Sarah hasn't stopped coming to Bonnie's for her lunch. Or at least to hang. But, I have something for her today.
"So you like vegetarian pizza or just no Pizza?" I ask.
"No way, I love Pizza! But I'm no vegetarian" she laughs while eating her Mac n Cheese.
"Not in the bad way but, I love...meat" she whispers and I just laugh.
"Hey I got something for you" she looks excited as I stand up, heading to the back. And that's when it happens.
That very, very, terrible...
"Hahaha" his stupid self laughs as I hear the bell ring.
Our eyes lock and he's in shock. It's almost as if he'd laugh his eyes away.
"Professor Jaymes?"
Damn it! Why'd he say that out loud.
I just shudder and hurry to the back.
My heart is racing as I lean against the brick walls.
Oh no. I feel like Job, what I fear the most has come upon me.
Dwayne. Dwayne Nickles, my colleague at Harvard came to Bonnie's place? He never comes to Bonnie's place!
I hate that man. Always trying to ruin everything in my life. I have a sour history with him.
I recover myself from the shock and haste to meet Sarah so she doesn't feel I have abandoned her.
On coming out, I see Nickles in my seat. Laughing with Sarah.
Hate burns my soul and God help me that bastard said anything, I'd bring hell on him right now.
"Oh, good evening Mr.Jaymes" Nickles greets.
I smile. Obviously fake.
Get out of my seat.
"How are you?" I say instead.
"Oh, you know, just always..." I smiles annoyingly. "... working"
Yea, working your legs out of this restaurant more like.
"So, you didn't tell me you got fired Professor. Or I'd that possible. You need extra money or..."
I jam my teeth together and force calmness on myself.
It never ceases to surprise me how Dwayne Nickles has the ability to make me mad. I hate, getting mad.
I raise my head and it seems I've frightened Sarah because she shifts uncomfortably in her seat. And I'm about to say something to her but she grabs her bag and leaves.
The bell goes again and Nickles laughs in his seat.
"Dead beat" he says. "What were you trying to achieve. Or have you finally divorced your profession"
I are at him for a split second. And then I realise he's worthless so I go after Sarah.
"Hey..." She looks a bit frightened.
"Hey..." She replies clenching her bad handle.
"Can we talk." She looks up and around and that's when I realise it's starting to get dark.
"I know I kept you for long. Sorry about that".
This is uncomfortable.
"Okay, sure. But are you gonna lie to me again?"
"No,no" I try to reassure her but she seems to be getting mad.
"Two weeks, two weeks Justin, when we're you going to tell me?" Yeah. She's mad.
"I wa-" I begin but she cuts in.
"-or if that's really your real name"
That stung. It really did. That's the one thing I won't lie about.
"Sarah..." Her eyes widen in shock, I won't blame her because I myself am surprised of the tone I used...so little girl-like. Like a squeak.
I clear my throat. "please?"
She takes a few seconds. "Fine"
So many explanations going through my head and I want to pour out everything. I want to lie, I do t want to lie cause it's stressful, I want to...I don't know.
So instead...
"I really like you Sarah. You make me stay there"
And I guess that's all I needed to say cause she has a little smirk on her face, although it's hard to notice under the shadow of her falling hair.
"So..." I say, grabbing her hand lightly to myself.
"Just tell me the truth Justin". She's calm now.
"My name is Justin King Jaymes. I am a professor of Philosophy and I teach part at Harvard University. Other times I don't teach, I like to hang out and bug my friend Bonnie who I call Dave, the name of s stripper guy we both know" she laughs and turns away.
I kiss her hand and she lets her hair fall more to cover her face. She's beautiful, the side view of her face is amazing.
"Am I forgiven?" I ask knowing that I have poured all the truth I need to.
"Is that all?" She asks raising a brow like I'm some naughty kid.
"Yes" I'm still holding her hand.
She entwines her hand with mine.
"Then yes, you are forgiven"
"Let's get you home" I walk her towards my car.
She almost freezes and then she turns to me.
I shrug. "it's old"
Then it hit me. I wanted to give Sarah something. But maybe later.
