The Brevity of Roses by Lewis Linda Cassidy

Author:Lewis, Linda Cassidy [Lewis, Linda Cassidy]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: relationships, contemporary fiction, womens fiction, general fiction
Publisher: Two-Four-Six Publishing
Published: 2011-03-30T04:00:00+00:00

A run at low tide had eluded him during the day and despite the fog, at half-past ten, Jalal decided to run to Jennie’s. He had become one of her three night owl regulars. Sometimes, the others pulled him into a discussion. Most times, they left him alone to read or write. Tonight, he hoped to read, maybe eat something. Coffee was never his first choice, and he avoided what passed for tea there, but he had grown fond of her homemade pie.

“Hey, stranger,” said Jennie. “It’s lemon meringue tonight. Want a slice?”

“Indeed.” He greeted Eduardo and Don with a thumbs-up.

“Coffee or tea?”

“Walking on the wild side tonight, Jennie. I will take my chances with your coffee.”

Grinning, she planted her hands on her wide hips. “Let me remind you that I have the right to ban your ass from my place any time I want.”

The men interrupted their chess match long enough to snicker and reassure Jalal. “Never going to happen,” said Eduardo.

“Not as long as you have a dime in your pocket,” agreed Don.

“Speaking of which,” said Jennie, “when are you going to settle your tab from last week, Donald?”

Jalal laughed and headed for the booth with the best lighting. As he sat down, he noticed only one other customer, apparently a woman, sitting in the front booth. Only the top of her head and one leg were visible in his line of vision, but he stood up and switched to the other side of the booth, facing away from her. Just to be safe.

Jennie brought his order to the table and squeezed into the seat opposite him. “You have an admirer,” she said and nodded toward the woman. “She’s reading your book.”

Jalal frowned and picked up his fork. “Did you tell her I come here?”

“Now, hon, would I do that? I know why you come in here so late. Did you notice I didn’t call out your name when you came in?” She patted his hand. “You doing all right?”

He had to smile. Jennie was only about ten years older than he was, but she was a born mother hen, like Goli. “I am fine, Jennie. Thank you for asking.”

Jennie looked over his shoulder as she scooted out of the booth. “That girl’s my new summer help. A hard worker.” She leaned down closer to him and whispered, “Pretty too.”

Jalal caught her wink before she turned to go, but took no offense. Jennie made no secret of her worry about his preference for solitude. He finished half his pie before it hit him. He motioned to Jennie.

She brought the coffee pot and topped off his cup.

“Thanks, but I just wanted to ask you something. What is her name?”

“Renee.”

He nodded. “We met a few days … a couple of weeks ago.”

“Oh, yeah? She didn’t mention it,” said Jennie. She stepped aside, sweeping her hand toward Renee. “Go talk to her, then.”

Jalal forced a weak smile, but shook his head. He sat for a moment while his anger churned, then he slipped a twenty under his cup, grabbed his book, and strode to Renee’s table.

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