Lunch and Conversation

This novella is written in dual first person points of view. Each chapter will be clearly marked to show who is narrating.

So far, Jameson Petry has met senior citizen, Iris. They hit it off and become good friends. Jameson has acquired a lawyer to handle his divorce and Iris has had her will changed.

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IRIS

By the time we are finishing our coffee, Jameson seems less depressed. Poor dear, he just can't see past life with Claire. He mentioned taking out a loan to pay for his attorney's fees. I wish I could tell him not to worry. He may not have a pot to piss in, as they say, but that will change. He doesn't know it but I do.

"Are you hungry?" I ask, picking up the small laminated menu tucked in between the ketchup and salt and pepper shakers.

He shakes his head. "I'll heat something up when I get home."

"They have really good sandwiches here. My treat."

"Oh, no really, you don't have to."

I put the menu on the table and slide it across to him. "I just don't want to eat another meal alone."

Jameson smiled and picks up the menu. "Well, I definitely understand that."

Had Daniel lived, I truly hope that he would be like Jameson. Though I've never seen him interact with his little boy, I have no doubt he is a good father.

Lou had been a good father. His love of baseball had somehow been genetically passed down to Daniel. Endless evenings the two of them would go out to the back yard to learn a new pitch or how to read a player. Lou's best advice was, "Danny-boy, you never want to be a one trick pony. Learn to play every position. And don't ever be satisfied just being a jock. Be the best at everything you try."

I think it was Lou's dream for Daniel to be a jock, but he was wise enough to encourage him to spread his wings. Poor baby, he never really got to spread them. I feel something catch in my throat and look up to see Jameson watching me.

"Sorry, just a tickle," I say. "I have a favor to ask you."

"Of course," he says.

"If you aren't busy on Wednesday, would you mind going with me to my doctor's appointment?"

"Sure. No problem. I can pick you up and take you there, as well."

"Thank you, I think it's going to be a lot of information and I might get a little overwhelmed."

We order our sandwiches and take them outside to the little cafe table. "When do you see Finny again?"

"Hoping this weekend. I'm going to pack up some of Claire's stuff and ask her to come get it. I might need to get a roommate once the dust settles."

"I toyed with the idea of renting out a room after Lou had passed. Thank goodness, Gertrude was there to scare the bejesus out of me. The thing with Gertrude is, she's a self-proclaimed authority on things she honestly knows nothing about."

"She sounds like a character."

He's smiling now, no longer sad and down trodden. I watch as he attacks his ham and cheese sub with gusto.

"Where are you from, Jameson? I don't think we've ever gone over that?"

"Just outside of Raleigh. Both Claire and I are from the same area. We went to different schools."

"Do you miss it? Raleigh, I mean."

"Culturally, very much. But I really enjoy the slower pace here in Patterson. I feel like it's safer here. A good place to raise kids."

I nod. "In one aspect, it is safer, but young people get bored. Tends to lead to different problems."

"Drugs?" He smiles warily. "Drugs are everywhere, Iris."

"Maybe it feels worse here because there's no anonymity. We know each other here. A story about drugs is always worse when there is a name you know attached to it. But, you're right about Patterson. The crime rate isn't like the city. Neighbors look out for each other."

He takes his trash to the garbage bin near the light pole,then comes back to sit in his seat again. "What time is your appointment on Wednesday?"

"Ten."

"I'll pick you up at nine thirty sharp. Will that be enough time?"

I press my napkin to my lips, blotting so I don't wipe my lipstick off. "That will be perfect." I reach for my purse to pull out the small note pad I keep handy. "Let me just find my pen and I'll jot down my address."

"Iris, just tell me your address and I'll put it in my phone." He laughs as I stare at him blankly. "I can pull up a map on my phone. You've never heard of Google maps?"

"I'd be lying if I said otherwise."

"Despite the cell phone having a bad reputation, it has made a lot of things very simple."

"Clever boy," I say, smiling as he types in my address.

"Okay. It's all in there. I'll be at your house Wednesday at nine-thirty."

He walks me to my car and waits until I back out of my parking space before he starts walking home.

I probably should have told him what to expect next Wednesday. It's not fair of me to hit him with this. But, truth be known, I'm scared of what Dr. Chalmers is going to tell me. I can't face it alone.