Nine - Take a Message

Diane Russell and Bob Martinez returned to the city after dropping off Jill and the kids at the airport for their trip to God knows where. As she drove, Diane felt a white, hot burning where Jill’s little secret note rested next to her heart. Bob chattered about the day’s excitement, and Diane listened attentively, as if nothing were amiss. It was getting late, and Diane was hungry, so Bob suggested they grab a bite. Trying to get a moment alone, Diane declined.

“I missed you last night, Diane. I don’t want to ever miss an evening with you again,” Bob said with warm eyes and a soft, romantic voice.

“Bob, it’s just…it’s been a really long day, and…Well, a lot’s happened, between getting Jill and Kyle back in that condition, and…I’m just not up to it. Can you understand?” Diane had her eyes on the road, but tried to steal a glance or two at Bob. He seemed unaware that Jill had greeted him coldly, or that she had passed Diane a note. He was looking at every inch of her, hungry for a chance to touch her, using every excuse to brush his fingers against her arm, her shoulder, her knee.

“You really shouldn’t be alone on a night like this, when you’re so upset. You should be with a friend, someone who really likes you, someone who appreciates you. Like me, for example,” Bob said with as much sweetness and humor as he could muster. Diane couldn’t see him, but she was sure he had chosen that moment to throw another wink in her direction.

“That’s sweet, Bob,” Diane said. “I’ll be fine, though, really.”

“I’m not worried about you falling apart, Diane,” Bob said. “I know you are a strong and independent woman. That’s part of what I am attracted to.”

Diane blushed, and listened with more interest.

“I just imagine that it must feel like hell to lose a partner, gain her back, and lose her again so quickly. It feels like a roller coaster to me, and I’m just riding along in the passenger’s seat. You’ve been on point for this whole ride. In your shoes, I’d want some company to pass the time away and relax. That’s all, really.” Bob was so intuitive that it scared Diane a little. She wasn’t used to a man being able to read her thoughts and emotions so accurately, especially so soon after meeting.

Maybe she was wrong about the note. Maybe the note was about Denby, some kind of warning or information that would help her find him or nail him to the wall, as the case might be. After all, Jill was far more familiar with Diane’s connection to Denby, and Jill probably didn’t know Bob well enough to trust him with the information. That made sense, especially since Denby and Don disappeared into the limo that morning.

“Okay, Bob. You win. Where are we eating tonight?” Diane relaxed a little, comfortable to leave at least one decision today up to someone else.