Tragedy of a Mad(wo)man (Rhona Tells Her Story)

A fictitious scenario written during a sitting at Old Crown coffee shop...

It was gorgeous at Old Crown, the sun was out after the heavy rains made their rounds, and the puddles were already evaporating in the parking lot. Feet kicked up on the stool next to me and a steaming hot cup of house coffee... oh yes, it felt like it was going my way.

Few customers at this time, a few people willing to drink hot coffee in hot weather. But the next customer I saw... well, it was Danny. I pretended to concentrate on me screen, but he glanced my way and noticed. And a huge grin crept over his face, and I glanced up as well, knowing I was cornered. I smiled too.

"Hey!" He said ecstatically, running up and hugging me.

"How ya doin'?" I asked with the same energy and same ecstatic smile, going through the steps: 1) make sure it reaches your eyes, 2) don't let anything on your face betray your emotions, 3) don't be a prick.

He was still hugging me while I sat slump, trying hard not to pull away from the awkward proximity. Don't care for physical proximity, well, mostly...

He finally broke off the hug, and with the same smile and excitement said, "I haven't seen you around." And then jokingly, "You avoiding me?"

"No." I replied with a chuckle.

Yes.

"I've just been busy, summer classes you know, trying to submit my piece for the Three Rivers Festival..."

"Ah, well we need to hang out more often! You name the place, honey!"

He called me honey. Dear God, he called me honey.

"I will!" I assured with a smile, still going through my mental checklist and making sure the smile met my eyes.

He walked off, got his coffee and left. But not before giving me a playful wave goodbye. I did the same, and he finally walked through the door and disappeared in the parking lot. With a sigh the mask slid off, and the solemn me was left sitting at the empty table, empty coffee shop.

God, I still love him.

But in her heart Rhona knew she didn't believe that...