A New Story: Give em Something to Talk About

Lunch at the Greek restaurant, which was next to the Cuban place, was nice.  Julie and Marcus had finished eating when Marcus said something that caused time to stop.  Julie’s heart pumped with intensity.  Her whole body warmed as her mind replayed the words Marcus just told her.  He said, “I like you a lot and want to get to know you better.  Will you go out to dinner with me?”

Everything within her screamed to kiss him.  Her reply should be a resounding “Yes!”  Instead, she smiled, squeezed his hand tightly and said, “I guess my choking in the break room that day really made an impression, huh?”

Marcus stared at Julie trying to comprehend her reply.  Suddenly, they both burst into laughter.  Now that the excitement of the moment was tempered by the laugh, Julie calmly said, “Marcus, I would love to out to dinner with you.  You have made me so happy.  I could kiss you right now.”

“As happy as that makes me, let’s wait on it for now.”  Then Marcus gestured with his head toward the door.  Marsha and Anita walked in.  Julie turned to see what Marcus saw and returned her gaze to the man seated in front of her.  With a hint of bitterness she said. “I don’t trust that woman.”

“The more I hear, the more I agree with you.  I’m sure the gossip is flying about us.”

“Let’s give em something to talk about.”  With that, Julie leaned across the table and kissed Marcus

Marsha spied them upon entering the restaurant but wasn’t looking in their direction at that moment.  Anita saw the kiss and the couple watched her as she leaned toward Marsha and said something.  Marsha leaned in the direction of her friend to hear more clearly.  Marcus and Julie watch the two as Marcus quietly said in unison with their body actions:
“Marsha, Marsha, Julie kissed Marcus.”  “What did you say?”  “Julie kissed Marcus.”

Julie was grinning as he did this.  Once Marsha understood what was whispered in her ear, the two ladies turned to face Marcus and Julie.  Marcus waved and Julie gave a sweet, innocent smile.  Marsha rolled her eyes and returned to ordering her meal.  Anita continued looking absent mindedly at the young couple.  Finally, she turned and placed her order.  Marcus chuckled and said, “Let’s get outta here.”  They quickly exited and returned to work holding hands.

Anita noticed Marsha was quiet while they ate and it made her uncomfortable.  She began commenting on various group emails recently sent at work.  Normally, this would get Marsha going about the waste of time spent when everyone insisted on replying to all for every little remark.  Marsha was one who liked things to the point and streamlined.  Excesses bother her.  Instead, she was preoccupied.  Anita knew her mind was elsewhere.  She wasn’t her normal “take charge” self.  Anita simply didn’t know how to approach the issue.

Marsha sat and ate mechanically.  Her mind was awash with thoughts.  While she was certain the whole deal with Julie’s missing card would never come back to haunt her, she had a lingering feeling it wasn’t over yet.  Seeing Julie’s smile bothered her.  Julie must be on to her.  Why else would the two of them mock her like that?  She felt as if the two of them were biding their time before pouncing. 

However, they had no proof she took it.  No card was found in her possession.  The card has never been found and cannot be found now.  It was put in the trash days ago.  She was in the clear regardless of what they think they know.