After her bath, Tori got into bed and willed herself to fall asleep. She did not want to be awake when he got home.

The following morning, Tori got out of bed unnoticed. She hurriedly got dressed and bolted out the door. When she arrived at the diner, she checked her face in the visor mirror. She took in a deep breath and told herself she was in charge of this situation.

She walked up to the area where you placed your order and asked about the woman. “Good morning. I was wondering if the woman with curly gray hair is in today?”

The waitress gave her an odd look. “What woman?”

Tori began to describe her. “Late sixties. About this high.” Tori held her hand to indicate the woman was about five feet tall. “Short, gray curly hair. Wore glasses on a chain around her neck.”

The waitress still looked puzzled. “There is no one here that fits that description.”

“Are you sure?” Tori was certain she had given the woman an accurate assessment.

“Absolutely. It’s just me and my three sisters. My dad owns the place, so I would know if someone worked here who looked like that.”

“So, no one who even remotely resembles her works here? Not even a couple of weeks ago?”

“No, hon. Sorry.”

“But I spoke to her last week when I came in for donuts. You were at the cash register.” Tori was becoming impatient.

“Yes, I remember you, but I never saw you speak to anyone else. Not to my recollection.” The waitress was giving Tori an “are you all right?” kind of look.

“So you don’t recall me talking to anybody? Ever?”

“Listen, sweetie, I don’t keep track of who my customers talk to every time they come in here. But I know who works here, and that lady you described does not.” The waitress was getting a little exasperated.

Tori knew she hadn’t imagined it. How would she have known to go to Ringo’s at that exact day and time?

“OK. Thanks. Sorry to have bothered you.”

“No bother. Maybe it was a different diner or coffee shop?” The waitress could see the look of concern on Tori’s face and offered an alternate explanation.

“Yeah. Maybe.” Tori smiled but knew exactly where she had spoken to the mysterious woman. It was right there, only a few feet away from where she was standing.

In the weeks that followed, she maintained the status quo. He had been unusually quiet. Almost kind. She wondered if anyone had seen her that night and told him. He hadn’t pressed her for sex, and if he had, she would have brought down the hammer. She surely wasn’t going to have sex with someone who was doing God knows what with other women.