Page 56 of Waste
“I’ve been reading a great book. Do you read?”
Shelley’s mind spun at the change of conversation direction, and she wondered what David was after.
“I have an e-reader, so yes,” Shelley said, motioning to the table.
David let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Yeah, that was dumb, wasn’t it?”
Shelley smiled. “It was a bit.”
“I’m not usually this clumsy talking to women. But you make me nervous, and I’m trying to be all suave and sophisticated, and I’m coming across like a country bumpkin,” David admitted.
“I don’t know why! I’m not very scary,” Shelley exclaimed.
“Because I like you and wanted to get to know you, and instead, I’m fumbling everything.”
“Ah, um, I don’t date, David, sorry.”
“You don’t?” David sounded surprised. “But you’re beautiful!”
Shelley laughed and shook her head. “That is one thing I’m not. Thank you for the compliment, though. But I’m not dating at the moment, and I wouldn’t want to waste your time.”
“Bad breakup?” David asked with a gleam in his eye.
“No, just have different priorities right now. I’ve plenty of time to date,” Shelley ducked the question. Was this a journalist? A Hunter? Her stalker? Something was definitely off with David.
“You’re wary, I get it. I’m a stranger. Tell me what you’re reading,” David demanded.
Shelley cocked an eyebrow.
“If we talk, then we’ll become friends,” David explained. “And I know you said you had enough friends, but my nan always claimed you could never have too many.”
“I’m reading a factual book by a former newspaper reporter. He’s speculating about Atlantis existing and is showing common links between ancient civilisations,” Shelley replied after a long pause.
“Wow, I didn’t expect that,” David exclaimed.
“Why? Because I’m a blonde?”
“No! But that’s some heavy reading. Do you believe in Atlantis?”
“Yeah. I think we lost a civilisation somewhere down the line. This author makes so many logical connections that it all slots together neatly,” Shelley replied.
David smiled at the faint enthusiasm she allowed to show. “You like the subject. I can see it in your eyes. You do believe.”
“Yes, I’m not ashamed to say so either.”
“What about the paranormal? Do you believe in that?”
Hunter!Shelley thought.
“No, not really. If vampires and witches existed, we’d have seen evidence by now. They make for good fiction, but that’s all,” Shelley replied calmly.
“You believe in Atlantis but not in that?”
“There is evidence that Atlantis existed. But the paranormal? Okay, some of those ghost videos are compelling, but nothing else,” Shelley said.
“Wow, you’re a hard sell! I believe there are things out there we can’t explain,” David responded.
“I think science will sooner or later explain everything, and we’ll lose some of our innocence and wonder. But I don’t believe in ghouls and ghosties.”
