Page 82 of Loving Violet
Officer Miller takes notes and collects the evidence. “We’ll do everything we can to track this person down,” he assures us.
The next day at the coffee shop, my nerves are frayed.
Last night, even after Austin made sweet love to me, I couldn’t sleep. We cuddled in bed, and I really tried to fall asleep, but my mind kept creating scenarios where something bad was going to happen. It didn’t help either that Adrian was worried about the situation and now doesn’t want to go to school because he thinks something is going to happen to me. This morning, I had to have a long conversation with him, explaining that we were doing everything possible to prevent something from happening.
Now, here I am, exhausted and wanting to be back in bed with Austin.
Josy threatened me with bodily harm if I didn’t come to work. She thinks I need the distraction, but I know what she’s doing—she wants to keep me close, and I love her for it. But I fear for her life too.
Trying to focus on the customers, I bustle around the shop, forcing myself to engage in light-hearted conversations. It’s not easy, but it helps keep my mind off the fear lurking in the back of my mind.
I chat with the regulars, offering them smiles and small talk, hoping to find some semblance of normalcy.
John Baker arrives to check the water pipes in the restrooms at Josy's request. “How are you, Violet?” he asks once he enters the shop.
“I’ve been better. What about you?”
“I’m good. Well, I hope that you feel better soon,” he says as he walks in the direction of the bathrooms.
While Josy and John are in the bathroom, Megan walks up to the counter, her expression cold. She rarely visits the coffee shop, and when she does, she is never nice to me.
Today, she is wearing a short red sundress that looks beautiful, and I hate her for it. She paired her dress with red wedges, and her hair is perfectly styled in beach waves that cascade down her back. She looks like a model.
Did I already say that I hate this bitch? Because I really do.
When she gets in front of the counter, I put a smile on my face. “Hi, welcome. What can I get you?
I really want to say "fuck off" but I can’t. That’s not good for business.
Instead of ordering, she sneers and says, “I don’t know what he sees in you. You’re fat and ugly. But don’t worry, he’ll come back to me eventually.”
What the actual fuck. Did this bitch just… What are we? In high school?
Anger flares within me, but I keep my voice steady. “I’m glad to know that you’re delusional. If he wanted you back, he’d be with you and not with me. So please, have some self-respect and don’t ever come back again. And don’t talk to me.”
Megan huffs and puffs before storming out, and I’m left seething with anger and doubt.
The words sting, even though I know they shouldn’t. They come from a beautiful woman, and now that I think about it, Megan might be beautiful on the outside, but she is very ugly on the inside. I would never say such words to anyone.
I refuse to let her words dent my armor, just as my self-confidence is growing. Holding my chin up, I continue work, reminding myself that I can still feel Austin inside me, both physically and in my heart. I’m his, and he’s mine.
Josy and John come back to the front, oblivious to the confrontation that just took place. I try to shake off the lingering negativity and focus on the rest of my day, but even though I feel more confident these days, Megan's words keep echoing in my mind.
I texted Austin about it and he said that he was going to take care of her.
What is he going to do? I don’t know and I really don’t care. I shouldn’t care…
As the day progresses, I engage with the afternoon regular customers and try to maintain a cheerful attitude.
I chat with John Baker while he works, grateful for the distraction.
“Is Adrian getting ready for his first soccer game?”
“Yes. He has been practicing non-stop. I love that he found something that takes him away from the video games.”
“Tell me about it. I have to practically confiscate the devices in my house so we could talk while we have dinner.”
“I just don’t get this generation. They are stuck to their phones at all time and they don’t realize that they are missing out on life.”
