#Chapter5
Falling
Carrington
I got ready and headed to class. I planned on stopping by the coffee shop after class to visit Gloria. After class was over, I trekked to the coffeehouse, whistling. I was in a good mood, but that’s nothing new there. After entering and approaching the counter, I saw Gloria.
/"I’ll be right with you./"
I waited there, smiling.
/"What can I get you?/" She turned to face me.
That’s when I saw the bruise on her cheek. My brows furrowed.
/"Hi, Carri./" She beamed.
/"Hi, Gloria./" I studied the bruise but said nothing. I didn’t need to draw attention to it, but I’ll ask her about it later. /"A coffee, please./"
/"One coffee coming up./" She grabbed my coffee.
I wondered about that bruise. It wasn’t there yesterday.
Gloria returned with the coffee. I paid for it and offered a genuine smile, which she returned. She needed that smile today. I left the coffee shop, and when I was out of view, I dumped my coffee. Later, I’ll return and speak to her.
I had two more classes. Afterward, I returned to the coffee shop to discover Gloria tidying up, and I tapped on the window.
She walked over and let me in, then bolted the door. /"Did you need something?/"
/"I don’t want to sound intrusive, but I couldn’t help but notice the bruise on your cheek./" I pointed to her cheek.
She put her hand on her cheek. /"Oh, it’s nothing. I’m such a klutz, running into a door in the middle of the night./"
It was a lie. But I didn’t press Gloria about it. /"So, are you closing up?/"
/"Yep, then I can go home. My feet are killing me, but the bills won’t pay themselves./" Gloria smiled.
/"Would you mind if I kept you company?/"
She tilted her head.
/"Sometimes, it’s nice to talk to someone when you’re alone./"
She showed me a slight smile. /"Okay, you can talk while I finish my work./"
I sat at a table as Gloria worked while I chatted about things that caused her to laugh. Gloria had a splendid laugh. Every time she grinned, her dimples showed.
I spent most of the time speaking while she worked. Gloria answered briefly, but I didn’t mind. She was busy and wanted to go home. Gloria finished up, and I walked her to her car. I waited until she drove away as an ache entered my chest.
I met Gloria yesterday, but her personality captivated me. I didn’t care if I dumped out my coffee. If it meant I continued to see her, I would continue to dump it.
*****
Over the next few months, I would visit the coffeehouse, order a coffee, and ditch it. I would return later and kill time with Gloria while she worked. She told me about herself, and I spoke about myself.
We would joke and laugh, which was terrific. I didn’t care if Gloria worked in a coffeehouse because I loved spending time with her. The conversations were natural and genuine. I didn’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not, and I didn’t judge her.
We hadn’t had a date yet. But I was falling in love with her. How can you fall for someone you have known for a brief time? I didn’t know. But Gloria made me happy.
I loved spending time with her at her work and helping her clean. One night, I took a chance and showed her how I felt. Hopefully, it didn’t blow up in my face.
Gloria was sweeping the floor. I played music from the jukebox in the coffeehouse’s corner. I chose a song she would like, then strode over to her. I held my hand out to her.
She stopped sweeping. /"What are you doing?/"
/"I’d like to dance with you if you don’t mind./"
/"I need to finish…./"
/"One dance is all I want. Dance with me./"
Gloria nodded, then leaned the broom against the counter, walked over to me, and placed her hand in mine.
I pulled Gloria to me and held her in my arms as we danced. I never felt this way about anyone, how I felt about Gloria. I held her close to me as we floated around the floor. She laid her head on my shoulder as I rested my palm on her lower back.
Something told me that no one held Gloria this way, as I did now. As we swayed back and forth, my emerald-green eyes met her chocolate brown eyes. I seized a chance, leaned down, and pressed my lips to hers.
The kiss started softly. Then I deepened it. I released Gloria’s hand and wrapped my arms around her waist. I pressed her body to mine as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I poured everything into that kiss as she kissed me back.
Gloria broke from the kiss and me. I remained there, confused as she twisted her back at me. /"Gloria./"
She spun to face me. /"I can’t do this, Carri./"
/"What?/"
/"I’m married./"
I stared at her, speechless.
/"I assumed nothing would happen between us until you kissed me./"
/"But you kissed me back./"
Gloria furrowed her eyebrows.
I crept towards her. /"Does your husband make you happy?/"
/"It doesn’t matter. I can be your friend, but nothing more. I’m sorry./"
I nodded in agreement.
/"If you don’t wish to be friends, I understand./" Her eyes held hope.
/"Okay, we’ll be friends./" I gave her a reassuring smile.
/"We’ll forget about the kiss./"
I nodded. Gloria waltzed over to the counter and grabbed the broom, and I stayed as she finished her work.
After she concluded, I escorted her to her car. She got inside and sped off into the distance. I laid my fingertips on my lips and smiled.
I didn’t care about Gloria being married because I craved to be a part of her existence and to remain in her world. Something told me there would be interference from others.