I liked the way you described dining alone, Even without an ex at the next table, it can be uncomfortable. At least for me it is. I could picture her sitting there. Well done.
LoA

I like the story, even though I’m not sure what a spindly cuckoo hand looks like. Would it be boney and gaunt?

Hey there PyroPunk 51 (PPP LoA)… Glad that you liked it, and thanks for commenting :-)

Hey there Krulltar… Glad that you liked the story, thanks for stopping by. I was using the word cuckoo in this context in it’s more metaphorical sense, in that cuckoos are usurpers, pushing the rightful residents out of the nest, which is what the woman with Paul has done to Caitlin.

I feel down right silly now…I had invisioned a Cockatoo not a cuckoo. :O

Great stuff from start to finish, from the abruptness of ‘banging the new girl’, to the daring use of quotidien, through an amusing exploration of male vs female difference, and then ending with an emotion-packed last paragraph. Excellent!

clearly the soft-shell crab was far too enticing, great line as was, the cuckoo line , very catty. this is the 1st of read of your, it wont be the last.

Hey there THX 0477 … Thanks for stopping by (again), it’s really great to get feedback, but when people say such nice things that really makes my day :-) Really glad that you enjoyed this.

Hey there Kermitgorf… Thanks for dropping by and for commenting :-) Really glad that you enjoyed the cuckoo line in particular – catty was exactly what I was going for, so I’m glad that it came across.