by Coty Schwabe
sky itself really had fallen – hell, even the stars themselves – with hail and fire and brimstone but yet, here he was, months later, staring at those same constellations he’d seen as a boy. These imaginary shapes held him fast to the belief that the Wrath had been no more than a cleansing of sorts, and that the end of the whole thing was far from here.
They were also painful reminders that he lived on.
Burk felt sleep coming on, the persistent demon that it was, and got up. The pup watched as Burk gathered up the meat in his hands, and headed for the gas station. He cast one last glance at the pup, who regarded him with a similar weary look, and went inside.
He wrapped the meat up in a child’s shirt, tying the sleeves together, and knotting it. How many people had passed through this gas station, and not moved on because of these inbred bastards? A fresh flush of anger passed through him, and he wanted to put another slug in Kenny’s ugly mug just because of it. But the feeling passed, and Burk knew it best to conserve what few bullets he had.
18
The mattress was a disgusting thing; urine spots, blood spatter and who knew what else covered it, almost making Burk vomit. Instead, he laid down on the cold linoleum between the aisles, using his arms to rest his head on.
Burk closed his eyes, and hummed himself a tune of his own creation; one that his grandfather would have approved of:
I’m a mannnn on a mission,
Lookin’ for the land of Nod.
Won’t stop ‘til I get therrre,
Unless I’ll die along this road.
Journey’s been long, I’ve come this far,
Still got a ways to go.
Should I die before I’ve found her again,
At least my soul will find rest.
It was the third repetition of this doggerel that put him under.
19
“I’ll have the beef ribs, with the cheddar broccoli, and baked potato. And a side of bacon.”
The waiter – his nametag said OTTO in capital letters - scrunched his nose, and grimaced. “And to drink,” he asked, taking Burk’s menu.
“Another Orange Star.”
Otto raised a brow. “Finished the beer already?” Burk slid the glass mug across the table. “I’ve had a long day. So sue me.”
Otto bit his lip and turned to the woman. “And for you miss?”
Burk watched her frown as she scanned the menu. “You don’t have any vegetarian dishes, do you?”
The waiter shrugged, and pointed. “We do have these soups available.” Then Otto frowned as well. “I can probably ask the chef to put together a salad from the hamburger ingredients.”
Her frown degenerated to a full grimace. “It’s okay. I’ll just take the tomato soup.” She handed Otto the menu. “With a glass of iced tea.”
Before walking off, Burk heard Otto whisper to the woman across from him, “take no offense, miss, but a barbecue pit is not the best place for a vegetarian.” He caught Burk drilling him with a hard stare, and walked away briskly.
Burk leaned across the table. “I didn’t know you were a vegetarian. I’m sorry.” Burk palmed his forehead. “That’s why you asked if they had an online menu.” He sipped his water. After the beer, it tasted sour, bitter. “I just thought you wanted to know ahead of time what to order.” He shook his head. “I feel like an idiot.”
The woman smiled, and set her napkin in her lap. “It’s okay. It didn’t cross my mind when Greg set this up.” She put her hands in her lap. “To be honest, I completely forgot until you picked me up and told me where we were going.”
“You know what, Lauren, let’s go. I’ll pay for the drink, and we can go someplace else.” Burk reached for his wallet. “I actually know a little buffet place down the street that has all you can eat salad.”
Lauren reached across the table and placed her hand on his. “Really, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. I’ll live.” Her hand was soft and delicate and comforting. Burk could still remember it, even to this day.
He looked over at her, hopeful. “Alright. How about the next time we have dinner, you choose the place.”
She withdrew her hand and shot him a coy smile. “I’m not so sure you want to say that.”
Burk settled back into his leather seat. Great, it’ll be one of those hole-in-the-wall-vegan places, where they serve soy and tofu. He straightened his blazer. Why did I overdress? He knew he had, the second he saw her come out of her apartment wearing a t-shirt and jeans, natural blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. And damn did she look good. Hard abs, toned arms, and that ass; perfectly round.
He just looked like a moron in his blazer, buttoned shirt and slacks.
He blinked. “No I mean it. Vegetarian, vegan, wheatgrass shakes, whatever.” You’re compromising too much, idiot. You just met her. “You name it. I’ll eat it. Or at least try.”
