I make it to the diner just in time. It’s a poor excuse of an establishment, but in the part of the city I live in, no one is allowed the luxury of being too picky. I start my day with making pots of coffee for the customers while begging Earl to give me more shifts. But, he says he can’t give me any more hours; there just aren’t enough customers to cover the expense. I guess I will have to look for a second job soon.

While I’m wiping the counters, a woman walks in; she’s older, probably in her mid-forties. She’s gorgeous, almost regal. Her hair is blonde, and her complexion is polished. I admire how her body has been kept in great shape. She’s wearing a camel colored jacket with a deep brown pencil skirt that accentuates her curves. Her taut legs lead to a pair of expensive looking heels.

She definitely doesn’t belong in this diner, or even in this part of the city. I’ve seen her here before though; she’s been coming into the diner for a couple of weeks. She orders a coffee, sits, and stares at me while I work. She never says anything more than her order for coffee, yet she always leaves me a nice tip. So, it’s easy to say I look forward to seeing her walk in; however, it’s weird how she stares, almost like she’s studying me. I want to tell her to knock it off every time, but I need that tip. I’m always nice and polite, trying to get her to speak to me, but she never replies. It’s downright creepy. I guess it could be worse. If she were a man, I would be scared to death to leave the diner at night, but with her, for some reason, I’m not.

The next night at the end of a long shift, the doors to the diner open. The same woman appears again, but this time there is a very large man with her. The woman goes to sit in her now regular spot, while the man walks up to Earl. They start to speak to each other, but I can’t hear anything they say. Next thing I know, Earl is walking out the door and the man is locking it. I turn to look at what’s going on, and the woman starts to speak to me.

“Fallon, I would like for you to have a seat with me, so we can finally learn about each other.”

I gasp. “How do you know my name?”

She points to my name tag; of course, that’s how, but then she says, “I know a lot about you, Fallon.”

She has me baffled. “What do you mean?”

She tilts her head towards the chair and says, “Join me for a conversation, dear, won’t you?”

As I walk up to her, crossing my arms, I say, “I don’t know. I don’t think I like you very much.”

She laughs and says, “Ah, this is where things get interesting. See, I don’t care whether you like me or not. I am not looking for a friend. You not liking me is not a problem I have, but for you, that’s a problem you don’t want to have. See, we don’t have to be friends, but we can be allies.”

She pauses, appraising me some more, then continues. “I could teach you so much.”

I snicker towards her. “What could you possibly teach me? “

“Well for starters, to understand me. I’m like a chameleon; I can be what everyone dreams of me to be. I can also be your worst nightmare. I am a very dangerous woman, when and if I need to be.” Then she asks, “Tell me, little girl, what is it you want? What are you expecting out of life?” She gestures to the diner. “Do you want to stay at this dead-end job for the rest of your life? Maybe find love with some piece of shit who will treat you badly, or do you want more?”

I shake my head, becoming defensive. “I don’t know what you want, or who you are, but that is none of your business.”

She smiles. “That’s where you are wrong. What are your dreams? Do you want to find your place in life? Do you want love or be rich beyond belief? Perhaps you want power? Desire, my dear, is the answer to all your problems. When you’re desired, it can be extremely powerful. Like a drug. To fit in, to be loved, to be rich, you must be desired. Then and only then can you can become powerful. I have seen so many girls like you, Fallon, come and go, wanting all of it. Stupid girls, not knowing the basic steps to achieve their goals. I thought I saw potential in you at first, but now I am questioning myself. And that is something I rarely do. You see, my dear, I am cunning, patient, and always listening. I am always watching, instead of speaking just to be heard. When I want to be heard, trust me, I will be. They will all listen because nothing leaves my mouth without a purpose.” Her eyes burn through me as she tells me, “Sit down, I am losing my patience.”

Without a second thought, I sit as ordered.

She self-righteously continues. “You stated you didn’t like me. That was an attack without knowing what direction this would lead – in poor taste, I might add. You see, your words didn’t affect me, because you did it without thinking. You tried to show power without having any. What did you think I was going to do, cry?” She lets out a small laugh and continues. “Words, especially yours, are not sharp enough to do any damage. File your teeth, little girl. I bite, and when I do, I go in for the kill. Scared yet?”

“What do you want with me?”

“Knowledge.”

“What kind of knowledge can you possibly want from somebody like me?”

“See, you might like me after all, little girl. Tell me, are you a virgin?”

Shocked, I say, “I…I don’t see how that is any of your concern.”

“Ah, but it is. I will teach you; however, I never do anything for nothing.”

I return her stare and ask, “Again, what do you want from me?”

“Simple, I want a daughter-in-law.”

With a chuckle, I say, “What? You can’t be serious? I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but –”

“Hush, little one, the games I play are to win. You can either stay here or come with me. I can promise you that I can offer so much more than what you already have. Are you interested?”

I look straight at her, waiting to see if I notice any signs that she’s pulling my strings. I keep an eye out for any loose screws she might have, yet I see none; she looks dead serious.

Curious, I say, “Tell me more.”

“Now I see I have your attention. Answer my question, I’m not in the habit of repeating myself, dear. Are you a virgin?”

I surprise myself by answering, “Yes.”

“Wonderful. Let’s begin.”