part 1

Sitting in a secluded booth in the dimly lit restaurant, Erika and Evan were oblivious to the restaurant’s other patrons.

 

The candles on the tables were no match to the glow that emanated from Erika whenever she was in Evan’s presence.  When she was with him, she only thought of love songs and sonnets: Elizabeth Barrett Browning - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach. Prince - until the end of time I’ll be there for you you own my heart an mind, I truly adore you. Uber-sappy she was, but he made her extremely happy.

 

They sat body to body and perused the menu. They had a habit of ordering different items then sharing. They were set to do the same.

 

As the waitress approached, Erika felt Evan’s body stiffen, and she looked up to see his ex-wife, Daffi, coming towards them. She remembered him saying something about her taking a night job, which shortened her availability with their kids, but Erika didn’t believe a word out of that bitch’s mouth, so to see her there was a little shocking. Erika placed a calming hand on Evan’s inner thigh. Tranquility wasn’t the exact reaction Evan’s body produced from her touch, but it did elicit a smile. As Daffi drew closer, Erika leaned over, as to whisper something in his ear, but instead she nibbled on his earlobe, and then whispered, ‘Get ready...I’ll handle this.’
Oh, I’m ready...but not for what you’re thinking, he thought, as he tried hard not to focus on the effect she was having on his body.

 

Daffi stood at the table, silent, tapping her foot impatiently. In the shadowy restaurant, she couldn’t tell who they were until she was at their table, which pissed her off. Several moments passed, and noone spoke.  Daffi stood, arms crossed, toe tapping, glaring at Erika. Unbelievably, they had never come face to face until this point.

 

After what seemed like an eternity, Erika broke the silence. ‘Aren’t you going to say anything?’ she asked Daffi.
Venomously, Daffi replied, ‘What would you LIKE me to say?!!’
‘Let’s see...for starters, how about ‘Welcome to Chateau Roget.’ I mean, you do work here, right? Because if there’s another reason you rolled up on our table and are standing here staring at me, let’s get to that...’

 

Immediately, she felt Evan relax against the back of his seat and exhale.

 

Daffi, briefly dazed, looked from Erika to Evan and back to Erika, and said to Evan, ‘Where are OUR kids?’

 

Erika, reassuringly rubbed his thigh, and answered for him, ‘Interesting how you should be concerned about them now, at this moment. Rest assured, they are fine. At home. Fed and safe.’

 

‘Now with all hearts and minds clear, we’ll be leaving cause I’ll be damned if you have an opportunity to spit in my food!’
As she rose from the table, she came up close to Daffi and whispered calmly, ‘So very nice to finally meet you. Don’t get this 2 piece with your name on it.’

 

Holding hands, Evan and Erika strolled out of the restaurant.  They picked up some Popeye’s chicken, went home and Evan gave Erika the effects of what she started in the restaurant. Three times.