Page 182 of Bend
"Wait a minute," Cain said, narrowing his eyes. "Isn't your date picking you up?"
I rolled my eyes, leaning over to give him a kiss on his cheek. "No, Dad, we're meeting at the restaurant," I replied. "After that debacle with Kenneth, I just couldn't put you guys through that again until I know if he's a keeper."
"Well shit, Paige," Eli piped up. "Don't you even know this dude?"
I leaned over and gave him his kiss, and failed miserably in keeping the smile out of it.
"Yes," I said, rolling my eyes. "I work with him. I told you that. But hell, I didn't think Kenneth would be such a freakin' idiot and I knew him from work as well. If we click, I'll make sure I bring him home for your seals of approval before
it gets serious, okay?"
"Well, you definitely look hot, babe," Cain said, his eyes flickering over me from top to bottom. "Shall we expect you home tonight?"
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop the fluttering in my belly whenever Cain got all flirtatious like that with me. It was…unnerving, and yet I enjoyed it.
Eli never seemed to mind it either, which was why I didn't feel badly about the belly flutters he gave me.
"Yes, I'll be home. I quit practicing skankery, or haven’t you noticed?"
"We've noticed," they both said at the same time.
"'Kay, then see you guys later."
"Be careful," Cain called out as I hit the door.
I turned back, giving him a smile, watching the intensity that he occasionally threw my way. I think my dating intrigued him for some reason; or maybe it simply bothered him a bit.
"Paige?"
"I'm sorry," I said, coming out of my thoughts to pay attention to my date. "What were you saying, Roger?"
"I said that I have to be totally vigilant when ordering off of menus. I have quite a few food allergies."
"Oh really?" I asked, looking up and over at him. "What kinds?" I figured I might as well know what they were, just in case I invited him over for dinner some time.
"Just some of the more common ones," he replied, giving me a smile. "Fish, including shellfish, poultry meat, nuts, including peanuts, wheat, soy, rice, chocolate and citrus."
Dayumm…
"Well, I'm sure there's something here on the menu that you can tolerate," I replied.
"The thing is," he continued, "I have to make sure that nothing is made using peanut oil. You'd be surprised how many different recipes call for peanut oil."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah," he replied, nodding his head. "One time I was at a restaurant in Norfolk, enjoying a dinner salad, when lo and behold, my lips swelled up and my throat started constricting. I was literally gasping for air. It seems that the house dressing was made using peanut oil, unbeknownst to me."
"Damn," I said, "What happened?"
"Well, thank God I had my atomizer with me. I never leave home without it," he replied, tapping the pocket of his jacket. I was okay after a few minutes, but it was a scary few minutes, I can tell you that."
"I can imagine," I replied, glancing down at my menu.
"So even with breads and rolls," he continued, "I have to make sure that they're gluten-free, on account of my wheat allergies."
As dinner droned on, so did the conversation.
But at least Roger had interests in things like sports and music, though he said as a child his allergies to dust, ragweed, and certain types of grasses and trees had made it impossible for him to play outdoor sports.
