Goddess

Don’s been lonely for close to a year. His wife died last summer. Don sighed at his desk. He rose to his feet.

“I’m heading out for lunch,” he said.

“Okay,” Miyukizi said.

“Excuse me,” Don said, bowing. He turned and walked out the door.

He was going to Le Petite café. Don hoped to see her again. He pushed open the glass door.

“Welcome!” a woman with blonde hair said. His cheeks turn red.

“Hi…” he said. Her name was Annabel Lin. Can such a beauty exist? She arrived in Japan last autumn. Her café opened on Christmas. Don had been meaning to come here but never had the nerve to do it. That was until today.

“What can I get you today?” Annabel asked.

“Um…” Don said as he looked at the menu behind her. “A pepperoni and chicken sandwich and coffee.” Annabel rang up the order.

“Okay, that will be 896.96¥,” she said. Don paid the fee.

“Thank you,” Annabel said.

“Um…” he said. She looked up.

“Hm?” Annabel asked. Don froze. He had everything in his head. Why wasn’t it coming out? Annabel raised her eyebrow.

“Can I help you?” she asked. Don gulped.

“Are you free today?” he asked at last.

“Free?” she asked. The man slowly nodded. She stared at him.

“What for?” she asked. Don struggled to say something. Ask her out! Ask her out!

The man lifted his chin.

“Would you like to have dinner with me?” Don asked at last.

“Dinner?” Annabel asked.

“Yes,” Don said, nodding. She perked up.

“With my kids?” she asked. Don frowned.

“No…” he said, shaking his head. “Dinner with you and me.”

“And my kids?” Annabel asked.

“No, just you and me,” he said. “Without the kids.”

“Without my kids?” she repeated.

“Yes,” Don said, nodding. There was a pause. This wasn’t going well, was it? He waved her off.

“You know what? Just forget it,” Don said. He tried to laugh it off. Annabel laughed with him. He may have been laughing on the outside but he was crying inside. Don wound up staying in his office crying and eating his sandwich and chocolate while drinking his coffee.