Tamara
Sitting across from Jessy in a booth at Dontonio’s, I’m sipping some wine and waiting for our food to come. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen her, so there is plenty to chat about.
The company, the bullshit.
The guys.
Jessy’s been my bestie for so long now. She’s a beautiful, olive-skinned, raven-haired Latino that never quits. That’s what I like best about her. We met just out of high school, going into our freshman year at college. Hit it off right away.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Jessy asks me as she sips her Moscato. “Too long, if you ask me.”
“It certainly has,” I say. “And I’m sorry for that.”
“Hey life is life, honey,” She levels her gaze at me and whispers, “And it can be plenty sticky and plenty sweet.”
“You got that right,” I say as the waitress puts our salads in front of us and some bread. “It’s definitely been both for me lately,” I reply, taking a bit of salad.
“Do tell, Tamara,” she says as an afterthought, smiling at me coyly, “And don’t leave anything out.”
Chewing the bite before I speak, I wonder if I should tell her about the shit at work. With no one else to talk to about it, I decide to tell her. “Well, I suspect that someone at work is embezzling from the company.” I take another bite and help myself to some bread, dipping it into the seasoned oil.
Jessy’s face drops in amazement. “Certainly not you, I hope.”
With a mouthful of bread, I just nod my head. I cover my mouth as I speak. “In fact, I am a suspect.” I finish the bite that I had and added another.
“What? You, no way,” she picks at her salad and sips her wine. “Why?”
“Because I have access to just about everything. Three checks have been cashed for large sums of money and to boot, equipment is being sabotaged. Things have been messed up and tossed around. Someone even slashed my tires.”
“Oh my gosh,” she exclaims, putting a hand to her chest. “You haven’t been hurt?”
Sipping my wine, I swallow it and wipe my mouth. “No. One thing that I can say is that whoever is doing it knows that I suspect it,” I take another bite of salad just as our meals come.
“Have the police said anything?” she asks.
“Only that I can’t leave the city until this is resolved,” I take a bite of the cheesy stuffed shells and let it rest in my mouth. A little slice of heaven right here on earth. “Anyway, I just have to gather enough evidence to prove it and clear my name.”
“Be careful, though, Tamara,” she reaches for my hand. “I mean it, people such as this one stealing money and tearing things up can be dangerous if you get too close. Just promise me.”
“I promise, but I’m not about to go down for any of this. I’m not guilty,” I emphasize the last word.
“I know you aren’t, but has there been anything fun lately?” Jessy raises an eyebrow, looking at me over the rim of her glass.
“Stop it,” I feel heat rise to my cheeks. “How could you know?”
She giggles and sets her glass down. “You always have a certain shine and your eyes can’t hide it too well from me.”
“You’ve always been the perceptive one,” I smile and sip the wine. “I have had some fun lately amidst all this crap going on.”
“Who’s the guy, don’t keep me in suspense all night,” she plays around.
“First I want your details before I talk,” I push my plate forward as I’m chock full. I wait for her to finish her salad as it’s the only thing she eats. I always tell her to enjoy her rabbit food.
Jessy finishes the last bite and tops my plate with hers. We order another wine and then she tells me she’s met a guy. She leaves me hanging as she goes to the lady’s room. How dare she? She returns and I can’t help but notice the rock on her hand.
“Is that what I think it is?” I stare at the size and the shine.
“Yeah, so, I met this guy a couple of months back and the first date went well as did the next four,” she giggles and covers her mouth playfully with the ringed hand. “This past weekend he asked me to marry him!” She flaps her hands like she always does when she’s excited.