Chapter 7

Twenty minutes pass and Jessica struggles with getting the design just right. "How's it going back here?" Erika asks as she brings back a tray of mugs to load up the dishwasher. "Horribly," Jessica admits feeling hopeless. "Let me take a look," Erika says putting the tray down on the counter. She investigates the napkins and observes each design carefully. "They look pretty good to me," Erika says trying to reassure her. "Remember, it's a design. So long as your lines are neat and we can make out what you've drawn, that’s a pass in my books." Erika said patting her on the back. "Do you want to keep going with this? Or do you want to do something else?" She figured Jessica might be getting in her head about this and needed a change of scenery. Besides, she wanted to ask her about what happened last night.

The two walked around the front counter, Erika pointed out tables that needed more napkins or where people had just left and their tables needed to be wiped. She explained the plan for the day and the expectations with training and then asked, "So what happened yesterday?" Jessica's heart sank, she could die of embarrassment. Erika could tell by her reaction that she didn’t want to talk about it. "Well, it sucks to be him," Erica says, not digging any further into it. "Yeah, but it sucks to be me too." Says Jessica, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. "Is it too much to want a guy to spoil me rotten with affection?" Jessica starts. "All I wanted was a cute little dinner date, maybe some candles, and a movie, or a walk on the beach, or something romantic!" Erika listened patiently. "Ever since Tom, I've been thinking more and more about what I want. I want a guy, so just have it all, and be able to give me it all. You know?" Jessica said looking at Erika. "Oh yeah, me too girl. Rich guy, with a nice house. Maybe so extra cash to buy my nice clothes. I feel you." Erika told her in agreeance. "But that is what we call a "mister right". And he doesn’t exist." Jessica nodded sadly, but it was clear that it was exactly what she wanted.

Erika accompanied Jessica cleaning tables in the lobby. One would start a whistle or hum a tune and the other would catch on and join merrily. The homeless man had finished his coffee a long time ago but was enjoying watching the girls star in their own invisible Broadway picture. He would watch and then doodle on a napkin, and then watch again. Catching his eye, Erika smiled and danced over to the homeless man's table, "Can I interest you in a refill?" she asked him playfully, folding her towel in half over her arm and imitating a fancy waiter. "Ah, but of course. You've convinced me!" The old man played along with her as she waltzed to the counter with his mug. He chuckled at her enthusiasm and then turned his attention to Jessica, who was dancing with the broom in her own fantasy world. He smiled, and for a moment the restaurant was nothing but hopeful thoughts and fantastic daydreams. Suddenly, that feeling of calm was broken by the chimes of the bell hanging above the café's door.

"Good day, we are hoping to speak with… um." The woman paused to check her notebook. "Jessica Wright." The woman removed her cap and lowered her notepad revealing the shiny badge and radio pinned to her chest. A second officer came through the door and removed his sunglasses and cap upon entering. He scans the café's entirety and then approaches his partner who patiently waits for Jessica to put away her cleaning materials. Jessica's eyes are wide and she's struck with fear. Placing all of the cleaning supplies against the wall Jessica walks stiffly to the woman cop, who is now smiling and extending her hand to her.

"I'm Officer Campbell. This is Officer Dickson. We wanted to ask Jessica Wright a few questions about a missing person's case. Are you Jessica?" Jessica nodded, her expression was frozen. She appeared terrified. This intrigued the officers. Realizing Erika was the manager, the woman called her over and asked if there was a more private area where they could speak. "Of course, please follow me." Erika walked the group behind the counter and into the back room. The officers observed it and thanked Erika. "If you need more privacy, you may use the office, Jessica please show them if they need it?" Jessica nodded and the woman told her, "This will be just fine, thank you. I'll let you know if we need to speak with you as well."

