Becoming the Wolf, pt. 4

I carefully set the mug on the table. "I just wasn't expecting anyone to be there."

The man leans a little closer to me. "You are high as fuck, aren't you?"

"I'm on a prescribed medication, yes," I sit a little straighter.

Suddenly he howls with laughter, smacking the table with his hand. I sit quietly, just watching as he turns red and tears up slightly. When he finally calms down he shakes his head and holds his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry--that's just some funny shit. Here you are, all doped up, and a fucking Dwarf sits down at your table!"

I smile wide, the first real one in a while. "I do have to admit, you caught me off guard."

The man laughs again, controlled this time. "My name is Hank," he extends his hand and I take it.

"Bill."

Over his shoulder, I see Shirley coming with my food, just as Hank's phone goes off.

"I have to take this, sorry."

I give him a wave to say that I don't mind, and he hops off the seat--nearly colliding with the waitress. He gracefully recovers, however, dodging her legs as he walks cleanly beneath her arm. Since the tray hid him from her line of sight, I'm confident she is unaware of him.

"Here you go, hon. Sorry I can't stay and talk today," she gives a genuine expression of remorse. I try to calm her with a smile.

"It's alright--I've got company this time anyway."

Remorse turns to confusion as she turns to face the empty seat across from me. She moves only her eyes to look back at me.

"He's outside on the phone right now," I chuckle. "I promise I'm not that crazy--yet."

She smiles sweetly--relieved--and pats my shoulder as she darts back into the kitchen.

Soon after, Hank sits back down. He's a little more somber now. I wait for him to speak first.

"Anyway," he says as he tucks his cellphone into an inside pocket. "I wanted mainly to introduce myself."

"Oh...okay."

He smiles with only the side of his mouth. "You'll be seeing me again, Bill."

I open my mouth to speak, but Shirley comes out of nowhere. She leans across the table to reach my coffee, obscuring my view of the Dwarf, and when she stands back up, he is gone.

"Where's this friend of yours?" she asks, still pouring my coffee.

"I...I'm not sure. I think he left."

She frowns. "I'm sorry."

"No," I shake my head, smiling slightly. "Don't be. I'll see him again."

Shirley hangs onto a look of concern and watches me as I get up. I drop the same amount of money on the table as I always do and briefly touch her shoulder as I leave.