Lauren giggled, sipping her water.
She’s so beautiful. Is this for real? Why would she agree to come out with me? More importantly, why is she still single? What’s wrong with her? What did you withhold from me, Greg?
Lauren patted her mouth dry with her napkin. “So tell me about yourself, Burk. What do you do? Greg said you were a cop or something.” Her lips pressed together, deep in thought. “I can’t remember.”
Burk noticed another couple across the way getting their food and drinks. It made him thirsty. He turned back to Lauren. “I’m sorry. Aren’t I supposed to ask you the questions? Isn’t that how these things normally go? The guy asks the girl all the questions and pretends to be interested?”
Lauren scrunched her nose in contempt. “Is that how this works? I don’t really know. I don’t go on dates very often.” Damn it, Greg. What is she, a shut-in? She’s so hot, how can she be single? There’s something here, I know it. First the vegetarian thing, now this. What else lurks beneath the surface? “Besides,” Lauren continued, leaning on her elbows, “I asked first. A gentleman would honor a lady’s request.”
“Ah.” Burk smiled, and shifted in his seat. “Well, I’m not a cop, I’m a bounty hunter. I don’t wear a suit, don’t have a team, and don’t have any real jurisdiction. I do get a gun though, so I guess that’s something.” His fingers went instinctively to his hip at the mention of it, but they only found rough, itchy fabric. He forgot that he’d left it in the car at her request. He felt naked without it.
“That’s exciting, right?” She quickly smiled.
The question felt forced, awkward. In an effort to abate the oncoming tension, he shrugged and said, “Not really. Most of the time I’m filling out paperwork or asking questions of people who don’t have much interest in talking to me.” In the distance, a cook turned a rack of pork ribs over a roaring flame. The scent of charred meat was all around them, and made his saliva glands water. He looked about. How long does it take to get one freakin’ drink? “What about you? Greg told me that you teach… what was it, yoga?”
“I have done yoga, but my major area of expertise is Pilates, though I’m certified for both. That and nutrition.”
Burk closed his eyes and smiled, chagrined. “That explains the diet thing. Gotcha.” He opened his eyes and caught hers; the brightest green he’d ever seen in life. Ever. He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Are you sure you don’t want to leave?” He tilted his head. “Last chance.”
Lauren looked around, and sighed. “Nope. I’m sure. We’re already here. But I can’t guarantee I’ll come back.” Turned out they never did. She finished off her water. “Are you going to drink that?”
Burk had only taken a single sip of his water. “No. Here.”
She accepted it, and replaced the straw with her own. “Sorry. I don’t normally drink after other people, but air in here is making me thirsty.”
“Don’t worry about it.” It was hot. He adjusted the collar of his shirt. He was about to unbutton the top button, but then refrained. I don’t want to give off the wrong signal. Thank God I put on deodorant. That didn’t stop the sweat from gathering
on his chest. “How about I ask you a question.”
Lauren looked up from his drink. “Go for it.”
Alright Burk, what do you want to know? Make it a good one. Don’t say something stupid. “Why did you bother coming here with me?” Idiot!
Lauren’s eyes shot open, and she sat back. “I’m not sure I…” She pushed the cup aside and picked up her bag, pulling away from the table. “I think I am gonna go. It was nice meeting you.”
Burk scrambled to remove himself from the seat. The black leather clung to his butt. What a bad choice for such a hot environment. “Lauren, wait. That came out wrong.”
She shook her head and took a step towards the door. “Listen Burk, you seem like a nice guy, but this whole thing has been awkward enough as it is. I’ll get a ride home.”
He ripped free from the seat, knocking it over. The brass crashed to the black tile below, ringing out with ricocheting CLANG. Seemingly everyone around them stopped what they were doing to stare at them. He stood before her, hands clasped. “Please don’t go. Hear me out.”
Lauren adjusted her purse strap and glanced deftly to each side out of the corner of her eyes. “I’m listening.”
Burk glanced around nervously, stretching out his collar. Didn’t these people have anything more interesting to see? Lauren’s eyes looked past him toward the door. Hurry up stupid, or she’s going to leave. “The reason I asked you that was because, well…” Out with it. He swallowed. “What I meant was…” She placed a balled