Part 2 (1/2)

”Let's see ... I'll take the vegetarian omelet, wheat toast, side of home fries,” she said.

”Hungry this morning, huh?” Angie commented as she wrote down the order.

”A container of yogurt and a few crackers just didn't cut it yesterday,” Ca.s.s replied.

”You know Ca.s.s, you need to settle down with someone who can cook. It would save you a lot of time and money,” Angie observed.

”No thanks, Ang ... I kind of like being foot loose and fancy free,” Cat said ”And lonely?” Angie asked.

Ca.s.s looked at her through narrowed eyes.

”Oh oh... kind of overstepped my bounds there, huh? Okay ... I know when to retreat - I'll be back with your order in a few minutes,” Angie said, as she turned and practically ran to the kitchen.

Ca.s.s sat there looking at her hands clasped together on the table.

She's right you know. You are lonely. You really do need to find someone to share your life with, Enforcer said, just do it cautiously ... be careful who you choose.

I won't expose myself to that again, she replied internally.

You also can't go through the rest of your life alone and miserable. Get a life Ca.s.s! Not everyone you meet will be like Patti! Those one-night-stands you pick up occasionally are only good for one thing and you know it ... you need someone to have a meaningful relations.h.i.+p with, Enforcer chided again.

”I can't” exclaimed Ca.s.s out loud, eliciting stares from the other patrons around her.

Ca.s.s looked around nervously, the slid down into her chair, trying to make herself as invisible as possible. d.a.m.n it Ca.s.sidy, get a grip! Her thoughts were interrupted by Angie returning with her breakfast.

”Okay, one veggie omelet and a side of home fries. How 'bout a refill on that coffee?” Angie asked as she put Ca.s.s' plate down in front of her.

”Only if you join me,” Ca.s.s said, half asking, half pleading.

Angie looked at her friend and saw the quiet desperation in her eyes. ”Sure Sugar,” she said smiling, grabbing Ca.s.s' coffee cup. ”I'll be right back,” she added.

Moments later, Angie was back with two full cups of coffee. Sliding into the seat opposite Ca.s.s, she began the conversation with a question. ”So, did you get a chance to start the book?”

”Started and finished!” Ca.s.s said, ”all in one night ... in a tub of cold water!”

Angie smiled. ”It was a good book. Couldn't put it down, could you?”

Ca.s.s shook her head no as she chewed a mouthful of home fries.

”When are you going to start Part II?” Angie asked.

Ca.s.s just looked at Angie with a pathetic smile, catching her bottom lip between her teeth.

Angie looked at her incredulously. ”You're kidding, right? Don't tell me you've read that one already too!?” she exclaimed.

Ca.s.s nodded her head.

”Ca.s.sidy Conway! Is that all you've done since you got home Friday is read?” Angie asked, shocked.

”Ang ... I couldn't help myself ... they were so good!” she replied.

Angie reached over to place a hand on Ca.s.s' arm. ”Ca.s.s, darlin', I'm worried about you. Here you are, a beautiful young woman, and you spend your entire weekend holed up in your condo reading. Sweetheart, you've got to get out and meet people. How are you ever going to meet Ms. Right if you aren't out there looking?”

Ca.s.s put her fork down and wiped her mouth with her napkin. Placing it back in her lap, she sat back in her chair and looked at Angie. ”Angie, I'm afraid. After Patti ...” she began.

”Patti wasn't your fault, Ca.s.s. I could tell she was using near the end. When the two of you came in for the occasional dinner, it was obvious that she was high on something. And beside, that was three years ago. It's time you put all that behind you and move on. You need someone to share your life with. Life is too short, sweetie ... don't waste it,” she finished.

Ca.s.s just nodded her head solemnly then drank the rest of her coffee. Putting the cup back on the table, she threw some money down to cover the tab, then stood up and kissed Angie on the cheek. ”Thanks Ang. It feels good to know someone cares.”

”That, I do, Ca.s.s. You know I'm here for you, right?” The older woman asked.

Ca.s.s smiled. ”Thanks,” she said, squeezing the waitress' shoulder. ”I'll see you around dinner time, okay?”

”Italian meatloaf on the menu tonight - your favorite!” Ca.s.s heard her yell as she left the restaurant, smiling.

Ca.s.s walked the distance back to her condo as a leisurely pace. Stopping at her mailbox, she retrieved the newspaper and climbed the steps to her apartment. Throwing the paper on the coffee table as she walked by, she headed directly to the bathroom where she stripped off her running clothes and jumped into the shower. Not expecting any visitors, she donned a pair of black high-cut bikini briefs and a short black tank top that came to just above her navel. The under clothes accentuated her long slim legs, slender waist and full, firm b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Curling up on the couch, with her legs tucked under her, Ca.s.s reached for the paper and started scanning the various articles. Beside the article on the Columbian drug lord, there wasn't much to hold her interest. The only reason she was even remotely interested in that article was due to the fact that she flew quite regularly into Bogota. Not finding anything else to hold her interest, she fished the crossword puzzle out of the cla.s.sified section and discarded the rest of the paper.