more surprises

Back at the table,
I want to put everything
out of my mind
except for Cade.

While we wait for food to come,
we stick to safe
topics of conversation.

Our favorite seafood—
him: lobster
me: crab

What we like to read—
him: graphic novels
me: realistic fiction

Our pets—
him: a dog named Boo
me: a cat named Tiny

How said pets got their names—
him: white like a ghost
me: the fattest cat you’ve ever seen

How many girlfriends/boyfriends we’ve had—
him: two
me: one (although I don’t tell him it was one
of those fake fifth-grade romances)

Whether we are attached at the moment—
him: no
me: no

And then we get
quiet.

Luckily the waiter
brings our food.
Steak and lobster.

“Uh, this is your usual?” I ask.

“My mom’s a vegetarian.
I can’t eat like this at home.
Plus, my older brother owns the place.”

“Family discount, then?”

He smiles.

“Thanks.
For bringing me here.”

As if on cue,
music starts to play.
It sounds like it’s coming
from upstairs.
I take my knife and fork
and tap out the beat
on the table.

It makes him laugh.
“I had a feeling you might like it here.”

And I have a feeling,
as the drumbeats
get louder,
that he is exactly right.