Coffee in Common Read Online Free PDF Page A

viciously. "I mean, we all go slumming once in a while."
    "Really? We all do that?"
    "Those of us who, well, you know."
    "Yes, I think I do know."
    Not to be left out, Kiki chimed in. "You really should, you know, save yourself a lot of future pain and move on to someone who's more your type. I mean, this thing with you and her can't last. She'll get tired of people making fun of her because of you."
    Rob's smile disappeared. Worry lines creased his forehead. "People, her friends you mean, make fun of her because she goes out with me?"
    "Yes! All the time!" Her voice lowered as she confided, "You know, people at our level can be, well, mean sometimes."
    "No!" Rob appeared confused. "I haven't noticed that at all since we've been together."
    "Oh you wouldn't. I mean, we're not uncouth or anything. No one would come right out and say anything if you or she were, like, around. But people do talk and the talk certainly gets back to Lisa."
    "Yes, I can imagine." He could no longer hide his contempt. "I guess it is a good thing she has friends like you two who she can count on to keep her abreast of all the mean and hurtful gossip your little minds produce."
    Being chastised by someone she considered beneath her was unthinkable and Rachel's glare could have melted steel. "Sure, as if you never say anything about anyone. See, that's what I mean. You think you're as good as she is but you're not. Lisa should have someone who's her equal. Both socially and, ah, visually. You are not that person. And you'll never be that person."
    Rob was growing tired of the two snobs, but his honor had been offended, something he could not let pass.
    "Well…this was very enlightening. Very enlightening indeed. If you'll excuse me."
    He started to walk between them, but appeared to stumble, sending the contents of one of the glasses spilling down the front of Rachel's dress. "Oh my. I'm so sorry. How clumsy of me."
    Rachel was livid. "You did that on purpose. You…"
    Rob interrupted her. "Please, let me get something to dry you off."
    He turned to Kiki and said, "Here, hold this, while I get a towel."
    He handed her the drink, which slipped from his fingers, bounced off her hand, and spilled on the front of her dress.
    Kiki gave a short scream of dismay.
    "Oh dear!" Rob said. "Again! I really am sorry." He turned to the bartender, who winked at him. "May I have some towels please?"
    Both women were beside themselves now with fury. They could not believe any man, especially one like him, would treat them this way.
    "You asshole!" Rachel seethed, her voice dripping with venom. "You stay away from us. Just remember, Lisa will dump you. And I'll be standing next to her laughing at you when she does."
     
    *  *  *
     
    Paul's raucous laughter caused a few heads to turn their way. "Are you serious? They really said that stuff? You really did that to both of them? Why did I never hear about this?"
    "They did, and I did. When I told Lisa what happened, she couldn't believe I'd actually do something like that."
    "I can understand. I'm having trouble believing it myself."
    "Well, she insisted I promise never to do that to anyone again, no matter what the provocation, and not to tell anyone else about it." Rob shrugged. "You know Lisa. What else could I do but promise?"
    Paul was still chuckling.
    "I guess I see why you think her friends may have had something to do with it. All I can say is, I wish I had been there to see it."
    Paul extended his hand, palm open and they exchanged slaps twice.
    "Do you have to hang around a lot with these people?"
    "No, not really. They're not friends like we're friends. Not any more. They're the kids of people in her parent's social circle. They all used to hang out when they were in high school, and I guess many of them still do, but Lisa doesn't really see them much…once in a while at some social thing."
    "That would be once in a while too much for me."
    "Me, too. But Lisa feels like she has to be friendly for her