12

 

The brisk rhythm of a Greek folk song encompassed the dining room. Ed wasn’t prepared for the intensity of emotions that overwhelmed him when they entered the Pegasi. He had recognized hurt and anger over Cora’s infidelity. However since they arrived, jealousy and resentment reared their ugly heads, along with the implication of his inadequacy as a husband. Ed recovered the old picture from his breast pocket and released a troubled sigh. Was he to blame somehow? Was it something he did, or something he didn’t do?

Ed’s brow furrowed as he focused on the impending problem of how to confront Cora. He tapped his fingers on the table, and brooded over the increased tension in their marriage. His determination grew to find a reason for her betrayal of their wedding vows. Ed wanted to believe that the sum of their union wasn’t a complete loss. Still, all he could visualize was his wife at a corner table, holding hands with that young gigolo. He slowly twisted his linen napkin, and dreaded the moment of Cora’s confession.

Ben, the waiter, came to Ed’s table with the hot drinks that were ordered earlier. “Here’s your coffee and complimentary breadsticks,” he said. “Would you like to order, now?”

“We’ll order when she gets back, but I’d like to ask you a question. You seem to know the lady quite well. Has she been here before?”

The waiter lowered the serving tray to his side as he answered. “Are you kidding? She comes in at least once a week.”

“Are you sure it isn’t someone who just resembles her?”

“Absolutely, sir. That lady’s one of my favorite customers, and I always look forward to seeing her. We enjoy giving each other a hard time. She has trouble pronouncing some of the Greek words so I tease her about butchering the language.” The young man chuckled. “Her usual order is the Chicken Souvlaki Plate with Salata and Vanilla Bean Cappuccino. She complains about the coffee being too strong, but gets it, anyway.”

“Does she come alone?”

The waiter cleared his throat and lowered his voice. “Well, I really couldn’t say, sir.”

Ed leaned forward and retrieved his wallet from his back pocket. He folded a couple bills and discreetly placed them in Ben’s hand.

The young man’s eyes popped, then he lowered his head. “Wow! Well, everyone knows she comes in here with Dr. Morgan, but that’s all I’m gonna say.” Ben turned and scurried off.

Ed bristled at the information and felt as though he had been punched in the stomach. Lively background music bounced with a lighthearted spirit, which only served to increase his animosity. He reached for the cream, and hoped the coffee was strong enough to ease the pain in his temple. How was he going to tell Cora that her promiscuous affairs were no longer secret?

 

 

****

 

The indoor dining area quickly filled with hungry lunchtime guests. Voices buzzed and water-filled goblets clinked with ice as Cora slowly weaved her way through the maze of tables to where Ed was seated outside.

The hour of reckoning had arrived. Unable to put it off any longer, she was determined to get everything out in the open.

As Cora approached their table, she heard the ting-ting-ting of Ed’s spoon as he mindlessly stirred his coffee. She laid her hand on his to end the irritating noise. “That’s enough, Ed.” She sent a perfunctory smile to the couple closest to them. Still, he seemed to be in another world and continued to move the spoon, oblivious to everything around him. “Edward. Stop.”

“Stop what?” he asked.

“That crazy habit of yours. The endless stirring.” She sat across from her husband whose ears colored as he eyed the other diners.

He set his spoon down. “Sorry.”

A mixed bag of emotions assailed Cora when she saw Ben, the brazen server, coming.

The waiter threw her a mischievous smile and nudged her shoulder. “Looks like you bagged yourself another beau. You can take that ad out of the paper, now.” He paused with the look of expectancy on his face. When Cora offered no lighthearted comeback, he changed the subject. “Ooo-kay, guess my timing’s a little off today. Do you want your usual?”

“My usual what?”

“Your usual order.” He licked the tip of his pencil and eagerly waited to mark it down.

Cora shifted in her seat, and frowned at Ed. “I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

The waiter looked at Ed and then back to Cora. “I’m sorry. My crazy sense of humor gets me in trouble, sometimes. What can I get you this afternoon, ma’am?”

She folded her menu, pushed it to the edge of their table and acknowledged his apology with a slight nod. “I believe I’ll try the Chicken Souvlaki Plate.”

“Very good choice, madam.” The young waiter grinned at Ed. “That comes with soup, salad or fries.”

She wrung her hands nervously in her lap. “Salad, please, with a couple crackers.”

The overconfident young man turned his attention to Ed. “And what will you have, sir?”

“I’ll have the same, but make mine with fries.” He laid his menu on top of Cora’s. The waiter quickly scooped them off the table and left with their food requests.

Cora waited until Ben was out of hearing range then said, “Well, I never. Can you believe how fresh that young man was? You should complain to the manager.” Her husband sat motionless, his eyes fixed on the nearby fountain. “Ed, did you hear me?” When he failed to respond again, she touched his arm. His muscles tensed beneath her fingertips. Worry seeped into her voice. “What’s wrong?”

He leaned back in his seat and lowered his voice. “Let’s go ahead and ask the Lord’s blessing for the food, first.”

After his prayer, Cora asked, “So are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”

Time seemed to stand still before Ed spoke. He shook his head and broke the uncomfortable silence. “Cora, we need to talk,” he muttered in a low voice.

“Yes, I know.” She fumbled self-consciously with the napkin on her lap. The longer she tried to ignore the truth, the harder it had become to tell him. Her mind was a tumble of confused thoughts and emotions as she struggled to begin.

He scowled. “So, do you want to start?”

She forced herself to calmly sip her cappuccino. “Oh, this is terrible, it’s much too strong.” Cora looked up at him. “No, you go ahead and say what’s on your mind.”

He threw her an ominous look. “Very well. This isn’t going to be an easy thing to say, and you probably won’t like to hear it, either. After all these years of marriage, I feel I have the right to know what’s been going on with the doctor.” He took a drink of the strong coffee and set his cup back on the table with a heavy thunk.

Stunned by the abruptness of his statement, Cora gasped. “How did you find out?”