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.

Becoming the Wolf, pt. 3

I have been instructed to get out of the house every once in awhile, so every Thursday I head down to the diner on Third Street. It is within walking distance so I am able to be medicated when I go. They have decent coffee. The waitress knows my name.

"Heya, sweetie. Sit where you like and I'll getchya in a sec, kay?" Shirley flashes her teeth and buzzes away.

The booth in the corner looks nice. Without saying a word, Armand passes my table, leaving a cup of coffee in his wake. I warm my hands on the mug.

Suddenly, Shirley is back again, a stack of plates fanned down her arm. She has a grin from ear to ear and asks, "The usual?"

"Surely." I lift the corners of my mouth, and she giggles as she walks away.

The place is busy for a Thursday morning, but the low roar of the crowd is almost comforting as it makes it easy to hide. I feel safe in my booth, even in my weakened state. As I drink my coffee, I close my eyes. The drugs must be stimulating endorphins or something because every inch of my body feels wonderful, and I can't stop thinking about how amazing this coffee is.

I'm just not used to it yet, I tell myself. In time it will stop working like the rest. But for now, even that thought has beauty in it.

I hold the mug up a little longer so I can take in the scent of the brew. Lowering it, however, reveals another person at my booth. A little person.

"What're you starin' at?" he says. "Never seen a Dwarf before?"