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.

she wasn't home. The restraints were lessened. And she was here on vacation, seeking relaxation and peace of mind. Deep down, she longed for some change of her lifestyle.

ate all the food that Evelyn couldn't finish,

the bar street, which came to life as night

and women were soliciting business. Sheffield chose

and singing, "I'm a thinker, never good at expressing my feelings with expressions. I am always hoping and always disappointed..." Heads turned to Sheffield and Evelyn

intention of picking her up. Sheffield could sense the carnal desire

Evelyn was worried that

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

with her. So, she nodded. "Beer

their order, the waiter turned to leave. But Sheffield called out to him, "And

"Yes, sir."

I thought we were having

to the music, Sheffield explained, "It's for you. You said you were stuffed. Beer will only make it worse. The beer is for me." She sighed and turned to the

come to this kind of place?" he

America." She didn't like bars and their atmosphere. Sheffield had guessed it right. "Where

its beautiful view. "The border is a dangerous area." Sheffield sounded hesitant. After giving it some thought,

of nuts they had ordered. Sheffield pushed it towards Evelyn. "They're boring. You're more fun to be

was flattering her. "Tayson can keep me company. You should be

was peeling the macadamia nuts for her. He stopped and his eyes

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

skin. I won't leave you even

you always chase

any woman. They chase me." His tone dripped with arrogance. He handed her the peeled nuts. "This is my first time pursuing a woman. I'm a greenhorn at this kind of thing. So, if I'm doing something wrong, please forgive

yesterday. Everything he did told her that he was an

smiled. "You will believe

fruit platter and the

me for a minute. Be right back. You go ahead and have some