Chapter 5

 Walter woke up early and prepared for the day ahead. After a shower and a quick and somewhat burnt breakfast he headed out. He bought a newspaper but after reading the depressing headline he quickly threw it away. Walter was in no mood to be depressed today. He headed straight to the magazine he usually called when he wanted to submit a new story.

         In the magazine, they often published short works by local authors. Walter went to this place several times and received good payment for his work. They liked him there and he respected the workers. It was a quick meeting and soon after Walter was paid for his story. It was a reasonable check and Walter was very grateful. He walked out proud of his work and then headed over to buy some groceries at the small city store.  Walter went in and focused on what he needed, it was crowded so he didn't plan on staying long. Once he was done he headed straight for the open checkout line. Standing there was the cashier; like a zombie with a deadpan face. She was short and was probably in her mid forties. She was bored out of her mind.

                       “Milk in the bag?” she sighed once again going through the mundane routine of her job.

                       “No, please leave it in the jug.” Walter joked hoping to cheer the woman up. She didn't even twitch and handed the milk to Walter almost throwing it. He caught it quickly and didn't say another word, grabbing his bags as fast as he could and made his way home. It was a chilly fall afternoon and Thanksgiving was on the way. But you really couldn't tell seeing that Christmas things were everywhere. “Always in hurry.” Walter said to himself.

         Once he got home he unpacked the groceries and got on his laptop. He went to the story he started writing the other day hoping to start on it again. He then became disappointed in himself because he found himself disliking it. Walter now found no interest in it and deleted it quickly.

         “I'm washed up.” he said aloud as Duncan came in.

“Who's washed up?” he asked putting his guitar case down.

“I am.” Walter sighed.

“You said that before.” Duncan replied sitting down on the couch.

       “I know I know.” Walter sat in the armchair. “Do you have trouble with your songs?” Duncan nodded, “Yeah all the time.” Walter was surprised. Duncan's songs were always very good and well thought out. How could he possibly have trouble with them?

     “So what do you do then?” Walter asked hoping for some advice.

     “There's nothing you can do.” Duncan shrugged. “It comes to you eventually. Besides, you always have stories ready that you get printed.”

    “Ah, I've written those months ago.” Walter pushed that aside. Duncan was very surprised at that. All that material waiting around and nothing at all recent or original.

    “I know.” Walter said noticing his astonishment. “I haven’t written anything original in almost a year. When I do get started I get bored with it and just delete it.”

    “How many stories do you have left?” Duncan asked him, curiously.

    “Two.” Walter said flatly, disappointed with himself.

              Duncan was even more surprised, “I would get those printed if I were you. That way you'll have some money.” Walter agreed and went back to the computer, “Maybe you’re right. But maybe I need to get a job.” Walter shrugged still not sure. Duncan relaxed on the couch and turned on the TV, “Maybe you should. By the way, do you have the money you owe me?”

               Walter got up without a word and handed the money over to Duncan. He counted it like an accountant and put the money away somewhere in his room. The rest of afternoon was spent in silence, Duncan flipped through the channels while Walter looked at the two stories he had left. They were written during the summer and were dark and depressing. It was during the rougher times of getting over Lilly. Walter was pained by the memories and quickly closed the documents. He then checked his emails and saw that he had one from Grace:

Just to let you know…Lilly will be at the coffee shop tonight.

                                                                                                                       -Grace

         Walter gasped silently and quickly replied trying to think of a good excuse:

             Swine flu...sorry can't go out of the house.

 A few minutes later Grace surprisingly replied back:

            We'll wear masks. See you tonight.

           Walter deleted the message and stood up in haste. “What’s the matter?” Duncan asked.

            “Lilly will be at the coffee shop tonight.”

            “What’s wrong with that?”

             “It's Lilly that’s what’s wrong.” Walter grumbled annoyed at Duncan's apathy.

             “She's clearly put the past behind her. Why can't you?”

             Walter then got angry, “Because she clearly doesn't feel guilty. She cheated on me and now is here to rub it in my face.”

Duncan tried to calm him down, “She's hanging out with us. She's trying to be your friend.”

“You’re wrong.” Walter disagreed. “She wants to wallow in my depression. She wants to torture me.”

Duncan laughed at Walter's outlandish accusation, “Wallow? I doubt she'll be there to wallow at you.”

Walter shook his head not believing him, “Yeah right, she’ll be there to rub it in.” He then began some sort of impression, “I'm successful and you’re not, I'm taken and you’re lonely. That’s what she's going to do.” On and on Walter went on about Lilly's evil plot to make him feel completely miserable.

