"I just wanted to know why." He stated, eyeing her up
"Why what?" She innocently asked, thick southern accent coming out
"Why did you pay for lunch?" He questioned
"I was feeling overly generous, I guess." She retorted
"What do you want?" He asked, trying to decipher if she was from a rival gang or some governemnt office sent to spy on them or something
"Nothin'. People do tend to be generous from time to time. I tipped the waitress for you too." She replied
"And you want nothing? Where are you going?" He asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion
"Don't really know. Just stopped in here because I was hungry." She replied
"Who sent you?" He asked
She broke out into laughter! He was the most suspicious man she'd ever encountered, as of yet at least, and it made her laugh.
"What the fuck's so funny?" He asked defensively
"You are, my new friend. You better get back to where you came from. The food'll be cold before you're done interrogating me." She stated, giggling at the end
"Where are you going?" He asked again
"Like I said, I'm not really sure. If you want to interrogate me some more, why don't we meet for dinner? I'll stick around town long enough for that." She replied
"Meet me here at 7pm sharp." He stated a bit forcefully
She grinned up at him since she was still sitting in her booth and he hadn't sat down. Satisfied, he turned and left the diner. The waitress looked over at her with a luck of awe and loathing. She quickly finished her lunch then paid out. The waitress was giving her evil looks as she strolled out of the little diner. She couldn't help but giggle to herself as she drove around town looking for a decent hotel to stay at. She didn't want to be staying at a slum-type hotel or some high-class joint either in case she got the opportunity to take him "home" with her after dinner.
She finally found the right hotel and booked herself a room for the night. She wasn't planning on sticking around town much after today, as she told the stranger, so she didn't bother booking more than 1 night. Besides, it's not like she can't book more nights! Suddenly she realized she didn't even know the guy's name she was supposed to be meeting at 7! Shaking her head at herself and laughing, she grabbed her room key and purse and headed down to her car. She thought she ought to buy a new outfit for her little date this evening even if nothing would probably come out of it.
She asked the desk clerk of good shops to check out before heading out for the afternoon. There was only 1 barbershop in town although there was a nail salon just down the street. For 14 thousand people, this town made it seem like she just stepped into Mayberry! There wasn't a whole lot to do so she headed to the next town over called Lodi for better shops. She spent most of the afternoon shopping and just enjoying her surroundings. She found a few outfits she liked and a nice pair of heels she could wear with several outfits she already owned. Lodi had a decent enough mall which had a decent salon. Figuring she had time to kill, she strolled in to have her hair trimmed and eyebrows waxed. Might as well look presentable for the mystery man she'd be having dinner with later! Before long she made the trek back to Charming so she could get ready for her evening.
After putting up her new clothes into her suitcase, minus what she'd be wearing tonight, she hopped into the shower to clean up. Something told her he wouldn't be as concerned with making sure he was "cleaned up" as she was. That didn't bother her at all. She was just looking for some fun. The worst that could happen would be he ended her life earlier than she expected and the very best she could hope for would to find the person she wanted to be her companion for the next several months. Who knows what tonight would bring!
She slipped into her outfit and shoes then ran her brush through her long chocolate brown slightly wavy hair. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she could tell she'd lost a bit of weight and her eyes were a bit sunken. It made her look like she hadn't slept very well for a few nights. Sighing she hoped the conversation she knew would come wouldn't be as hard to explain as she thought it would. Up until now she hadn't come across anyone who intrigued her as much as the tall stranger she met earlier today. He had spunk, was obviously in a position of some authority in whatever it was he was in, and was a man who obviously didn't take too kindly to not getting the answers he sought.
Shortly before 7, she left her room and hopped in her car. It was a short drive to the diner and she parked where he could see her as soon as he entered the parking lot. For the first time in a long while she actually felt a bit nervous. She wasn't sure why but she figured it was because this was an adventure that had the potential to be actually dangerous! Right at 7pm she heard the roar of the Dyna and smiled to herself as he pulled to a stop next to her. He told her to get on the back of his bike but she refused. He looked confused that she'd turned him down. She informed him even though this little dinner date was her idea, she was being cautious. He nodded, and scowled at her, but told her to follow closely behind him. She chuckled to herself as she rolled up the window and started the car.
