Читать книгу A Ghost's Story - Jenna Lynn Bretz - Страница 11

“Stanley.”

“Excuse me?”

“My name is Stanley. I’m introducing myself.”

“Oh. Juliet, Juliet Foster.”

“Very pleased to meet you, Juliet.”

“What can I get you?”

“Well, I was hoping maybe that you might sit with me and have a cup of coffee. You see, I have just finished a very stressful week filled with finals and would really enjoy some conversation with a human instead of a book.”

“That’s a kind offer, Mister?”

“Epstein.”

“Mr. Epstein, but I am working, and sitting with you drinking coffee could cost me tips. So I must decline.”

“I understand. Maybe another time.”

“Maybe. What can I get for you, Mr. Epstein?”

“Please, call me Stanley. I think I will just have a black coffee and a bagel with cream cheese.”

He replied, looking somewhat wounded, “Okay, I will get that right out to you.”

“Thank you, Miss Foster.”

He remembered my name. Stanley Epstein sat alone drinking his coffee and eating his bagel. I intentionally neglected him. He got no refills and no second glances. I realize looking back how rude I was to him. Stanley would have never accused me of being rude. For this, I am sure. He would have assumed that my poor behavior was his fault. He thought the world of me. I was a very lucky woman…

My first big break came with the musical Cats. I landed a role as one of the strays. I sang background. My mother, Liam, and Angela all showed for opening night. Mom was so proud, and I felt like a star. Even though I was just one of many cats. We all attended the backstage celebrations of opening night. My mother on my right, Liam and Angela on my left. There he was. I left my parents at the buffet and made my way over to where he stood.

“Epstein. Right?”

“Miss Foster.”

“Impressive, you remembered my name.”

“I didn’t recognize you. You don’t quite look like yourself. It’s those green eyes of yours that gave you away.”

“Are you flirting with me, Mr. Epstein?”

Stanley’s face revealed his embarrassment.

“Not our boy Stanley,” said a voice coming from behind me. “Who is this lovely young lady, Stanley?”

“This is Juliet Foster. Juliet, this is Ben Larson.”

“Café Juliet?”

“Yes, as a matter a fact, I am café Juliet.”

“Well, it’s nice to finally have a face with the name. I don’t know if you are aware of this, miss, but the good doctor here can’t stop talking about you. You have wrecked his world.”

Stanley once again showed signs of growing discomfort.

“Is that so? I am not sure I deserve the credit for wrecking someone’s world.”

“Take my word for it, miss, you are all he can think about. Besides, you know, being a doctor.”

Ben smiled a devilish grin at Stanley, then nudged him toward me. “My apologies for my colleague’s behavior, Miss Foster. He’s a bit of a goon.”

“Ouch, Stan! I’m just trying to help you out. God knows you will never get up the nerve to help yourself.”

Stanley was genuinely annoyed with his friend, which I found endearing. Maybe he wasn’t the type my mother had warned me about. I guess you could say that this was the first time that I became interested in Stanley Epstein.

Ben had made his way across the room and was standing with a tall pretty blonde woman. He motioned to Stanley to join them. Stanley turned to me, grasped my hand, bowed, and bid me farewell. I watched him walk away. Part of me was sorry to see him go.

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