SCOUT
“He’s watchingus just like we’re watching him,” Desi said, looking behind me. He raised his wine glass and nodded to someone, presumably Yorick.
“So, we are going to have a nice meal, pretend everything is perfect, and you will relax. Understand?” he said.
I nodded and raised the menu to cover my face. None of the words made much sense to me.
“Do you want me to order for you again?” He chuckled brightly.
“Yes, please. Uh, nothing…” I frowned and tilted the menu down. I wasn’t even sure what I didn’t want.
“It’s fine, I’ll pick something traditional, something simple. How about steak au poivre, it’s got a red wine sauce.”
“I like steak.”
“All right, we’ll try that. And if you don’t like it, then you’ll have more room for dessert.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to stuff ourselves, considering…”
“Stop it. Or I’ll take you back to Ohio tonight.”
The waitress returned to refill our glasses and take our entree orders. Desi ordered for us, and the conversation resumed to more pleasant things.
“There’s a movie I saw posters for the other day. I want to take you to it. It’s got Bruce Lee’s son in it. It looked pretty good.”
I nodded but for the most part of the evening, I was distracted. I felt as if eyes were on my head the entire meal. Desi tried to keep the conversation flowing. He poured me more and more wine, insisted I eat despite my nerves, and talked about things he wanted to do with me this summer.
At some point, I blinked and came out of my fog. “You have a lot planned for the summer. Why are you trying to get all of this stuff done in a few months? Didn’t you say something about eternity just back at the hotel?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. Chuckling nervously, he looked at his drink, stirring it slightly. “Yeah, of course. You’re right. I just...” He reached for my hand over the table. “I’ve never had someone I wanted to live for. Do things with. I don’t want to miss out on a single thing.”
I squeezed his hand. “I don’t either. But after this little vacation, I’ve got to go back to the diner, and you will have… this.”
“Right. About that…” He grinned. “Are you sure you want to go back to the diner? I mean, really?”
“Yes.”
“How about this.” Desi sighed and removed his hand from mine. “I won’t ask again until your birthday. By then, maybe I’ll have convinced you to leave that place and—”
“And what?” I laughed. “Be your kept woman?” I reached for my wine and took a long gulp.
“I was thinking wife, but—” I choked and spat out my wine, cutting Desi off.
The wine went all over the table as I tried to cough and get the liquid out of my nose. He stood and stared at his suit, which was now splattered in red wine.
“I’m sorry!” I gasped but he wasn’t looking at me. He swore and reached into his pocket, pulling out his wallet and a fistful of bills. He tossed them on the table and stormed off.
“Fuck. He’s leaving.”
People were watching us curiously, but I quickly followed him out. He was running to his car, and I stumbled after him in my heels. We jumped into his car and Desi quickly turned it on and pulled out of the parking lot.
“Shit, shit shit!” he screamed and slammed his hand on the steering wheel. “He saw the opening and fucking took it. Fuck!” Desi sped through the unfamiliar city, eyeing every car, every building, every man on the street.
“What’s he look like?” I asked, looking at the sidewalks as well.
“Old, glasses, mustache. I’ll find the fucker,” he growled. We drove in silence until finally, Desi stopped abruptly at a rundown hotel. “Bingo.”
“What makes you think he’s here?”
