I knocked on the hotel room door and ripped open the bag of M&M's I had bought from the candy machine in the lobby. I heard some mumblings from inside and had time to chew on a few stale red, greens, and yellows before Ned answered the door.

"Hey." He looked nervous and flustered. "Good to see you. Come on in."

I walked in and held out my little brown bag, "Want some?" He shook his head. "Did you know chocolate releases the same chemicals in your body that is released when you're in love?"

"Really?" Ned glanced at Mike, who lied in bed with his foot up on a pillow, then Ned glanced back at me. His grin was widening and his cheeks were quickly changing from pink to a deep red.

I eyed Mike suspiciously. "What?" Mike said grinning.

"Oh please!"

"What!" He said, unable to say anything else.

"A good man is hard to find? Well, looks like you found him."

"Yeah right, whatever." Mike said dismissively.

I looked at Ned and he seemed weighed with sadness. He grabbed his coat that lay on the bed. "I got to go." Mike didn't say anything, just reached for his Diet Coke on the night table. Not even a good-bye, and Ned was gone.

"What was that about?"I asked.

"Nothing." He finished his soda and burped.

"Nothing, you did it with him, didn't you?"

"Get off it Fran, I did it with nobody."

"Yeah, all right." I made no attempt to hide the sarcasm in my tone.

We talked for a bit, but it was my lunch hour and I needed to head back. On my drive back I couldn't help but feel relieved that my life wasn't like Mike's. Hiding out and a complete mess.

*****

Later that night, I waited for Christine's call. She told me if she didn't call by eight, she was stuck at the hospital with her friend. It was 8:15. I had nothing to do so I jumped in my car and headed for Chianti. I had a decent income and it was time to splurge on myself, like a sophisticated adult, to sit and have a delicate dinner at an elegant table, alone.

I walked in and waited behind the two people who were already speaking with the hostess. When I looked around the couple, I saw her in the booth in the back. PJ, Helen's old girlfriend, was cooing with someone I couldn't quite see. PJ wouldn't recognize me, I was sure, so I told the hostess I was just going to the lady's room and that I would be right back.

As I got closer I was reminded of PJ's beauty. Her extra large brown eyes, flowing brown hair, and full lips that were now grinning in loving excitement. Then, I heard a familiar voice. I reached the booth and it was her. Helen sat on the other side of PJ with her hands underneath the table and PJ smirking. I couldn't believe it. What happened to, "That's it! I've had it." Then I thought of me and Christine and understood completely.

I stopped at their table. I couldn't help myself. Helen brought her hands back to the top of the table. "Hi,"she said, "Looks like we can't get away from each other." And I grunted something inaudible. "PJ, this is Fran, my costumer."

"Hey," PJ was not interested in me or my existence.

"Join us." Helen asked and I saw PJ's smile drop, deeply and obviously.

"No, no, no, I got someone waiting."

"Yeah?" Helen looked around to see if someone was with me.

"Oh, I'm getting stuff to go. You know, just chill at home." PJ sipped her martini and Helen, well Helen I must say looked jealous. At least that's what I wanted, which I know isn't fair, but that's what I wanted. Helen, jealous like a child.

I left and had dinner, alone.