My Dinosaur Era Chapter 31 *Rewrite*

 

patrycja texts me

people pass us

I run my hand along the wall of the buildings

for comfort, for balance

sustain me, please

 

message me when you are near, it says

I pull out my phone

we are close, just other side of the square

ginny grabs my arm

 

timmy, are you ok?

 

I feel weak

 

come on, babe, we can do this

 

she holds my elbow, guides me

a blind man

about to see again

we emerge into the main square

keeping to the shadows

a group of african men play drums in one corner

the beat revives me somehow

pum, pum, pum

through my legs

releases my shoulders

almost dancing

stronger

pum, pum, pum

ginny lets go of me

I walk faster now

past the pintxo places

skirting close to tables 

ginny struggling to keep up

what is waiting

what is waiting

what is waiting

by sorginzulo now, it’s busy

scanning, scanning, scanning

see patrycja, legs crossed

she raises a hand, waves me over

to her left, petula, head bowed

black shorts, black tee shirt

I move slowly through the tables

petula looks up

her eyes seem smaller

she seems smaller

I stand by patrycja, she stands too

petula joins us upright

ginny scampers to my side

I feel her hand against my lower back

not sure if she is pushing me or holding me up

I look at petula

 

hi

 

my tiny noise feels inadequate

 

hi

 

so, you’re here

 

yeah, I am

 

we look at patrycja for guidance

this is the handoff, payload delivered

patrycja moves to petula

kisses her on the mouth

that same gentle kiss she spreads around us

she moves to me

kisses me too

then she moves to ginny, takes her by the hand

 

ok, we go, we will see you later, ok?

 

we both nod

we booth watch them walk away 

 

we sit at the table

a waiter appears

 

¡buenas tardes! ¿qué te puedo traer? ¿algo de beber?

 

para mí, un kalimotxo

 

he looks down at petula

 

¿y para ti?

 

petula looks at me, smiling, mouth twitching

 

um, I’ll have the same

 

ok, very good

 

my best spanish and he still switched back to english

must try harder on the accent

 

do you know what a kalimotxo is?

 

I have no idea but it sounded nice when you said it

 

ok, well, it’ll be a surprise for you then

 

she smiles

pushes the ashtray around the table

 

petula, where have you been?

 

the truth is, I haven't been anywhere

 

you are here, now

 

yes, but before, I hadn’t been anywhere

 

it felt like you went away

 

I know but I didn’t, I promise

 

I believe you

 

I want to tell you everything, but right now I am just happy to see you

 

I’m happy to see you too

 

I thought you might be angry with me, for seeming to disappear on you

 

I was confused more than anything, wondering if I had upset you

 

not at all, fuck, I’m sorry, I should have told you things when I came to your flat that last time, I wanted to, yet I was scared

 

what of?

 

that you’d think I was nuts

 

can you tell me some things now?

 

yes, when I am here but not right now, I think it might break me

 

I stand, take her by the hand, she stands too

I think we should hug and see where we go from there

 

she nods but doesn’t move

I put my arms around her, she puts her arms around me

the squeeze is long, hard, can I even let go?

she pulls back slightly, looks at me

 

thank you

 

what for?

 

just for the hug

 

how did you know I was here?

 

the waiter appears with our drinks, we uncouple, sit down

 

well, I went back to your flat a couple of days ago and you didn’t answer, I thought you might be out so I tried again later and still no reply

 

I take a long taste of my drink

 

then, I went to the hotel where ginny works, she told me the name of it one time, they said she was on holiday but didn’t know where, so it seemed obvious you were here

 

did you not ever find your phone then?

 

no, I ended up buying a new one, I lost all my numbers, I’m dumb with technology, didn’t back anything up

 

she takes a sip of her drink

 

this is nice, what is it?

 

it’s red wine and cola

 

wow, how can that be so nice?

 

when did you get here?

 

this morning, the early flight, I’ve been walking around all day

 

we were here earlier, me and ginny

 

I couldn’t remember the name of the place you liked, I guessed wrong and went to the place over there, that’s where patrycja found me

 

and she never let on that she knew me?

no, not till about ten minutes ago

 

she really is something else that woman

 

tim, can I ask you something?

 

sure

 

does she kiss everybody like that?

 

well, it’s a small sample size I’m working with but yes, it does seem that way