Escape the Fate

John rejoined them and sat on the stool beside Ronda. He picked up his near empty coffee cup. "And what are we talking about?"

"I'll get you some more coffee," the waitress said as she turned to the counter behind her and grabbed a glass pot.

"You get hold of anyone at the office?" Ronda asked.

"They're fine. Don't know their asses from…well, I'll shut up."

The waitress smiled and poured the fresh coffee.

Ronda leaned closer to her friend. "She thought we were married. Isn't that funny?"

A devilish grin curved John's lips as he looked up at the waitress. He winked. "We are married, honey. Don't deny it any longer."

Ronda slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "We are not!"

"Easy now," he said. "That could be construed as spousal abuse. I have a witness right here."

"You haven't seen abuse yet," Ronda muttered.

"Wait a minute, guys," the waitress said, with genuine worry in her tone. "I didn't mean to open a can of worms."

"She just has a lot of issues," John said, and then made a circling finger gesture beside his ear to indicate that Ronda was a little loony.

"Well, you guys are fun, but I better get back to work."

"Us married," John mumbled as the waitress walked on down the counter and disappeared through a swinging silver door.

"I know. Can you imagine?"

Unfortunately for him, John could; and it hurt that she was so totally abhorred by the mere idea.