Past Love

Chapter 27: Paranoid

Monday December 12th, 2005

11:15am

Damon

"Alright, that breakfast platter for the family will be $12.50¢ sir, and your food will be ready in about 5 to 7 minutes." I let the man and his family know. "Also if the kids want any snacks or drinks they are right there." I said, pointing to the vending machine. "It's .50¢" I said.

"Alright thank you sir. Also here's a tip." The guy said, pulling a crisp $10 bill out of his pocket. "That's for the timely service and everything else." He said.

"Thank you, the food should be ready in a bit, i'll go ahead and take your order." I told him as I took the order to Vontè so he could start helping the cook with the order.

I had been on my feet all day, and I felt like I needed a break. It wasn't that busy so I sat down for a second, and as I was sitting down, held the corner of my eye I saw somebody looking at me. The guy did not look familiar to me at all, but I got up and went over to him.

"Hey, can I help you? Do you need me to take your order or something?"

"Oh Um yeah." He said. "Could I get french toast with some eggs on the side?" He asked.

"Yeah, that'll be $6.45¢ plus tax. Would you also like a drink as well?"

"Yeah, just plain bottled water if you have any. Will there be any charge on that?"

"No, we don't charge for water." I told him. "Your order should be ready in about 5 minutes or so." I said.

As I walked away from the table my phone started ringing, I saw it was Jahmelle.

"Hey, What's up?"

"Nothing, just calling to check on you, Oh and i wanted to tell you that your brother asked about you again. But how is your day going?"

"It's good so far. And if you run into him again let him know that i'll come and visit him later on. Oh also I'll be home early today."

"Sounds good, but you might have to stay with Vontè tonight, because me and Tyrone are gonna have some alone time, if you know what I mean."

"Ugh i don't wanna hear all that dude." I laughed, because I know how overdramatic Jahmelle can be at times. "But that's cool, I'll see if he'll let me crash over his place." I laughed. "Well I got to get back to work, I appreciate you checking in on me, I'll talk to you later on."

"Hey sir, excuse me." I saw the guy with his family waving to me. "Me and my family would just like to say that the food and service was great, let the owner know that I'll be leaving an extra tip in the tip jar, and also here's another $10 for you."

"Thank you sir."

"You're welcome, have a good day." He said as he and his family walked out.

About Five minutes later the other guy's food was ready. I took the French Toast and Eggs to him.

"Here you go sir, French Toast and Eggs, ready, Eggs Fluffy and extra syrup on the French Toast." I said

"Preciate it.....Hey could I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I'm new in town, traveling on business. Do you know any good hotels I can stay at?"

"Well it's one here over on Skeen Street called Volusia's Palace, then it's another one in Granite City called Relax Inn over on Benton Street." I told him. "So how long are you going to be in the city?"

"Well not long....I just have some loose ends around here to tie up, just have to make things right." He said. "Anyway i have to eat and then get going, i should have gotten these to go."

"Well I could get a few...."

"No, don't worry about it.....I'm sorry, I didn't get your name."

"Well that's because I didn't give it." I said chuckling. "What about yours?"

"Alex......Alex Jackson." He said.

I don't know why but that name sounded familiar to me, but i couldn't really put my finger on it, then after a minute or so it clicked. This was Lee's brother. I've heard things about him but now he's here in Madison, this is no coincidence, he's looking for me.

"Well it's nice meeting you Alex."

"Well I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again." He said smiling.

I turned around and walked away from him after shaking his hand. I must have had a look on my face because as I was going back into the kitchen area I saw Vontè out of the corner of my eye start to follow me. As soon as I got into the kitchen I sat down, the room felt like it was spinning.

"Hey what's wrong?"

"That guy that I was talking to in the dining area that's Alex Jackson, Lee's brother." I said, whispering in Vontè's ear. "Look, I think he knows it's me, I don't want to get you or your pops hurt as collateral damage, I'm going to leave town for a bit. You let Dante know what's going on okay?"

"Alright, well wait a minute, don't you think you're overreacting a bit?"

"Honestly I don't know, but I don't want to take any chances." I told him. "Look, I'm just gonna head home."

"Do you think that's wise, in the headspace that you're in? Look, go back to my place alright?" He pulled his key out of his pocket. "Here's my key, make yourself at home, i should be back later on this evening, take your mind off of things." He told me.

"Alright thanks man, I owe you."

"You don't owe me a damn thing." He said smiling.

I gave him a hug and left and headed towards Vontè's place over on Granite Avenue, it took me a few minutes to get there. When I did I put my Moped in the backyard. I went into the house and laid on the couch, and tried to wrap my head around everything, what in the world could happen next?

End Of Chapter 27