I left money on the bar,” she says. “I know.” We stare at each other for a quiet moment. I don’t know what to say. I just stand here like a fool. “What, then?” “Nothing,” I say. But I immediately wish I would have said, “Everything.” She stares at me, and I never do this, I shouldn’t do this, but I know if I let her walk away, I won’t be able to stop thinking about the sad girl who left me a ten-dollar tip when I get the feeling she can’t afford to leave me a tip at all. “You should come back tonight at eleven.” I don’t give her a chance to tell me no or explain why she can’t. I go back inside
...more
