There was a silence as Jean continued staring at Bryson and the mystery woman who was with him. A knock against her hand brought her attention back to Jillian.
“Well?” asked Jillian.
“Well what?” responded Jean.
“What are you going to do?”
“What do you mean, what am I going to do? About what?”
Jillian scrunched her lips, threw a sideways glance, and jogged her head backwards slightly. “You know…that.”
“Nothing. What can I do? I don’t even know him. Besides, he probably thinks I’m a snob or something for ignoring him when he said hi to me earlier. Plus he’s married. Or at least I think he is.”
“There’s only one solution to this. Talk to him.”
Jean sighed. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“Can you get me root-beer, please?” Jillian scooted out of the booth and headed to the bar. Once she was gone, Jean slid out of her seat and, deciding to go for baroque, walked over to Bryson’s table. Her heart hammered, but she didn’t care. And maybe this wasn’t the right time to approach him, but she’d live with the consequences. She had to do this.
Upon reaching Bryson’s table she stuck her right hand out to him and said, “Hi, I’m Jean.”
Instead of shaking her hand, Bryson glanced down at it then back up at her. “You can’t see I’m with someone?”
Jean pulled her hand back. “Yes, I saw.” Jean turned to the woman seated across from him and said, “Hi. Nice to meet you.”
The woman didn’t give her name, but said with hesitation, “H-hi.” She threw Jean a small smile and glanced across the table at Bryson.
“What’s all this about?” he asked.
“I was just trying to make up for my rudeness this afternoon,” said Jean.
He gave her a blank stare.
“Remember? We were both standing at the elevators. You said hello, and I ignored you.”
“Oh yes, that’s right.”
“I’m sorry for ignoring you. I didn’t want you to think of me as a snob or something.” In her periphery she saw Jillian return to their table with her drink and sit back down.
“Ohhh, you came all the way over here to my table and interrupted my date with this charming lady because you were worried about what I would think of you?” asked Bryson, his upper lip curling up.
“Uh, no.” Jean gave her head a quick shake. “I was only wanting to apologize. Excuse me,” she giggled, then returned to her table.
Bryson watched Jean return to her table and sit down. His date, Alisha, continued telling him about her day at work, but he wasn’t paying attention. Instead, he focused on the woman, Jean. So insecure. So lacking in self-confidence. So naïve. And so perfect.
(To Be Continued)
WRITE TIME AND AGAIN 