TIFFIN 3

28

Lulu's was nice and intimate.

With Easter coming around the corner, the waitresses were adorned in pink and blue and ribbons were sprinkled over several booths. 

The employees were all chaotic, skating past tables and screaming orders to each other.

Oddly, I was grateful I no longer worked in customer service.

Kylie was excited as she eyed the cluttered menu. 

"Oh god, I love their egg rolls. Especially with the hot sauce."

I stared down silently, eyeing my many choices. The thought of eating a single carrot passed through my mind, but suddenly my stomach changed my mind quickly.

Burgers and fries. That was what I wanted. 

"So... you know it's definitely a man. Tell me about what you found." 

I sipped on my water as Kylie lowered her head guiltily.

"It's all theoretical of course, but it wasn't hard to find out about him. Diedre doesn't do much to hide her secrets. This man has been by her side forever."

I perked up at this. 

"What do you mean forever?" 

She sighed. 

"He's a sicko. He's been with her since she was twelve and it wasn't because she was a daughter to him."

I gasped, feeling a familiar panic in my chest.

Was it possible that she had suffered the same sexual abuse her grandson had? 

Well, like they said; the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Before I could inquire her further, the waitress took our orders. My internal battle with the salads made me stressed, but eventually my hunger for a burger won in the end. 

Kylie had decided on the Chinese plate. Interesting. 

She took a sip from her lemonade, stirring her straw absent-mindedly. 

"I don't think your kidnapping theory is far fetched," she said, "this man... is aggressive. He has many charges against him he had to go to court for: child endangerment, public indecency, and terrorism, though none of these things included Diedre." 

I stared down at the table, feeling my legs go weak. None of this made any sense.

Why would that woman continue to surround herself with a man like that?

"How did he get away with it?" I breathed. 

Kylie's eyes went glassy.

"With Diedre? I don't know. I suppose he's grown smart over the years. Listen... he's a fan of humiliation. Like... he gets off on it, I can tell. If you piss him off..." 

She trailed off, not wanting to finish, but I wasn't about to let her do that.

"If I piss him off? What? Finish." 

Kylie gulped before answering. 

"He may force himself on you. In public." 

I felt the air leaving my lungs. I didn't understand. In what world did this happen to me? Why would it? 

I wasn't interesting or alluring. Why would this guy want to-?

"Obviously he has a thing for.... um... minors," I said through a thick throat. "Which is utterly disgusting but... I'm a legal adult. What would he want with me?" 

Kylie bit down on her lip, a tear streaming down her cheek. 

"It doesn't matter to a man like him. It's a power play. We'll need to take this to the cops." 

I nodded, though I knew it would be a useless attempt.

I had no proof.