Page 68 of Burning for Alexander
“Hey, aren’t you from San Francisco?” a man in a baseball cap asked Tavo, who was helping a woman organize her stock at the next table over.
I didn’t think much of it until Tavo froze like a terrified animal faced with a predator.
“You are!” Baseball Cap continued. “I saw you at Pinch with Judge Miller last year sometime. I was waiting tables, and he handed me a hundred-dollar bill and told me to let him know if I saw you with anyone besides him in the back room.” The man chuckled. “But you barely left his side except to dance. And it seemed like you were dancing just for him. You guys were cute.”
Poor Tavo’s face turned red, and he stammered. “N-no. That wasn’t me. I’ve never even been to San Francisco.”
He was a shit liar—possibly worse than Alex Marian himself—but his denial was enough for Baseball Cap to back off. “Sorry, dude. Didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m not upset,” Tavo argued. “I’m just… not whoever you think I am.”
Baseball Cap leaned in and lowered his voice. “If you’re not out, that’s totally my bad. I’m so fucking sorry, bro.”
Tavo shook his head and indicated several of the flint and steel kits he was selling that were rainbow colored. “Not the problem. The problem is that I’m not that guy.”
Alex must have sensed Tavo’s discomfort from wherever he was because he started heading over. Meanwhile, I turned to the stranger.
“I couldn’t help but overhear you, and it reminded me of something that happened to me. See that guy?” I pointed to Alex. “I could have sworn he was someone I met in Europe a few yearsago, but it turned out it was just a guy who looked like him. Don’t they say we all have a doppelgänger somewhere?”
I gave him an easy smile and waited until he huffed out a laugh. “Bro, I once met a guy on a ski slope who looked just like my cousin Abe. Like freaky-twin shit.”
Tavo was able to relax enough to let out a weak chuckle. “Yeah. I’ve heard all kinds of stories like that.”
The guy reached out a fist to bump. “Sorry, my guy. Tell me about these fire thingies you have.”
As Tavo launched into an explanation of how to use the flint and steel kit, Alex moved up next to me. “Thank you,” he murmured.
I glanced at him and noticed the stress in his expression. “You going to tell me what’s going on?”
He shook his head. “No, but I’ll at least tell you why I can’t tell you.” He glanced around. “Just not here.”
I looked around and noticed a few people watching us. “See you around, Marian.”
Once I made it back home, I texted him.
Can I make you dinner tonight or do you have to work?
Firebug
I probably can’t leave till nine.
I’ll make dessert then.
Firebug
Thank you again for helping Tavo. I owe you one.
I took a chance and fired back.
Maybe I’ll use that favor to get you to agree to a proper date one of these days.
It seemed like forever before his reply came through.
Firebug
In what universe would you have to use a favor to get me to agree to that? The answer is yes. Name the time and place and I’ll be there, Chief.
As I spent the rest of the afternoon on boring shit like laundry and cleaning my bathroom, I couldn’t help my anticipation.
