RD gets on with his life slowly. From sleepless nights, he has slowly graduated to fitful, dream-filled slumbers that make him jerk awake on and off. Alcohol has become his best friend and he would graduate to prostitutes if he actually knew where he could find one. The internet turns up way too many porn sites.
So the fact he put on some clean clothes and burnt his old ones is a good sign. The shower was just a godsend for everyone else.
RD walked slowly and purposefully out of his apartment. Mainly because he wanted to be dramatic, but also due to the slight loss of muscle mass due to complete inactivity for the last 2 days. He made it safely to the sidewalk.
He makes his way through the usual wall of people on the street and steps into his restaurant. Its his simply because he goes there at least once a week. Twice if he's feeling down. They know him and even like him to some extent. Maybe that's why they rarely spit in his food.
He doesn't stop and survey the restaurants inhabitants as he usually does, but puts his head down and practically runs to his table. Within minutes a steaming bowl is placed in front of him. That's right, they do know him well.
He actually smiles as he takes a forkful of food and brings it to his mouth. He closes his eyes in anticipation. The taste is orgasmic. He chews slowly and opens his eyes to see RG sitting 2 tables away looking at him horrified. Her dinner companion obliviously talking away. RD tries to swallow and chokes. He spews his half-chewed food on the table. The waiter swears bloody vengeance.
RG continues to look shocked though her partner looks amused and makes that quite clear when he leans over and whispers in her ear, while laughing about it. RD's face is red from the choking as well as embarrassment.
Between gasping for air and wiping chunks of food from his face, RD notices the way the guys places his hand on RG's arm. He sees how close he gets to RG's ear when he whispers and way he looks at her. RD stops choking, but he feels worse.
He can see RG gesture to her partner that she wants to leave, but he seems reluctant. He stares at RD with something a bit more than contempt and hilarity. He looks angry.
RD stares back, unafraid for possibly the first time in his life. He exudes anger from every pore and the room suddenly seems a lot more uncomfortable to the diners. In fact some try to edge out in the confusion without paying. This does not end well as the cook comes out of the kitchen and purposefully sharpens his knife. The diners sit down. Only RD and the other guy are standing. The stare-off continues.
No one dares move and they all know that it will just take a spark to start a fight that will end in blood. So RG stops it. She just steps in between them and grabs the other guy. He looks at her and turns away from RD. She pushes him outside bodily. As she leaves the restaurant, she glances back at RD and turns away fast. If RD wasn't so angry and hurt, he'd have seen the apology and sadness in her eyes. He doesn't see this though. In fact he only sees contempt and mockery.
He sits down again. The noise level rises again as people start forced conversations with each other to release the tension.
His food is cold.
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