Page 7 of A Dead Man's B-Side
“Huh–not that I’m surprised, or… anything like that. You just look like the type to ‘have family everywhere.’”
He used air quotations and a sardonic tone that I was sure were meant to bait me, reel me in, but I wouldn’t give. If I can get out of questioning by police officers, this was child’s play.
“Mm.”
“Yeah… My father passed away, quite recently. It’s why I was ever on the east coast. Otherwise, I try avoiding it like a director avoids the press after a fraud leak. But, you know, family.”
I went to speak but he continued as if I were a wall, “Of course you wouldn’t know, with the whole family situation. But you know what I mean, I’m assuming.”
It wasn’t a question, but I nodded nonetheless, slightly put-off by the spill of personal information. I was nosy, and I would never stop someone from blurting out a possible piece of leverage.
Except, Evan wasn’t exactly mindlessly dumping his story and philosophies into me, it felt more like he was shoving it down my throat and hoping I’d choke on it.
He leaned closer, tilting his head with curiosity written on the curve of his brows. “What brings you to the east coast? You live there, or is this just a layover?”
My heart’s beating slowly picked up, but I willed it to slow down. I leaned away, my back almost pressing against the cold window, and muttered, “I live there.”
“Alone?”
“With my mother.”
“Ah, but you said you did not have family.”
The next simple lie made its way quickly to the front of my mind.
How long does it take to fill two glasses of water–
“Hi!” I jumped at the loud intrusion and tried forcing away the relieved smile I wanted to send her way. Even Evan swivelled his head up to her, almost as though he were surprised she approached without his notice.
“Two glasses of water.” She placed one on Evan’s open traybefore sending me a wink and handing me my cup directly into my hands. I forced a smile, ignoring the growing turmoil inside me as Evan watched her gesture.
What he caught could be good if he interpreted it how I wanted him to. I didn’t expect her to wink, but it might work in my favor.
I didn’t like leaving things up to chance, which is a contradiction to my style of plan–execution; the circumstances often did not provide me with such luxury. So, this is what I was forced to work with.
I tamped down the grin threatening to show when she placed her gloved hand on his shoulder, suddenly feeling giddy. He looked stunned when she blinked rather slowly. “If there is anything else I can help you with, you let me know.”
He glanced at her hand on his shoulder, and I contemplated switching our drinks right then, but I couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t catch me, so I waited.
When she straightened with a Cheshire grin and disappeared behind the curtain, he looked rather out of it.
Finally, something that could shut him up.
The chuckle that slipped out from between my lips seemed to snap him back to the present, and suddenly, he was no longer just a simple, too curious seat neighbour. His cold stare froze the amusement off my face, and I was immediately on edge.
“What did you put in my drink?”
He didn’t seem to be asking but rather demanding an answerfrom me.
“Nothing.” My voice sounded small in my own ears, but I chose not to give an inch.
“Then give me yours.” He lifted his own and inspected it with less interest than I would inspect my late mother’s closet.
I recoiled and curled my upper lip. “N-no, it’s mine.”
“Then why’d you ask for two?”
“What?” I held my glass close to me as though I were protecting it and looked on in confusion.
