Moments Series

While enjoying our wine, the waiter returns with a family style salad dressed in homemade Italian dressing, which was delicious. A minute later another waiter stops at our table to give us, quite possibly, the most amazing homemade Italian bread I have ever had. It’s still warm so the butter melts as soon as the knife touches the bread. While we savor the salad and bread, probably eating more than we should have, I remark, “So, Landon, other than the fact that you collect comic books and love my favorite coffee house, I don’t know much about you.”

As he tops off our wine glasses he smiles and says, “Ask me anything. I’m an open book.” Then after a sip of wine he adds, “And didn’t we decide it’s our favorite?”

Picking up my glass I study him over the rim and say, “I guess we did,” with a smile. “What do you do for work?”

“I’m an architect.”

“Really? That is so cool.” I say after I take a sip of my wine. “The comic books make a lot of sense now.”

“Oh yeah, how’s that?” He asks looking adorably skeptical.

“I have this theory that people who are artistic in some way always fall in love with another form of art. Me, for instance, I love literature and I love to write. But, I also love movies.”

The waiter arrives again to serve our dinner. The Marsala in front of me and the Clams in front of Landon. “I never thought of it that way. Seems sort of romantic.” He says with a wink.

Smiling at his reaction I ask, “What do you design?”

“I’m not really into those cookie cutter plazas but I do like to design buildings. Classic lines but with beautiful, custom woodwork and carved stone on the inside depending on the necessity.”

“Sounds amazing. I’d love to see some of your drawings sometime.” I say before taking a bite of my Marsala, and sigh in nirvana, “This is unbelievable.”

Laughing he says, “Sure, anytime.” Twirling the pasta with Clam sauce around his fork he lifts it towards me and adds, “If you think that’s good, you have to try this.”

I hesitate because it makes me uncomfortable to be fed, another side effect of the abuse I was subjected to by James, then I take a deep breath, lean forward and open my mouth for a bite. Sitting back, I momentarily close my eyes in bliss, “Oh my God. That may be even more delicious.” I say after I swallow my food. I fork up a bite of food for him and add, “Here try mine.”

Making a face he says, “I don’t know. If you just said mine was better I think I’m done sharing and will just keep the rest of this for myself.”

Trying to keep up the playful mood we have going on I say, “Oh really? Fine.” And I turn the fork back towards me like I am going to eat it myself. He starts to laugh and grabs my wrist just before I reach my lips. This is when I just happen to glance over his shoulder and see James. Dropping the fork between us, food splattering everywhere, I get up so fast that my chair tips backwards. Suddenly I can’t breathe and Landon is at my side speaking softly in my ear.

With his hand on my lower back he bends over, he rights my chair and urges me to sit down. Our waiter is back asking what he can do and through the white noise in my head I hear Landon say, “I think she’s having a panic attack. Can you get some water?” Then to me he says, “Bend over, put your head between your knees.”

I cannot be having a panic attack. I haven’t had one of these in months. I have had them under control. But I think Landon’s right. My chest feels tight, I’m burning hot, and I can’t seem to catch my breath. When the waiter rushes back, he hands the glass of water to Landon and he has me sit up and take a few slow sips. Feeling the attack start to subside I chance a peek over in the direction to where I saw James and realize it wasn’t him after all. But, boy did that guy look like him.

As all my faculties start to come back I realize I should explain my behavior. What the heck am I going to say to Landon? As it turns out he has paid the bill, and is helping me to my feet. “Come on honey, I’ll take you home.”

I am completely mortified and have no idea what to say so I silently walk with him outside. I don’t even look up because I can’t bear the idea of everyone staring at me.

On the drive back to my house we sit in complete silence. I can tell he wants to ask me what happened but doesn’t want to upset me. As we pull up in front of the house my embarrassment overwhelms me and I open my door before the car has fully stopped. Running up the walkway and the steps I ignore my Grandmother and rush right into the house. I can hear Landon run up after me but don’t even turn back. I just slam the door behind me.

To be continued… back to Landon’s point of view