15 year old Kate Austen walked around the table to deliver a meal to a couple on their honey-moon.
'Thanks, here, have this and keep it for yourself.' said the man, handing her a 20 dollar note.
"Thanks, congratulations, I hope the rest of your marriage goes well." She said with complete disinterest.
She walked by the door and spotted a tall man with dirty blond hair walking towards the café she was working in. He looked about the same age as her. She smiled secretly to herself and then walked up to the counter. She tried to look busy as the man walked in and took a seat.
She quickly walked up to him with a notepad and pen.
"Good Evening Sir, would you like anything to eat or drink?"
"Call me James; I will be here two days every week, Monday and Thursday. Get used to the order, because I will want the same thing every time. I want the chips with gravy and chicken." He said while glancing at the menu briefly.
She nodded. "Anything to drink?" she asked.
He nodded. "A glass of coke will be great."
She nodded and walked briskly to the counter, placing the order on the desk. She delivered a couple more meals until James's meal was ready. She took it and walked over to his table.
"Thanks Freckles." He said glancing at her.
She smiled oddly at the nickname and then was startled by a voice.
"Hey, Joyce, get back to work." The manager yelled to her.
She sighed and collected dishes from the empty tables.
On Thursday's she actually looked forward to work. She normally strolled into work, told the chief to make James's meal and then got to work taking orders. When James walked in she would give him his meal and then she got back to work.
They had become good friends but they knew nothing about each other. She always called him James and although he knew her name was Joyce, he called her Freckles.
"You don't look like a Joyce." He said playfully one day.
She blushed for a minute but quickly smiled and said "Well…… you don't really look like a James either."
"Hate to break it to you sweetheart. But that's my name." he said smirking, causing her to smile.
She thought about telling him about her life and why her name was Joyce, but she didn't want to lose the friendship.
Exactly three years after their first encounter James walked in and pulled her aside.
"Tell your boss that you need to duck out for a few minutes. I need to talk to you." He said looking around uncertainly.
She nodded and went out the back. She quickly returned.
"I have ten minutes." She said.
"That's all I need." He said pulling her out of the café.
He kept pulling her along until they came to an alleyway.
"Listen Freckles, I am going to Australia. My boss is transferring me there." He lied.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, but this is a once in a lifetime chance." he lied again.
She felt tear prick her eyes but she didn't cry. She looked at him and then looked at the floor. He lent forward slowly and gave her a passionate kiss. When he pulled away he saw that tears were streaming down her cheeks.
"Will I ever see you again?" asked Kate.
"I don't know sweetheart. But I hope so." He said.
He looked at his watch. He sighed.
"My plane leaves in two hours and I have got to leave now. Goodbye." He said and kissed her on the cheek.
She bit her lip and watched him leave.
"I love you." she whispered.