Rod, again - Chapter 13, Dinner

Rod busied himself rinsing the spinach while Cindy set the table. Despite the sound of running water and the clatter of silverware, they attempted to carry on a conversation. Eventually, dinner was ready and Rod and Cindy sat down to a quiet meal. Rod sampled a spinach leaf and sighed with satisfaction. Spinach was a relatively new addition to his diet and he was learning to not just tolerate but enjoy it.

“So, it’s a big day tomorrow,” Rod observed.

“Yeah,” Cindy nodded, pleased that Rod remembered. “One step closer to having the dress!”

Rod smiled. The wedding was really coming together. Cindy was clearly excited and pleased with the plans for her wedding dress and they had a potential solution for the cake. “I think I’ll head over to Nina’s tomorrow,” Rod stated. “See if I can arrange a cake deal.”

Cindy nodded. She wasn’t thrilled with the thought of dealing with Nina, but the cake had tasted delicious.  “I’m sure she’ll be happy for the business.” Cindy noticed that Rod wasn’t paying attention. “Rod, what is it?” she asked.

Rod nodded toward the window. “I think the dude is back and he might have someone else with him. I swear he’s watching us.”

About a week ago, Rod had noticed a man sitting in the dark courtyard, dressed in black. Over the next few nights, he and Cindy would periodically spot the fellow. They’d taken to calling him “the dude” and assumed he was new to the apartment complex. Cindy thought he was probably a poet. Rod felt he was certainly a weirdo.

“A partner? That’s new.” Cindy said, looking toward the window. Mostly she could only see her own reflection. “Turn off the lights, so we can see better.”

Rod pushed back his chair and stood. He stepped over and flipped off the light switch. In the dark apartment their reflections faded and they could the courtyard clearly. Rod looked out just in time to see “the dude” slip around the corner. “I knew he was watching us,” Rod said. “Why else would he choose this moment to run off?”

Cindy frowned as she nibbled on her spinach. The dude was a problem that needed to be solved.

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Debbie stared at the ceiling of her hotel room and replayed the night's events. She could scarcely believe how bold she'd been. The experience had been exhilarating and mildly terrifying. She was glad she’d done it. Seeing Rod was shocking but at least he didn’t witness her reaction. He looked different and yet familiar. Rod had always been so obsessed with his hair - it was strange to seem him bald. According to Rico, he ate mostly carrots and celery. This was a far cry from the Rod she knew. In many ways, it was a different Rod Piston. It would be weird and awkward to see him again but Debbie felt surprisingly confident about it. As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts turned to Rico. He was cute - just one creepy moustache away from being totally kissable.