Today was my first day back at work, and I was happy to be back. It was easy to keep my mind off my mother here, as long as I kept busy, Which I was because I had so much work to get done. It was wild how much work I had to do. There were so many photos that looked like a five-year-old had snapped them and they expected me to produce a studio-quality fix to them. That would not happen to any of these photos, but I was doing my damn best. My mind had wandered to Andrei and the shit storm I had dropped him right back into when I took him home after we back to the house and I made sure he was good and dry. His son, I was pretty sure that’s who it was who was fighting with the other man; They were in a heavy argument that only seemed to get worse when Andrei returned.

Since then he had been ignoring my texts and we hadn’t even bumped into each other anywhere when I went out. It was like he was avoiding me; I wondered if I had made him upset with me. Last I knew we had been on ok terms. I had expected little; I had just thought he could have been friends with me. It was a bitter taste in my mouth now. Shaking my head, I continued on with my work and rendering photos until my lunch break. I wasn’t actually hungry, So I was finally going to go out and get a new camera. A replacement for the one, he broke. I wasn’t bitter about it any longer; I understood he needed to protect his job and his own ass, along with everyone else who relied on him.

Grabbing my coat, I tossed it over my arm and grabbed my keys before letting my boss know I was heading for lunch. Once I signed out, I headed to my truck. I saw the white car pull in as I started my truck. I had recognised the car as the one Alexi drives; I had seen him get out of it. His car was distinct, but still also so normal. I saw Creed before I saw Alexi; He waved at me before heading inside the department. He was moving too fast for me to wave back, but I’m sure he knew that.

Pulling out of the parking lot, my hour lunch gave me plenty of time to pick out the perfect camera for my needs. There was a photo development place and camera store in town, that was where I was headed. I could have bought one from the local big box store but I had way more desirable choices at the dedicated shop. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to take photos of first when I got the new camera; I was honestly thrilled. Pulling into the store parking lot, I headed inside after shutting off my truck and making sure I had all my I.D and cards. The inside of the store was stunning, I had been in here once or twice before for lenses, but I didn’t come here as much as I honestly should have, there was so much shit I could have bought for the other camera. The store employee was with another customer, so I looked around at all my choices. There were dozens of choices, I could easily spend all my savings, but I wasn’t like that. I had to save money for all the bills, and the cost of changing everything into my name.

I wasn’t worried about the bills; They weren’t even half of one of my paychecks, and I normally got two in a month. I made a comfortable amount of money. By the time the employee finally got to me, I had found the camera and all the lenses I wanted for the camera. There was quite a few I had picked out. I was about to drop a decent chunk of my savings. The eight grand I spent went on my credit card and I smiled as I left the store.

Checking my phone when it buzzed it was my boss, He had texted me to let me know that I was given the rest of the day off, as were all the lab techs and lower-level staff members. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought that was cool to have the day off, but with seeing Alexi and Creed this smelled of mafia business. That was all good though, I was glad to not be there; I had a new camera it excited me to play with. There were so many things and places I could go now to use it. I had a ravioli craving, however, so that was where I was heading first.

Changing my direction to the diner instead of work was pretty simple, Turning up the radio, I jammed out well I drove. Andrei was on my mind and I wanted to text him and ask if he wanted to grab lunch, but I didn’t. He was probably busy anyway. Which was fine, I could enjoy my ravioli without him. The moment I pulled into the diner I saw him through the window and honestly debated just leaving. But I didn’t. I liked his mothers cooking more than giving the satisfaction of me leaving because he was here.

Grabbing my keys and wallet I headed inside. Not before locking my truck. Part of me was asking myself why I was behaving this way, but that went out the window when I saw who he was with. The same guy from the argument of which I heard enough to know that Andrei had been fucking around with this guy and so was his kid, at different times, but still. I got why he was blowing me off now and it left the bitter taste in my mouth again. This time, just for the fact alone that he had gone back to someone who clearly didn’t care about his feelings. I think I was madder about the fact he didn’t value himself enough to find something better, but that was his business, not mine.

I knew he had seen me walk in because their conversation had stopped. Heading to sit down, on the far side of the diner I sat on the side of the booth that had my back to him. I didn’t even want to look at him, I had words I wanted to say, but it wasn’t worth it.

After his mother took my order she touched my hand softly, not saying anything. But I could see the sympathy in her eyes, but also something deeper than that.

“Let me know if you need anything else hun, Enjoy your ravioli.”

“Oh I will, I always do.”

The ravioli was delicious as it always was. His mother brought me a slice of cheesecake on the house and sat for a few moments to speak with me. She gave me condolences for my mother and a big hug before she left to take orders again. Stacking all my dishes once I was done, I left a good-sized tip on the table. I knew the price of my favourite meal, so I knew there was a massive tip, but that was more than fine. His mother always made amazing food and she had given me the cake on the house. But I wanted to cover some of the cost.

When she returned with the bill she refused to take it, so I opened my mouth, not really proud of what came out.

“Send it to the lovely couple, and wish them well.”

“I wouldn’t send him yesterdays scraps, even they are too good for him.”

She took the money and gave me my copy of the bill, but not before giving me another hug. I watched her grab a bottle of wine and walk over to the table and set it down without glasses and without opening it. She also told him it was a gift from another customer. With that and the look on his face, I decided now I was good with leaving the diner. Collecting all of my stuff, I headed towards the door. I heard him say my name as I walked to the door and I decided for his own benefit not to embarrass him in the store right here and now.

He called my name again, this time louder than before. I ignored him again until I got to my truck and as soon as I got there, I said fuck it. Walking back to the window where he was sitting, I knocked on the glass and when he looked at me, I shot him the finger. I turned to see Alexi and Creed standing there.

“Afternoon.”

“Oh, yes, pleasant afternoon,” I said ignoring the smile that threatened to pop out on Alexi’s face to match the one Creed was sporting.

“Don’t let us keep you, I’m sure you have better things you could be doing,” Alexi said, the smile still there.

“If I do, it won’t be that. That is for sure.”