Koi no yokan

“And anyway, that’s where I got the third painting.” Phoebe’s left leg bounced up and down as Kris’s droning about some collection swam into one ear and out the other. She had to remind herself to keep her lips curled up for appearances. Her thumbs slowly ran circles around each other. “Ugh, and where is the waiter to take our order? This is ridiculous!”

“There’s a lot of people here tonight,” Phoebe said with a slight chuckle to lighten the mood. “Nothing wrong with waiting and building up more of an appetite. They’re just busy is all.” Every fiber of her being was saying to leave and cut her losses, but despite her fidgeting, she remained sitting in her chair.

“It’s absurd, that’s what it is,” Kris yawned as he brought out his phone and started messing around with it. “I can’t fathom why you suggested this place. The music is awful, the wait is abysmal, and upkeep is slacking.” He picked up a few small crumbs, crushed them between his fingers in disgust, and wiped his fingers on a napkin.

“Just keep smiling, Phoebe. I’m sure he’s a really great guy once you get to know him,” she said to herself under her breath. Phoebe took a deep breath and composed herself. She could feel the gaze of all the patrons at the restaurant. “Ah, here comes our waiter.”

“Sorry for the wait. We’re usually not this busy this time of night.” The gentleman chuckled and pulled out his little notepad. He had that air of a college student working part-time. “So, what can I get for you?”

Just as Phoebe’s mouth opened, Kris spoke up. “Well, it’s about time. I’ll have Teriyaki sirloin steak, cooked rare, and she,” Kris said, pointing to Phoebe, “will have the grilled chicken and papaya salad. And two Saloon Derby’s.” Kris handed over the menus to the waiter before Phoebe even had time to process what just happened.

By the time that she snapped back to her senses, the waiter was already gone. “Hey! Why did you order for me?” she hissed in a low tone.

“A lady like you should watch her figure, right?” At his words, Phoebe tugged at her dress and clenched her fist. She might have spent the last month trying to cut down on a few pounds to squeeze into her dress, but he didn’t have to make it so overt to everyone. Phoebe could almost hear the murmurs of the on-lookers. “Plus, then the bill won’t be over 40$. Easily affordable for you.”

“Huh?” Phoebe asked, blinking a few times. “Wait, you want me to pay for this?”

“Of course,” Kris said with a chuckle. “I wouldn’t dare waste anything supporting a place like this.” He was looking around, pointing out all the flaws of the restaurant. Phoebe could see the scowls and looks of disgust everyone was giving.

“Ahem! Excuse me, I need to go powder my nose real quick,” Phoebe said, standing up. She grabbed her purse and phone and began to make her way towards the restroom.

“Don’t be too long. I hate waiting.” Kris didn’t even look in her direction, too busy cleaning junk out from under his nails.

Phoebe stormed her way towards the restroom, past the crowd of on-lookers and gaze-givers. She flung open the doors and stood at the sink. Her hands clutched the edge and every muscle tensed in her body, holding her back from screaming and cursing. She turned on her phone and opened up the dating app where she found Kris, looking over his profile.

“87% match, my ass,” she said through gritted teeth. She took some deep breaths as she stared at the sink. “Just get out there and get this over with. It doesn’t matter if he’s rich, or successful, or if he said he’d help launch your crafting career. You deserve better, right?” A few drops hit the back of her hands. She took another breath to compose herself, wiped away her tears, and reapplied her makeup.

As she began to make her way back to the table, someone directly called in her direction. “Ah! Corrine! Over here! You made it! I was about to think that you wouldn’t show,” Sitting at a table, by herself, was a young woman, likely in her early 20’s, gesturing and waving towards Phoebe. Phoebe looked around, seeing if there was anyone else that she could have been mistaken for. “Yeah, you in the purple dress.” The woman came over to Phoebe and took her by the hand. “Table’s this way. Come on.”

Phoebe tried to protest, but something about this woman put Phoebe’s restless heart at ease. She looked over to the table where Kris was, who seemed hardly bothered by her lack of presence. With a nod, Phoebe followed the woman to her table and sat down across from her.”

“Sorry about that, just roll with it,” the woman said in a hushed tone, then immediately switched back to a cheerful one. “Man, you had me worried you weren’t going to show up. I hadn’t even ordered anything to drink yet. But if you were working to impress me for our first date, then wow, was it worth it! With how stunning you are, you’re really putting the blind in blind date.”

Phoebe’s eyes darted around, trying to piece together the situation, both what she was being asked to play along with and what was actually going on. “Ah, yes,” Phoebe said with a chuckle. “Traffic was crazy. I’m sorry I didn’t text you earlier.”

