Byline chapter 13

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Copyright © 2021 Peregrine
All rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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I finished bringing an order to one of my tables. I folded my stand and put the tray under my arm. After 2 months working here, I was pretty much an expert carrying both the tray and the stand at the same time. As I walked back I glanced at the host station. I almost dropped the empty tray. There, waiting to be seated was one of the twins. I couldn’t tell if it was Gil or Dave. I almost put the tray up to my face so he wouldn’t see me. I got to the kitchen as fast as I could and peered out the door. Sandy saw me and stood beside me.

“What’s up? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” she said.

“Can you see what table that guy who just came in was seated?”

Sandy looked over the dining room. “You mean the good-looking guy that just sat down and is sitting by himself? He’s at one of your tables.”

“Shoot, shoot. He can’t see me here,” I said.

Sandy gave me a funny look. “Casey, you okay? Why can’t he see you?”

“It’s a long story,” I said. “Can you take my tables until he’s gone? I’ll help out in the kitchen or something. Please, I’ll give you my tips for the night.”

“Okay, I’ll tell your tables you didn’t feel well or something.”

“Thanks.” I went deeper into the kitchen to hide.

Abbey told me Dave would be coming back this weekend. She was setting up our double date. I was still trying to decide if I was going to out with him. I know I told Abbey I would. Abbey and Gil had been out enough times that my not going out with Dave would not affect their relationship.

I still wasn’t sure which twin it was. I assumed it was Gil since he was in town. It doesn’t matter. I don’t want either of them to see me. How can I explain why I was working at a diner instead of the magazine. It seemed like I was in the kitchen for hours. He must be a slow eater. Sandy was doing a great job covering my tables. Sandy caught me in the kitchen.

"Casey, you know that guy you’re avoiding? His credit card says his name is David."

"Dave? I thought it was Gil."

"You couldn't tell Dave from Gil? What are they, identical twins?" she said.

"As a matter of fact, they are."

“How do you know him? Is he your Ex?”

“He’s not my Ex. My sister is going out with his brother.”

"Is he interested in you?” she asked.

“I think so.”

“And you're hiding from him? He looks like a catch. Is he single?"

"Yeah, he's single."

"If you’re not interested, do you mind if I try to move in?"

"Go for it," I said.

I watched as Sandy went back and gave Dave his credit card. While he signed the receipt, she began talking with him. I don't know why I felt a pang of jealousy. If he decided he wanted to call her, she was doing me a favor. Sandy was giving it all she had. Laughing, touching him on his arm and finally writing something down on his part of the receipt. She walked back smiling.

"He seems nice. It's your loss, Casey."

I forced a smile as she walked away. For some reason, I did feel it was my loss. It's better this way. I'm a guy and can't give him what he expects. I certainly can't give him what his brother is getting from my sister. I felt my eyes tearing. This is crazy. What am I crying for? I left the kitchen and went to the ladies' room. I sat there wondering what was wrong with me and trying to compose myself. This is nonsense. I’m crying because Sandy might take Dave away from me. Dave is not even mine. We haven’t even gone out yet. On top of that, I told her it was okay. I shouldn’t feel this way. I’m a guy. Okay, I’m Bi and might have tried to go out with him anyway. After a few deep breaths, I calmed down and felt the waterworks were under control. I fixed my makeup and headed back to the kitchen.

Leaving the Ladies' room, I had my head down still thinking about Sandy as I walked back to the kitchen. I suddenly felt like I walked into a wall. A guy had come out of the restroom and I walked right into his back. I began to apologize. He turned around as I looked up and saw Dave's face.

"I'm sorry, I didn’t see you... Casey? Is that you?” He saw my uniform. “You're working here? I thought you said you worked for a magazine."

"Dave! I thought you were back on the west coast. When did you get back? "

"I got in a couple of hours ago. Airplane food sucks so I came here for a bite. I haven’t stopped at the house yet. Gil doesn't know I'm here. I'm still on west coast time. It's close to 8:00 PM there. I'm really glad I ran into you. I mean that literally too." He smiled. I liked the way he smiled. "I have to say the hairstyle looks better on you than on Abbey," he said. I felt myself blush at the comment.

"You saw Abbey?"

"No, Gil sent me pictures of her new hairstyle. He can’t stop talking about her. Any chance we can talk?"

"Um, I have to get back to work. I'm done soon. Maybe we can go somewhere."

“I can wait for you in my car,” he said.

"Okay, I should be done here in about 15 minutes."

"I'll be waiting. It’s the blue rental out front. I’ll see you in a few.”

He turned and headed to the door. I stood there wondering what I was doing. I shook my head to get back to reality. I finished my shift and got ready to leave. I was trying to decide if I should tell him I was a guy.

~~0~~

I had no trouble finding Dave’s car. It was parked right outside the door. He saw me and unlocked the door as I approached. I slid in and closed the door.