          “Walter.” Duncan said finally able to get a word in. Walter stopped and looked at Duncan waiting for what he was going to say. “Shut up.” Duncan said plainly without any offense. Walter then looked dumbfounded and for once was at a loss for words.

“Let's just go to the coffee shop and see how this goes.” “Fine.” Walter sighed giving up. “But I won't have a good time.” he headed for the door. “Not when I'll be in the presence of Dr. Evil.”

Duncan laughed and the two headed out of the apartment. “Her boyfriend better not be there.” Walter said.

Duncan agreed, “He's a lawyer so probably not. They seem to work late.”

“Maybe he's having an affair with his secretary.” Walter imagined hoping it could be true.

        “What if he doesn't have a secretary?”

        “He's a lawyer, Duncan. He'll have a secretary. He has to have one.”

Duncan rolled his eyes as they walked into the coffee shop. Grace was behind the counter making someone a latte. It was not very crowded and soft music played in the background. “Feeling better?” Grace teased when she had a free moment. “Why am I here?” Walter complained as he sat at the counter. “You come every night.” Grace reminded him as he made Walter his favorite coffee. He smirked and didn't say anything else. Grace handed Walter his coffee and he drank it slowly in silence. “Its hot.” he said after taking a sip.

         “It's supposed to be.”

         “I know.” Walter said noticing her slight sarcasm.

“This is like lava hot.”

“I'm sure you wouldn't be breathing if your coffee was lava hot.” Duncan joked. Suddenly the door opened and Lilly walked in. Walter immediately felt a rush of anxiety. His breathing became rapid and his throat was dry. “Hey guys.” Lilly called. “Hi Walter.”

                  “Hey.” Walter said with a dry smoker voice. Lilly laughed to herself and sat down with the group. She, Duncan, and Grace talked while Walter sat just paying attention. Being near Lilly made him nervous and shy. He started to sweat a little and without thinking he took a big gulp of coffee.

“Ah! HOT!” he yelled as he jumped out of his seat. The coffee split and went all over Walter's pants. “HOT!!!” he yelled again as the coffee went down his pants. “Grace, quick, ice! Hurry!” She quickly got a pitcher and filled it with ice. He took it and poured it down his pants. Walter sighed in relief and handed Grace the pitcher, “Thanks.” he said as he sat back down.

          “Are you OK?” Lilly asked prolonging it out.

          “Yeah, thanks.” Walter nodded. Duncan shook his head and Grace was horrified. Everyone else in the shop just laughed at Walter. He felt embarrassed, “Oh, keep drinking your cappuccinos!” he tried to quiet them down. “Seriously, are you OK?” Grace asked. Walter nodded and laughed it off,

“Yeah I'm fine now. But maybe I should change my pants.” Walter said now checking his coffee stained pants. “Maybe we should call it a night then.” Duncan offered. Lilly spoke up, “I have the night off tomorrow. Would you guys like to come over for dinner?”

                   “Absolutely-” Walter started but Grace gave him an evil look, “Yes.” Walter said quickly changing his answer. Lilly didn't notice and smiled as she got up.

     “Will your boy.... boy….” Walter stuttered.

      Lilly understood, “No, he works late in the evenings.”

      “Oh really.” Walter said looking at Duncan, raising his eyebrows.

      “Well we'll see you then.” Duncan said also getting up. Grace had to still stay to work, “I have the night off too. See you guy’s there.” she called as Lilly, Duncan, and Walter left. Outside, Lilly went one way and Duncan and Walter walked back home.

“Did you hear that?” Walter said with excitement. “He works late evenings. He's probably cheating on her. Serves her right.”

“Come on man, that's really mean.” Duncan was surprised by Walter's harshness.

“It's only fair.” Walter added. “But now we have to have dinner with her. This is a nightmare.”

        “She's trying to be a friend. You know reconnect.”

        “Sure whatever. There's nothing to reconnect.” Walter ignored Duncan's thought. They didn't say a word as they headed in the apartment. “Just be calm about it. Everything will be fine.” Duncan said trying once again to encourage Walter.

“Easy for you to say.” he began. “You didn't date her.” They ended their talk at that. Duncan went in his room while Walter sat on the couch and watched TV. He flipped through the channels and fell asleep; he dreamed that night of being at Lilly's having dinner. He knocked over some candles while tripping over a rug and that caused a huge fire in the tiny apartment. He woke up startled and got a glass of water to drink. He was worried now that it was déjà vu and he would actually burn down Lilly's apartment. “Glad this isn't coffee.” he joked to himself after finishing his water. He turned off the TV and went in his room to sleep, hoping his klutz dreams were over for tonight.