Happy Tears (Part 3 of 4)

2 weeks later: [James]


''Collin, I can't tonight. I told you.''
''Dude. You need to stop having a little rain shower because you met the woman you want to marry. Look, for your own good man, she's gone. Out of your life. You never should have took off work for that. Now your going to get into the car when I come to your house and go to the bar with me, plus, it will be good for you. I promise.''

''Night, Collin.''


2 weeks later: [Arianna]

''Mom! I need these shoes. I have to have them.'' Haley ran up behind me with a forty dollar pair of boots.
''You don't need anything, and maybe next week.''
''God, your such a crab lately.''



''Yep, that's it. Now step onto the sturrups. Hey! Look, your on, now your going to pull on the rein lightly.''
''Thanks Miss Ranna! Let's go! Let's go!''
''Ok, Jim'' I smiled my smile at him and mounted on the grey thoroughbred

''Miss Ranna, were you ever married?''
''No, Jimmy.''
''Then if you weren't married, Haley isn't your daughter!''
''Who says?''
''My mommy tells me that people can't have kids unless they are married!'' he exclaimed
''Your mommy is very right. There's a few other things that can happen but never do.'' I looked down at the trail ''Ah, Jim, be careful! This edge is tiny, yep, pull towards your right, there you go you got it.''
''Yay!'' He was smiling.

After Jimmy's riding lesson was over I called Haley outside to groom and shoe the Mustang Jim was riding.

''Mom, when are you going back to work?''
''I told you, when Grandpa has time to take care of you outside of school I'll go, after that I can't.''
''That'll be never!''
''You'd be surprised.''
''Sometimes I wish that we knew my dad, then I wouldn't have to go to Grandpa's house and lose brain cells staring at the television set.'' She snarled under her breath
''You know.. I don't like your attitude, Hay.''
''Whatever.''
''I'm going to Livonia tomorrow, for some business, if I'm late go over to Ms. Hatchetts.''
''Mom! I can stay home alone, I'm a big girl.''
''Ms. Hatchetts, Haley.''
''Fine!'' she yelled and stomped back into the house, leaving me to attend to the mustang by myself.


[James]

Driving to school was the worst part, then work. I tried to get into the college in Auburn hills, where I live, but the only classes able to help me with my degree was in Livonia. So, after my second class at twelve I headed over to the diner.

''Hey Jamey boy!'' exclaimed Collin when I walked in
''Never, ever, call me that again, Cole.''
''Ohh, sorry.''

After working twenty minutes Cole calls me over

''Hey James! Look at that chick, she's fine. You should be her waiter, get your mind of your 'wife' ''
''It's.. it.. Holy fuck!'' I mumbled
''Who?''
''It's Ar!''
''Oh, your wife? Well in that case, I'll take the table, so your not a little fucker when she leaves you again.''
''Cole, please?''
''No.''

[Arianna]

''Hiya Ma'am, what can I get ya?''

she looked up and smiled ''Hello... Collin. I'd like a coffee and some sugar.''
''Ma'am, if you don't mind me saying.. the cashier over there? Does he know you?''
She looked over to where Collin was subjecting too, and dropped the creamer she was holding in her hand

''Uh.. yes, he knows me.''

Collin turned on his heel and walked behind the counter. She tilted her head to the right and James was staring at her.

''Here you are Lady.'' Collin handed her - her coffee and asked her if she wanted anything to eat, she replied no, so Collin left her for another customer.

[James]

''Hi Ar.'' I whispered next to her
''James.''
''Please don't be that way. We were just friends.''
''I'm not being anyway, why are you here?''
''I work here, Ar.''
''Figures.''
''Give me another chance, please?''
''No, James. It's just not possible.''
He slid into the seat next to her and she twisted uncomfortably away from him

''Are you just going to act like nothing happened? As if I'm a stranger..''
''Yeah, pretty much.''
''May I ask why?''
''Because, you just want in my pants like every other man. Like my dad. Like my friends. Fuck you James.'' She began flustering with her purse for money and I reached for her wrist.
''Ra, please? Just meet me for dinner.''
''James, keep your hands off me."
''Fine.'' I backed away slowly, then turned away and walked into the hall where the bathrooms where.


[Arianna]

''Sir? Collin? I actually do need one more thing.''
''What would that be Arian... Miss?''
'' James, he's one of your friends, isn't he?''
''Yes, Ma'am, he is.''
''Has he been ok?'' this was completely going against my rule of thinking about James but I needed to know so bad. For the past 14 days all I've thought about was him. Collin set down his hat as all the other residents but one older lady have left, most likely for work.

''Arianna, he refuses to go out anywhere, do you know what he said to me when he first got home that weekend?'' I shook my head no. '' 'Cole! I met the woman I'm going to marry this weekend.' and he hasn't been quiet about it since. I mean, the atmosphere has completely changed since the moment you walked in here.''

I hesitated for a moment, figuring all my options, then glanced over to the hallway that James took after.

''What's through those doors?''
''The bathrooms, and back office.''
''Mhm, Do you think you could do me a favour?''
''Maybe Miss, if it helps my friend come back to the real world.''
''Do you know his address?''
''Well yeah?'' He took a pen out of his pocket and wrote it down, then offered to let me go into the back where James was, I politely said no thanks and paid my tip, while walking out I asked Collin one more thing ''What hours is James at home?''
''Uh, usually from 6 until 6.''
''mhm, Thanks Collin.'' I walked from the tiny diner and checked my watch. It was Two twenty. An hour ride back to my house. Haley was bound to be home, but I'd have to break the news that I would be leaving tonight and she'll have to stay with her aunt.

Once I had my shower, an overnight bag, and Haley to her aunts I clicked off the front room light and walked out the door. Into my car, with the map quest help I made it to Jame's house at seven thirty.

''Hi'' James looked at me like I was well.. the love of his life.
''James.'' I tackled him to the porch. "do me a favour?''
''Whats.. What's that?''
''Never, ever, say we are just friends." I said, then shoved my whole body on him and kissed him deeply.