“Nice car,” I said.

“It’ll do. As I said, it’s a rental. How come you’re working here? I thought you were on an assignment for the magazine.”

I tried to think fast. “I am. I’m doing a story on… on how waitresses are treated and what they have to put up with from employers and customers.” It sounded lame.

“So it’s like you’re undercover.”

“Something like that.” I needed to change the subject. “What did you want to talk about?”

“It’s about Gil and your sister. It seems they have really hit it off.”

“So she tells me. She’s planning for us to go on a double date.”

“So is Gil. Did you agree?”

“I did. Did you?”

“Yeah, but that’s why I need to talk with you.”

“What about?”

“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

“Okay…”

“Look, Casey, I had a good time with you that night. I’m not ready to get serious with anyone at the moment. I’m going to be traveling a lot for work. It wouldn’t be fair for me to get serious with anyone right now. Gil’s work doesn’t have him traveling.” He paused. “He has really fallen for your sister.”

“She’s fallen for him also.” I paused a moment. “I’m not ready to get serious either. I don’t know what work has in store for me. I think we're on the same page. They both want us to double with them. Let’s double, no strings attached.”

“That’s great,” he said.

Just then I saw my bus leave the bus stop. “Oh shit, I missed my bus. I’ll have to call for a ride.”

“Don’t worry. I can drive you home.” He started the car.

“You don’t have to. I can call a ride.” I started to get out my phone.

“It’s not a problem. I’m the reason you missed your bus. It’s the least I could do.”

We were soon on the road heading to Center City. I put my phone back in my bag.

"How did it go with Sandy?" I asked.

“Who? Oh, the waitress. She gave me her number. Is she a friend of yours?”

“She’s a work friend. Are you going to call her?”

“I don’t know. She did seem nice. I’m thinking about it,” he said.

“She’ll be disappointed if you don’t.” I smiled.

~~0~~

“Of all the places to eat and he picks the diner,” Abbey said. We were eating takeout in the living room of my old apartment. “You two talked and you decided to go out with me and Gil?”

“Yep, that’s about it.”

“Did you tell him about… you know, you?”

“No, when he said he didn’t want to get serious with anyone yet, I didn’t see the need to tell him,” I said.

“I guess that makes sense.” She put another fork full into her mouth.

“So where do you think they’ll take us on our double date?” I asked Abbey.

“I was going to suggest rollerblading.”

“Don’t you dare!” I said. She laughed.

“When you fall Dave can put his arm around your waist and help you up.”

“Abbey!”

“Of course, you’ll fall a couple more times just so you can feel his strong arms around you,” she teased. I picked up a small couch pillow and threw it at her.

“That’s your move,” I said. She screamed and caught the pillow without spilling any food. We began to convulse in laughter. Our laughing fit began to fade and Abbey continued.

“Gil suggested we go to dinner and I suggested a comedy club in the city. How’s that?”

“That sounds perfect.”

~~0~~

Sunday night I was folding laundry when I got a call. It was my mother.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, Casey. I’m calling to find out how you’re doing.”

“I’m fine, Mom. How about you?”

“I’m good. I mean how are you holding up?”

“I’m doing good. There have been a few moments. I’ve got Abbey to talk with. Then there’s, Amy, Matt and Jo. More so Amy and Jo.”

“I didn’t know you had told them.”

“I told them not long ago when we all got together.”

As we talked, I told her about the diner and seeing Dave there. There was a short silence. “Mom, do you think it’s wrong for me to date a guy?”

“Why do you ask that? Are you thinking of having a relationship?

“Not a relationship. Just going out on a date.”

“Men dating men. It happened in my day. No one was as open about it back then. Not like today. I used to think it was wrong. Through the years, I’ve changed my mind. As they say, the heart wants what the heart wants. I’ve learned to accept it.”

“My heart doesn’t want anything. It would just be a date.”

“Can I ask who with?”

“Dave, one of the twins. He and I spoke the other day. He told me he’s not ready for a long-term relationship.”

“Were you thinking of a long-term relationship?”

“No, not at all. I told him the same. It’s just… I might have to go on dates during this year.”

“You might have to go on dates?” she asked.

“Okay, I might want to,” I said.

“And it will probably be with a guy. I understand,” she said.

“Would you be okay if I did?”

“Honey, what you do is your business. You don’t need my permission or approval. I think you would have to tell any guy you go out with you’re not truly a woman.”

“Yeah, you’re right of course. But when is the right time to mention that?”

We talked for some time. I agreed with her. I shouldn’t deceive someone about that. I’ll cross that bridge if I have to.

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Thanks for reading. Comments welcome.

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Cover picture Credits
Photo by Daria Sannikova from Pexels
Photo by Valeriia Miller from Pexels
Photo Composite by Peregrine

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