Reading the article eventually she came to the realization she wasn’t to impressed about the woman referred to as Cat…… but that was the denial speaking. Cat, the owner of “Pancakes Are For Lovers” a local bed and breakfast worked as a plumber part-time, independent, coached a girls youth softball team, was heavily involved in community service, a former gymnast, her core passion was cooking, and she was single. Growing up in the community she was well known and liked by many. Without realizing it, the article gave insight to what was going on with Lara since she had stopped reaching out to her. They met at Laras sisters house when Cat was hired to fix a toilet one of Laras nieces clogged. After a brief conversation Cat recognized who she was and asked would she be interested in coming by her restaurant for a visit and maybe offer some advice, Lara obliged.

Dana: She can make time for a stranger but couldn’t make time for me. [she silently thought to herself]

The visit apparently went well as pictures of Lara smiling sitting in one of the booths eating pancakes, meeting with the cooks in the kitchen, and took time to speak to customers were included as part of the article as well. The very last picture showed Cat feeding Lara a piece of pancake that looked like it came fresh off the griddle. Opening her mouth she willingly accepted Cats invitation to feed her staring at the picture she felt nauseous. The locals especially Cat were grateful for Laras presence however, Cat seemed to be a little to grateful. Crumbling up the newspaper in anger she reaches under the table throwing it on the floor. Leaning forwarded placing her elbows on the table she placed her head in her hands as a million and one thoughts raced through her mind resulting in her sudden lost in appetite.

True, she had ignored Lara’s attempts to reconcile but the fact that she stopped reaching out and to see her happy in the presence of another woman tugged at her heart. It was selfish on her part but in her mind while she was enjoying life she hoped Lara sat in the hotel lonely, remorseful, and heartbroken, after reading the article clearly that wasn’t the case. For Dana seeing Lara happy reminded her she was still no more than an after thought and that hurt. Reaching for her phone she scanned through her contacts until she found her number tapping the text app she hesitated. Conflicted as to what to say she stares down at her phone for what felt like a lifetime. If she were to text her it would have been out of jealously and not because she was ready to talk and work things out. Knowing, her intentions weren’t pure she taps the screen closing the app returning the phone to her back pocket.