Demons without Desire

Walking funny

I giggled watching Zak bob his head along to the country music playing with the restaurant, as he bit into his Philly steak sub.

"Having fun there?" I asked eating a fry.

He threw me a smile and leant forward on the table "Have you had a good day so far?" He asked.

"I have. Have you?"

"I have indeed and it's not finished yet. These sandwiches are so good." He answered taking a bigger bite.

"Do you come here often?" I asked making him pause and look up at me.  My eyes widened slightly at that sentence.

"I- I didn't mean it like, I meant- well you said about the sandwiches so I presumed you have been here often.. You know I'm gonna shut up." I answered looking back down at my plate and eating another fry.

I heard him laughing softly making me look up "It's okay I understood what you meant. I don't come here as much as what I should. I love being out here in the environment, I mean just mainly for the atmosphere. It's so peaceful, the energy is pure as well. If you know what I mean?" He asked.

I nodded understanding the peaceful side of it, I felt relaxed and revitalised for sure but I had wondered if it was from the place or the person. Zak seemed like a breath of fresh air, always smiling and keeping me entertained in the small things and never really said no, despite his discomfort in being in the wax museum. If he was trying to impress me... He was definitely doing it.

"So why America?" He asked wiping his mouth with the napkin.

"Oh that's an easy one. I've always wanted to come to America, don't get me wrong I love Australia but I've always wanted to come here and experience a different lifestyle."

"But Vegas though?" He asked.

"I did travel around a bit but settled here. I guess Vegas became base for me and I've set up home here."

"Wouldn't have been my choice but each to their own as they say."

I frowned "But you live in Vegas so..."

"I do but, sometimes I wonder why, I'm a foggy weather kinda guy. I love the sea as well. But it's not here on Vegas. The closest we get is Lake Mead but that was man made so that doesn't count. It has to be made of Mother Nature you know? I love the rain as well."

"You picked a poor place to live then." I answered before taking a sip of my drink.

He shrugged "It has it's perks sometimes. I've lived in Michigan, Illinois, DC and Florida."

My phone pinged making me look at my bag and back at Zak. "Go ahead."

I pulled it out and saw an email from my mom. I pushed it back in my bag and turned my attention back to Zak.

"My mom.. So why so many places?" I asked.

"I had a... Varied upbringing."

"Oh.. I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry."

"No it's fine. What about you?" He asked.

"Same house since the day I was born." I answered making him smile.

"Stability then."

I nodded "Are you close with your parents?"

As soon as the words left my lips I saw an uncomfortable look fill his face almost pained "I'm sorry. I keep putting my foot in it.. Pets? You got pets right?" I asked changing the subject quick.

He smiled and nodded moving past the awkward moment "Gracie.. Here let me show you a photo."

He pulled out his phone and pressed a few buttons bringing up a photo of them both.