C14 A DEBT TOO HEAVY.

Laura was overwhelmed. Her head was plagued with conflicts, insecurities, and a pain that wouldn’t go away.

Waves of emotion had struck her, and as her body sank against the sink in the restroom, tears began to flow freely from the corners of her eyes like drops of rain falling from the eaves of a house.

Laura faced the mirror in front of her as if trying to find something. In that state, however, she didn't want to be seen and wished to stay like that for hours.

A loud bang on the restroom’s door brought her to a sudden halt.

“Is anyone there?” An impatient woman’s voice reached her, followed by more banging.

Laura hastily dried her face with the sleeve of the uniform and coughed to mask her voice.

‘Um… Yes, yes, I’ll be out in a minute!’ she said, making sure her voice sounded as calm as possible.

She gave her reflection one last glance and opened the door.

The customer stood there with an annoyed expression but greeted her nonetheless. “Hello there.”

“Good morning, ma’am,” Laura mombled, brushing past her quickly.

She didn’t want to linger or give the woman a chance to notice her tear-streaked face.

Returning to the counter, Laura kept her head down, hoping no one, especially Jerry, would notice her distress. But she wasn’t that lucky. Jerry, her coworker and confidant, was always attuned to her moods.

“Laura?” Jerry’s voice was gentle but laced with concern. “What’s wrong? You look like you’ve been crying.” He stepped closer, lowering his head to meet her eyes.

She turned away, blinking rapidly to suppress the fresh wave of tears.

“It’s nothing,” Laura lied, her voice shaky. “I’m fine.”

Jerry wasn’t convinced.

“Come on, talk to me,” he urged, setting down the cup he had been drying. His eyes searched hers, filled with genuine concern.

Laura found herself hesitating, but the heaviness on her mind was impossible to try to keep any longer.

“I… I just don’t know what to do anymore,” she said, her voice betraying her with a shake. There was something in her unguarded words that pained Jerry.

“It’s alright,” he replied softly and patted her shoulder. “Let’s discuss this after the shift, alright? I promise. Just hang in there.”

Laura nodded weakly, grateful for his understanding.

While busying herself by arranging cups in the hope that it will take her mind off the impending storm within, she finds that her comfort is of a brief duration.

Action rendered void, she stared at the door of the cafe. Her eyes were wide as though she had been struck speechless, and she almost choked in shock.

Jerry noticed her sudden change in behavior and followed her gaze.

“Fred,” Jerry muttered under his breath, his tone grim. He clenched his jaw, his expression hardening. Of course, it was Fred.

Fred strode into the cafe with a woman clinging to his arm. It was impossible to overlook his presence; his posture and way of behaving exhibited confidence and ego.

The woman beside him was laughing at something he had uttered a moment ago, her hand alluringly placed upon his chest.

Jerry nudged Laura gently.

“Hey, don’t let him rattle you,” he said quietly. “Just focus on the customers.”

Laura tore her eyes away and nodded, but her hands trembled as she picked up a cup. She hated how Fred could still affect her so deeply. Her disgust wasn’t just for him but for the memories he brought with him, memories she was trying desperately to forget.

Fred approached the counter, flashing a smug smile.

“Hey, Cous!” he said, addressing Jerry. His tone was casual, but the underlying tension was detectable.

Jerry barely glanced at him.

"What can I get you?" He inquired in a no-nonsense tone that had somehow managed to be even more devoid of any warmth than the others.

Fred's brow lifted at such an icy treatment but chose not to voice any objections.

“Two coffees,” he said, nodding toward the woman at his side. "One for me and one for her."

"It would take a few minutes,” Jerry replied sharply as he pointed at a table." “Have a seat.”

Fred smirked but obeyed, leading the woman to a table.

Laura couldn’t help but watch them. She clenched her fists, her mind racing with bitter thoughts. How many women had Fred paraded around town like this? And why did he have to come here, of all places?.

Jerry leaned toward her, his voice low. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle him. You don’t need to get involved.”

Laura nodded, her relief evident. Fred’s presence always made her uneasy, and she didn’t trust herself to keep her composure around him.

Jerry prepared the coffees quickly, eager to get the interaction over with. He brought the tray to Fred’s table and placed it down with minimal words.

Fred looked up at him, his expression softer.

“I’ll pay on my way out,” he said, his tone almost apologetic. But Jerry didn’t respond, walking back to the counter without a word.

Laura observed the exchange, her curiosity piqued.

“Jerry,” she said hesitantly, “is everything okay between you and Fred?”.

Jerry forced a smile.

“Everything’s fine,” he lied. But Laura wasn’t convinced.

The stress in his stance was obvious to her. The grip on the counter by his hands was held firmly.

Fred, feeling uncomfortable and couldn't bear the tension, hurriedly took his coffee, walked to the counter and slammed the bucks on the counter as he avoided Jerry’s eyes.

Even before people fully realized that he had come, he left. It was as though a space was created in the atmosphere, particularly around him.

***

By the end of work that day at the cafe, the only sound left was the low hum of the air-conditioning system as the room became devoid of any furniture and customers.

The only people remaining in the cafe were Jerry and Laura who were tidying up the place and setting the tables.

Last table wiped down with a cloth, Jerry looked at her. “Laura, we can talk now,” he said with a gentleness in his tone.

She complied and they both got up and moved to occupy one of the tables that had been constructed for the corner.

Laura knew she must speak but was at a loss knowing how to position her hands.

“Today, I received a phone call from the doctor who is at the hospital,” she croaked out after a pause.

Jerry’s expression darkened. “What did they say?”.

“They need more money. Three thousand dollars,” Laura said, her voice breaking. “Mom’s condition has gotten worse, and they can’t continue her treatment until I pay.”

Jerry reached across the table, taking her hands in his. “I’m so sorry, Laura. That’s… a lot to deal with.”

Once again, tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. “I am lost, Jerry. I’m clueless about what to do. I can’t afford the money. And if I don’t… I might lose her.”

Jerry’s grip on her hands tightened, a silent promise of support. “You’ll figure it out. You always do. And I’ll help however I can.”

Laura shook her head. “There’s only one way,” she said reluctantly. “I have to take the job.”

Jerry froze. “The job?” He asked, his tone sharp.

“Yes,” Laura said, her voice resolute. “It’s my only option. The pay is enough to cover Mom’s treatment.”

Jerry’s heart sank. He knew what she was talking about, the mysterious job offer orchestrated by Fred. He didn’t trust it, and he didn’t trust Fred. But he also knew how desperate Laura was.

“Just… be careful,” he said finally. “Promise me you’ll look into it first. Make sure it’s legitimate.”

"I promise," Laura declared while clasping his hands. "I will attend the interview tomorrow and will confirm everything."

Jerry agreed, despite the instinct informing him that this was a mistake. There was annoyance and discomfort in the fact that he did not trust Fred, but still did not want to discuss it with Laura. She had enough on her plate.

They finished cleaning in silence, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air.

As they prepared to leave, Laura took a step toward the counter to grab her bag. There was a tiny drop of coffee on the floor that went unobserved by her.

Her foot slipped, resulting in an involuntary gasp. Almost falling down, Jerry showed up and caught her before she could touch the floor. She braced herself on his chest, and their faces were improbably close.

For a short span of time, they both remained frozen.

Their eyes locked, and the air between them grew heavy. Jerry’s heart pounded in his chest, and he was sure Laura could feel it. Time seemed to stand still.