Ω
By noon I couldn’t stand it anymore. I hadn’t heard back from Ben yet and my focus was absolutely shot so I headed over to the restaurant to see if I could figure out what the hell was going on.
The chalk-board easel that was normally displayed near the front entrance advertising the daily specials was missing and although the restaurant was always busy at lunch, it seemed a bit emptier and a little quieter than normal. That is, of course, until I made it closer to the counter, where I saw Lena on the phone, looking animatedly frantic.
As I approached I was able to overhear her end of the conversation. “Well, I know…but what the fuck do you want me to do, Ben? He practically sliced half his thumb off the minute he got here this morning…what? No he can’t just glove it! He needs stitches – I sent him to the emergency room!… Yes, you’re right, I made an executive decision – I’m standing by it.” Lena was shaking her head in exasperation. “Well, I don’t know…Rob can handle some of the base items but if Johnny doesn’t make it back here in the next couple hours I don’t think we can stay open…okay, fine…yeah, I will…okay bye.”
Lena let her breath out deeply. She didn’t even see me standing there.
“Hey Lena.” I knocked her out of her thoughts.
She looked up suddenly. “Oh…hey Gabby. It’s a gong-show here today – I’m sure you already know…”
I shook my head. “No, not really. What’s going on with Ben?” I decided to cut to the chase.
Lena just rolled her eyes. “I have no idea – I thought maybe you would know…but it doesn’t really surprise me either…one of the many things that frustrates me about that guy…he never tells anyone anything.”
I nodded slowly, my frustration with the situation growing more and more as well with every passing second. “So…” I racked my brain. “He just called you and said what?” I kept fishing, although I had a feeling it was useless.
Lena shrugged. “Nothing. He just said he had some shit come up last night that he’s gotta deal with and that he talked to Johnny and he would handle the menu today – but then Johnny went and freakin’ sliced up one of his fingers and so now…well…who the fuck knows…”
I sighed. I didn’t get it. How hard would it be for Ben to at least just let me know what was going on – didn’t he know I would worry? Didn’t he care? I figured Lena saw the look on my face because she attempted to reassure me.
“I wouldn’t worry too much, though,” she told me. “Obviously he’s still alive…I did just get off the phone with him,” she pointed out.
I just shook my head again and sucked my teeth. Yes, at least I didn’t have to worry about that.
Ω
By the time I left work at 5 pm I was certifiably beyond worry and confusion – now I was just downright mad. The only thing I knew for sure was that there was no way in hell I was wasting a night off – not after all this time, and definitely not after the shit my mother had been putting me through lately.
But my attempts at recruiting a partner-in-crime for a night out on the town were failing miserably. Tony had a date with Matt that night and Tasha was sick in bed with the flu. Corinne was studying for exams. I’d even stooped as low as to text Michelle – but she was working late, so it was a no-go.
I strolled slowly up the Drive , and ducked my head into a few stores along the way, attempting to only window-shop, but ended up making a few frivolous purchases at Wonderbucks anyway – a soap dispenser for my bathroom, a few scented candles and a new set of tea towels for my kitchen. I spent about 25 minutes debating whether or not to buy a set of wicker storage bins for my bedroom since they were half off, but decided to only stick to those items that I could easily stuff into my over-sized brown leather handbag. I was out for the night after all…
By the time I made it as far as Grandview Park, I decided to hit up Joe’s Café for a coffee, and headed onto the patio to make myself comfortable with a copy of The Georgia Straight. I had all the time in the world and absolutely nowhere to go, and if it hadn’t been for my stomach that was continually turning over in nausea over what was going on with Ben, I was pretty sure I would have actually enjoyed it. But in that moment, it was near impossible.
I pulled out my phone.
He replied fairly quickly.
I was near to losing it.
My phone only buzzed again a good five minutes later.
I was so mad I could have smashed my phone on the concrete sidewalk.
Oh fuck… Maybe I took that too far, I thought, immediately regretting my reply. I made a dive for my bag and pulled out my cigarettes. I only had one left. I figured my next stop that night would be the mini-mart on the corner.
Not surprisingly, Ben didn’t send a reply to that text.
Ω
Eventually I caught the sea bus and headed to North Vancouver with a copy of Alice Sebold’s Almost Moon, which I picked up in the gift shop at Waterfront Station. I didn’t even read the jacket cover, just flipped to the first page of Chapter One and read the very first sentence. “When all is said and done, killing my mother came easily.”
I almost missed the bus, waiting a ridiculously long time in line as the lady in front of me made her entire purchase with a purse full of dimes and nickels.
Ω
I only made it about four chapters into the book before my emotions got the better of me and kept me from continuing. I still hadn’t apologized to my mother for the previous night and the guilt was beginning to eat away at me.
Once the sun set, a chill in the air forced me to get back onto the sea bus and make my way back into the city. I bypassed hopping onto the Skytrain, though, deciding to take the long route home on the city bus as it headed back up East Hastings and through Chinatown, until turning south onto Commercial Drive.
