has a wonderful husband who loves her without question. He would do anything for her. They are so happy. That’s what I want. When I get married, I want a man who has eyes only for me.”
“They seem like a nice couple,” Andrew said. “Maybe you will give me a chance,” he said eyeing Beth and smiling.
Beth smiled back at Andrew and from the corner of her eye she noticed Cornflower walking in the direction of the bathroom with the baby.
“Excuse me,” Beth said as she stood to ease out of the booth. “I’m going to help Cornflower with Kelly.”
Richard and Andrew began to talk about sports. Lil became bored and scanned the restaurant noticing a slim, busty, smiling waitress at Cornflower’s table. Tommy and the waitress were talking as if they knew each other. The waitress laughed and tossed her shoulder length brown hair. Her attention went back to the sports conversation. Bored, she looked toward the bathroom for Beth and then back over at Tommy.
What was she seeing? The waitress’ hand was sliding out of Tommy’s shirt pocket and Tommy placing his hand over the pocket her hand had just left as if to hold it for safe keeping. What had she missed? The waitress put her pad and pen in her apron and headed toward the kitchen.
What had she just seen?
CHAPTER 8
Lil’s gaze followed the busty waitress as she sauntered across the floor. Beth and Cornflower emerged from the bathroom with Kelly in tow. She watched in alarm as Cornflower approached the busty waitress.
“What’s wrong?” Richard asked Lil. “Your eyes are bulging as if you’ve seen your worst enemy.”
Cornflower stopped in front of the woman, smiled, said some words and then the two embraced. Lil let out her breath.
“You alright?” Richard asked.
“Yes, I thought I saw something, but I was mistaken,” Lil answered.
“Saw what?” he asked.
“Nothing. We can talk about it later,” Lil said in a relieved voice. To herself, she thought, hopefully he will forget about it.
Cornflower returned to her table with the baby and Beth returned to her group.
“Beth, does Cornflower know that waitress?” Lil asked.
“She and Cornflower are good friends. They have been friends since elementary school,” Beth answered.
“So Beth, I find your viewpoint of relationships interesting. Have you met a man with those qualities yet?” Andrew asked.
“Not yet, but I’m still young. I have time.”
“What about you Lil? Have you met a man like this?”
Lil’s eyes blazed at Andrew. “Now you’re trying to get me in trouble with Richard. Of course I have met a man like that. Richard is my perfect man,” Lil said batting her eyes flirtatiously at Richard. “I can see you’re a troublemaker Andrew,” Lil said sarcastically.
“No I’m not Lil. I was just kidding. I agree with Beth. There is nothing I want more than to find a woman who has eyes for only me. Her, I would hold on a pedestal and kiss her feet. My eyes would belong to her,” Andrew said dreamily.
“Aw, that’s so nice,” Beth said.
“Hockey shit,” Lil spat out. “You’re full of shit. I don’t think I have a pair of boots tall enough to walk in that.”
“Lil, stop being such a pessimist. I think it’s a nice thought,” Beth reiterated.
“Sadly, I agree with Beth,” Richard said. “It would be a basis for an everlasting relationship.”
“Andrew, would you consider coming to dinner tomorrow? It would give us the opportunity to spend more time together,” Beth asked.
“Are you sure your mother won’t mind an extra mouth to feed?” Andrew asked.
“No, she always cooks way too much. The more the merrier, she always says.”
“Okay, count me in,” he
Jack Ketchum, Tim Waggoner, Harlan Ellison, Jeyn Roberts, Post Mortem Press, Gary Braunbeck, Michael Arnzen, Lawrence Connolly