Chapter 14: Damsel in Distress

As Tess went into the kitchen, she could hardly breathe and Katie walked in and noticed her. "Are you okay?" Katie asked looking worried... Tess shook her head, signifying she was not, and Katie hugged her. "Tess, you are shaking' what is it?" Katie asked looking concerned about her friend. She saw tears flowing from her friend's eyes and hugged her tightly. "Katie, Stan just left," Tess said with a shaky voice, "what, your Stan, are you sure it was him?" Katie asks her friend with a questioning look. Tess released Katie and told her what just happened. "That means he is back in your space, can you handle him? Once he knows you are here, he may come back" Katie said as she sighed. "I don't think so, he was the one that left, he was the one that ran away," Tess said reassuring her friend. She looked as if she was far in thoughts as she looked at Katie, "I am not running Katie, I didn't do anything wrong. If he ever shows himself here again, I will make sure, I treat him exactly the way, I treated him today, a customer and nothing else" she added standing on her word. Tess knew her heart was aching, she knew this was a battle and her heart was not going to rule over her senses. As she showed Katie the tip Stan gave, she whistle "he sure is a good tipper" she said as Tess agreed.

#

When Tess and Katie got home that evening, she went straight to their bedroom and sat on her bed. Both of them have been thinking of getting a bigger place and with the tip that Sam gave tonight, she knew the money was complete. While sharing the information with Katie "Are you sure it's what you want to do"? Now that Sam is around, you guys could fix whatever happened and get back on track" Katie said trying to encourage her friend. Tess, looked at Katie with a raised eyebrow as if she was from space. "You are joking, right? All this month I have been without Stan, and I survived and learned to care for myself and you want me to destroy all that and run into the hands of the man that ran out on me?" Tess said almost looking pissed. Katie looked at Tess and saw a determination she had not seen and knew, she was ready to move forward. "Then roommate, let's get a bigger space," Katie said supporting her friend. As both of them smile, Tess felt her heart begin to resume its steady beat as she thought of Stan and a smile came to her face as she realized, this damsel has just become a knight.