True Love Waits

"All right, I'll let you be. Have a good time over there," Debbie said.

"I will. Bye, Mom," Evelyn replied.

Debbie hung up and turned to Miranda, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for her news about her granddaughter. "Piggy said she is fine. She is out having dinner."

"Did she sound happy?" Evelyn's mood was Miranda's biggest concern. She had been diagnosed with depression, after all. Everybody in the family was worried about her. They wanted her to be happy, above all.

Debbie reflected on the phone call. "She sounded relaxed. She said the food is delicious. I think she is happy, Mom," she said with a smile.

Miranda was relieved to hear that.

After Evelyn had finished talking to her mom on the phone, Sheffield bought her some steamed sweet potato with cheese.

She frowned at the smell of cheese.

He opened the foil. It was so hot that steam erupted from it. He spooned some and placed it near her lips. "Have a taste. There was a long line in front of the store. It should be delicious." Evelyn shook her head. "I don't like it."

Sheffield was surprised. "The sweet potato or the cheese?"

"The cheese." She hated cheese.

Sheffield ate the entire thing without another word.

Evelyn had a lot of food. All snacks. Touching her huge belly, she said, "I'm stuffed."

She hadn't eaten so much in a long time.

"Are you sure? I can take you somewhere else for some staple food." Sheffield didn't think she had eaten much. He was worried that she wasn't used to these kinds of street foods.

"No, thanks. I'm too full already." She had always been strict with her diet while she was home, and took additional care with her dinners.

restraints were lessened. And she was here on vacation, seeking relaxation and peace of mind. Deep down, she longed for some

food that Evelyn couldn't finish, rinsed

was the bar street, which came to

bars, young, good-looking men and women were soliciting business. Sheffield chose a quiet,

never good at expressing my feelings with expressions. I am always hoping and always disappointed..." Heads turned to Sheffield and Evelyn

Evelyn with their eyes. Some even stood up from their chairs with the intention of picking her up. Sheffield could sense the carnal desire flowing out of those men's eyes. He took her hand in his to make a point. Seeing

Evelyn was worried that he would order liquor for her. That

of her and asked, "What would you like to drink?" Then, he leaned in and whispered into her ear, "The liquor in this city is shoddy and the wine is likely to be counterfeit. Beer would be the best option.

with her. So, she nodded. "Beer

After taking their order, the waiter turned to leave. But

"Yes, sir."

was confused. "Fruit tea? I thought

music, Sheffield explained, "It's for you. You said you were stuffed. Beer will only

seldom come to this kind of place?"

while I was in Y City; same in America." She didn't like bars and their atmosphere. Sheffield had guessed it right.

"The border is a dangerous area." Sheffield sounded hesitant. After giving it

point, the waiter served the plate of nuts they had ordered. Sheffield pushed it towards Evelyn. "They're boring. You're more fun

was flattering her. "Tayson can keep me

peeling the macadamia nuts for her. He stopped

she had meant. But she nodded, "Yes." He

skin. I won't leave you

you always

tone dripped with arrogance. He handed her the peeled nuts. "This is my first time

wasn't born yesterday. Everything he did told her that he

smiled. "You will believe me

and the tea were served soon

rose from his chair and said, "Excuse me for a minute. Be right back. You go ahead and have some