When she turns to leave, she is startled to find herself face to face with Ralph. She jumps back involuntarily.      "Ralph! Good morning! What are you doing here so early? I thought your shift didn't start until 10," she says, flustered.      Ralph ignores her questions. "Checking out?" he asks.      The smile fades from Melinda's lips and she considers him briefly, wondering what she should say. Before she can stop herself she nods. "Yes, as a matter of fact. I am. I'm leaving today," she says softly. 'Why did I lie to him,' she thinks wildly.      "I see," Ralph responds. His expression is serious; there is no sign of a smile anywhere on his face. "Were you going to say goodbye?"      "Of course!" she says, forcing a reassuring smile. "How could I not say goodbye to you?"      He shrugs and then laughs quietly. "I don't know. Guess I must be insecure."      "Well you don't have to be," she says. "Listen, I'm going to go and have some breakfast. I'll see you later this afternoon."      She walks away before he can stop her. "See you," she hears him call after her. She turns, smiles brightly and waves. But all the while, she feels her heart pounding in her chest. Her legs feel wobbly. She rushes into the breakfast room and out of his sight, wondering why she is reacting so strongly. 'Something's wrong,' she thinks over and over again. 'Something is wrong and I need to get out of here.' Instead of sitting down at one of the empty tables, she finds herself in the women's bathroom. She heads to the sink and splashes cool water on her face. When she looks up, she is startled by what she sees in the mirror. Her face looks pale and her eyes are wider than usual. She shakily dries her face with a hand towel and half-heartedly attempts to fix her hair. 'This isn't fun anymore,' she thinks. 'I want to go home.'