News Blues by Marianne Mancusi Page B

people take them into locker rooms and then post naked photos
     on the Internet.”
    I had never been so humiliated in all my life. I wanted to stand up and scream and inform the whole restaurant that I wasn’t
     a camera phone pervert, that I just needed a picture to prove to my engaged coworker with whom I’d had sex that I wasn’t a
     loser with no life. But unfortunately, as willing as I was to make that speech, I didn’t think it would change any diner’s
     opinion of me. In fact, it might sway the few holdouts in the opposite direction.
    Now what did I do? We’d already ordered dinner. Did I sit in my seat, suck up my pride and eat my meal? Would I have to pay
     for his? Did I even have enough cash on me for that? My credit cards were maxed and I hadn’t deposited my paycheck yet. I’d
     come prepared to pay for my own meal, if it’d come to that, but not someone else’s. What if they made me wash dishes? Let’s
     see, I had sixteen dollars probably left on my Mas-terCard. Maybe seven fifty on my Visa. If I combined those two cards with
     the cash I had . . .
    I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. Why did I always end up crying? It was my body’s first reaction to upset, anger,
     fury, whatever. So embarrassing. Especially when it happened in public places. I angrily swiped at my eyes with my arm.
    “Maddy?”
    I looked up at the voice addressing me. Into the eyes of an angel. Jamie stood at my table. How did he find me yet again?
     It was like we were two soul mates, destined to keep running into each other.
    “Jamie!” I cried, overjoyed to see him. I didn’t care if he had a fiancée. I didn’t care if our relationship stayed platonic
     forever. At that moment I simply needed a friend. “I’m so glad to see you.”
    “Are you on your date?” he asked, his eyes sparkling. “Do I get to meet the famous blond-haired, blue-eyed Czech surfer in
     the flesh?”
    Shit. I was hoping he’d forget about that.
    “He, uh, had to leave early.” I grimaced. “I did have a picture, but . . .”
    I waited for him to tease me, but he didn’t.
    “Didn’t go as planned, huh?” he asked sympathetically.
    “Not exactly.” I sighed. “But he ordered before he took off, so if you’re in the mood for a chicken fiesta burrito, you’re
     in luck.”
    A ray of hope peeked through my dark evening clouds. This would be great. Jamie and I could have a nice meal. We could become
     friends. Other diners would see that I wasn’t a loser who got walked out on by her date.
    Jamie smiled. “I would but . . .”
    “Jamie! Our table’s over here. Did you get lost?” A tall, anorexic-looking blonde came up behind Jamie and slipped her arm
     around his waist. Protectively.
    Oh. Jamie wasn’t alone.
    Of course he’s not alone , a jeering voice in my head taunted. Who eats at a restaurant alone? Well, except for you, you loser . I suddenly realized this was the second time in a week Jamie caught me drinking by myself.
    “Uh, Maddy. I’d like you to meet Jennifer. My fiancée.” Jamie said, succeeding to unintentionally rub salt on my wounds. “Jennifer,
     this is Maddy. My new coworker at News Nine.” He introduced us so casually, as if I weren’t the other woman. The one who,
     just days ago, he’d accidentally had sex with.
    “Nice to meet you, Jennifer, ” I said in my best new-coworker voice. If he could be cool and grown up, so could I. “I didn’t
     realize you had moved to San Diego yet.”
    “She came down from LA for the weekend to surprise me, ” Jamie explained. I studied his face. Was he even the least bit bothered
     by the introduction?
    “To check up on him, more like, ” Jennifer said with a saucy grin. She poked him in the ribs. “Make sure he isn’t succumbing
     to the charms of some San Diego beach babe.”
    Ah-ha! There was the uncomfortable look!
    “Well, it’s great to meet you.” I held out my hand. “I’m looking forward to working with your fiancé.”
    “Nice to