Serial Killer
He spent time finding foreclosed farms and trailer parks scattered through the countryside. He specifically looked for places with large septic tanks, and preferably with running water. He didn’t want any electric or phone connections, he had no need for wifi. He always paid with cash when he found a place that suited his needs. No one ever questioned past his desire for some peace and quiet away from civilization.
All the while he went in every day for two months, and sat in Tammy’s section. He would talk to her about the weather, movies, or televisions shows. She never asked for his name, and he always left her a sizable tip. She never mentioned him on her social media, she never took a selfie with him. In her world he was invisible.
He preferred to be invisible, it was the only way he could get away with his plans. He might be invisible to her, but she was not invisible to him.
On her social media, she was full of self doubt. Sometimes she missed her ex-spouse. Sometimes she cried out in loneliness. Some days were full of joy, or inspiration.
His favorite days were the ones where she would dream and hope. He admired her enduring belief that things would get better. She inspired him to feel something from deep inside instead of seeking it from outside.
She wrote often about her perfect mate, and who he was. The kind of man she wanted him to be. Strong, supportive, and nurturing. She didn’t date because she was afraid of the dreaded third date. The date where you were expected to be ‘grateful’. She hated that even if the guy was the nicest guy in the world, and you wanted to keep seeing him, the third date would change them. Normally if you weren’t grateful in some manner, no matter how nice the guy, a fourth date wasn’t an option. They would make excuses, or not find the time for you anymore if you declined their advances. She was tired of having her hopes dashed at all these men who only wanted one thing.
She was normally too tired after a days work for much anyway. She watched television shows or old movies. She kept in touch with a few friends, but mostly she just kept to herself. Always dreaming, Mr. Right would come in to her diner and take her away.