Mindtease

Chapter 26

Josh sat quietly with Kirk in a corner booth, on the black leather seats, the thick dark oak table adding to the ambience of the tenebrous corner.

"Here you are boys," a waitress in a classic almost comical fifties style diner outfit said, putting the large soup bowls on the table, the two spoons on the plate underneath emphasizing the soup as the main course.

"Steak soup," she said with a forced pleasant smile. "Oh...and did you want steak sauce?"

"We have a bottle of..." Kirk began to say, turning to the bottles on a small lazy Susan and finding a dark brown bottle with white cap.

"Oh," the waitress said, grabbing the bottle before Kirk examined it, "sorry this one is empty. Here..."

Reaching into the folds of her uniform, the waitress brought out another bottle, and Kirk noticed the plastic on the cap was intact--the bottle was brand new. The labeling was crisp, the bottle not stained with fingerprints, drips of sauce.

The waitress saw the awkwardness of neither young man grabbing the bottle, and put it on the table with a slight rattle.

"Enjoy your meal boys."

"Thanks..." Josh said, and looking for a name badge, but not seeing one.

"You're welcome guys," the waitress said, and she sauntered off, almost abruptly.

"Well steak soup," Kirk said. "A new one on me..."

"Yeah, butter fried steak with garlic, finely minced afterward, mixed in a mashed potato and gravy with chives..."

Kirk took a deep appreciative smell of his soup..."Delicious..."

Josh put his hand on Kirk's as he reached the bottle of steak sauce.

"What!?"

"Don't be so hasty Kirk," Josh said, his voice tense, his manner dead serious. Kirk immediately saw the look in Josh's eyes, and the earnestness in his face.

"Something is wrong Kirk," Josh explained..."that waitress was...well she was acting, keeping her emotions suppressed...like she knows something but does not want to think about it. It's like being nice to someone all the while knowing their cat or dog is dead but not telling them...do you get my meaning?"

"Yes Josh." Kirk said, sitting back, waiting.

"Here," Josh said, reaching out his hand to touch the bottle. Touching it gingerly, Josh stared at it, and then took his hand off of it. Taking his linen napkin, Josh wiped the bottle, and then took it, not touching it again.

Kirk watched as Josh intercepted another waitress, and put the bottle on her tray with a fluid grace. Disappearing into the darkness of other booths and tables, Josh returned, another bottle in his hand.

"This one is much better..." Josh said. "The other bottle was...spoiled."

Kirk stared at Josh for a few moments, and as Josh began to eat, relishing his meal, Kirk ate. The soup was like a stew, only more watery, but with a taste of steak, potatoes, with a hint of the garlics and chives. Seeing Josh pour some steak sauce into his bowl and stir it, Kirk followed. The soup tasted better with a slight tart pungent taste.

"Josh..."

"I'll tell you on the way back..." Josh said between mouthfuls of soup. "Eat and enjoy."

Kirk shrugged, and very obviously said, "Oh-okay."

Josh shook his head, and continued to eat quietly, Kirk remaining mute as well...curious but also wondering.

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