Can't Let You Go

***LIAM***

As crowded as the room was, the sudden shift that opened up a view to the other side could only be a trick of fate. In a curve hugging matte gold dress that's more suited to a night out, her physical perfection would have caught anyone's eye. Flat stomach, round ass, and breasts which I'm fairly certain are larger than the last time I saw them. Her long tanned legs are accentuated by a glinting bracelet on her left ankle.

The mob closes ranks again, blocking my view, yet, I still need to close my eyes while I process. I fully believed I would never see her again. I wasn't prepared for this. Too much is rushing back into my consciousness. Memories I didn't know I still had.

"Tally." Stress has reduced my voice to a hoarse whisper. "She's here. Cinderella is here."

There's no response, but I can't manage to speak again. Though closed, my eyes have remained fixed in the direction I'd seen her. Upon opening them I find she is several meters closer and staring right back at me. Flashes of memories and a flood of emotions make it seem as though time has stopped.

The day we met, a blur of a girl ran right into me as I was entering a diner near campus. She was scrambling to get up when Sal, the owner, grabbed her by the collar.

"I thought I recognized you Girlie. It's bad enough that you're trying to skip out on your bill, but this is the second time you've done it," he sniped at her.

"I'm really sorry." She cried. "I haven't had a proper meal since Thanksgiving dinner at the church. Your BLTs are the best. I should have resisted the temptation of my empty stomach and taste buds." Copious tears dripped from her chin.

"Sal," I said as I pulled out my wallet, "how about I pay for her meal and you let her go?"

"Don't come back again. I won't forget next time," he growled at her.

She nodded her head and wiped her face on the sleeve of her thin jacket. While Sal ran my card, I set my wallet on the counter. When I went to put my card back inside, both it and the girl were gone. Mindlessly putting it down was a bad habit of mine, so my first thought was to search my pockets. Not finding it convinced me she'd taken it. I used a phone app and locator device I kept behind my ID to follow where she'd gone.

Catching her by the arm, I scowled "Is that anyway to repay a kindness?"

Tears began falling immediately, along with heavy sobs punctuated by apologies. Combining that with her comment in the diner, I was unable to stay angry. A cart nearby was selling hot chocolate, so I bought her a cup and asked for her story.

"Is what you said back there true?"

"Yeah. I've been homeless since the end of summer. I bounce around between couch surfing and shelters, but the holidays make that difficult. Shelters are full in cold months and I don't want to be a burden to my friends' parents so I make myself scarce. My mom's not around, so I can't get a work permit to support myself."

"Can't someone at school help?"

Wearily she shook her head. "I'm still registered with my old address and I don't want to get relocated and transferred during my senior year. It's a top school and I'm a good student. Despite what you may think because of... today." Tears began rolling again as she apologized more.

"Okay, that's enough. Listen, I can't help with your whole problem, but I own a small company and we need an office intern. The job is yours if you want it."

The words were hardly out of my mouth when she flung her arms around my neck and hugged me hard. Sorrow was replaced with joy and her face radiated happiness as though she'd never cried. It was my first experience with her quick-change emotions, but far from the last. Not that I was much better, my temper was on a hair trigger in those days and I blew up at her over dozens of little things when we were together.