Chef's Delight (Stories of Serendipity) Read Free Page A

soft murmuring.  Then, “FUCK YOU!”  Chad hauled off and punched the white wall, which Jessica was just noticing as a person, in the face.  Bouncers materialized out of nowhere.
    “I’m sorry guys, y’all are gonna have to do this somewhere else, or we’re calling the cops.”  Chad looked irate.
    “I am a cop, you dipshit.  This guy is harassing me.”
    “Whatever.  Outside.”  The bouncer took Chad by the elbow and escorted him outside, the guy in white following.  When they got a little farther away, Jessica noticed the guy in white was the same one who had bought her and Summer the drinks.
    “Oh, wow!”  Summer’s voice came from over her shoulder.
    “You saw that?”  Jessica turned to look at her friend.
    “I think the whole bar saw it.”  Summer took her drink from Jessica, who had gotten another one from the bartender.  "Is that the same guy that bought us a beer?  I hope he kick's Chad's ass."
    "I think so.  I'm not sure.  I haven't gotten a good look at him."  The haze of alcohol and emotion had Jessie's brain foggy.
    "Why didn't you go talk to him, Jessie?"  Summer nudged her friend's knee under the table.
    "I don't know.  I'm just not in the mood, tonight.  I don't know how long it's going to take me to get over that shit with Chad, and I'm not sure I can if he keeps showing up everywhere I go."  Jessie let out a frustrated sight, lifting her bangs with the exhale of breath.
    "They aren't all like that, surely."
    "You're right, but I don't feel like weeding through the rejects to find the right one, you know?  I was just fine with my whole love them and leave them philosophy, until him.  Now I don't even want to meet them, much less love them." 
    "You got to get back in the saddle, hon."
    "I know.  Just not tonight, okay?"  Jessie finished her drink, and waited for Summer to finish.  She was so ready to go home and get into her bed.
    "I'm just saying, you have to take risks.  You're never going to find the right guy if you quit looking."  Summer had the uncanny ability to make sense, even though she was swaying in her seat, almost unable to sit up straight.
    "Finish your drink.  I'm ready to leave."  Jessie's patience was wearing thin.
    "Gotcha, girlfriend."  Standing unsteadily, Summer finished off her beer, managing to only spill a little down her chin, before allowing Jessie to help her outside.
     
     

 
     
    Chapter 2
     
    The phone woke Jessica the next morning at 8:30.  “Whoever you are, thank you for waking me up.”  She rubbed her eyes as she spoke, swinging her feet out of bed.
    “Jessie?  I’m sorry, you’re usually up.  It’s Kathy.”
    “Yeah, I know.  I guess I had too much to drink last night.  What’s up?”
    “I just wanted to let you know our dairy supplier is a jackass, and we need a new supply for goat cheese, and milk.  I told you I had tried to get Connor to buy from you initially, but he wanted to buy from this other guy.  Well, the other guy is a dumbass, so Connor is going to come out there later today, and see what you’ve got.”
    “Sure," Jessie said, groggily.  "No problem.  Is that why you couldn’t come out last night?” 
    “Part of it.  The fridge went out, too.  I had to deal with all that stuff.  It’s alright, though.  Luke helped me until we got it finished.  I probably could have gone out, but I was so tired.  Was it fun?”
    “The girls’ part was fun.  Chad was there, though.  Ugh.”  She shivered at the memory.  God, what an ass.
    “Ok, well, I’m sorry I missed it.”  Jessica could hear someone singing ‘ Copperhead Road’ in the background. 
    “Who is that, singing?”
    “Connor.  What a dweeb.  We’ll try to go out again next week, okay?  Look, I’m sorry for waking you up and then running, but I’ve got to go.  Love you.”  Click.
    Well, that was Kathy, always on the go.  Jessica got out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and put on some shorts.