Short Stories

A Confession & A Cafe

"So.."
"So.."
They both began at the same time.
"You go.."
"You go first.."
They again, stated at the same time.
Both chuckled.
"Since we're both struggling with who goes first. Let's just write what we're wanting to say. And read them at the same time."

"Yes, that'd be best. Where we'll both have the chance to say what we're wanting to."

Each took a few moments writing, pausing to make sure it sounded alright but conveyed what they were trying to, and wrote some more. Emily finished first, John not long after.

The couple looked at each other.
"Ready?" Asked John.
"Ready." Stated Emily.
They exchanged the notes.

They both smiled and shook
their head, as they finished reading each other's paper.
"Maybe we should try pursueing this.. Obviously something is thinking we should. For us to both have these feelings. And, for the same person.."
John agreed, but still had doubts. "What if we embarrass ourselves though?? I mean.. how would we go about it? And if it worked.. How would we explain to our families??.. My mother would never accept."
Emily understood where John was coming from. His family wasn't as open minded as hers.
"I understand.. But, what about our happiness? As long as we're on the same page, and happy. That is all that matters. We don't need acceptance. We need to be ourselves, and happy with our lives."
John nodded his head. "It's just.. I'm scared of rejection. And I'm also scared of our families reaction. But, mostly, I'm worried how will this affect Ian-Tucker & Lila-Jane.. We can't pursue something that will possible screw our kids up.. Can we.."

Emily gave a faint smile. She also had the same worries. "Either way, it's going to be a hard decision. Whether we pursue this, or try to forget about it. It's always going to be a 'What if'.. in the back of our mind."

He nodded his head. "Let's go for it then. I'd rather pursue this, and fail. Than not pursue, and live with regret."
They smiled happily at each other. Excited for the journey ahead of them. If their was, that is..

(Below are the 'letters')

John's "Letter":                   Emily's "Letter":
I am very happy with                 This girl we met,
you. And so in love                     Hazel.. She's all
with you. But, ever                     That has been
since we met that girl,                on my mind.
Hazel, at the coffee                I am happy with
shop, I can't get her             you. So I have tried
out of my head. I                  to remove her out
want to pursue a                 of my mind. But she
relationship with her.          won't go anywhere..
I'm not sure if she's                I am going to start
even attracted to me.             pursuing her. I'm
But, I really want to see           not sure how she
if she is.. I have been               feels. But I am
wanting to tell you of              hoping to soon
these thoughts for so           find out. I love you
long but didn't know             John. But I really
how to go about it.                need to go after
After seeing her this          this girl. I don't know
afternoon, in her                 why.. but my heart
little outfit for her              is telling me to chase
performance tonight,           her. So I think I
I couldn't wait any               should. I don't want
longer. It took all I have          you & I's marriage
in me to not flirt with                 to end. That is
her today. I don't know            why I am telling
what this will do to our            you of these
relationship Emily but I           feelings I have
need to pursue this girl.          for this other girl..
—
They both sat at their usual table, waiting for the arrival of their usual waitress. Hazel..
This time looked to be no different than any other day they had stopped at the cafe.. But, it was. This was the first day they'd stopped at the small shop since their agreement of pursuing Hazel. Although they didn't know if she would even accept an offer to go on a date with them, they would soon at-least try.
The couple sat patiently, as it was a bit of a busy hour thus no one had seen them seated yet.
Emily chatted away about a new project she was working on with Ian-Tucker. John smiled very happily. His heart filled with love, just admiring his wife as she talked. Emily paused her chat, as she seen a very stressed-out disheveled Hazel, walking towards them..
—
"Hey guys.. sorry to have kept you waiting. It's rush hour.. What would you like? The usual? Or, a little more than a cup of joe.. since it is noon.."
No shit Hazel. It's rush hour. Anyone can see. Still, no excuse for keeping a customer waiting.
Especially your favorite customers. Quit babbling. You shouldn't remember what they order. And quit being so pushy. Maybe all the want is their coffee. Pathetic.
Before Hazel's rapid thoughts could continue, the other woman spoke up.. The woman whom Hazel had previously learned was Emily.
"Take a breath, Hazel.." Emily chuckled, before continuing. "We aren't upset. In fact, we were enjoying our wait. As it is such a nice day out.. And we have such a beautiful view.." Emily paused again, taking a quick moment to really look at Hazel. She wore burgundy high-top vans, ripped light blue-jean shorts that came mid-thigh, and a simple burgundy t-shirt with the cafe's logo that was cuffed at the sleeves.
"..We aren't familiar with with your lunch menu.. But, are definitely interested. As we haven't yet eat."
Hazel gulped. Emily's stare seemed intense. It was super hot. But, made Hazel nervous.. She must've upset the older woman.. That's the only reason Hazel could come up with, for Emily to stare at her like that..
"I-I will bring two menus out promptly.. Is there anything that I could get you two to drink for the time being??"
"I'll stick to water darling.. What about you Em?"
Hazel slightly blushed at John's subconscious nickname of calling her darling.
"Well, Hazel.. I think I remember you guys selling a rather yummy raspberry lemonade.."
Hazel hurriedly blurted. "Yes! It's one of the best drinks we serve!"
Emily smiled. "Okay sweetie.. I'll take that, please.."
"Yes ma'am! Be back in a moment with menu's & drink's.."
As Hazel nervously walked away, Emily & John looked at each other smiling giddily at each other; this was their first interaction with the younger girl, since their confession to one another, of their attraction towards her.
—
It had been around two weeks since the couple had acknowledged their feelings for the younger girl. Two weeks of morning stops by the cafe, and lunches every few days. Just to interact with the girl. The couple had agreed today was the day that they'd ask the girl if she'd be interested in going on a date with them. After all, subtle flirting from both John & Emily hadn't been shutdown. And Hazel's reactions to being called pet names made it seem maybe the younger woman was attracted to the couple as well..

