He slid into the booth opposite her, and sat down. “Hi, Angela! How are you?”
“I’m okay. I, uh, texted you three days ago, and you just texted me back today. Is something wrong?”
“Sorry, I’ve been busy. So how’re you doing?”
“I’m fine”, then, after a long pause, “Why did it take you so long to respond?”
Taken aback, “Um … I’ve been busy. There’s a lot of stuff on my plate right now. So, what did you do this weekend? It was so nice; I hope you got out and enjoyed it!”
She just sat there for a minute, staring at him. Finally, “No, I didn’t get out – too busy. You’re not the only one with a lot on his plate right now.” Then, more silence.
And more silence.
Anxious to break the silence (and hoping to prevent the author from using the word 'silence' a fourth time in succession) and more than a little bit thirsty, “So, what kind of beer do you like? These guys make a great west-coast IPA, and a damn fine milk stout. I’ve heard good stuff about their red, and some of the others, but I am a creature of habit, so I only know those two personally.”
“You keep changing the subject!”
“I didn’t know there was a subject to change. I just got here, and we really haven’t talked long enough to establish a subject.”
“You know what I mean! Why have you been ignoring me?”
“I haven’t been ‘ignoring’ you! I’ve just been busy.” After a moment, “Is this what you plan to talk about? Because, honestly, it’s been a long day, and I’m in no mood for drama. In fact, I can’t think of any time that I’m really in the mood for drama.”
“There’s no need to be rude! I’m sorry I brought it up. I just wanted to know why you didn’t call me back sooner. It doesn’t seem so much to ask, does it?”
“Actually, it does. We seem to have the beginnings of a real disconnect here. We dated for a few weeks over thirty years ago, and haven’t seen each other since. So now, on the occasion of our second time getting together for a beer, you’re coming after me like a suspicious wife who finds lipstick on her husband’s zipper – because I didn’t answer your text as quickly as you would like.
“It’s starting to come back to me why we broke up when we were younger”, He dropped a ten dollar bill on the table, and said, “Here’s for your beer. I appreciate you coming down here to meet me, but I don’t think I can stick around, and I think this should be the last time we see each other.”
Unfortunately for all involved, it wasn’t.
