Emma

Saturday.

Henry is still asleep in bed. As much as I want to join him, I have to go to work if I don't want to cancel my little date with Jefferson. This is good, really. Our meeting will give me the opportunity to know more about Jefferson. His so far a charming, fair man, however, I need a decent guy for Henry. Killian will be next tonight. Oh boy.

It's three thirty in the morning. I quickly changed into my uniform, and grabbed my purse. Before I head out the door, I crawled back on the bed, and gave a Henry a kiss.

The shift in the diner is the same. Exhausted customers coming in the door. Some are cranky, others are too tired to notice they're in a diner, not their bedroom. Worst of all, those annoying college boys come here often at four. I guard Ruby as best as I can when those nasty boys come closer to her. I hate such filthy manners, they should know better. Sure, they got into college. However, they shouldn't abandon the proper respect toward adults. Sometimes I just want to kick them out of the diner, and make sure they never return.

I stood by the cashier a couple times, taking turns with Ruby and Belle.

Five thirty. Can't time go by any faster. I have to stay here for six hours. And go to Granny's motel, and start cleaning the roof and the other storage rooms, which will take me three hours. After I meet up with Jefferson, I have to return to Granny's motel and start my night shift.

The blonde college boy lifted his hand.

"More coffee, please."

I sighed. Ruby and Belle are in the kitchen, getting the food for the other customers. I picked up the coffee pitcher, and walked to the table.

"Here you go." I slowly poured the pitcher to the boy's cup.

He smiled at me. "Remember me, cutie."

'He did not just say that.' I grinded my teeth tightly together. "Kid...Watch what you say. I'm an adult. Have some respect."

The boys started to laugh. "What cutie pie, I was just complimenting you. There's nothing rude about that. Now can you get me some sugar?"

I sighed, gripping tightly on the handle of the pitcher. "The sugar grater is beside you. Now, I hope you kids enjoy your meal."

When I turned around, the kid grabbed my arm. "Wait hold on a second. I'm not finished with you."

I almost allowed myself to dump the hot coffee all over him. But my boss suddenly appeared, he didn't seem to do anything about this, yet his expression tells me he wants me to walk away without causing any trouble. That is too much to ask, if you ask me.

The kid wrapped his arm around my waist, and pulled me closer. The other kids started their "ohhhh..."

"Look kid. Stop it now. Your causing a scene."

The kid didn't listen. Fortunately, someone grabbed his arm. It's a man, an old man. He stood carrying a cane, dressed in a black suit with a violet dress shirt, and his gray hair cut short covering his ears.

"The lady said that was enough. I suggest for you gentlemen to get lost. Or sit here politely without being so disrespectful to the waitresses."

The boy grimaced a little as the old man tighten his grip on the boy's arm. The boy soon dropped his arm off my waist, and the old man released his grasp.

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome, Miss..."

"Emma. I'm Emma."

"Right. What a beautiful key chain you have." I lowered my eyes on the necklace. Bae gave me a key chain the day we planned to runaway together. However, I got to prison for a year while I was pregnant with Henry. Those days were brutal, and painful...

"Thank you. Have you ordered anything? I could be your service."

The man shook his head. "No, thank you. I'm here to see Belle."

"Belle. Right. She's in the kitchen. I'll go bring her out. What's your name, by the way?"

"Gold. Mr. Gold."

I nodded. "Just one moment."

I walked inside the steaming kitchen. Belle stood by the kitchen counter, placing a few plates of food on a tray.

"Belle."

She turned around. "Yeah."

"Belle, someone is here to see you. His name is Mr. Gold."

She gasped. "He's here. Oh today is a good day. Emma I'm sorry, but can you take care of this for me, this is for table three. I have to talk to him real quick."

"Sure. But hurry back."

She nodded. She quickly removed her apron, and placed it on the kitchen counter. And she ran out the door.

I placed the last plate on the tray. Ruby came up to me.

"Why is Belle all so giddy?"

"Oh, someone is here to see her. I think he's her father, or uncle. He looked a little old."

"Probably... Hey, wait. Why are you doing Belle's order? Emma. She threw her dirty work at you again. Didn't she?"

