The trouble at the restaurant hadn't let up.
My suppliers had gone dark, the rumors kept spreading, and every day a small crowd showed up outside with signs, making a scene.
I stood in the entrance, staring at the notice plastered across the door.
That was when Serena appeared.
She stood in front of me in a sleek designer suit that looked completely out of place on this worn-out street.
"Can we talk?"
I looked up at her. "Did you come to watch me fall apart?"
Serena gave a small, wry smile. "No. I came to tell you I'm divorcing Jesse."
I looked at her without speaking.
"Ever since you showed up," she said, "he's been like a man who lost his soul. I always thought Jesse had fallen for me. He was gentle, attentive, agreeable about everything. I thought that was love."
Serena let
