kept on texting me from time to time, I obviously would feel better if I was there by her side. But I need to take a step back and give her some space.
And at that same moment, Linda walks into the store, I was about to make a run for it when she calls out my name.
Oh crap!
“Dale! How are you? I was hoping to find you here…”
“Hai, I’m good… been busy…” I was expecting her to go away with that little word, Tom was looking amused at me.
“I’m hoping we could talk, I was in the neighborhood and thought I should drop in and check in on us?” She smiled sweetly.
Too sickening sweet…
I was being nice and smiled back at her, then showed her to an empty table. I pick the nearest one to the register, so I could hear when Tom would call out for me.
“So, how about that second date?” she asked so suddenly, while my ass barely touched the chair.
“Well.. about that, I…” I was about to give her a lame excuse when Natalie appeared in the door way.
What the hell is wrong with today?
“Well… well, I spy another girlfriend here. Dale, I never thought that you’re such a player. I assumed that you and Amanda was the real deal…” she smirked as she was letting Linda hear out her words, and let her digest the information. I actually didn’t mind that at all, so I just keep quiet and let her talk.
“Dale? Who’s this?” Linda asked with a higher pitch in her voice. I didn’t answer her as I was letting Natalie finish, so I could get this over with soon as possible. And If Natalie could force her away from me, it would be better.
“Oh darling, I’m Natalie… apparently he was done with me after we fuck. But no worries, I assumed that you will get your turn… he’s a good fuck, you should be pleased.” She looked at me wondering why I didn’t try to defend myself, but it didn’t last long when her phone buzzed and she pauses her words, then she started talking again.
“Now, I have a business meeting that I need to go to. I’ll see you at our family dinner, a couple of weeks from now Dale.” She was leaving us, but not before she lowers herself down and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.
I was taken by surprise, but it was over seconds before I could pull back away from her. Then Natalie waved at me seductively, and leave the coffee shop as swiftly as she came in.
But then Linda was fuming in front of me, and she finally stands up and slap me… hard. People were turning their heads at us.
Fuck! In my own freaking shop!
This is definitely not my good day!
She was teary, but I just said sorry to her. Better get this over with sooner than later. This was all on Angelica, she would surely have a big laugh when I tell her about this.
“Seriously boss, that was the best entertainment we had in weeks… But whatever your reason, I’ll support you a hundred percent.” Tom was teasing me, as I reached behind the counter for my phone.
“Shut it, Tom, I’m with Amanda. If those two ever come here let me know so I can hideout, they’re too vicious for my taste. I’m going to check on Mable upstairs, mind the shop for me.” I said to him while walking to the back area.
“Alrighty boss…” he called out his answer.
I was walking up the stairs when my mind wandered to Amanda again.
Damn… this is going to be a long couple of days…