Blood Part 3

Emilie drove up to Faye’s Café with a screech. The restaurant was buzzing with patron conversation and the clanking of dishware from the kitchen.

“Table 7 is complaining that their soup is too hot!” Shouted a waitress.

“Are you kidding me?” Came a voice from the back of the house, “Do they want it cold?”

Emilie snuck up behind the waitress. “Hey Dawn,” she said when she was right next to her.

Dawn jumped, “Jiminy Christ!” she shouted, “Don’t sneak up on me like that! Where you been anyway?”

“I woke up late. Remi’s been keeping me awake all night with his stinking nightmares. Is Benny mad?”

“Oh, I dunno,” came a familiar voice, “maybe you should ask him.”

The girls turned to stare at the shiny, fat face of their boss. He had grease smeared all over the front of his shirt, his fat gut stuck out over the black apron tied around his waist.

“Benny, I’m so…”

“I don’t want to hear it. This is the third day this week that you’ve been late. You’re on thin ice Emilie.”

“I’m sorry,” Emilie apologized putting her apron on. “My kid’s been keeping me up at night.”

“C’mon, Benny, give her a break!” Dawn said, “Her kid’s been havin’ problems since his daddy…”

“Dawn!” Emilie shouted.

“Table 7’s soup is ready!” the cook shouted, “I made sure to freeze it for ’em!”

“Get back to work!” Benny shouted at Dawn, then turned again to Emilie, “Oh and another thing, tell your boyfriends not to come in here while you’re working.”

“My what?”

“He’s sitting at table 3. Been sitting there almost an hour. He keeps requesting you by name. I almost kicked him out.”

Emilie glanced toward table 3. She couldn’t help but smile at Graham sitting there holding a bouqet of red roses. He was dressed in his Sunday best with his dark hair slicked back looking like the hero of a 50s black and white romance.

“What are you doing?” She asked when she approached his table. She asked the question without a note of irritation but instead one of romantic intrigue.

“I missed you. I haven’t seen you all week.” He handed her the roses.

“I’ve missed you too,” she said, her fingers grazing the stem of a rose. “Ouch!” She pulled her finger back, a small bead of blood pooling at the tip.

“Are you ok?” he asked, “Jeez, I could kill the florist! These roses were supposed to have been de-thorned.”

“It’s okay,” said Emilie, taking a napkin and dabbing at the blood, “I’m fine. But I should get to work. Thanks for the flowers.

“Wait, can I see you this weekend?”

“Maybe. If I can find a babysitter.”

“Bring him along. I don’t mind.”

“Oh…I don’t know.”

“Look,” he said, grabbing her hand, “I know it’s been rough since your ex. I’m not trying to move in on your family but we’ve been seeing each other for five months now and in that time you’ve become very important to me. So, I don’t want to be your secret boyfriend anymore.” He looked up at her pleadingly, his blue eyes glistening silver in the light.

“Ok.” she responded at last, “Maybe it is time for him to know.”

“Hey, Em!” Benny called from the back.

“Ok! Ok! I’m getting back to work!”

“While that would be a nice surprise, you have a call.”

Emilie ran to catch the phone, wondering who could be calling her at work. “Hello?” She said after picking up the receiver.

“Ms. Larson?” Asked a feminine voice.

“Yes.”

“This is Carol calling from Summerland Preschool. There is a matter concerning your son, Remi.”

“What happened? Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. But I’m afraid he’s bitten another child.”

“Bitten!” Emilie repeated in shock.

“Yes, mam. He bit the child on the neck. Normally he’d just get a warning for his first incident but…” She trailed off in thought.

“But what?”

“Well, he drew a lot of blood. I’m afraid someone will need to pick him up.”

“Shit!” Emilie cursed, slamming down the phone. She turned to face Benny.

“What now?” Benny asked, irritated.

“There’s been an incident at my son’s school and…”

“Just go,” he said

“Thanks!” She said taking off her apron.

“But you’re gonna have to make it up!” He shouted as she sprinted toward the door.