Chapter 4 - Day Dreams

Not long after Ayden had left, the waitresses gathered, clucking.

"Look at that," said Flo.

"I know, "said Mary while taking the money and check from Kyle's outstretched hand.

"I'm sorry ladies, but what are you talking about?" Kyle asked.

"Well," said Michelle joining the excited group, "That boy comes in here all the time, never says boo to anyone."

"But here you are," said Flo.

"Nervous as a jack rabbit, til' you walk through the door," Louise chimed in as she walked passed.

Kyle had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes. These ladies sure knew how to make something out of nothing. She was sure t was all well intended, but still. It was all too ridiculous for Kyle to believe.

"Don't think I've ever seen that boy talk more than a 'yes' and 'no'," said Michelle shaking her head.

"Well it's not as if he spoke much more than that to me," Kyle huffed, looking at her shoes.

"Darlin' that boy is crushin' on you fierce as anything," Mary said in her sweet southern drawl.

She handed Kyle the change for her tip as the other ladies erupted into more excited clucking with her sudden blush filled departure.

Kyle walked slowly back to her station. It had been a long time since she had really felt anything for someone of the opposite sex. It wasn't as if she didn't notice. She could take a double take and appreciate a nice looking guy just like any girl, but Kyle had her priorities and right now those priorities came first. But there was something different about the firefighter, Ayden. A small spark was lit inside her, maybe the firefighter was actually interested in her.

Kyle had wanted a partner. A Person to lean on when times were particularly rough, and to laugh with, enjoying life's moments. All of the other perks that came with relationships weren't too bad either. But every time she had gotten involved with someone, they either became jealous of her crazy schedule or tried to free load off of her hard work. It had probably been a good two years since she had been in a relationship, and for all of the bad she had experienced, she truly hadn't missed it. Well, most of the time, she didn't miss it.

There were moments where she would dream of her knight in shining armor who would sweep her off of her feet and whisk her away to a life free of multiple jobs, graveyard shifts and insurmountable student loans.

Kyle just shook her head, from side to side. Better to get rid of those dreams before they turned into hopes. She was being productive, creating and accomplishing all of the things that would lead to a productive future. Delusions of grandeur could lead to dangerous places. She had seen it with her mother and father, she would be damned if it happened to her.

Later though, during her long ride on the bus, she would sink into dreams of a charming firefighter with a killer smile who liked to stare at her with heat in his eyes.