when we met. q/quit.
I hate my job.
After spending hours in class and even more time studying after class, the last thing I wanted was to go to work at the bar and be groped and harassed. But that’s what usually happened. I didn’t have a choice. After I lost my parents, it was up to me to take care of my little brother Jake. For that, I needed to finish school. And I needed to save enough for him to go to college, too. I needed the money.
I’d only been at work for about an hour when it happened.
“What can I get you?”
“I’ll have a beer,” the guy said, with a look that made me uncomfortable, “and a night with you.”
“I’ll get your beer,” I said, ignoring the rest of his request. I turned to walk away, but after only one step, he slapped my ass. I whipped around and glared at him. “Do not fucking touch me!” I was livid. It wasn’t the first time something like this happened, but I snapped.
“Look at the way you’re dressed,” he said. “You want it.”
“Fuck off!”
I stormed away from the table. Of course, that was the moment my sleazebag boss walked out from the back office.
“Kate!”
Fuck. I followed him to the bar.
“You cannot talk to the customers like that. Go apologize to him.”
I could only see red. “I will not fucking apologize to that pig.”
“Kate…”
“No. I’m done.” I ripped my apron off and threw it at him. “I quit.”
I swiped a beer off the bar, not knowing whose beer it was, and walked over to the creep who slapped me.
“Here’s your beer.” I poured it over his head and slammed the glass down in front of him. Then I left.
The moment I stepped outside, it hit me. I had no job. No income. No way to support Jake and myself. I barely made it a block before I burst into tears. How could I be so irresponsible? I needed that job!
I sat on the curb wiping away my tears. I couldn’t afford to fall apart. I also couldn’t afford to be unemployed. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, but my tears returned. As I wiped them away again, a man approached. I was wary, but he had a sincere look of concern on his handsome face.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine.” I lied, turning my eyes to my lap.
He didn’t speak for a moment, but he didn’t walk away either. I looked back up at him.
“I’m Oliver,” he said, offering his hand.
I took it and tried to smile. “Kate.”
“Kate. You’re not fine.”
“You’re right. I’m not.”
He cautiously sat beside me. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No.”
“Okay. I’ll just sit with you, if that’s alright.”
I nodded. We sat in silence for a few minutes. Maybe it should have been an uncomfortable silence, yet it wasn’t. We watched cars go by and pedestrians across the street. But finally, I couldn’t hold in my thoughts any longer.
“I couldn’t do it anymore,” I blurted out. “Just because I’m wearing a short skirt doesn’t mean anyone has the right to touch me. I couldn’t stand another minute in that place being groped. But I needed that job. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.” Again, tears fell from my eyes.
“No one should have to put up with that. You’ll find another job. It’ll be okay.”
“But my brother. I have to take care of him. I can’t fail him.”
“Hey.” He paused until I looked at him. “What can I do to help?”
“Why do you want to help me? I’m a stranger.”
“No, you’re not. You’re Kate.”
I smiled. He actually made me smile.
And for some reason I didn’t quite understand, I actually believed that it would be okay.
—♥—
p.s. — This is not one of my favorites, but I still think it has a lot of potential.
Hot guy: unknown model (who I’d like to find out on the street… or anywhere)
©2022 what sandra thinks
what sandra thinks 
I like it. They don’t all have to be hot, steamy encounters because in a real relationship, that’s not always how it is. Sometimes you just need to sit together quietly.
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I agree. Sometimes a little reality is good. Other times, I like to leave reality behind completely!
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I really liked it, though. There’s so much heart and compassion behind this one. Makes me want to know what she’s able to do next.
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Maybe I will continue this one. I need to give it some thought.
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I really like this one. Don’t give up on it.
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Wouldn’t it be great if I write a full story for all of them? Not sure that will ever happen.
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That’s okay. They don’t all have to be long to be good.
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its such a sweet story sandra! I loved it! ❤
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Thanks. 🙂
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I also wanna know what happens next. I really like your conversation snippets, stories Nd messages u convey…they feel warm, hopeful and good…write on and write more about Oliver and Kate
Dropping by from a to z “The Pensive”
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I really need to spend some time thinking of a complete story for these characters.
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I like it!
Even if this doesn’t build up to anything else.. It’s good to know that there is still a little kindness left in the world!
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At least in my imagination…
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I’m hoping he owns a business and can offer her a good-paying job with benefits, but that might put a crimp in the romance.
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I was actually thinking that maybe he had a brother/sister/friend who could offer her a job. But I haven’t figured that out yet. 🙂
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Brilliant!
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I think this one has potential, too. 🙂
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PS. GO KATE!
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I have been writing my thoughts on where pretty much all of these could go next, but I am struggling to actually write more of the stories. I don’t know what’s going on in my head!
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That’s good that you’re at least keeping notes. I feel like I haven’t really written in forever…
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Oh yeah — I have no trouble writing notes and little bits of dialogue, but anything more and I get stuck. I think I need to try writing an outline, but I have no idea what to put in the outline! 😄
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I understand!
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