I ask for a pilsner and Betty orders whatever Maggie is drinking. Theo thanks us and escapes to the kitchen as the rest of us sit in awkward silence. Maggie apologetically excuses herself to go to the washroom, and after she leaves, Mark picks up his phone and leaves the table without saying anything.
“So.” I turn to her once he’s out of earshot. “We hate him, right?”
“Yes. Yes, we do.”
Chapter 29
Betty
What did I do in a past life to be dealt this Karma? To my right, a man that loathes me almost as much as I loathe him. On my left, my ex-lover whom I’m still learning how to be around. Across from me, one of my dearest friends, only a smaller, diluted version of her. And we’re all here together in an overcrowded restaurant, pretending to enjoy ourselves. Well, at least some of us are.
“They used a different spice on the meat.” Mark frowns at his almost empty plate. It’s the first time he’s spoken since the food arrived. “How do you fuck up a steak sandwich?” He pushes the plate away from himself. There are maybe two bites of the sandwich left and a handful of fries. So, I guess it’s okay for Mark to swear, but not Maggie?
“Oh no, did you not enjoy it?” Maggie says soothingly like a mom attempting to prevent an inevitable tantrum.
“I should send it back.” He leans back in his chair, scanning the restaurant for our waiter.
“Send what back?” I ask, eyeing his plate. One of my biggest pet peeves is people taking out their frustrations on people in the service industry.
“I shouldn’t have to pay for a meal that I didn’t enjoy.” His eyes narrow at me.
“If there was something wrong with it, you should have sent it back after one bite. You’ve eaten ninety percent of the meal.” Maggie shoots me a pleading look, and I know I shouldn’t have antagonized him for her sake. The young guy who’s been taking care of us walks in our direction and Mark snaps his finger and points to his plate. He actually snapped his fucking fingers at him. The rage I feel toward this man is barely simmering and threatening to boil over.
“My sandwich was terrible.” He barks at the kid, who pales at his words. “I’m not paying for it.”
“He’s right, Theo.” Josh smiles at the waiter, who I notice is wearing a name tag that says Theo. “Put everything on one bill. It’s on me tonight.”
“Josh, you don’t need to do that,” Maggie says reaching for her purse.
“It’s my pleasure. I really appreciate the invite, being new in town and all. It’s great to meet more people,” he says the last part directly to Mark, his smile never wavering. Mark’s face turns a scarlet hue, and it looks like he’s trying to think of something to say. Finally, he pushes himself back from the table.
“We’ve got to go,” he says to Maggie as he grabs both of their coats from the backs of their chairs. “I’ve got work in the morning.” Mark is an investment banker and tomorrow is Sunday. In other words, he’s full of shit. Maggie slowly stands, taking her coat from him. She looks so defeated; I want to scream. Mark starts for the exit without saying goodbye.
“I’m so sorry,” she says with wet eyes. “I thought this would go better. He’s been under a lot of stress from work…”
“It’s fine.” I’m out of my chair and hugging her over the table. “I’ll see you this week?” I feel her nod against my shoulder before she releases me.
“Thank you for supper, Josh,” she says sadly as he stands. “I’m sorry, again.”
“Don’t be,” he says warmly. We stand and watch her go. Mark looks irritated to be kept waiting and I stare at him, trying to crush his skull with my eyes. When they’re out the door, I sink back in my chair.
“Is she going to be okay?” Josh asks in a low voice, his eyes still on the doorway. His smile is long gone.
“I think so.”
“You think so?” He stares at me incredulously and I get my back up.
“She’s been with him for years. He’s always behaved badly, but it seems to be escalating. I’ve tried to talk to her many times before, but that just results in her pushing me away. It’s not me against him, it’s me against them. All I can do is be here for her and support her in any way I can until she’s ready to leave him. Toxic relationships are complicated. She has to choose to end it.” The words come out quickly and defensively. His eyes fill with concern.
“You,” he swallows, “you have experience with toxic relationships then?”
“I do.” I look away from him and feel my color rising.
“Here’s the bill, whenever you’re ready, man.” A grateful Theo has returned to our table with a portable debit machine.
I jump at the distraction and head to the washroom. The stalls are all empty and I lean on the sink, happy to be alone. My face is blotchy and I think about splashing my face with cold water, but I don’t want to mess up the makeup Maggie worked so hard to look “effortless.” I settle for running my wrists under cold water, enjoying the coolness on my flushed skin. I give myself one last look in the mirror before heading back to my table.
I don’t make it there.
