Page 6 of Between Brothers

“Jesus Christ, you need to move on this.” I blinked and looked back to Cell who was laughing at me again.

I nodded; I had every intention of it. She set down our bill and drifted away and I pushed the receipt paper in his direction with a pointed look. He rolled his eyes and took a pen out of his cut, scribbling whatever it was this time on the back before sliding it back over to me so I could get to work.

I made sure what he’d wrote was suitable and not douche before I got to work folding it into a delicate and tiny origami orchid, using the paper wrapping from my straw to fashion a vine. I twisted it back on itself and cocked my head, my pulse speeding just a bit. With a hard swallow, I went for it, looping it, and thinking on it a second. I went through my pockets and looked up at Cell.

“I need a piece of tape.”

He smirked, hitching back with a laugh making some comment about getting stupid with my paper art. Still, he humored me and went through the pockets of his jacket and cut, coming up with a roll of green electrical tape. Even better! I grinned at him and took it, finishing working my magic with the tiny bits of paper. He shook his head and said, “You’re somethin’ else, man.”

“Go smoke your cigarette,” I muttered and his eyebrows shot up.

“Don’t mind if I do, pay the bill when you’re done with your arts and crafts, fucknugget.”

I nodded, and handed him his tape. He shoved it back in his pocket, his cigarette already out, tapping the filter against the base of his latest Bic lighter. He liked them better when it came to improvising explosive devices. The plastic melted and didn’t leave behind fingerprints. He always said Zippos were too nice to get rid of and were a disaster waiting to happen when it came to trace evidence.

“Hurry it the fuck up,” he called over his shoulder and pushed through the diner’s door and went outside. He paused just outside the door, smirking through the glass at me, and lit up. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I mean, did he want me to pull the trigger on this or not?

I finished my handiwork and pleased that it was secure, and wouldn’t fall apart easily looked up to Hayley standing by my table with a water pitcher in her hand. She blinked at me with those lovely dark eyes and I smiled up at her crookedly. I took her free hand gently and slid the paper and tape orchid ring on her right ring finger, glad her left was occupied because I didn’t want to come across too creepy.

“I see you,” I breathed and her eyes never left mine. I felt it, the moment, falling from a great height, cutting through the tension between us her body language softened. I stood up, pulling my wallet out blindly, fishing in it for all the cash, knowing there was way more than what was required to pay for the meal. I pressed it all into her hands, and took a moment to brush her cheek with my thumb while she stood there, wide eyed and motionless.

I winked at her, and went out the door and into the night, catching up to Duracell.

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