Chapter 16

The satisfaction provided by the chipped beef and toast did not last and neither of us bought anything from the theater except the price of admission. So when we got back to her restaurant she prepared dinner. We were alone; it was just us– at least in the restaurant, for I knew her ladies of the evening were in the other half of the building– and nothing else seemed very important.

I could hear the woman clambering around in the kitchen as she prepared something for us. From the sound things it was something more than a simple night time snack.

I sat at the table with my thoughts as company, trying to formulate my next move. Right now I didn't have one and that would have to be OK for now.

Nellie returned with some vintage 2006 wine with a fancy name I couldn't pronounce. As a restaurateur that was her expertise not mine. She poured us a little, enough to sip and enjoy but not enough to plaster us and we didn't say much, choosing instead to quietly enjoy whatever was happening between us.

The moment was soon ruined. Poor Nellie went to the kitchen and returned with our late night entrée. It was spaghetti…. with meat sauce. She sat the plate down and I froze as a slew of blood soaked, traumatic recollections danced in my head.

Now I was no longer in the restaurant. I was in the living room of my house holding my dead girlfriend in my arms as her gray matter….. I bolted out of my chair trying not to heave. “I'm sorry Nellie I've got to go!”

“Tom, what's going on? TOM!” she called out behind me.

Nothing will kill romance and good food faster than PTSD and apparently I had plenty to go around.

In between the blood soaked flashbacks and somersaults performed by my stomach was that feeling of being watched yet again. I steadied myself against a brick wall, breathed deeply and looked around. I could not make out anything and I knew I'd never see my observer just feel their eyes on me.

I made it back to the apartment and made a bee line for my bathroom where I proceeded to send all those unpleasant memories raining down into the toilet with much force. I scoured the medicine cabinet and was pleased that the stock of medicines included some anti-nausea pills.

Finally with a cold rag pressed against my forehead I fell asleep and woke up Sunday morning feeling refreshed.