THE PUB: PEACH!

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As a kid, I had my life all planned out. I'd finish highschool, graduate college, get my first job at 22 and buy my first house when I'm 25. I'd be a millionaire, meet the man of my dreams and live happily ever after with our children.

Life had a different plan though. I did leave college at 22 but I didn't get a job till I turned 25. Even so, it payed average and I struggled daily to make ends meet with the rent and bills. Because of this, I did odd jobs too after work which ended at 5pm. Not enough sleep left me looking a lot older than my age.

Prince Charming did come. We got married when I was 26 and for a while, it was easier sharing the responsibility with someone. Until, he got sacked and became a drunk and irresponsible. At 28, I'm divorced and back to where I was. Alone in a crap apartment with washed off paint.

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It's currently 8pm. I'll be ending my shift in about three hours. While The Pub I work as a waitress pays a little low, the tips cover for it. I may be almost 30 but I'm still beautiful. I am not one to be modest in situations which requires the truth.

I'm tall, almost 6ft, a good figure thanks to my early morning runs and yoga, I'm African-American from the Nigerian descent. To top it off, I have killer social skills that enable me to interact with anyone at anytime when necessary.

"Yo, Peach. Get table eight."

That's Joe. And no, Peach isn't my real name but a nickname given to me by my colleagues because of various reasons. First, I smelled like one according to a customer. Two, I had an outgoing personality and three, my butt is shaped like one(rolls eyes). My name is Kate.

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"On it." I call out to him over the loud music. Although two years younger than me, Joe is a great person with uphanded managing skills and really long legs. He's taller than I am by a few centimeters.

"Hello Gentlemen, What can I get you?" I say politely when I get to the table of familiar faces. They are regulars and would always demand that I'd be the one to serve them. I was cool with Greg and Charlie but Kody however, was one pain in the neck.

"Hey Peach. Ya look smokin' ". Here we go...

"Behave yourself Kody. I warned you." Charlie glares at his friend before looking at me, "How's it going? Haven't seen you for a while."

"Well that's cause you left town. Got it all sorted?"

"Yes. It was nothing too serious. Mom's very much fine now. She just missed her big boy." He gestures at himself while laughing. I join him because I do find it funny that at his age, he's still a Mama's boy. He rattles off his order after and I turn to Greg who looks startled. Well, he should. He was blatantly staring at me. He stutters out his order and then I turn to Kody for a rather painful episode.

"Can I order you to go?" He says with a really leery look that sends shivers down my spine. Thankfully, Greg smacks him hard and spares me more discomfort by ordering for his really stupid friend.

Joe is chuckling when he sees the look on my face.

"Kody being Kody?" He asks as he cleans glasses.

"Even worse. Someday I'm going to knee him." I snap. Joe laughs outloud.

"You look like an angry chipmunk right now. Cute."

"Hey! Don't underestimate me. I can cause pretty damage."

"Sure sure. Hey," he drops a glass he was cleaning and calls to me as I head to the kitchen to drop the order, "Would you like to go see a movie this Friday?"

I'm caught off guard because he looks really flushed. Is he nervous?

"Uhhhhh..." I reply dumbly.

"It's fine if you don't want to. I just thought I'd offer to... Well... I just... Nevermind." He says in a rush and begins cleaning the counter top furiously. In a daze, I continue towards the kichen where Emma is. She's a great cook by the way.

The night draws on and I keep replaying Joe's words in my head.

"Ugh! I can't take it anymore!". I nearly yell outloud as I prepare to leave. I can't leave without seeing Joe. He's never acted like a teenager before.

He's buried in the account books at his office when I arrive. He looks surprised to see me but soon recovers.

"Hey, I just want to say I'm sorry for springing that up on you..." He gets to his feet

"It's fine. I'd like to go." I interrupt him. His mouth clamps shut and he blinks for a few seconds.

"Seriously?" He echos. I nod and we end up making plans with him coming to pick me up.

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Friday evening arrives quickly and I can't believe I forgot it was New Year. I only remembered when Emma and Joe called to wish me in the morning. I'm with Joe right now and we are on our way to the cinema. He's dressed casually with his raven hair styled to perfection. We make small talk in his car as we drive through the city.

When we arrive, he's a perfect gentle man. Opens the doors, makes me sit while he stands in line to get the tickets and some chewables. We finally agreed on seeing a cartoon. Inside Out is the title.

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Nearly three hours later, Joe is dropping me at my apartment after we've had dinner.

"Kate."

I'm beyond shocked when he calls me by my name. Ever since I lost my corporate job, I took more shifts at The Pub and in all the time I've worked there he's only called me Kate three times. The first during my interview, the second during the tour and instructions of what was expected of me. Third was when I won over the heart of a little girl that stumbled in with her mom and threw a tantrum. She gave me the name Peach because as she said, I smelled like that. Joe just had to take the name on to another level. This is the fourth time he's using my name.

"Yeah?"

"I uhm..." His hand goes to the back of his neck and his face turns a light shade of pink. I stand patiently in front of him. I've been here before.

"Look. I kinda... I like you a lot. I didn't say anything too soon because firstly, you were married and then i needed to sort out my feelings and then you went through a breakup and..." He rambled. I kept waiting.

"It comes sudden I know, but I really like you. You're very... You're extraordinary and you light up the room when you step in. Apart from that, you have a huge heart. I've noticed how much you actually care for the business and it makes me really proud. In a nutshell, you're my kind of woman and I'd like to...you know... get to know you more. As more than friends." He finishes and takes a deep breath.