As the couple walked hand in hand, into the small cafe. Hazel spotted them. She smiled widely, and waved. Both Emily and John waved at her, as they seated theirselves in a corner booth near the back window.

Mere minutes passed before Hazel was walking towards them, with her notepad in hand. It was a slower day, as it was Sunday. So, the cafe wasn't nearly as busy as usual.

"Good morning guys.." Hazel greeted them with a cheerful smile. "Good morning beautiful! I think we'd like some breakfast with coffee this sunny morning.." John replied, giving Hazel a wink.
Emily noticed Hazel's face slightly blush at John's comment, 'beautiful'. She smirked.
"Yes Hazel, baby.. If you don't mind we'd like a double of number four.."
Hazel's face blushed even deeper. How did this couple always seem to give her butterflies? Probably their attractiveness, great personalities, and those damn pet names.. That unnoticed by Hazel, she was the only server they talked to this way.
"I'll put your orders in! Shouldn't be too long of a wait."
Hazel turned from the couple, composing herself before turning the orders in.

A few minutes had passed, and Hazel was back at table number twelve, with their orders.
"Hope you both enjoy.. Sorry for a bit longer of a wait.. Caleb hasn't quite mastered cooking the hash browns, and had to redo a batch for you.." The couple laughed. "It's no trouble dear.."
Hazel nodded, and went to turn away, when Emily stopped her. "Would you mind joining us?" Hazel's eyes went wide. "We enjoy your company, and we'd really like to talk to you.." added John.
"I-Well, I- I guess I could.. For a moment.." Hazel answered, seeing that the cafe wasn't that busy, and she didn't see herself telling this couple no..
"Good.. Come, sit.." Emily smiled, patting the chair between her & John. Hazel sat down.

John took a few bites, & Emily took a sip of her beverage before talking. "Well, Hazel.. We have been coming here for quite a while. The coffee is good. The food is good. But, the best? Seeing you. We really enjoy seeing you, and getting to talk to you. Even if, for the most part, it is briefly.." Hazel looked curiously as Emily spoke.
Emily looked to John, who continued what she had been saying. "What Emily is telling you Hazel, is that, we are both attracted to you.. We have both talked with each other, and have acknowledged our feelings for you.. Um, we're really nervous right now.. Because well we're married, and outside of this cafe, you don't really know us.. But, we.. well.." He paused, looking at Emily. Emily chuckled. "We're trying to ask you out on a date Hazel. We haven't done this in a while. So, we're a little rusty.. Ha.. in fact, we haven't done this since we began dating each other. Honestly, since we've been together neither of us have been attracted to anyone else, until you.." Emily smiled sheepishly, beginning to feel a little shy.
"I'm sorry if this is awkward for you Hazel.. Um, we just had to get that out.." John quickly stated.
Hazel felt a little nervous, but mostly happy.
"Um, I.." She began, but quickly paused. Not knowing what to say, still processing what she'd heard. Emily spoke up. "Sweetie.. We apologize if we've weirded you out. Honestly we've never actually done this before. So, we weren't sure if you'd react well. We are sorry. If you want, we can forget this happened, and go back to being customers.."
Hazel abruptly stopped Emily's rambling. "No! No.. I-I.. I actually feel attracted to you both also.. I just, Ive never actually been in a relationship with more than one person. Much less went on a date with more than one person at a time.. I-Uh.. I'd actually like to go on a date with both of you.. That sounds great.."
All three finally looked up from their laps, & in to each other's eyes, smiling. The joy overriding the nervousness that had filled their emotions. What would happen next..
"Let's do this.." John said.