Five Minutes

Sitting in a café, Renolds lazily sipped at a mocha, crossing her cowboy boot adorned ankles.

“What am I in for today?”

“Green tea, I see.”

“After this, I mean.”

“I haven’t looked that far ahead. But I do, indeed work. So you’re going to have to entertain yourself. Don’t get lost. And try not to roam to far from here. Keep your phone on and don’t screw anyone hotter than me without calling first. Okay?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I’m no one’s Mother, missy. That’s biologically impossible. Now go entertain yourself,” she stood up and wrapped an apron around her tight jeans. Watching her hips sway, I smiled slightly to myself.

Watching everyone in the café, I thought about the day before: I had to face my thoughts eventually.

Astrid… I would deal with her later.

My sexuality. I considered it. Girls were nice. They were simple and easy, at least for me. Guys… I hadn’t had so much experience with. I knew I was into girls, that much was certain. As for the entire concept of a sexual orientation label, it seemed irrelevant.

Now, Astrid… I decided to take a walk.

The air cleared my mind easily. I focused on the roar of a car, the crunch of leaves, the swirl of wind. I didn’t need to think about anything other than what was around me.

For five minutes, everything was simple and easy. Nothing was confusing. There was no Astrid, no Renolds, no Lika. There was only me and my simple, easy thoughts.

When I found myself back in the café, I knew my five minutes of easiness were behind me.