The bus slowed down near Venables. The traffic was thick all of a sudden, most likely due to a stalled car, as Tuesday night on the Drive wasn’t necessarily that busy, but as I glanced out the window I noticed a small crowd of people gathered outside of Buena Comida, Ben’s old restaurant, and where he had taken me to watch Adam’s band play that time. I heard the music rumbling into the street from inside the bus – a Salsa band was on-stage, visible from the front window of the restaurant. It was weird. I wasn’t even much of a Salsa fan, but for some reason the music was pulling me in – that and the little crowd of cute Latino boys hanging around outside. I rang the bell and got off the bus at the next stop.
Ω
I had just swigged back my third shot of tequila when I noticed him watching me. I was standing along a half wall separating the bar from the tables in the restaurant, watching the band. He wasn’t that tall, but he had a nice face…clean cut… well-dressed. He kind of reminded me of Danny Fernandes, just maybe a little shorter. And for some reason he was staring me down like I was the only woman there. Maybe it was the tequila, but the way he was watching me was making me feel warm all over. I definitely wasn’t used to being singled out like that.
Within five minutes he had made his way over to me, inching his way closer, and continuing his stare-down, possibly attempting to get a better look. Then, he and his Corona, were right there next to me along the wall.
“Hi.” He smiled at me. I could tell he was already pretty tipsy.
I gave him a little smile. “Hi.” I looked away.
“What’s your name?”
I glanced back over at him and caught him swaying a little. Maybe he was a little more than tipsy…
“Gabriela.”
“Ahhh…” His eyes went wide, as he kept staring me down. “Nice to meet you, Gabriela. I’m Miguel.”
I gave him another little awkward smile.
“You look so familiar to me. I’ve seen you somewhere
before.”
I sighed. I hated that line… “It’s possible. I work in the neighbourhood.”
He shook his head slowly. “Yeah…not from here though. From the Caribbean festival. I saw you there.”
My eyes went a little wide in surprise. “Really?”
He nodded slowly. His eyes were heavy. And he was still swaying. He took a long sip of his beer. “You have pretty eyes. And I never forget a face.”
I nodded, forcing out another smile. “Well…thanks.” I didn’t know what to say.
“You were with a guy,” he stated bluntly.
I nodded again. “Yup.” I turned back to the band then, not feeling that comfortable anymore.
“He’s your boyfriend?”
I nodded quickly. “Yes,” I said, without hesitation. I felt it was becoming necessary to assert my boundaries.
“Are you sure?”
I gave him a little quick glance out of the corner of my eye. It was time for me to find a way to excuse myself. I racked my brain for an exit strategy.
“Well, you know, just because…I know your boyfriend.”
That caught my interest. My eyes went a little wide. “You do?”
“Yeah. Ben.”
“Oh. Okay. How do you know Ben?”
He let out a little laugh at that and took another sip of his beer. “How do I know Ben?” He turned and narrowed his eyes at me, watching me closely. “Because that nigger is fucking the mother of my son.”
My eyes shot open in shock at his words. I couldn’t move. I was frozen solid.
He laughed at me again. “Don’t look so surprised, sweetie…you know what they’re like. They’re together as we speak – if you want we can go find them right now – the both of us. That would be fun, wouldn’t it? Whaddaya say?”
I caught my breath and pulled my bag back up over my shoulder – quickly. I found my voice. “Excuse me.”
I tried to move past him but he caught my arm. “You don’t believe me?”
“I…” I needed to get the fuck away from him – fast. “I need to use the ladies room – excuse me.”
“That’s okay, sweetie, just go think about what I told you – I’ll be right out here when you get back.” He was slurring his words.
I snatched my arm away and bolted for the ladies room, locking myself quickly in one of the stalls. I grabbed my phone out of my bag, my fingers shaking.
I waited two minutes, still shaking.
My phone buzzed.
Fuck texting. I hit dial and waited but the call went to voicemail. I pressed redial immediately.
And that time he picked up on the third ring. I was glad the band was still in the middle of their set because the music was about to help drown out my screaming…
“Gabby, what is it?” He sounded tired and irritated.
“What is it?” I demanded. “What do you think it is, Ben? Who is she?” I was starting to shake even more.
A slight pause. “What?”
“Who the fuck is she, Ben?”
“Who is who? What the fuck are you talking about, Gabby?” That time he did raise his voice.
“The girl!” I was really losing it now. “The girl – the girl who you’re fucking!”
He didn’t say anything right away. “Gabby, you losin’ your fuckin’ mind right now…” Another pause. “Where are you? What the hell is all that noise?”
“Don’t change the fucking subject, Ben – answer my question!”
“Gabby, you have no idea the shit I am going through right now – why, of all times, are you gonna pick this moment to start trippin’ out on me like a fuckin’ lunatic? Huh? Why?” He wasn’t holding anything back anymore. “You of all people…” His voice trailed off.
“Me?” I shouted back. “I have done nothing but leave you the hell alone – that’s what you wanted right – and now here I am, minding my own fucking business and this guy – this..this…her boyfriend…he told me everything Ben! Everything!”
