***
“You’ll never guess who’s back in
town.” Cindy bounced on her toes in front of Kaitlyn's bar. Kaitlyn knew her
friend wanted a big reaction; Cindy lived for drama. Kaitlyn continued to wipe
down the bar, getting it ready for the evening rush. The damp cloth had cooled
since she ran it under the hot water tap and the cloth squished between her
thin fingers. This was one of her favorite moments of the day, the quiet space
around her just waiting to be filled. Of course, when Cindy came by to keep her
company, it wasn’t so quiet.
“Guess!” Cindy insisted.
Kaitlyn raised her eyes, then
returned to what she was doing. “I'm not going to guess, just tell me.”
“It's Jason,” Cindy said with
triumph.
Kaitlyn's hand stopped moving. She
still didn't look up. The warm feeling that Jason had always elicited in her
rushed up like a tide, lifting her heart into her throat and making it feel as
though she couldn’t breathe. It was followed quickly by the sadness and longing
that had become an everyday part of her life. Thoughts of Jason were never
simple.
