Uncomfortable

When the light of dawn hit my face, it was not that that pissed me off. It was my Lenovo smart clock on the nightstand next to the bed that kept ticking like crazy, not caring if I need a couple of minutes to rest.

For a while, I tossed on the mattress to avoid the irritating noise from my alarm because for once, I did not want to wake up from the bed. 

My heart still hurts from last night's incident, and what I so wanted was to stay in bed all day and not have to go out, or see any living being today.

The last thing I would want is to explain myself to my best friend who always noticed when I was depressed. 

But last night was nastier than before, and what I'm feeling is kind of worse than depression. It is like heartbreak without the breakup part. 

Who could have guessed that I would spend my anniversary miserable and alone in bed when I have been married for fourteen years? 

It sucked that Jennie messed up our entire plan. Yet, it is not strange to me since she has been canceling on me for the past eleven months.

Some people usually say I am a very patient man, and I want to be that for Jennie because what She and I have is something worth waiting for and fighting for.

Finally, my stupid clock stops ringing abruptly, and I close my eyes. But as I was drifting back to sleep, it screeched. "It's six O'clock!"

Immediately, I woke up from my nap and yelled, "I am awake, you idiot!" 

It took me a moment to realize how stupid that was, and I couldn't help but laugh, "whom am I kidding? I am the idiot,"

The was no way I was falling asleep again after that, so I left my bed, and when about my regular morning routines… Did a ten-minute exercise, brushed my teeth, took a cold bath, bandaged my wound, got dressed, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

 It was unnecessary to prepare extra food because of the leftovers from last night. So I sat at the table, and as I was about to take a bite, my watch caught my attention, and I knew breakfast was not possible, except if I wanted to be late for the company.

The was no need to be in a rush though, but I hate arriving at work late, so I skipped breakfast and rushed out of my house.

The wind was intense outside when I came out the door and I noticed a couple of snowflakes resting on my coat as I locked the gate to my house.

"Good day Mr. David, is it fine to invite you over for brunch at our bakery?" Mrs. Harper asked, standing on her porch as though she had been waiting on me for a while.

"I don't mind. But can we make it brief? I don't want to show up late at work." I said, walking over to the bakery.

"Don't worry. We won't use up your time.“ 

“Since that's the case…”

“Please come in.“

With a faint smile on her timeworn face, she stared at me for a moment, and then we headed into the shop together.

The colorful tablecloths and fresh pastries scent regularly make the shop enchanting. But the real magic is Mr. Harper. His appearance seemed frown every time he bakes, but his pastries are really tasty.

This was not my first time visiting the bakery. But today it seemed a bit different because the moment I walked into the shop, the mood changed and Mr. Harper jostled a young woman to serve me.

As I stared at her, I couldn't stop myself from thinking, 'she is attractive.'

 Her full rosy lips, curly dark hair, and brownish skin got my attention immediately. But I don't think I was there only one who realized her beauty because the bakery was crammed with more men than usual.

After she walked up to me, she placed a tray full of Harper's signature donuts on the table and gave me a weak smile.

"Thanks.“ I asked her. “ What's your name?“

"Julie,” She uttered with a cute but wary smile that got me to grin. “What happened to your finger?"

The way this look of nervousness in her eyes when our gazes locked, so I lower my stare to the table to make her feel comfortable.

"I cut myself. I guess men do not know their way around knives." I teased to relieve the tension between us.

“Nah, they do, but not you though.“ Julie uttered in a hilarious tone. “Sorry about your finger though.“

 “Mrs. Harper, I see you have a new waitress, and she is modest.“

“I am not…”

Mr. Harper's laughter suddenly cut Julie off, and he blurted out. “She's my Preston graduate daughter.

But she is more intimate with books than me.“

Subconsciously, I stared back at Julie when her father uttered, “Although I wish she would take an interest in a fellow. She is an adult after all. Settling down with someone ought to be on her mind, but she is stubborn as a mule,"

 Swaying her gaze off me, Julie did not utter a word, but I knew her parents' behavior embarrassed her.

Suddenly, Mrs. Harper drew out a chair, looked at me as she sat down, and calmly intoned, "How is your wife?" 

This conversation was becoming way too irksome for my comfort, and I did not appreciate the awkwardness in the atmosphere and thought it was best to leave early.

"My wife is splendid, and she will arrive home tonight… If there is no more to discuss, can I please have my donut package to bring with me to work?" I uttered calmly with a forced smile.

"That is not a problem.“ Mrs. Haper uttered, focusing her gaze on her daughter. “Can you please package Mr. David's donuts?“

"Sure!" Julie replied.

Avoiding my eyes, she took the donuts off the table and left in haste, and for a brief moment, I stared after her, feeling a sense of compassion for her because of how her parents acted.

"Don't pay attention to her bashful approaches, that is her personality since she was a child.“ Mr. Harper uttered as though he read my thoughts. “Can I ask you for a favor?"

 "As long as it is within my principles I can grant it," I mumbled, staring him in the eyes to show my sincerity.

"We have lived next to each other for five years, and we see that you are a decent man who respects his wife and has dignity for himself.“ 

“Thanks for the compliment.“

 “You are welcome… What I am getting at is that your behavior shows that your friends might have outstanding characters.“

“Well…”

“Have you heard of the statement that birds of the same feathers fly together?“ 

“Quite a lot.“

 “Great. That's how I think of you and the friends you have. So whenever you are available to hang out, please take Julie with you to meet a decent person like yourself." 

That was quite not what I was expecting him to say. But I felt glad that that was what he wanted to ask of me, and a sense of relief wash through me.

At that moment, Julie arrived with the donut package, took one look at our faces, and asked,  "What are you people discussing?"  

"Nothing serious. Your parents asked me to do something for them, and I guarantee them that when I have the opportunity I will fulfill their request," I told her, staring at the donuts to avoid her doubtful gaze.

It was suddenly becoming awkward again, so I stood from my seat, focused on Mr. and Mrs. Harper, and let out, “Since there is nothing more, I beg to take my leave,"

When they nodded, I walked away from the chair and headed for the door ignoring Julie's voice when she uttered, "What did you ask of him?"

"Nothing,"  Mr. And Mrs. Harper kind of said almost mutually.

As I got a hold of the doorknob, I cackled at Julie's words when she uttered loudly, "Well, since that is the case, I am going upstairs to resume my job search. Please do not distract me again with useless matters. I have suffered enough humiliation from you guys."