I've Been There Before

“Hum?” Cayne Filocci was astonished once again to stare at Grace standing by the road.

Under the dim street lights, Grace stood still; her shadow was really lonely to look miserable. He almost believed this was a weather-beaten old woman standing there; she, from head to foot, appeared to be so aging with what she encountered for these years.

Thus, Cayne turned to be more curious about her…what was she like? Why did she seem to be so weak and dying at such a young age?

“In my dorm…I just have noodle and spring onion as well as some eggs. No better food for you.”

In the wind at night, Cayne could not hear other voices but got touched by her…she was standing under the street lights for long time to merely think about what kind of food she would treat him, just to exchange for his tips.

After all, she told him what she had at home; and she could not prepare something better for him.

Right now, Cayne regarded the money in his hands to be nothing, then he glanced at it. It was not too much but caused her consider carefully to give out the best things she had now…for the money he did not care about at all.

Even though she would prepare one scallion noodle that should be very cheap in the market.

Cayne watched Grace to say, “Ok.”

He opened his car door to get off and rarely walked to the front passenger side to open the door for Grace.

“Where do you live?” he asked.

Grace answered, “Go straight please and I will show you the way. Please drive slowly, sir.”

Cayne drove ahead and turned left at a cross. After some time, the car stopped in an old community.

Both of them got off the car. Cayne frowned to ask, “This is your dorm?”

Grace said, “Yes, it is good.” She was greatly satisfied with it to stay safe. On the day of being released from prison, she did not worry about her future and her job, instead, at that moment she was thinking about that where she would live out of prison.

was just copied by the administrative staff for a new lock to

with some creak and said, “Sir, please come

too annoyed at her own voice to speak

to the kitchen. She wore a light color apron which was different from the popular ones among the

sat where he could see

and noodles, cut spring onions, took noodle out of water and adding oil and onions to make scallion. Looking at all these, Cayne had an impulse to cuddle her from

It topped with some green and fresh spring onions as well as a fried egg.

it.” she

is your

answered while drying her hands, “I finished my meal in my company.” To her, it was a waste of food to

said, “It’s yummy.” Soon he raised his head to watch her and continued,

scallion noodle so great. I promised I would

“And then?”

one to eat this.”

not taste it by yourself? I should be the second one.”

always feel inching to have the spring onions. I might be too sensitive

the topic, “You just call me sir. Do

call you Mr. Smith, Mr. Jones or Mr. Johnson.” It was

some money out of his wallet and said, “For you.” Then he left the money on the table, “Remember, my name is Cayne. I give it to you

to watch the

to him and asked, “Only

to

he was thinking about. She was confused with what happened now which would be easily seen by Gloria

said, “Sure.” In fact, it was totally impossible…she was all

name…is just the

late. I have to go now.” He