He thinks he takes from me, and in ways that do not matter, he does.
In reality, of course, I take from him. Much more.
He does not understand symbiosis. Not yet. And when he does, he may be too old to remember me, except perhaps with a shadow of misplaced guilt.
He passes my table, throwing me an uncomfortable smile as he joins his friends; it is over.
The waiter appears, gestures to my foam-flecked coffee cup.
“Are you ready for another?” he says slyly.
I feel the gentle splintering of ice in my veins and nod.
“Why not?”
Many thanks to Rochelle for leading the Friday Fictioneers out once again. Click on the frog if you’d like to join us.
castelsarrasin 
Oh absolutely wonderful. Now that is a whole story, complete and satisfying
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Thanks so much, Neil.
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Suitably terrifying, tense with each word full…the waitor does not just ask an innocent question, but he does…as always dosed just right.
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Many thanks.
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Dear Sandra,
It sounds like “over” is where the relationship needs to be. Love the glancing reference to the prompt. Well done as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for reading, Rochelle. Sometimes ‘over’ is just the right place. 🙂
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Edgy and tense. I had to read it several times to fit all the nuances into my brain. Great story.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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I kept expecting Richard Gere.
Fascinating, layered interaction.
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I’ve been expecting Richard Gere for years now. He’s never shown up… 😦 Thanks for reading.
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That was dark and fascinating, well done.
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I’m not 100% sure what is going on with the splintering ice in the veins and the foam-flecked coffee (the gigolo has the waiter poisoning her?,) but the writing is excellent.
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Thanks Lisa. The explanation is beneath Dale’S comment. But thank you for the compliment.😁
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Just read it and commented in that thread. You are very welcome. I always enjoy your stories.
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Oh yes, now she’s a character I can look up to!
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Terrific photo, Jen. Thanks for reading.
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I am so relieved Lisa commented because I’m not sure what’s going on either but I was enthralled. And read it thrice!
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That’s interesting. Did you read it in the context of the title? She’s an old(er) woman whose affair with a toy boy is over. She’s not distressed by it. She got what she wanted from the relationship, as did he. She’s preparing for a life of celibacy now, until the watchful waiter sees his opportunity, and once more she prepares to indulge in some kind of passion. Maybe a bridge too far for 100 words. Sorry 😁
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D’you know what? I read the first line of this comment, went back and reread it and a light went on!
Now, I read the rest of this comment and see that my light was right 😉 D’oh. I hate when I’m slow. (Surprising, since, ahem, it is a situation which was not unfamiliar to me a couple years ago…)
No. Don’t be sorry. I love that you expect your reader to NOT be a dimwit.
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😁😁I think whoever it was didn’t know what he was missing. Xx
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Yanno what? I KNOW you’re right 😉 LOL What a cocky broad I am, eh? xoxo
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You ought to be available on prescription at the pharmacy, Dale. You cheer me up every time we ‘meet’.
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What a wonderful thing to say! 💞
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Ah! So the watchful waiter is the new boy toy. Got it! I think I have too much murder on the brain lol. Not your fault. Thanks for the explanation.
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Not a bridge too far at all, Sandra. Bloody miraculous story-telling. You are so good at probing the thoughts that people think they keep hidden. Brava!
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Is that why my husband seems so nervous about me then? 🙂 Thanks for your lovely comment Penny.
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I do wish that I had thought of the line, splintering of ice in … veins.
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Thanks Michael. 🙂
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There is a sense of vulnerability in the character. The idea that he joins his friends and ignores her after perhaps a passing moment between them, and how the waiter seems to read the situation like a predatory chancer.
A story dripping the anticipation and tension.
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Thanks for reading James. Glad you liked it.
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I like her. She knows what she wants and takes it, and not from the needy. Great writing (as always…)
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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That waiter’s not hanging round is he? He sees his chance 🙂
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Well I’m not sure she’s got that long anyway. Thanks for reading.
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Ice in your veins – bad relationships can do that.
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Can’t they just?
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One door closes and another opens! But is it the right one?
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As long as it’s a door… 🙂 I’m not sure she’s too fussed. Thanks for reading.
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was the waiter engaged in double entendre or pun? i’m not so sure. 🙂
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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I got it the second time through. And should have gotten it the first time. Really good one this week, Sandra.
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Many thanks Linda!
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‘I feel the gentle splintering of ice in my veins…’ Wonderful image.
What I find intriguing is that you don’t describe the characters, but I can see them from what you don’t say! Brilliant.
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Thanks for reading Jenne.
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gentle splintering of ice in my veins…what a fabulous line. Not one character description yet your words brought alive the characters. A brilliant exposition of writerly atristry, Sandra.
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Thanks for your kind words, Neel.
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A subtley constructed story, creating the history of a relationship. Love the observations – the uncomfortable smile, the splintering of ice in her veins. Altogether satisfying.
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I read this as someone who was out of a bad relationship, closed herself off, and found a potential new opportunity and possibilities in a flirtatious glance from the waiter. I read your explanation to Dale and only missed a few details. I thought your story was well done and well conveyed.
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Wonderful, so many layers in this story. Loved the waiter’s sly comments at the end. An absolute masterpiece.
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Looks like coffee may not be the only thing heating up. I love your slice of life stories, always make me smile even if it’s a vindictive smile at times!
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