Chapter 54
"Where are we going?" I ask Naboo as we walk. He doesn't answer. He hasn't spoken since we left. "Naboo, where are we going?" Stopping outside a small coffee shop, he says one word.
"In."
"Why are we here? Naboo, what's going on?" I ask as we enter. The small shaman says nothing, but gestures towards a table next to the window. A man is sitting there, hunched over his drink, his brown trilby slipping over his forehead. He glances around, then settles his gaze on me.
"Hello Vince." He says, smiling slightly. I try to say something, anything, but I can't. My throat goes dry and closes up. I stand there, looking like an idiot, until Naboo pushes me forward. I'd forgotten he was there. Stumbling slightly, I walk towards the table and sit down. "How are you?"
"Fine…I'm fine. How are you?"
"I'm fine."
"You've got a cappuccino stain on your upper lip."
"It is not a cappuccino stain, it's my moustache!"
"That's not a moustache, that's a coffee stain!"
"What has my moustache ever done to deserve this?"
"It's hideous!"
"It is not!"
"It is!" He laughs.
"I've missed you, Vince."
"I've missed you too, Howard."