Leaving it in the past

The alarm blared, pulling Audrey from a deep sleep after the exhausting activities of the previous day, which she had deliberately immersed herself in to take her mind off the heartache that had left her shattered.

It was Monday morning, and life had to go on, regardless of what it had thrown at her.

She had quite a lot to accomplish that morning before heading to the diner for her part-time shift later that afternoon. She had an art piece she was working on, and she needed to complete it before the following day so she could deliver it on time.

Audrey had always harbored a deep passion for painting. It had begun as nothing more than a childhood pastime. While growing up, she would sketch images she saw around her in the little sketchbook she carried almost everywhere she went.

Over time, that passion had grown into a genuine love for art. Painting became a way for Audrey to express the emotions she struggled to put into words. She would pour the feelings she found difficult to articulate onto a canvas, capturing them exactly as she experienced them.

She got up sluggishly, her mind drifting back to the events of the previous day. If anyone had told her that she would wake up single on a Monday morning, she would have cursed that person for saying such a thing. Yet, that was her reality now.

“No. No, I will not sulk over a man who is probably with another woman right now,” Audrey said aloud to herself, as though trying to find solace in her own words.

She walked straight into the bathroom to freshen up.

****

The diner was as cozy as ever, with customers scattered throughout the room, each occupied with something or another. Some sat in the booths, enjoying their meals and chatting over the occasional clatter of cutlery, while others occupied the high stools lined along the counter.

Audrey had been busy serving customers, greeting them with a smile and earning tips.

She moved from one table to another with a tray in hand, refilling coffee cups, clearing empty plates, and checking on customers who needed something extra.

She still had two more hours left on her shift.

As she approached a booth near the window, she noticed that one of the customers had been trying to get her attention.

“Excuse me, miss,” the man called, raising a hand slightly.

Audrey turned toward him with a polite smile. “Yes, sir. Is there anything else you need?”

He held up his empty coffee mug. “Just a little more coffee, please.”

“Coming right up,” she replied.

She took the mug from him and headed toward the coffee station. After refilling it, she returned and carefully placed it in front of him.

“Here you go. Anything else?”

“No, thank you. That is all for now.”

“All right. Just let me know if you need anything.”

Audrey gave him a quick smile before turning toward the next table, where a couple had just finished their meal. She gathered their plates and wiped the table clean, preparing it for the next customers.

It was going to be a long afternoon, and with two more hours to go, she could only hope the rest of her shift would pass quickly.

“Girl, why do you look so gloomy this afternoon? Is everything all right?” Gabriella asked, touching Audrey’s arm.

Audrey stood with a glass in her hand, staring into space.

“I am fine,” she replied, still looking troubled.

“You do not look fine. It is written all over your face.” Gabriella studied her for a moment. “Come on, tell me what is wrong.”

“I broke up with Dennis,” Audrey said quietly.

“What?!” Gabriella exclaimed, her voice rising loud enough to draw the attention of a few customers.

Noticing a few customers turning to look in their direction, Gabby quickly flashed them an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, sorry! It is nothing,” she said with an awkward smile, waving a hand to reassure the customers that everything was fine before taking Audrey by the arm and leading her toward the kitchen.

“Why did you break up with your fiancé?” she asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

Gabriella shook her head in disbelief.

“Girl, I had already picked out the style I was going to wear for my bridesmaid duties. And now this?” she asked, her eyes widening.

“He cheated on me, Gabby,” Audrey replied coldly.

Gabriella stared at her, momentarily speechless.

“He did what?” she asked, her voice dropping to a disbelieving whisper. “That son of a—”

She stopped herself, glancing toward the kitchen door before turning back to Audrey.

“Are you serious right now, Audrey? After everything? After three whole years?”

Audrey said nothing. She simply looked away, her expression hardening.

Gabriella’s anger slowly gave way to concern as she took in her friend’s troubled face.

“Oh, girl.” She reached for Audrey’s hand. “I am so sorry.”

Audrey let out a quiet breath, her eyes fixed on the glass she was holding.

“I do not even want to talk about it.”

“Okay,” Gabriella said softly. “You do not have to tell me everything right now. But please do not sit there pretending you are fine when I can see that you are hurting.”

She pulled Audrey into a brief hug, rubbing her back gently.

“And for the record, that man does not deserve you.”

“Oh, really?” Audrey asked, a small smirk playing on her lips. “What about your bridesmaid dress?”

“Come on, that can wait,” Gabby replied, and they both let out a small laugh.

“Our customers are waiting. I think we should get back out there,” Audrey said, turning toward the door.

“Oh, Audrey, before I forget!” Gabby exclaimed. “A young man stopped by the diner the other day and told me to give you this.”

She reached into her fanny pack and pulled out a business card, handing it to Audrey.

“Who is he?” Audrey asked, glancing at the card in her hand.

“I would not know. But you know what I do know?” Gabby said, giving her a playful wink. “He is fine as hell!”

“Oh, Gabby!” Audrey exclaimed, giving her a light, playful smack as she slipped the card into her fanny pack.

“Thanks for passing it along,” she said, opening the door and stepping out of the kitchen.

“Oh, Audrey, wait!” Gabby called after her. “He said you should give him a call!”

Audrey glanced back briefly and nodded before continuing toward the customers.