The Darkness Inside

Six

"No, I don't think that's a good idea," Bryn tried to smile.  She felt her cheeks turn pink, having been put on the spot.  Anxiety roared through the contentment she was finally feeling, destroying it once again.

The sun was heavy on the horizon, making the river sparkle under the violet and coral sky.  The deck of Roasted Fig was busy but luckily Tom had snagged a reservation without any problems.  She had waited for him and Izzy, the sun kissing her bare shoulders in her breezy summer dress.  Twenty minutes had gone by as she sat by herself nursing a glass of wine and she began to worry.  Tom was generally punctual.

And then she saw him.  She had watched as his dark blue-green eyes darted over each table on the deck, looking for his wife, and she felt at ease.  His eyes had fallen over hers and they both smiled.

Izzy had popped up behind him as he made his way over.  She shared a smile and had taken a seat next to Bryn, reaching immediately for a roll in the basket on the center of the table.

"Tom said we should get a dog," she had grinned as she had taken a bite.

Tom groaned, seating himself across from his wife.  He had realized a little too late that he should have asked Izzy not to mention anything; that he would work it into a conversation casually when it was just the two of them.  He had already known Bryn was against the idea.

Now Bryn felt on guard, her heart rate climbing.  She glared at Tom, then rolled her eyes.  After turning the idea down, Izzy chimed in again. 

"There's something strange about your house.  A dog would just make it feel safer, that's all."

Bryn whipped her head toward her niece, gritting her teeth.  "A dog doesn't guarantee safety.  It's just another mouth to feed."

"Bryn..." Tom hissed, surprised by his wife's words.

Izzy chewed her bread slowly, her shoulders sinking. 

"That's... that's not what I meant, I'm sorry."  Bryn looked from Tom to Izzy.  "I didn't mean it like that, sweetheart."

Izzy shrugged.  "It's fine."

The air suddenly felt thick with tension, and surely the waiter could sense it as he stopped by to take drink orders for Izzy and Tom.

"Good evening," he smiled, making eye contact with each of them, lingering only on Izzy before glancing away to continue.  "My name is James and I'll be taking care of you tonight.  I see you've got a glass of wine," he smiled to Bryn.  "Can I get you started with some drinks?" He asked Izzy and Tom.

He was handsome, and young.  His smile was framed by dimples, making him look younger than he really was.  Most likely a college student earning money during summer break. 

Once he left the table, Izzy stood.

"Do you know where the bathroom is here?" She looked at Tom to ask, rather than Bryn.

"Erm, I think it's in the back past the bar," he answered, unrolling his napkin, the fork and knife clattering lightly onto the table.

Izzy made her way back to the interior of the restaurant, and Tom sat up straight, waiting for Bryn to explain herself.

Bryn's eyes widened and she leaned forward, elbows on the table.  "I feel like a total bitch, Tom.  I swear that wasn't what I meant, it wasn't a jab at Izzy."

"Lousy choice of words," he raised a brow.

Bryn shook her head, bowing it in shame.  "I know, I know!" She raised her head, meeting her husband's concerned gaze.  "You caught me off guard.  We've talked about this, Tom."