moved up in the ranks, I stopped working. It was somewhat taboo for an officer’s wife to work. You supported him and the wives of his command. I was busy volunteering for this and that, and believe it or not, I rather enjoyed it. Plus, I had Afrika to take care of, and when she went to school, she was involved in everything from A to Z.”
“Sounds like a cozy environment.”
“It agreed with me,” Mimi said and smiled. “And I love my husband.”
John seemed to soak in Mimi’s words as he went from talkative to quiet. Then he spoke. “So what was it you wanted to talk to me about that couldn’t wait?”
Mimi knew John was reacting to her statement about being in love with her husband. Saying it out loud was protection from herself. This man was so handsome, sitting in front of her. It wouldn’t take much for her to jump to the side of the table where he sat and rub his head. She pushed back the thought. “Umm…”
“Two grilled chicken salads,” the waiter said. “Sorry, I forgot your teas. I’ll bring them out right away.”
“No problem,” John said. Turning to Mimi, “I guess you were saved by the bell. But you’re not leaving this restaurant until you tell me what’s on your mind.”
Mimi looked at John thoughtfully. “Okay.”
“Let’s eat.”
19
They ate their salads in silence, each taking a furtive glance at the other in between sips of iced tea and the next forkful of lettuce leaves. Mimi found John charming and could tell that he was walking the chalk line of their newfound relationship. The cards were already on the table—old friends sharing lunch. She made it known that she was a happily married woman and he wasn’t looking for anyone to settle down with for the death do us part.
Mimi relaxed and smiled. On cue, John relaxed, smiled, and put his fork down.
“So tell me, Mimi…uhh…what was so important that we had to meet for lunch today? Not that I’m not enjoying every minute of it.”
Alarm rose on Mimi’s face and her body tensed. John’s body language said one thing, but the tone in his voice said another. She couldn’t believe he had the audacity to make her feel as if she had begged him to meet her for lunch.
John caressed Mimi’s unoccupied hand. “Chill, Mimi. Did I say something wrong? If looks could kill, I’d already be at the morgue.”
Mimi looked at John and then down at her salad. “I hope you don’t think I was desperate when I called you last night. I was so taken aback when I ran into you yesterday that I thought it would be great to catch up for old time’s sake.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“It’s that cynical tone in your voice that…”
“Mimi, Mimi. Don’t mind me. Maybe I’m a little nervous about seeing you after all these years. You’re a beautiful woman, got your youth still hanging on you. Truth is, I wish it could’ve…no need to go there.”
“You wish what, John?” Mimi took a sip of her iced tea to cool and calm her nerves.
“I…I wish it was me that married you.” John looked away, and then back into Mimi’s eyes. He lifted both of her hands and held them. “I can also tell that something is going on with you. I’m pretty discerning of that, although I don’t know what it is. I want you to know that I’m here for you, no matter what, if you need someone to talk to. I hope we can always be friends.”
“That’s so kind of you, John.” Mimi pulled her hands back, afraid of the rising tide of lust that was coursing through her body. “We’ll always be friends, and I thank you for wanting to be there for me.”
“So…are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?”
Bring, bring. Mimi picked up her purse, took out her BlackBerry, and looked at the caller ID.
“I know you aren’t going to answer that,” John mouthed just above a whisper.
“It’s my daughter. It must be important if she’s calling me in the middle of the day.” Mimi hit TALK. “Afrika, what’s up, honey?”
“Mommy, I went to eat lunch today, and they said my Eagle card was declined. I’ve used this card every day since I arrived on this campus, and I can’t understand why it won’t work today. I went to the card office, and they said some kind of hold has been placed on my account.”