They drove the 45 minutes to Lodi. She wondered what he was thinking but quickly dismissed the thought figuring she probably really didn't want to know! She smiled when he turned his blinker on and then proceeded to turn into a nice looking mexican restaraunt parking lot. Mexican was one of her favorites! She parked next to him then grabbed her purse. Locking the door, she turned to walk to the back of her car but found him less than a foot from her. Damn that man moves quickly! They stayed silent as he eyed her up suspiciously. He suddenly turned and walked into the restaraunt with her hot on his heels. They were ushered to a booth, about the middle of the restaraunt, and ordered their drinks before either spoke.
Unable to handle the silence any longer she finally asked, "What's your name?"
"Tig. You?" He replied
She cocked her eyebrow at him but replied with, "Devin. What sort of name is Tig?"
"It's a nickname." He replied defensively
"Then what's your actual name?" She questioned, sensing she was already pissing him off
"That's priveleged information. Where are you from?" He questioned
"Dallas. You?" She retorted, rolling her eyes at his answer about his name
"Charming. Where are you going?" He questioned
She laughed at him again which was starting to anger him.
"I've told you twice today the answer to that. I simply don't know." She retorted
"How do you not know where you're going?" He asked, irritation dripping from his voice
"Mainly because I have no specific destination in mind. Why are you so interested in where I'm going?" She said
"Then why are you in Charming?" He asked, ignoring her question
"Like I said, I only stopped this afternoon because I was hungry. If you hadn't walked into the diner I'd be probably 200 miles up the road by now." She stated, unable to keep the amusement out of her voice
"Then what the fuck are you doing?" He questioned trying to figure her out
"Call it an extended road trip." She stated dryly
"Explain that." He ordered before telling the waiter they needed more time
She rolled her eyes again, "Thought I would drive around the country seeing the tourist attractions and places I always wanted to see. Do shit I've always wanted to do."
"Why?" He asked
"Why not?" She retorted making him roll his eyes this time
"Answer my question." He demanded
"Why does it matter? Look, I'm just passing through. You simply caught me having lunch at that diner." She stated
"Don't you have a job? Go to school? Anything?" He asked
"No." She simply stated
"How come?" He asked
"Because I'm sick." She stated, avoiding his gaze
"You don't look sick." He retorted
"Looks can be deceiving." She retaliated
"We've got all evening. Tell me." He stated
Sighing again she knew this would come up. Looking up into his face she saw he was only trying to figure out if she were telling the truth or not. Giving a sad smile she began her tale about when her symptoms started. Their dinner had arrived and she still wasn't done with her explanation. He listened intently, asking a question every now and then. She finally told him that she only had maybe 6 months at best left before the cancer would take her life. He actually looked shocked at her statement. That's when she got into her little adventure. He nodded but said nothing. They talked mostly about her and her illness or "adventures" the whole night. He drove with her back to her hotel and made sure she got to her room safely.
"Hey why don't you meet me at the diner tomorrow around 1 for lunch?" He stated, leaning against the door frame to her hotel room
"My disease doesn't scare you?" She chuckled
"Is it contagious?" He asked, humor in his voice this time
"Um, not that I'm aware of." She laughed
"Then no." He replied
"Are there any good book stores in this town?" She asked
"I'll have to ask my, uh, coworkers tomorrow." He stated
She didn't figure he was much of a reader.
"O...kay." She laughed
"I'll see you tomorrow." He stated before walking downstairs to his bike
She found it kind of funny that he didn't even wait for her to give him an answer and instead just assumed she'd still be in town to have lunch with him. Oh well, carpe diem, right? If he wanted to see her again then perhaps she should stick around and see where this was going to go. Her mother used to tell her that everything happens for a reason even if she couldn't see the reason right then. Sighing happily, she stripped out of her clothes and slipped into the black cotton lounge pants and neon blue tank top she used for pajamas and crawled into bed. Maybe this man will at least show her a good time before she finally rolls out of town!