"Medium coffee, black, two sugars." The man said reaching in his wallet for a five. Gabriella glanced up at the clock and gave an inward groan as she looked at the door. She's late.
"Coming right up sir." Gabriella turned around and started to make the man's coffee wondering where her co-worker was. Class was in an hour and Gabriella still had to print out her mid term paper. Not to mention get to class. Gabriella handed the man the coffee cup and rang him up for three forty-five.
Just as Gabriella was about to give up hope Tina came busting through the doors and adjusting her uniform as she walked through the people in line and behind the counter. "I know, I know I'm twenty minutes late." Tina's heavy New York accent was stronger as she popped her gum "Stupid car wouldn't start and it took Louie at least half a year to get the car. I'm telling you I don't know why I put up with it, good for nothing tank of gas and let downs. If I'm not spending money on it I'm wasting my time making sure he's not falling apart." Tina tied the apron around her waist.
"You car is a he?" Gabriella said looking behind her as she gathered her things together.
"No, I'm talking about Louie" she said looking at the next customer. "What will it be today?"
"Small caramel mocha" said the woman.
"Anything else?"
"No that's it"
Gabriella untied her apron and hung it on the hook and reached for her sweater.
"One day I'm going to leave him." Tina said turning on a machine and grabbing a rag to wipe the counter "take it from me, marry a rich guy and never marry for the sex."
"Never have, never will." Gabriella said looking at Tina and waving good bye.
The autumn wrapped around Gabriella as she step outside, sending a shiver through her body. She started on her way to the library weaving through the hustle and bustle of New York. Just a another day she thought as she crossed the street. Her mind never seemed to be in one place at a time anymore, maybe it was because of her life style working all day in between school in the mornings and evenings. She filled up her schedule to max in her attempt to avoid another problem. Love.
Men, as far as she was concerned, men were off limits for a while. Gabriella paused putting in her ear buds as she waited for the green light to go red. After fiancé number seven Gabriella gave up hope on love and marriage all together. She'd never though it could happen to her but she just couldn't make a commit to someone she didn't feel right about. Of course in the beginning everything was the way it should be, she had tingles and giggles and she was in love. Then everything came to a halt days before the wedding day. They either hurt her or she'd hurt them. Nevertheless she figured seven tries for a fairytale was enough for her.
The last one hadn't even been her fault. She watched for the cars to come to a complete stop before making her way across the street. I mean who does that
Days after popping the question Gabriella walked into her husband's to be office only to be presented with a pile of paper work. According to Simon before marriage a couple had to draw up a contract of compromises and agreements on their lifestyle. What she thought was going to be a nice lunch turned out to be a business meeting with his lawyer also known as his mother.
Simon had thought of everything down to the how many children and when she should quit her job even to sexual schedule that would maximize their chances of him not being bored or her leading to an affair. Needless to say after she heard what his plans were the only thing she had to say to him was good bye.
How could I be so stupid, better yet how could I see that coming from a man who categorize his whole closet in different shades and functions.
Walking into the library she walked over to the back wall where the printers were and began to unpack her laptop. She was so consumed in thoughts of everything Simon use to organize that she never even heard the librarian come up behind her with the cart of books for restocking. "Finished your term paper?" Whispered the old woman, who stood beside her in a brown burlap dress that made her all to more pale and bland. Her hair was braided behind her into a long blond rope and Gabriella looked up started then relaxed into a smile.
"Yes this morning around eight actually." She said connecting to the printer.
"Cutting it close I see." The woman whispered.
"Tina was late."
The sound of the printer coming to life filled the library with noise. Gabriella located the file and sent it to the printer as the woman beside her mumble a chuckle.
"well good luck"
"Thanks betty"
After printing out her paper Gabriella look at the clock and quickly packed up she had twenty four minutes before class. And she knew she wasn't going to make it. Shit.