Joann Singer walked into Jim’s Diner and saw her old friend, Judith Coker, already seated in a booth and sipping on hot coffee. Judith had asked Joann to meet her at the diner after work.
“Thanks for coming,” Judith said as Joanne slid into the booth. “I told the waiter I was expecting you, to bring your coffee as soon as he saw that you’d joined me; so, we don’t have to order.”
“Judith, organization is your forte, and thanks, coffee’s just what I want,” said Joann. “Hey, I’ve got your hundred dollars with me today,” she added.
Judith exhaled but said nothing for a moment. Then she spoke.
“Look Joann, don’t get offended. A fight is the last thing I want. I don’t need the money at the moment. Maybe one day…”
“Okay, you win,” Joann said. Her coffee arrived. She took a sip after ‘doctoring’ it a bit with everything. “I think I know what you want to tell me.”
“Oh really?And you don’t want to hear it, is that it?” Judith said.
“I don’t wanna fight, Judith. As you know, we’ve been friends a long time. That’s the way I wanna keep it. But I can tell you now, I’m not leaving Keith if that’s what you’re gonna say.”
Judith looked up at the ceiling and wall. Then she plunged in.
“He’s an alcoholic, Joann. Practically certified. You and Michael are starving to death with him. He’ll never change, take my word for it.”
“I still have hope,” Joann said.
“Think of Michael,” Judith said. “What if he takes after his dad? What kind of example...? I’m saying this as a friend, Joann.”
Joann finished her coffee then reached for her coat and bag.
“Don’t say another word, Judith,” she said. “Thanks for the coffee. Just let me leave now. No fight, nothing like that. We stay friends.”
“You’re throwing your life away! I’ll say it again and again if I have to,” Judith said.
She watched her old friend walk out of the diner.
