Second day

The day didn't end on a high note. The rest of the lunch went on in silence. All she could hear was the clinking and clanking of plates and silver utensils and the buzz of all those business people's voices surrounding and running through her. She didn't know what else to say to him, she was suddenly feeling awkward.

Again he was clicking on his electronic screen. She started to sigh then suddenly felt herself tighten. What the hell was it with him and that computer? She wondered if he even wanted to be here having lunch. She decided to say something. "Hey, you think you can give that a break and have some lunch with me?" she said. She inwardly wondered if he thought her needy or pushy. She kept telling herself she was his friend, not his girlfriend, and she knew she could only make so many demands before becoming something of a nuisance.

He looked at her in the eye and studied her for a second. Then put the gadget on the table and picked up his fork and focused on his food. They continued on in silence for another few minutes and sipped wine. Guess he was waiting for her to talk. She liked the silence though. Not every silence had to be filled. Words had to have meaning and a time to be said.


"I'm going to Atlantic City for the weekend," he announced suddenly. She grinned as she chewed. "That's great," she said, and nodded her approval. "You like Atlantic City, don't you?" she asked. "Yes, it's a nice place to get away if only for a little while, not too far away, and the price is right for the bus, don't have to drive." His phone rang again, this time he did not look at it and focused on his meal and her.

"How are your boat trip plans coming along?" she asked, seeing how he suddenly relaxed when the conversation was about things he liked....mostly about himself. "They're set, actually. I leave in a month to Peru. I'll be gone two weeks, it'll be great." He then took a swallow of his wine. "You bringing your camera?" she asked, admiring his get up and go. "Sure, but I'll pack light, not taking a huge lens," he grinned, as they both recalled the last trip they took together and he had rented a humdinger of a lens that took some great pictures but was bulky and way too heavy to walk around too much with.

"That lens got a lot of action didn't it?" he said, still smiling. Yes it had. Several women had approached asking about his camera and the lens, and he was only too happy to talk all about it. One was a professional photographer and she was happy to give her opinion on what lens she would be getting. Of course she was standing there, and it was not exactly being ignored, but came a bit close.

"Several people came up to talk to me," he went on, still smiling. "Yes, women, I recall." She said, letting herself get goaded into where he was going, teasing her. "They all seemed really impressed with the lens," he went on. "Yes, that's what impressed them, the ... lens." He looked tickled, she smiled, and they were doing their gentle teasing and suddenly they were both relaxed and enjoying their lunch.

"Are you planning any trips soon?" he asked, as their lunch was finishing up. "Not in the near future, since starting this new job, I am too busy trying to get ahold of what's going on and want to make a good impression." "You will do fine, you know that, you are good, and they are lucky to have you." he replied simply. He seemed very sure of her skill, and that made her feel proud.

She stated she had to get going, and finished what was left of her wine glass. The lunch was good, very tasty. They split the bill and the tip, and then got up to find her a taxi. "It was good seeing you and having lunch together," she said, as they flagged down a cab fairly quickly. They hugged, "It's great to see you too, text me when you get in the office," he closed the door after her and waved as she drove off.