She bends down to kiss David on the forehead.
"Bye munchkin. Mama loves you. Uncle Henrik and I are going to get lunch. I'll be back later to read you a story. I brought lots of books with me." She stands and wipes a tear from her eye. She needs to get out of here. I wish she had some girlfriends that could take her out. After the accident all her friends drifted away, so we only have each other.
As good looking as Tiffany is, I see her more like a sister than anything else. She tried something once about a year after the accident, but I was in no mood to date and I really didn't want our relationship destroyed. I feared if we would date and then break up I would never see her and David again. So, things are platonic, which works for me.
I grab her arm and help her to the elevator. Once we are there I notice her stare off into the distance. That is never a good sign. I need to joke and snap her out of it.
On our walk down the block in the howling wind I do my best Nicholas Cage impression quoting Raising Arizona and Jeff Bridges as the Dude. She finally cracks a smile when we reach the door to the diner. By the time we are taking off our coats at the table she is laughing hysterically. I admit I have been blessed with the funny. I was kind of the clown in college. Edgar Mimir, my best friend, was known as the Nordic Don Juan, and I was nicknamed the Goof. I was proud of the fact I could make people laugh. During the summer I would take classes at Second City for Improv, a secret passion of mine.
Before I sit I look around for a waiter to get some menus when I spot her. Morgana is sitting in a booth a few tables away, with Evaleen and another blonde.
"One second Tiffany. I see Morgana, my assistant."
Like an unsuspecting redneck on a back-country road being pulled up into the alien ship, I too am drawn to Morgana. Her back is to me when I stop in front of her table.
"Ms. Drake."
I feel Tiffany put her hand on my arm but I gaze around the table and see Evaleen glaring at me. So, I give it right back to her.
"Bechmann."
"Payne," she spits back.
I glance at the blonde who is swatting at Morgana.
"Oh, uh hi Mr. Payne. This is my friend Aria. Aria, this is my boss, Mr. Payne."
I reach out my hand to Aria and she grasps it, shaking wildly. When I try to pull away she won't let go. Finally with a bit of tugging, I manage to withdraw my hand.
"Ladies this is Tiffany. She is..."
Before I can finish Tiffany puts her hand out to Morgana and chimes in, “I’m Henrik’s girlfriend, and you must be Morgana. I have heard some interesting stories about you.”
No, not my girlfriend, Tiffany. You are not my girlfriend. Yes you are a girl and a friend, but not girlfriend. I glance at Tiffany who gives me a wink. Why are you winking Tiffany? What are you doing?
In shock I glance back at Morgana who apparently has something in her eye because she is blinking uncontrollably. After a few moments she stops and gives the oddest grin. She grabs Tiffany's hand a shakes it.
"Girlfriend! Well that is so great! Isn't that great you guys, and isn't she beautiful?" Morgana squeals. It's quite painful to listen to her voice, like glass might shatter any minute as she climbs the octave scale. Morgana hops to her feet and wraps her arms around Tiffany, knocking me back a step as she jumps up and down.
Tiffany appears frightened, and I glance at Evaleen who is trying to cover a laugh. Aria appears pissed and is starting to scoot out of the booth.
"Oh Tiffany, I mean it you are simply divine." Morgana stumbles back knocking into the table as Aria tries to tug her away.
We all watch as a glass tips, spilling what looks like a chocolate milkshake all down Morgana's light blue jeans with the cherry somehow landing in her shoe. I glance up at Morgana who is still grinning. Aria finally gets out of the booth and pulls Morgana away.
That was weird.
Turning back I realize I am left with Evaleen and Tiffany. Evaleen ignores me and focuses her attention on Tiffany.
"So, Tiffany how long have you two known each other?"
"About ten years now, isn't that right Henrik?"
My eyes are focused on the back hall that Morgana and Aria went down as I absentmindedly nod.
"Ten years! Well that is a very long time to be dating someone. And he hasn't put a ring on it?"
"Excuse me." I wave at the table and walk back to the bathrooms. Finding the women’s restroom I knock.
"Ms. Drake, I need to speak with you."
What am I doing? Henrik you know what you will do if you enter that room with her, why do this? You know what the unicorn said. Actually the unicorn didn't talk, I'm not that crazy.
After a few moments Aria opens the door and points back at Morgana.
"She's all yours. Oh, and my father is a lawyer. So, fuck with her and I will lawyer the crap out of all of this." She does some crazy moves with her arms around my body and then walks off. She's an odd person.
I step inside and shut the door behind me.