Michael sat in a small booth against the wall of the restaurant. The grey flecks of hair sprouting up in the midst of the nightshade black of his head and gotee. The red-wine colored table cloth standing out against the dark oak paneling of the wall, black and white pictures of plump happy people in hand crafted frames above his head. His fingers drummed methodically against the table as his eyes straining to read the wall clock over the barkeeps head. 6:10, she’s late. But she is always late now.
There was a time in their friendship in which Susan would never have been late. She was the time keeper of their little diverse click at Hillsborough High School. It had never occurred to him how stereotypically even comically diverse their group had been. Korean Kim who was now in her 3rd year of residency. The star African-American basket ball player, Conner who got a ride to Vanderbilt. George, who insisted he was the Cuban lady killer. Susan the studios Black girl from the hood, determined to be better then her older sisters. And then there was Michael, the skinny white nerd who loved all things robot and comic book related. After graduation They all parted ways. Michael and Kim to University of Florida. Susan to Jacksonville and Bethune Cookman. George spent two years at community college before transferring to Florida State and meeting his partner Benjamin.
Susan returned to Tampa with her husband Lebron after graduating. Lebron was bent on conquering the business world. Susan had her perfectly decorated 2nd grade classroom, she was not about to let slip her demand for temporal precision. Michael’s return to Tampa was a fate accompli. His degree in robotics and Naval engineering had landed him the job he wanted since middle school. Working on remotely Operated submersible for deep see exploration.
If only Lebron had not turned out to be a monster. Their marriage had seemed to be the perfect paring of warmth and drive. That was until the drive sped out of control. No one really suspect that he was dangerous. After three years of not climbing the corporate ladder fast enough Lebron had begun taking it out on Susan.
Michael pulled out his phone, he had sworn he wouldn’t tonight. Maybe I need to call her. He looked to the door and the tin of the old fashion bell rang above the chatter of the room. Susan frantically walked in her eyes on a swivel.
He got up and brushed his sweaty palms on his pants. “Everything ok?”
“Yes,” Susan nodded.“It was just the baby sitter coming to the house late. She heard 5:30 when I thought I told her 5. Nothing to be concerned about.”
Michael reflexively extended his arm to embrace Susan around her waist. You can touch her like that. He thought, regaining his volitional control and with his other hand prevented the move. He breathed a quite sigh of relief.
“So is he down?” Michael asked as they both took their seat in the booth.
“Should be, no calls at least, it is a good sign.” The waiter had appeared and ask for Susan’s drink order. “Diet soda, and a glass of water.”
Turning to Michael, “Do you know what you want?”
“Yes, but I will wait till you make your choice.” His hands would not stop sweeting, he rubbed them again.
“I haven’t been in Antonio’s for a long time, maybe not since graduating.” Susan’s head cocked upward, her eyes followed as if trying to recall the memories.
“How was your class today?”
“Not bad, they behaved themselves today, despite it being a Friday. You alright?”
“Me? Yes.” Michael’s eyes flashed downward to the fork lying on the scarlet cloth napkin. “I mean I am fine. We have the Deep Submersible Submarine trial on Monday, concerned how that might go. Probably heading into the office tomorrow, run a diagnostic or two.”
“How many of those can you run?”
The door chime rang and Michael again jumped in his seat and looked to his right.
“Why are you so jumpy?” Susan’s mouth turned up in the corners with a expressive smile. “I am the one supposed to be celebrating recovery. Though I am not really feeling it. His new company moved him back to Jacksonville.” The smile faded and she distracted herself by looking at the menu for the forth time. She had chosen her entree after the first run through the large single legal sized menu. She kept the menu infront of her she realized in oder to hide from Michael’s kind eyes.
The waiter again appeared, and was standing behind Susan’s left shoulder, bending over to place both glasses on her right side. “Are you ready to order?”
Michael looked at Susan and nodded for her to go ahead. “I will have the creamy sundries pesto Chicken.”
“Soup or salad?”
“Salad”
“And for you sir?”
“The Tuscan Steak, medium well. Italian potatoes, and Minestrone soup.”
“Any thing else for you? I can take those.” The waiter pointed at the menus as she placed the serving tray under her arm.
“No.” Susan replied, reluctantly handing of the menu.
“You are not dodging the question that easily, its not Mr. Glenn’s history class.” The smile returning to Susan’s face. “Something is bugging you.”
“Ok, I have realized something about a relationship. And it is making things difficult for me. I have to figure some things out before I can do anything about it.”
“A Love interest perhaps? A young lady caught your fancy?” Michael blushed with uncomfortableness. Way to close to home Susan. “Maybe it a young man?”
“Cut it out.” Michael and Susan both broke into laughter. “ You know that is the very last way I swing.”
“Hit a nerve, did I?” Susan’s face fully relaxing for the first time that night. “Yes, but that is George said too back in the day.”
“God, George,” Michael’s voice broke with laughter. “You see him recently?”
“I will see him next week, he wants to take me out to get a new hairdo and get out there, start seeing people.” Their laughter died awkwardly. Susan recoiled in the booth reflexively.
“Do you need me to talk to him?” Oh, George please don’t ruin it for me. Yes, but you have to make your mind known to her..
“No. I don’t think he is really serious.” Both of them straightened themselves up and looked at the table for a way to move forward.
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