Frances noticed that the man at the bar had stood up. He was moving in Marcy’s direction. “Here he comes,” she said low.
“I didn’t catch that,” Tavon said, still smiling.
“The guy in the blue?” Marcy asked. “I think he’s going to the bathroom.”
“Nothing for me, thank you,” Frances said.
“I’ll have a glass of pinot grigio,” Edie said.
“Oh, so you get to drink?” Marcy pouted into their ears.
“Yes. I have more experience at this.”
Tavon looked completely lost. “Umm …” He looked nervously between the two of them. “Would you like to hear our specials this evening?”
“Please,” Frances said, more to Edie and Marcy than to Tavon. As Tavon rattled off the specials, she watched the man at the bar pass right by Marcy and head to the bathroom.
“False alarm,” Frances said.
“‘Alarm’?” Tavon asked. “I’m sorry, would you like me to repeat it?”
“Tavon, give us a moment, will you?” Edie asked sweetly. “We’d like to peruse the menu.”
“Absolutely,” Tavon said, and practically sprinted away.
“Choose something,” Edie said to Frances.
“I will if you will stop talking to Marcy out loud,” Frances said.
“You did it, too!” Edie shot back.
“Just … figure something out,” Marcy begged them. “This is really confusing. Thank you!”
“For what?” Edie whispered.
“I was talking to the bartender.”
“This communication thing is going to sink us,” Francesmuttered. “Who would have thought we’d be too stupid to pull off this part?”
“Practically the whole world,” Edie said. “Marcy, we are going to order. Sit tight.”
Tavon was back in a moment with the wine.
“I think we’re ready now,” Edie said, just as the man in the blue suit appeared from the bathroom hall and started back toward the bar.
“He’s coming back,” Frances said, a little frantically.
“Who?” Marcy asked at the same moment Tavon asked, “What?”
“The man is coming back,” Frances said a little louder.
Tavon looked over his shoulder, then at Frances. “What man?”
“I’m so sorry about my friend,” Edie said. “She’s got a condition.” She fluttered her fingers in the direction of her head.
Frances kicked her under the table. “I’ll have the fish,” she said, and handed Tavon the menu.
The man was near Marcy now, and he slowed his step. He seemed to be making a decision.