Okay. "Joe...I..." I'm unmistakably dumbfounded. I mean I thought I was prepared.

"You don't have to say anything right now. We have our whole lives and you can take the time you need. I just wanted to get it out there so you'd know. I'll go now." He advances and places a kiss on my forehead.

"See you on Monday. Happy New Year again." He says before turning to leave.

I watch as he drives off and while I got those goosebumps or butterflies, doubt and fears also emerged in my mind. I don't think I can do this!



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47 comments
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You are also an Awesome Writer!
Good Luck!
👍🏼😁👍🏼

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Heyyyy
.. thank you a lot. I appreciate it.

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No Problem!
Have an Awesome Evening!
🙋👍🏼😁👍🏼🙋

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This is an amazing story, I enjoyed it especially since it was very realistic.

Kudos, keep it up.

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Thank you very much. ❤️

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Caught me off guard too, like Peach...

But you just decided to keep us in suspense as to why She couldn't "do this" ain't fair.😩.

Great story, by the way ... Could see scene play out in my head.

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Awwww... I'm sorry. Suspense sometimes does the trick. Lol. 😃👀

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This is a great piece. Very clear and easy to follow along for the ride. It has a jazzy vibe to it. Modern life in the city, falling in love to the sound of traffic.

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😩😩😩😩. You just played the strings of my heart. I'm glad you enjoyed it😃

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Very realistic story....wish you could continue it..Happy New year too😂💖

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Unfortunately the community doesn't support series. And I wouldn't continue it anyway. Lol. It'll spoil the vibe. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I really appreciate 😩❤️

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@deraaa life is unexpected and our plans aren't actually what we get. We find love in unlikely places sometimes. My question is who gets hurt the most? The person who is in love with someone who can't reciprocate it or the person who can't reciprocate it and is about to lose a friend because the friend compromises the friendship?

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Well perspective matters a lot. To me, friendship is more important. If i happen to fall for someone who doesn't feel the same, it'd hurt but I would let time heal so I can keep my friend.

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This is a beautiful and thoughtful story. With very real imagery and full of feeling. Your writing is very fluid and your main character has a beautiful temperament, it's realistic but keeps hope alive. @deraaa.

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Thank you very much for reading. I really appreciate it. ❤️💕

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Thank you so much for choosing @theinkwell to publish this good and well narrated story, @deraaa. You make us experience the feelings of your characters.

We want to see you interact with your fellow writers. Comments on each other's stories help grow the community and may make you eligible for the featured author newsletter.

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The cliffhanger -- REALLY? Here we are waiting to see what is going to happen ... but, you wrote it so well that we are all engaged with these characters, and I even can understand why she is hesitant! Well done!

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Ahhhhhh... Thank you thank you thank you. Thanks so much for the kind words. 😩

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Kate is in a spot that many women find themselves in — recovering from a relationship and wanting to find themselves and feel whole before getting involved in anything again. And meanwhile, people like Kody cause another layer of scar tissue to build up against the idea of being involved with another man! You've captured all this so beautifully.

As a reader, I feel hopeful for her. Joe is patient and kind. He understands that she needs time. He seems like a good one, and he already understands that if he pushes her too hard she's going to bolt! Great story. Almost any woman can relate to this, and of course a lot of guys will understand Joe's position too.

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Yes! Yes!!! It's amazing how you grasped it so well. I wanted to write it differently bordering on a woman late 40s but somehow the story line changed. I really appreciate your comments and I always look forward to them. Thank you very much @jayna

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I loved your post. You write excellent, very good dialogues.
Amazing photography.
You are impeccable.

I wish you a happy and prosperous new year.
Greetings!

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I don't know if that is fiction or not... but ghad I love it!

I have rambled worst than that (yeah, I did, an dreally worst), unfortunately no girl have ever said "yes" to me, NONE — fortunately someone decided to marry me.

thank you that was a nice read...

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Lol. If she decided to marry you it means she knew you were the only one for her. Hahahah.

I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for reading. I appreciate it ❤️😩

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I really enjoyed reading this. You writing is flows so well💕

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Thank you very much😃

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(Edited)

Like always, I had a good read.

I just love your short stories. Thanks you for always joining in with an awesome piece.

*speaking Nigerian pigin
Babe, something dey for you. How i wan take reach for camera?

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Reach for camera? I no understand

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I been wan have chat with you about one matter. How we wan take konnect now.

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Hit me up for discord make i share my WhatsApp contact. deraaa#4794

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This story kept me in suspense until the end of the reading. I enjoyed @deraaa

I thought it would be the life story. It seemed real to me. I lived Kate's emotions.

Very good reflection of the role of women in our society.

Kate didn't mind working on what she got, that way she could move on with her life, now more mature she started to think differently.....

#hivecomments

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Wow. Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it. 😊

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Really didn’t know you’ve written a piece this good.. you kept me in it all through.. i was wowed, for a moment I thought this was an actual story.. doesn’t even seem fictional to me you’re a gem 💎

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Hehehehe. Thank you for reading. I love writing stories.

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This is a beautiful story and there is nothing wrong with trying again when we fall at first, we don't have to be hard on ourselves and we must be careful when taking to avoid running into the old block we ran into before...

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Yes. Thank you so much for reading ❤️

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