Karen Cino: Tuesday Tales

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Welcome to Tuesday Tales where tales turn into novels. This week word prompt is Future.

Pia had called Larry asking him to meet her at Dai Noi, explaining she needed to discuss something with him. At twelve-thirty, she pulled into the small parking lot behind the restaurant. As she walked in, she rehearsed in her mind what she wanted to say to him. The big question was how she would end their nonexistent relationship without ruining the business they built together.

A few months ago, she had thought about venturing out on her own. She had been the one with the real estate license doing ninety percent of the work. Larry had taken the exam a few times without success, leading to Larry becoming the silent partner.

During the past year, Larry spent most of his time on the golf course or at the bar with his friends. He’d insisted she was able to handle all the office business, and do all the administrative work. She did it, but felt that at this point, she was ready to break away and start her own office, or possibly buy him out.

Pia ordered herself a mimosa. Anything stronger would have to wait until later on when she got home. The waiter brought over her drink and a plate of bruschetta. As usual, Larry arrived late with a stupid smirk on his face, the one she wanted to slap right off.

“Hope you weren’t waiting long. I got tied up on a project I’m working on with Greg.”

“Really.” Pia sat back and crossed her legs. “And what might that be this time?”

“I’m trying to nail a deal on a piece of property down on Edgewater Drive.”

“Larry, we need to talk.” Pia took a deep breath, then a sip of her mimosa.

“I’m all in for talking. But first,” he signaled over to the waiter, “I need a drink and something to eat. I hate drinking on an empty stomach.”

Pia crossed her arms. The thought of this conversation plagued her mind all night. What she wanted was to get it over and done with, but instead, she sat as Larry drank his beer, ate a dish of pasta and texted from his iphone. Reaching across the table, she swiped his cell phone.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Larry held out his hand.

“I’m holding onto your cell phone until we finish the conversation we have yet to start.”

“Oh come on, don’t be such a drag. There isn’t anything that can’t wait. I’ll try and plan some sort of a weekend for us. Maybe Myrtle Beach?”

“No. I don’t want a weekend.” Leaning forward she spoke softly, “It’s time to reevaluate our relationship.”

“What relationship? Remember, we are just friends.”

“Fine,” she snapped. “Then you won’t have any problem with me telling you I want to keep our business strictly professional.”

Larry’s eyes narrowed. “Are you telling me you don’t want to see me anymore?”

“We haven’t been together as a couple in over a year. I can’t even remember the last time we went out to dinner, made love or when you’ve even been at my place.”

“This is a joke.” Turning around in his chair, he called across the restaurant to the waiter. “Bring her a double espresso.” Turning around he shook his head. “How much did you drink before I got here?”

Pia lifted her glass. “This is the only drink I had. I am highly insulted you would even think, let alone say that.”

“What are you banging someone else?”

“Oh, no,” Pia waved her finger back and forth. “You must really think I’m a idiot. Do you think I fell for all the empty lies you’ve told me the past year? And do you think I don’t know what you’ve been up to every time you said you had some sort of meeting with one of your friends.”

“And what was I doing.”

“Getting laid.” Her words were loud and caused everyone in the restaurant to look over at their table. She felt her face heat up. Lifting her hand she mumbled, “Sorry.”

“See, you just caused a scene for no reason at all.”

“I want to buy you out,” she blurted out. “I’m done.”

Larry leaned forward in his chair. “We’re a team. You aren’t walking away from me or the business.”

“I am not living like this anymore. I want a normal life.”

Larry stood and dropped a crisp hundred dollar bill on the table. “You should have thought about that four years ago, when you set the stage for our future together.”

Pia rolled her eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“Think about it.”

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