“How’s your tit today?” He asks and puts a hunk of sausage in his mouth.
I forget to swallow and take a breath out of shock at his remark as the coffee enters my lungs. The rest spills onto my plate as I cough and spit half of it back into my cup as I hold it in my shaky hand. I wipe my face and cough as more liquid from my lips drips down my chin while attempting to place the cup back on the table. As I inhale more air, more fluid is drawn into my lungs, which causes me to cough violently in an attempt to expel the liquid back out.
I’m really choking now.
With each breath I take I can feel the liquid dribbling deeper and I turn to the side, covering my mouth with one hand as I put the cup on the table with a shaking hand, spilling even more of the hot liquid all over the plate.
Alexander gets up, but I put my dripping hand out, stopping him.
I cough some more and finally, the coffee comes up. I grab my napkin and cover my mouth as I try to whip away the spittle without him seeing.
“Jesus, sorry I asked. Are you all right?” Alex is scowling at me like i’m a petulant child.
As I hold the napkin over my mouth, trying to cough like a lady, I nod my head. Most of my food is floating in coffee as I look down at my plate. I sniff a few times and then look at him. The heat is rising from my chest to my forehead. I’m probably purple fromcoughing as well.
“Sorry about that.” I pile my cutlery on top of my plate, covering the mess I made with my napkin, and stand trying my best to recoup from the humiliation of spiting coffee all over the place.
“Do you think I could just take this back to the kitchen? I’ll just grab a coffee and I can meet you out front.”
Alex is glaring at me and jabs his fork in the air, pointing at the door in the back of the room.
“Through those doors. The cook’s name is Rose. Don’t be long. I have a lot of shit to do today, so hurry and get your ass in the car.”
He stands up and throws his napkin on the table. I turn and take about five steps before I remember I was to tell him about Carlos.
“Oh… Carlos said to tell you he’s in the office.”
My face is on fire as he looks me up and down with disgust. He nods and walks out of the dining room leaving feeling like a total idoit. My shoulders relax somewhat now that he is gone and I head to the back of the room. I open the door and head to the kitchen. There are three people bustling around and the older woman from last night is there. This must be Rose.
“Excuse me,” I say but the noise of the room drowned me out.
Raising my voice a little louder, “Excuse me?”
All eyes turn to me and the room stops. The only noise is the sizzle of pans and the tap running water in the sink.
“Ummm… hi!” I give a small wave. “I just thought I’d bring my dishes back. Is it possible to get coffee for my to-go mug?”
Rose immediately moves towards me, waving a hand at the people behind her who pick up where they left off.
She takes the dishes from my hands. Noticing the eggs and potatoes floating in coffee, she passes them off to a younger-looking girl with brown hair.
I turn red again and say, “Sorry about that. I had a minoraccident, but it looked delicious. The hash browns were awesome.” I give her two thumbs up with a smile.
Her face turns pink, and she breaks out into a grin.
“My name is Rose. I’m the head cook here. Anything you need, anything you prefer to eat or have me prepare, don’t be shy to ask.”
She puts her arm through mine and guides me to the large kitchen island with four bar stools. She pulls one out, indicating for me to sit.
“Come on, I’ll pack you a lunch bag you can eat at work. Where’s your cup?” She smiles at me, holding out her hand.
“Shoot, I’ll be right back!” I scoot off the chair and quickly run through the dining room, opening the door to the main foyer. I trot down the hall, but the male voices from the office echo, stopping me in my tracks. They are speaking in aggressive Italian.
Alexander’s voice is angry,“If you think for one minute I’m falling for this girl, think again Carlos. This is a business arrangement, nothing more. And her fathers made damn sure it follows through, so don’t lecture me on women. Once the wedding is over, I’ll make sure she’s taken care of. But don’t let the innocent eyes fool you. There is more going on here.”
Carlos is just as angry as Alexander.“I’m only saying don’t let that folder influence your perspective.”The office door slams shut and my heart begins to pound.
He’s read my file and knows about my stay at the Psychiatric Hospital. I knew it; I prepared for it, the day he confronted me with the ugly truth my father tried to hide.