Erika left the back room and Jessica was alone with the two Officers. Swallowing hard, Jessica tries to find the words. "What… What's this all about?" She finally gets out, her voice is shaky and dry. Officer Campbell walked around her looking at the backroom and putting her hands on her hips. "Did you know a Shawn Edwards?" She asks smoothly, only glancing at Jessica once in a while. "Uh, I met a Shawn yesterday, but I don't know what his last name was." The woman nodded thoughtfully. "First time meeting him?" She asked. "Yes," Jessica responded, not missing a beat. "How long have you worked here?" The cop asked. "This is my first week." "Did you give Shawn your number?" She asked, hammering question after question, still circling Jessica who was getting dizzy. "Yes, yesterday when I met him. I thought we were going to catch a movie or something. What did he do?" The Officer stopped and looked at her partner who returned the stare.

Officer Campbell starts again, "Phone records show that he had dialed your number last night but the call never connected. Did you see him later that evening?" She asked her very seriously. "No," Jessica answered honestly, tears swelling at the corners of her eyes. "I didn’t even know he called." Jessica sniffled trying to hold back tears. "We're not sure what's happened, yet. He's been reported missing. We are trying to collect information to start a case." Officer Campbell tells her, trying to make her feel better. "Do you have any information on where he might be?" She asked Jessica hopefully. "No. I'm so sorry." Jessica tells them both. The Officers exchange looks and then ask if Erika can come to talk to them.

Jessica nervously returns to the front counter. "They want to talk to you as well." She tells Erika, scanning the restaurant for any new customers. Erika thanks her and heads to the back room. Jessica grabs a spray bottle and cloth and walks around the lobby looking for tables clean. "Psst." She hears a hushed call from behind her. She turns to see the old homeless man calling her over quietly. She cautiously walks over to him, and he waves her over, trying not to be seen by the cops. Once Jessica was close enough, he asked in a lowered voice. "Hey, is everything okay?" Jessica looks over her shoulders to the back room and replies softly. "Yes, just some bad news about a customer we had yesterday." She sniffles, trying to hide her concern. "Did something happen to him?" He asked her gently. "Not sure, they say he's missing." She feels his hand on top of hers, his soft skin caresses hers as he gives her a squeeze causing her to face him. "I'm sure he'll turn up." He said smiling at her. She smiled back, slightly. Staring into his green eyes, his skin is so very soft, his eyes are so green. His complexion does not match his rugged grey hair and overgrown beard.

He lets go of Jessica causing her to jerk her hand back suddenly and he jumps to his feet. Reaching in his pocket for change he throws on the table everything he has. "Please." Jessica said, collecting it and trying to give it back to him but he held up his hands, staring at the floor he said, "Please. Let me keep my dignity." And then he shuffles between her and the table to get to the door. The bell rings as the man leaves and two young girls walk in gabbing about Starbucks. Maybe today has been too much, but whatever it is, Jessica has had enough. Tears streamed down her face as she felt herself breaking down. "I'll be there in one minute," Jessica called out, her voice strained as she fought the urge to cry. As if Erica knew, she called the girls to the counter and Jessica ran to the customer's bathroom before the police saw her all worked up.

She blows her nose with tissue paper and stares at her red face in the mirror. Thank goodness for these big single-person bathrooms. She thought to herself, worried by the idea of someone walking in on her. A few minutes passed and Jessica was trying to find the courage to go back out there. A quiet "tap, tap, tap." On the door startled Jessica, "They're gone. You okay?" She heard Erica ask her softly from the door. Jessica ran to open the door. Erica was leaning against the door frame with her arms folded across her chest. "They asked me about Shawn." Erika started, feeling the tension. "I told them what I knew, how he promised me a great review, how he talked to you, how you said he never called and was upset about it. I never did get that review he promised." Erika tried to lighten the tone. "Apparently, he did call," Jessica said to Erika, avoiding eye contact. "He did?" Erika asked shocked. "He dialed my number, but the call didn't complete. Or something like that. They told me that." Erika thought for a moment then sighed. "Strange."