Chapter 6

Anna pov

"What if he-" She paused her speech as we heard the restaurant door open and strike the wall.

“Anna! Where are you?" I hear a voice shout. Oh no. I knew that voice a bit too well.

We both swiftly proceed to the front of the restaurant and meet face-to-face with James.

“James? What are you doing here?" I ask him gently. The restaurant may be sluggish, but I do still have one customer. I looked over and noticed him staring our way. Our eyes contact and he swiftly pulls his focus back to his reading.

"Why the heck don't I have my keys back? I instructed you to put them in the mailbox!" He shouts at me, plainly not caring that I am at work.

"I forgot to put them there, I'm sorry. You can't be here right now, James. You need to go. I'm at work." I explain quietly.

He does not like this response. His wrath continues to ignite as he puts a finger in my face and yells, "You need to give me my fucking keys back. It's been long enough." I watched my customer's shoulders stiffen up, but he didn't say anything. I know he was gazing at the two of us, however.

"I don't have them with me! Just quit my work, right now! Or else I'm calling the police. You will get your silly keys back. They are of no consequence to me whatsoever!" I shouted back, without caring who heard.

My calm attitude towards our discourse rapidly evaporated. The calm attitude doesn't work when it comes to James. He only understands words if they are being screamed at him. This is why communication is so hard with him, and this is why we split up. Well, that is on top of a billion other things.

"Fuck you, Anna!" He shouts before walking out of the eatery. He knew I wasn't playing when I claimed I would call the police. I have before, and I surely will again.

Silence filled the restaurant, and I turned to see Sara's compassionate gaze on me. She strolled back to the back room and left me alone with my client. I glance over and notice him staring at me uncomfortably.

"What? The show is concluded. Stop gazing." I snapped at him.

He throws his hands out in surrender, " I just want the check." He explained.

My countenance softens and I swiftly proceed to the checkout and pick up his check. It was just a two-dollar tab, and I should simply tell him that it was on the house. But, it would result in more uncomfortable talk than what I am prepared for.

I carry his check back over to where he is sitting at the bar and wait for him to get his wallet out. He puts forty bucks onto the table and stands up.

"How do you want this broken up?" I inquire, figuring he needs change for anything else.

"I don't need change. That's a tip." He grins.

"This is a two-dollar order. You handed me forty bucks." I will explain.

"I am well aware." He answers.

"This is over a thirty-dollar tip."

"I know." He laughs.

I am looking at him as if he grew a third head. I didn't do anything to serve him. I never checked on him, I never asked him if he needed anything else. I simply left him alone while he read his book. He is leaving me a thirty-eight dollar tip because he feels awful about watching my meeting with James.

"I'm not a charity case." I spat out, flinging the money upon the table.

"I never said you were?" He questioned with bewilderment obvious in his voice.

I watch Sara walk back to the front and gaze at the exchange between me and my client.

"You didn't have to. I don't need your money!" I shout back. Am I overreacting? Yes. Absolutely. Do I care? At this moment, no.

"You know, a lot of people would just say thank you and move along." He laughs.

Why the heck is he even laughing?

“Anna, come here. Now." Sara growled, peering at me with serious eyes.

"But, I-"

"Now, Anna." She snaps.

I glance behind me to see the client with a raised eyebrow. "Have a nice Labor Day, ladies." He said before sliding out of the door without any additional comment.

"What the fuck was that, Anna?" Sara shouted.

"He handed me a thirty-eight dollar tip because he felt awful! I'm not a fucking charity case. I don't need money out of sympathy."

"I don't care. He was doing something nice and you chewed his head off. I believe you simply need to go home, Anna." She responds.

"But I-"

"No. Go home. You are merely under a lot of strain. Give James his dumb keys back, and dump his ass. Then, go and get ready for tonight. You don't want to behave like this when you meet that man tonight. Just go home and concentrate on that, okay? It's insanely slow regardless. I can hold the fort down." She chuckles, telling me that she isn't genuinely upset. "Just text me and tell me how it goes, okay?"