Till Dark

Stopping dead in her tracks she realized that she was not in the ladies room but, a room full of ladies and gentlemen alike. The air was thick with smoke and there were pool tables and card games being played. Several people looked up as she entered the room and stared at her. Then she saw him. Clark was in a corner at the back of the room talking to a man whose back was turned to her. They were in a very heated discussion about something she could not tell what they were saying because he was too far away. Now she was definitely curious about what was going on. If Clark were here on vacation then why would he be in a heated discussion with anyone from here? Oh well she thought maybe he lost in a game of cards or something. Her stomach began to turn and she spun around to walk out of the room. She had not realized that Andy had come in behind her and she collided with him. She stumbled a little and he caught her before she fell to the floor making a bigger fool of herself. Still holding her arm he guided her to the door and whispered softly in her ear. "Whatever you do don't say or do anything." Clark watched as a man practically dragged his wife out the door. "Come along dear I think you've had enough to drink let's get you home." If Jordan had not been so stunned by the whole incident she might have protested to his means for their escape. He led her through the door back into the dining area and over to the table they had been sitting at. A silent Jordan looked into the worried eyes of Andy. "Please ask me where the restroom is next time. You nearly gave me heart failure." She had to fight hard to control the shakiness of her voice before she spoke. "What was that in there?" "That is a very rough crowd of people who don't take kindly to strangers popping in and out." "Well they should have the door locked then." Andy smiled at Jordan then began to laugh. Looking at him perplexed she asked him. "What exactly are you laughing at?" The fact that you walked right in there like you owned the place with some of the toughest guys around just because you were angry with me." Irritated and red faced she glared at him. "And that's funny how?" She asked. "Because the door was not labeled and the bathrooms are on the opposite side of the passageway."

Groaning she placed her hand on her forehead and began laughing herself. "You are one tough lady; remind me never to upset you again." She smiled at him. "That's a deal." "So tell me what's wrong you seem a little touchy since we got in here." She studied her hands resting in her lap. "Nothing I guess. Things just seem to be getting to me." "Are you sure that is all that's bothering you?" She glanced up quickly startled at his question. "Yes why?" She asked suspiciously. "I just know that you are not the type of person to let things bother you like this and I think that it's a bit strange that you've chosen now to let it." "I'm fine although I'm quite sure that you don't understand any of this or my reaction to all of this since you barely know me. What you are missing is that my husband was killed nearly a year ago leaving me to care for our only son and needless to say it was a bit of a shock. We had an argument before he left and I never had the chance to tell him that I was sorry." Jordan was sloshing the tea in her glass around as she spoke. Andy reached across the table and stilled her hand with his steady one. "Jordan you can't blame yourself for what happened it was not your fault. It is just one of those things that just happen. Holding on to it will not change what happened nor will it bring him back. You have to let it go for you and your child." Tears began to form in her eyes and she quickly turned away from him and dabbed lightly at her eyes. "Thanks for the advice but I've heard it all before and as easy as it sounds to everyone else, believe me it's much harder than you think." Just then the waitress brought their food to them. She dove into hers as though she had not eaten in weeks. Andy watched her humorously. "I should have known you could pack away the food all the skinny ones' can." With a forkful of food halfway to her mouth she laughed. "Very funny!" "All the arrogant one's say things like that." She teased him in between mouthfuls of food. Andy had been right this place was wonderful. The food was good and she was having a good time so why did she get the feeling that everything was about to go bad? Could it be because of seeing Clark? She debated whether or not to tell Andy about him; finally deciding against the idea. Why spoil the evening.