Free A Tattered Love by Nickie Seidler Page A

I get you something to drink?” I smiled my sweetest smile.
“Riley, is it?”
“Yes, Riley.” I reassured her. Please, lady, I just want to go home, order already!
“Have a seat, Riley. There’s something I need to discuss with you.” She eyed me intently.
“I’m sorry? Do I know you?” I looked at her suspiciously. I didn’t recognize her at all.
“I’m Lori Boyd. I’m afraid I haven’t been given the pleasure of meeting you.”
I had a seat in the booth, a little bewildered, for sure. I didn’t understand what was happening. Her stoic attitude had me a little dazed, especially with her intense stare.
“Listen, Riley, I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to stop by to inform you of a few things.” She stared intently at me. “I know who you are Riley Miller and exactly where you’re from. Your trailer park trash doesn’t belong in my family. I really hope you reconsider going to the gala. I think it’s out of your league coming from a woman with the atrocious background you have. Make sure you let him down easy so he can continue to search for a more...” she paused, thinking of the right word, “appropriate woman to socialize with, who also has the same kind of upbringing.” She smiled an evil kind of smile.
Reality hit. Dustin’s mother! I sat there, in a kind of shock.  How did she even know about me? Was I really out of my league on this one? What gala? Does she have the wrong person? Apparently not, if she knew my name and who I was! Trailer park trash? I was ready to wrestle this bitch to the ground, but instead I politely responded, keeping the image of Dustin in the forefront of my mind.
“I’ll take your advice into consideration after I discuss it with your son.” I was enraged. If there were a way I could punch this woman and not have a lawsuit, or the loss of my job hanging over my head, I happily would. Wait, I should have known. Dustin was the son of my boss. Of course, they couldn’t see their son with a waitress! Had she done a background check on me? Of course not, the company did when they hired me. I couldn’t believe this was happening. So, did I leave Dustin now, before we become too intertwined with one another and as she said, let him down easy? If I were to stay with Dustin, would I lose my job regardless? I’m screwed. I was not going to let this lady think she had a hold over me, even though I knew very well that she did.
“It won’t be necessary to discuss this with Dustin. He already knows my intentions. After all, how do you think I discovered who you were, honey? Just remember, let him down easy.” She said. “Have a nice evening.” She scooted out of the booth, sneered at me, and then walked away.
My face went from trying to be brave and strong, to a wreck in less than sixty seconds, the amount of time it took that woman to leave the restaurant. I needed air, I needed to breathe, and I need to get out of there. I grabbed my purse as I hightailed it out of there.
I immediately dialed Seth. He was meeting with his boss in Boston today to set up the specifications of the internship. Thankfully, he answered, and I filled him in on what just happened. He knew just the right words to calm me down, usually, but it wasn’t working. I was so confused, and distraught I didn’t know what to do. Seth told me to go home and take a bath and try to relax, but that wasn’t going to happen. Deciding a trip to the beach to run off my anger, I took off in a sprint and couldn’t wait to sink my feet in the sand. Just then, Dustin’s mustang pulled out in front of me and screeched to a halt. And with the biggest grin on his face.
“I got here just in time! I was hoping to make it before you left!” He shoved his car in park and got out.
Tears ran down my cheeks, and I couldn’t look at him. Did he really know what his mother’s intentions were? I didn’t want to talk to him right now, so I turned and began jogging down the beach.
“Riley, where are you going?