Little black book

Her back hurt as she bent over the table to wipe up the few crumbs left from her last customer. Charlotte had been working a double shift and was dead on her feet, it didn't help that she had on new shoes. She was thinking about her last customer of the evening, he was an older distinguished looking man who had left a nice tip by his coffee cup, but he seemed so sad and lonely. Charlotte shook her head a little as she slipped the money into her apron pocket. After he left she pulled out his vacant chair as the restaurant owner expected each waitress to clean their allotted area so she retrieved the broom and dustpan to sweep under her tables. As she swept out flew a small black book! "Oh my!" she thought, this could be important and if she stuck it into the lost and found it could be tossed out because they emptied it weekly. Her back and feet forgotten she went over the days tabs looking for clues for the man's name she had waited on, then remembered the gentleman paid with cash, what to do? She looked into the book but it was a plain old address book even if it did seen exquisitely made. Even if she called some of the numbers they wouldn't know which friend lost it. Charlotte took it home with her and made a plan to post an advertisement in the local paper the next day. Up early and with book in hand Charlotte marched off to the News office. Just as she opened the door she ran smack into the very man she had waited on the evening before. As they stood there apologizing to each other Charlotte pulled out the little black book and asked him if it was his. Tears came to the old man's eye and he said, "I just now posted a reward for my book, you see it was the last gift my dear late wife" Lois" gave me, here let me give you that reward." The man said. "Not at all" Charlotte said, "I won't hear of it, I'm just glad I was able to return it to you." Charlotte hurried away to get ready for her shift, she was going to pull another double so this time she made sure to wear her old comfy shoes. About half way into her shift that very gentleman came in and sat in her section and ordered coffee. She smiled and said hello as he sat in her designated area. He said, "Hello, I didn't get to ask you your name before you left this morning. Mine is Doctor Edward Markis." "I'm sorry" Charlotte said. "I'm Charlotte McConner, nice to meet you. Can I get you a menu?" "Charlotte McConner, what a nice name. No thank you I just want a cup of coffee please. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have my book back." Charlotte could tell that he needed to talk so she went to get his coffee and brought one for herself. "May I join you? I would love to hear all about the story of the little black book" Edward's eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas morning. "Please do" he said. For the next half hour Edward Markis proceeded to talk about a woman who was loved and cherished. He told Charlotte that when he met his wife, "Lois" she teased him all the time that he was so handsome, that he must have been a "player." Now Edward was not at all unattractive but he was quite average in looks. Laughing he told Charlotte that it was their little joke and she teased him all the times that she was so lucky she caught him. Then he became solemn as he explained that he was a doctor of some renown, not in a bragging way but just stating a fact. Tears welled up in his eyes as he said" I made it my life's work to help people but I couldn't save my wife, the love of my life from the damn cancer." Shaking his head like he could shake off a bad dream, he became quiet for a moment. "My wife had a friend pick up this little black book for her, as we were not blessed with children she was afraid I would be too lonely. She put all our friends and extended family's numbers in it, so not only could I reach out to them when I was in need but I would be able to see her loving handwriting." All Charlotte could think was what a wonderful woman his Lois was! As she stood up Charlotte reached out and patted the back of his hand. "I have to get back to work Doctor Markis but you stop in anytime you want a cup of coffee and a willing ear" She told him. Charlotte had a bit of a lunch rush after that so she didn't see the doctor leave but as she went to clean up his table there was an envelope by his coffee cup with her name on it. In the envelope was a thank you note and a check for $20,000.00 made out to her! The owner had to call an ambulance as poor Charlotte fainted dead away. When she woke up who should be standing over her but Doctor Markis. "What happen?" She asked. "Well, it seems you fainted" Doctor Markis said. "I remember now!, you left me a card with a check for $20,000.00!" she said. "Yes I did, and I want you to keep it, I had posted a reward for that amount in that advertisement that I canceled when you bumped into me. I can afford it easily and trust me when I say its worth every penny to have my book back." Charlotte looked him in the eyes and said "I will take it as long as you promise to let me buy all your coffee from now on. I had better see you weekly Doctor Markis!" "Please call me Edward" He said.