The Mandela Affection (A Cryptid Chronicle Companion Novel)

Chapter 2

I had to talk to her. I had no choice. Jessica was the Death Star, and I was the Millennium Falcon locked in her tractor beam. Maybe, I'd get some closure, and I could finally move on with my life. And what would be the big deal? We were two old friends who happened to bump into one another. It wouldn't be weird to want to catch up. We'd been super close for a time, as close as two people can be, both figuratively and literally, so Jim could screw off.

I waited for what I thought would be an appropriate amount of time for a woman to use the bathroom, wiped my mouth on a napkin, and stood up. My stool scraped loudly against the hardwood floor like nails on a chalkboard. All the heads in the room turned in my direction. I shrugged and gave Donny a nervous wink before leaving the bar.

My timing paid off; just before I reached the men's room, the door to the woman's opened, and Jessica slid out into the narrow hallway. My memory hadn't done her justice. She was prettier than I remembered. If anything, age and maturity had added to her beauty. Her face was absolute perfection with her dark brown eyes, perfect nose, and dimples in her cheeks.

Jessica stopped in her tracks, and the corners of her mouth turned up into a smile. "Brian?"

"Hi, Jessica."

We both stood there frozen. I was unsure of the proper etiquette for former lovers who hadn't talked in ten years. Should we hug, shake hands, or should I keep my distance and give her a tiny wave? Jessica decided for me as she opened her arms wide and pulled me into an embrace. "I can't believe you're here, Brian."

"Me either. I'm so glad I bumped into you."

"Are you in town visiting your parents?"

"Yes."

"How are they? I miss talking to your mom."

"Great. They're selling the house and moving to Florida."

She nodded her head. "Good for them."

"Yes," I felt stupid for my monosyllable answer, but I was spellbound by her beauty. Seriously, what had I been thinking of when I broke up with her?

Putting a hand on the back of my arm, she said, "And I see online that your plans worked out. You're saving the world for us with hi-tech batteries."

"Kind of." Her fingertips felt like lit matches against my skin.

She squeezed the back of my arm. "You don't have to be so humble. Tell me about it."

I blushed, feeling embarrassed that I liked the feel of her hand on my arm. "I'm the chief technical officer at a company that is producing the next generation of battery technology for advanced vehicle mobility."

Technically that was no longer true. I'd quit my prestigious but high-pressure position after another disagreement with my boss over the direction of the company, but there was no need to bore Jessica with that.

"That is so awesome, Brian. I'm happy for you." She dropped her hand back to her side. The big grin was still on her face, showing off her pearly white teeth.

"What about you, Jessica? How are you?" I asked, even though I'd studied her social media religiously.

She sucked in a breath. "Regular school didn't work out for me. But, Cosmetology School did, so I'm a hairdresser at a salon in town, The Hair Affair. I'm also married and have a little boy."

"I heard. Jim McGrath. How did that happen?"

"James called me after we broke up and asked me out for a date, and I guess the rest is history."

I muttered, "I bet."

"What?"

"Nothing." I cleared my throat. "I didn't see you dating a jock. Wasn't he an all-league superstar? A defensive guard or something?"

"Defensive tackle."

I laughed. The tone was too high pitch for my liking. It made me sound like a girl. "You know about football now? Or was it pounded into your head with Jim always talking about the ol' glory days?"

"Stop. It's not like that."

Damn. I had pushed it too far. Of course, Jessica would defend her husband. What had I been thinking? Trying to bring our conversation back to a safe and happy place, I asked, "And you said that you have a son?"

"Yes." The frown disappeared. "Little Billy turns two next month."

"Billy, is that after your dad?" I asked.

She nodded. "You probably didn't hear."

"Oh, no— what happened?"

"Heart attack. At least he went quickly."

"I'm so sorry to hear that. Your dad was a great man. I always liked him."

"Thank you."

"And I'm sure he'd be happy to know that you named your son after him."

"Yes, I bet he would." She cast a glance at the rear dining room. She took a half-step in that direction.

Not wanting the conversation to end, I asked, "Are you going to have more?"

She paused, then brought one hand to her flat belly and a finger to her lips. "Yes, I just found out. But please don't say anything. I haven't told anyone yet."

"You have my word."

"I could always trust you, Brian."

"Wait, does Jim know?"

She snorted. "Of course, he's my husband. He was the first to know."

"Of course," I repeated like a parrot.

Before I could think of another dumb question to ask, a child screamed from the back room. Her body went rigid, and she took another step in that direction. "I should get back. I've been gone a while."

"Well, it was good seeing you."

She wavered. "Do you want to come back to see them? James would love to see you."

Why? So he could give me a wedgie? I shook my head. "Maybe next time. I've already taken too much of your time. Have a nice dinner with your family."

"There is no such thing as a nice dinner with a two-year-old. Bye, Brian."

"Bye, Jessica." I watched asshe hurried away.