“What are you talking about?” He just kept repeating the same shit over and over again, I wanted to strangle him…
I racked my brain. “Miguel!” I shouted back at him. “Miguel – her fucking boyfriend, Ben! The mother of his son!”
Ben was silent. For far longer than necessary. “Miguel?” For some strange reason his tone fell then – like something was finally making sense. “Where are you, Gabby? Tell me what happened.”
“I’m at Buena Comida – on the Drive…this guy…this guy named Miguel, he…”
“What does he look like?” Ben cut me off then.
“What?” I was getting the worst head ache. “I don’t know – Spanish guy, dark hair, kinda short, clean-cut…”
“Oh fuck, Gabby…” I heard Ben groan. “Is he still there? Where are you – who you with?”
“No one!” I shouted. “I’m by myself and yes he’s still here, he’s in the bar – who the fuck is he, Ben?”
“Shit.” Ben was quiet for a moment. “What did he say to you?”
“I just fucking told you! I can’t do this anymore – I’m going home. You’re just talking in circles anyway. And he’s out there fucking waiting for me too…”
“No…Gabby wait, don’t hang up. Where are you right now? In the bar?” I didn’t understand why he was suddenly so goddamn concerned…
“I’m in the ladies room.”
“Okay, don’t leave – y’understand me? Stay right where you are, I’m a call you back in exactly two minutes.”
“What? Why?”
“Just stay there, okay? Two minutes.”
I let my breath out. I couldn’t argue anymore. And so I just stared blankly at the display screen on my phone until exactly one minute and 54 seconds later when his number popped back up on my phone.
“What?” I picked up quickly.
“I’m sendin’ someone to come pick you up.”
“What?” I was beyond confused now. Nothing was making any sense anymore. “What do you mean, pick me up? I just live up the street, Ben, and I’m going home!”
“No.” Ben’s tone was steady and firm. “You’re not leaving, Gabby, it’s not safe.”
“Safe?” I repeated.
“I’ll explain when I see you, okay, I promise – just don’t leave.” His tone had softened, the anger replaced with worry, stress, concern…
“Well, why don’t you just come?” I wanted to know.
“Because I’m an hour away,” he said simply.
I was so goddamn confused. “So then who’s coming to pick me up?”
Ben sighed. “My brother.”
I was shocked. “Ivan?”
“Yeah, Ivan. So just stay right where you are. He’ll call you – I gave him your number.”
Chapter Twenty-One
I stepped out of the bathroom stall and stared at my reflection in the vanity mirror. I looked tired…drained… I washed my hands, and dug through my bag for some hand lotion and my lipstick. My eyeliner was a little smudged, and as I was dabbing at it with a damp paper towel I heard my phone ringing yet again. Private number. But I already knew who it was.
“Fuck, Gabriela…” I muttered to myself as I brought my phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Hey…it’s Ivan…I understand you needin’ a ride.” He was short and to the point. He sounded just like his brother.
“Apparently so,” I answered. “I’m really sorry about all this…”
“It’s no problem.” He dismissed it. “So where you at?”
“Ben didn’t tell you?”
“Yeah, he told me – I’ll be there in five minutes, just thinkin’ it probably be best if you could slip out the back and I’ll grab you in the alley…”
His wording made me laugh softly, the ridiculousness of the entire situation still baffling me. “Yeah, I’ll see what I can do.”
There was a slight pause on Ivan’s end. “You okay, though, right?”
&
nbsp; “Yeah…I’m fine,” I assured him.
“Awright, cool. I’ll call you as soon as I pull up.”
Ω
Ivan was driving a silver VW Jetta – I saw it idling right outside the back door as soon as I’d managed to find the exit. I waited in the ladies room until he called me back, not wanting to risk running into Miguel again. I didn’t want to hear anything else he had to say – although the information Ben had provided me with wasn’t doing much to make me feel any better either.
I noticed Ivan reach across the front seat to open the passenger door for me and I climbed in next to him, feeling a rush of relief wash over me as soon as I did. He was dressed super casually in a pair of baggy sweat pants and a t-shirt.
“Hey…” I let my breath out. “Thanks again, Ivan.”
“It’s all good… So…” He gestured with his eyes back at the restaurant, as he backed his car up into the alley. “Everything awright in there?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t see him again. I’m surprised Ben called you for help.”
He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “I live two blocks from here.”
I nodded slowly, understanding. “Ivan, do you know what’s going on because Ben isn’t telling me anything and it’s really starting to piss me off.”
Ivan sighed, not saying anything right away. “Well, I don’t know much but I got a pretty good idea…”
“Oh! Hold on, Ivan, you should have turned right, I’m at 16th – sorry I didn’t tell you.” I interrupted him suddenly. “I’m not thinking straight right now…”
Ivan hesitated slightly. “My brother doesn’t want me taking you home – sorry.”
I stared back at him in shock. “What? Why not?”
“I don’t know, but he sounded pretty serious, so…”
“I don’t fucking get this.” I was shaking my head again. This was so fucking ridiculous… “So where are you taking me?”
Love Is Overdue Page 31