Redemption

~42~

Tuesday

The Appointment

The apartment space was quite large. Positioned on a busy corner overlooking a delicatessen.

All sorts of salami noose'd, hanging in the store front, tiny flags, stating country of origin, swinging from each... 'Charcuterie' proclaimed beautifully in large swirling sign-writing in yellow, white and black, arching and stretching across the front window. Rounds of cheese, some coated in thick red protective wax were stacked three or four high and others stood like car tyres on their sides.

An ex-marine ran the hot dog cart and John had bought the odd dog or two in his previous escapades in the neighbourhood. Best topped with mustard and a good helping of tomatoe sauce, he didn't feel like one today... The amicable guy was a nice enough fella always vocal, always stirring John about his peace rally's and so forth every single time.

And across the way a well-stocked paper-stand stood, teetering on the kerb, cluttering the sidewalk. The bloke with a handlebar moustache harking back to the forties, forever leaning out over his cluttered counter, yelling at the assorted passers-by or the trickle of traffic as it rounded the corner. Spotting mates or perhaps customers, waving a magazine in one hand at pedestrians like a flag and always, always, with a form guide for the dogs, rolled tight in the other.

"Drink?"

"Nah. What do you want?"

"I want to start again, reset us John. Try again. It was nice wasn't it?"

"For a time"

John turned back to the window watching a few kid grabbing hot dogs and sodas, it was everyday stuff but riveting to him. To be free to be able to roam with your mates, grab dogs and scatter to the park, kick a ball, ride a bike full pelt down a steep hill, tell stories, shoot the breeze.

"Would you have come if I'd called and invited you over?"

"Doubt it"

The words washed away like a stream in the wilderness. Unphased, unbothered.

Picking up the glass of liquid, a sip was taken and a hand slipped through short, newly styled blonde hair. "The weddings soon..."

John turned around like the entire place was on fire, how the hell did she know. Hush Fucking Hush and the one person he didn't want to know sat looking at him like she had won the lottery. She grinned happily away with the knowledge.

"I'd like to wear red" was relayed without a hint of question in the statement.

"You are not fucking going"

"Oh John, why do you even bother. It will happen, you don't want this little secret getting out"

"You're not a secret"

"I'm not a statement either, now am I" Standing, she swayed her hips as she crossed the room toward him. How many times before had he opened his arms as she moved into him ... more than I should have he decided cruelly. He scowled as her finger sought his skin and ran a hard nail down his jaw.

"Don't touch me- What do you want?"

"I want you silly. I want a family, with you"

"Well that's definitely not on"

"Why? ...Because you have that old woman now?"

"What old woma- Fuck, she's my age"

"Ahuh- old"

"And that makes me?...."

"Old and loaded" She shrugged and rubbed her tummy. "I do love it when you're grumpy. Will you spank me today I wonder?"