“Oh, it’s alright. You’re here now, safe and sound. That’s what matters,” the woman said as she quickly looked around. Phoebe followed her gaze, noticing that the gazes and murmurs from earlier had quelled. Most of the gazes that were focused on the tables were apologetic looks being converted to smiles.

After a few seconds of looking around, the woman let out a sigh of relief. She put her hands together and leaned forward a little. “I’m so sorry about all that. I just couldn’t sit idly and watch that dude treat you like that.”

“I mean, thanks,” Phoebe said, shifting her weight back and forth in her chair. She looked back towards the table where Kris was sitting. Her heart felt tugged in two different directions, but one side was winning at the moment. “I should get back.” She began to get up when the woman spoke up.

“Uh, please stay? I’d like some company. My blind date never showed up,” the woman said, looking downward. “I’ve been waiting for an hour.”

Phoebe let out a small gasp at the news, then looked over again at Kris’ table. Now, he was on a phone call, chatting away as if he wasn’t waiting for his date to return. With a confident sigh, she turned back to the woman.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Phoebe said, relaxing and setting her purse down. The woman was certainly beautiful, sandy brown hair curled into gorgeous waves. Her dress was a lovely blue gradient from sky to deep ocean, which complimented her tan skin. Though, Phoebe could notice some make-up covering some tan lines around her cheeks.

The woman looked Phoebe up and down a bit before coming to a realization. “Ah, right! I’m Cordelia by the way.” She held her hand out across the table.

Phoebe blinked a few more times before relaxing more, giving Cordelia a warm smile. “Phoebe.” She shook Cordelia’s hand, surprised at how nicely her hand fit with hers.

“Good evening, ladies.”

Phoebe nearly jumped in her seat as the waiter spoke up. Her eyes widened as it was the same gentleman from before. She began to tug at her dress again, hoping that he wouldn’t recognize her, but her dress made her not easily mistaken. Her mind wandered to Kris and what the waiter might say.

The waiter looked over at Cordelia, then to Phoebe before smiling. “Ah, I see your blind date finally arrived. Traffic is quite awful at this time of day. Can I get you two something to drink?”

Phoebe breathed a sigh of relief. She looked over to Cordelia. “How about two glasses of Merlot? That alright with you?” Phoebe nodded and the waiter headed off. “So, what do you do for work?” Cordelia asked, a big smile on her face.

“I’m a freelance artist, though I mostly spend my days as a barista,” Phoebe said, pulling out her phone. She brought up some photos of artwork and plushies that she had made and sold.

“Whoa, these are incredible,” Cordelia said, swiping through the photos.

“They aren’t that incredible,” Phoebe said, tucking some of her hair behind her ear and turning her head to the side.

“Nonsense. I know clients who would just love to have some of these as souvenirs from their trips.”

“Clients? What do you do for work?” Phoebe asked, taking her phone back.

“I’m- oh!” Cordelia was cut short when the waiter placed their drinks in front of them. “Time to order food. I’ll have the chicken teriyaki. I heard it’s to die for here.”

“And I’ll have the chicken piccata,” Phoebe said.

“Excellent choices. I’ll get those out as soon as I can.”

“Sorry, where was I?” Cordelia asked, tapping her finger against her lips. “Oh right! My work! I’m a scuba instructor.”

“Now that’s an incredible job,” Phoebe said, attempting to shrink a little in her chair as she took a sip of Merlot.

“It is really fun, but it does sting when I see couples swim together,” Cordelia said, running her finger along the edge of her glass. “I was hoping that today’s date would have been a good one. You know what they say? 54th time’s the charm, right?” Her face had a smile, but Phoebe could see it wavering at the sides.

Phoebe leaned forward out of her chair and rested her hand on Cordelia’s. “Well, then call me lucky 55.” With that, Cordelia’s smile was re-energized and one grew across Phoebe’s face as well.

The two of them talked throughout a few glasses and a delicious dinner, sharing stories and tales from their work. Their smiles never faded and the air around them was filled with plenty of laughter and cheer.

“This has been an absolutely wonderful night,” Cordelia said, as she saw the waiter walking over with the bill. “Thank you, Phoebe.” As she reached for her purse, Phoebe snatched the bill right as the waiter set it down.

“Then, how about you thank me by paying for next time?” Phoebe said, giving Cordelia a sly smirk.

Cordelia’s face went red and she put her hands on her cheeks. “There’s a next time?”

“I certainly hope so. I promise I won’t be an hour late this time.”