I shook my head. "No she just asked. She wants to talk to that guy outside. Besides, I know what that poor girl is going through. It's not easy when there's so much responsibilities weighing on your shoulders. Believe me. I barely have time with my son... But seriously, cut her some slack, Rubes. She's a college student for crying out loud."

"Well, I guess. Anyway, hurry up with those order, before the customers get cranky"

I nodded. I picked up the tray and walked out of the kitchen. I carefully walked to table three, and placed the plates down on the table.

"Enjoy. And if you need anything else, please just ask." I walked back to the cashier.

Suddenly, something caught my eye. I could see Belle and Mr. Gold clearly through the glass walls. Belle and Mr. Gold are embracing in each other's arms. But something else happened, she pulled him closer for a kiss. A kiss! Well, looks like this Mr. Gold guy is not her family member. But a boyfriend! Oh good gracious, this girl needs a reality check.

Belle started talking to Mr. Gold. And they soon parted separate ways after another kiss. She soon came back inside the diner.

"Hey, thanks Emma."

It's not easy for me to speak clearly after what I just witnessed. I released a few awkward coughs.

"Um...Yeah...Um any time...Um Be - Belle can I talk to you when our break starts."

She nodded. "Alright."

~ It's nine forty - five. I have a twenty eight minute break. Me and Belle went inside the kitchen, eating some leftovers.

'How should I say this to her? Belle is a clever girl, yes. But girls get confused when it comes to men. God knows I went through that tragic state, but I had a baby and made a family. It didn't last long. But I don' t have the chance to start all over again. But Belle does. I don't regret having Henry. But I regret giving Henry life when I'm not prepared to be a proper mother. Belle could regret ever being with a man like Mr. Gold. Who knows what kind of man he is.'

I lowered my eyes down on my food.

"So, you wanted to talk about something." Belle said.

'Well, here it goes.' I cleared my throat. 'Belle. Tell me your relationship with Mr. Gold."

Belle suddenly looked up at me with wide eyes. "You saw us kiss didn't you."

I nodded. "Belle, the man is too old for you. You're only twenty four, and you're a successful doctoral student. Why are you suddenly in a relationship with a man who is twenty or thirty years your senior?"

Belle looked at me. "Emma, I love him. And his not that old. His not a terrible man then you think. And don't worry, really. I took all sorts of precautions. I investigated him. It was an odd idea at the time, but it was very important. It turns out his divorced, he has a son but he hasn't seen him for years. He hadn't been in a relationship after his divorce, either."

"What does he do for a living?"

"He owns a pawn shop."

I took Belle's hand. "Belle. I know its none of my business. But everything your telling me is scaring the crap out of me. There are so many 'ifs' to this relationship."

Belle shook her head. "No there isn't."

"There's plenty. For instance, you say he works in a pawn shop, he could be involved with loan sharks, or owns a mob. Have you ever thought about that? And what your father think of this? No father takes it lightly to the idea of their own daughter dating a man whose the same age as him."

Belle placed her fork down. "You know what, your right. It's not of your business. This is my relationship. My decision. I love him. And that's that."

I still held her hand. I have so much more to say. But when I look at her now, it reminds me the younger version I was back in the past. I said almost the same words to my mom. She didn't accept my decision right away, but since she didn't want to lose my trust in her, she accepted my relationship with Bae. I can't believe she did that. And I don't think I could do it to Belle. But if I don't, she won't be able to trust me as her friend. So here is goes.

"Belle...Okay, then."

She looked at me confused. "Okay what?"

"I mean okay to your relationship. I'm still against it. But at the same time, you are a smart, responsible girl who knows how to take care of herself. Just be careful. Or else I'll do something about it."

Belle smiled. She suddenly pulled me for a hug. "Thanks Emma. You're the first person who ever accepted my relationship."

"Belle, you're like my sister. And as your close friend, I'm warning you to think about raising your relationship to the next level after you graduate and get a job. Or, I'll stop you myself for seeing Mr. Gold again."

I could feel Belle curve into a smile. "Deal."