MC Part 2 #17
“I know she’s serious. It is all… well… it is pretty crazy.”
“How do you feel for her?”
It was a question any mother would ask, but carried more weight than most parents would ever have to bear. Her daughter could snuff out the life of someone who hurt her feelings with nothing more than a wink. It would be a shame for some unsuspecting human to court that kind of wrath.
John sighed, and took a drink from his glass.
“I think… no… I feel love for her. She’s woken something up inside my heart that I never knew was there.” He frowned. “It’s just that love doesn’t happen like this, and I’m really skittish.”
“You’re a man of few words, aren’t you?” Ginga couldn’t help but smile.
“How did you know that?”
“You look so uncomfortable talking about your feelings. I bet I could ask you about… What is it that you do, John?”
“I’m a chef.”
“I bet I could ask you about the best oil to use for frying, and you would talk to me for hours on end. Am I right?”
“What are you planning to fry? Do you want the oil to impart flavor, mouth feel, or be invisible on the palate?”
“I rest my case, John of Few Words.”
Ginga laughed. It was a merry sound, and John couldn’t help but smile.
“So, really, Mrs. Pendy, why are you here?” He noticed that the smile that lingered on her face after the laughter disappeared in an instant.
“Ah. I see you’re a man of few words, good taste, and perception, too.”
She shook her head in dismay at herself. This young man had caught her off guard, and it was disturbing. Perhaps she’d been too concerned with making up for Cam’s ham-handed way of dealing with the situation? No matter, she decided, there would be time enough to pick it apart later.
“I try. I’m also pretty good at reading body language.” John smiled.
“Yes. I can see that.” If his smile had been arrogant, and not self-effacing, she would have slapped it off his face.