As she walked out of the restroom, Elaine blotted her tear-stained face with a damp paper towel. She could see Jerry, George and Sheila, still engrossed in conversation.
"What's with Elaine?" she heard George asking Jerry.
"I don't know..." Jerry said. "She was acting kind of strange."
Sheila pointed in Elaine's direction. "There she is! Do you want me to go talk to her?"
Jerry shook his head. "That's probably not a good idea."
"Why not?" Sheila asked.
Before Jerry could answer, George waved Sheila off. "She'll be fine. It's just Elaine."
"George..." Jerry said, glancing in Elaine's direction.
Elaine did her best to avoid eye contact with them; especially Jerry. She took a few deep breaths and silently walked past their booth.
Just as she opened the door and stepped outside, she heard Jerry's voice.
"Hey Lainey! Where are you going?"
God if he only knew how his calling her that name affected her...
She walked down the sidewalk; her pace increasing with each step. When she was finally a good distance from Monk's, she turned to see Jerry standing just outside the restaurant, watching her.
Quickly she ducked behind a lamp post and stared at him. It would be so easy to go to him; to tell him about David and Sue Ellen...
But she couldn't bring herself to do it.
What are you waiting for? And why are you so afraid of him? This is Jerry, not some guy you met on the street!
With a sudden burst of bravery, she emerged from her hiding place...
Just in time to see Sheila walk out of the restaurant...
And into Jerry's waiting arms.
She cringed at the sight of their lingering kiss; Jerry's hands entangled in Sheila's thick blonde hair.
Tears welled in her eyes as she turned away and walked through the dark streets...
Alone...
