Imperfect Truth(40)

Why is this guy telling me his whole life story? I don’t even know how to respond. Only me...only I would get the cabbie who won’t shut up.

"We almost didn’t make it. There was this woman who worked in the secretary pool…We were friends, and it was so easy. Too easy. Going home started to feel like a burden. I almost gave up on her…on my marriage.”

Oh shit. I should not be hearing this, why is he telling me this?

“But then out of nowhere they were forced to do cutbacks, and I got laid off. That’s how I started driving a cab. It’s funny to think about it now. Lucky for me, fate had a hand in it. The years following were hard, but in the end my wife turned out to be my soulmate after all. I just didn’t realize it at the time. I was too young and impetuous. Almost ruined the best thing in my life.”

Am I being impetuous? No…totally not. This is a totally different situation.

“See over there.” He points out the window and again reminisces of a long lost New York. His story is now light and making me laugh. The ride seems like the blink of an eye as we pull up to the location that Ryder had given me. It’s a low building for New York standards. There is a giant green awning that read the name of the restaurant in both English and Chinese.

“How much do I owe you?”

“$14.75.”

Reaching into my purse, I pull out my American Express and swipe it into the cab’s register directly across from me.

The driver turns around and smiles. “Thanks for keeping an old man company.”

I step out of the cab and walk into the street. Although dusk, the street is full and illuminated by the lights from stores. Red neon signs flash in the windows indicating that most of the stores on this street are still open.

Chinatown is still alive and bustling.

I walk towards the entrance.





AS I APPROACH THE entrance, I notice the dilapidated state of the building. If I had any fear that I might see someone I know here, it is quickly forgotten. Lenore would never be seen in a restaurant of this caliber. The doors swing open and I catch a glimpse of Ryder.

I hold my breath. A mix of anxiety and excitement courses through me. The mere thought of being with Ryder again makes butterflies take flight. How will this night progress? Will I fare any different from our previous outings?

He walks up to me, and my desire takes on a mind of its own as I spring my body into his, wrapping my arms around his neck. He looks down at me, bringing his hands up to cup my face.

“You look like—”

“Shit,” I cut in.

“I was actually going to say you look like an angel…but yeah, I guess shit works.” His laugh echoes through the tiny restaurant. I like this playful side of him. Online he banters freely, but in person he’s more serious, almost brooding.

He pulls me in tighter and buries his nose into my neck. I feel the warmth from his lips, the curve of a smile forming. His lips tickle the tender skin where his nose is buried as he whispers, “If I could hold you forever, if I could make you mine, I would.” There is a dark undertone to his words, but I brush it off and bask in his glow instead.

I slowly pull away from him, and I take that moment to take in the restaurant. These better be some damn good dumplings. I refrain from making a face as I take notice of the mint green subway tiles lining the wall. There are pink, white, and green paper umbrellas hanging from the ceiling. Each has a cherry blossom design running across the borders making its way into the middle. Along the other wall hangs three wooden birdcages. Inside are the most beautiful and majestic creatures. Pink, yellow, and green decorate their tiny bodies. They chirp frantically every time the door opens.

I look to my left and take notice of something that has me perplexed. There above the register is a shelf. It appears to have a shrine sitting on top of it. The shrine is an incense stick holder and an orange. There are a few other objects and I stare it with questions in my eyes.

“The shrine is a Chinese custom. The objects are there to honor the deceased.”

I nod at him with understanding. He laces his fingers through mine as he brings me to the table he was sitting at before I arrived. I take a seat at the emerald green table, and Ryder sits across from me.

“This is quite the restaurant.” I laugh.

“Well, you’re a classy girl. Only the best for you, baby.” He winks.

“Are there even menus?”

“Of course there are menus. They also have a dim sum cart.” He shakes his head at me in disbelief.

“Wow, a dim sum cart?” I tease.

“Shut up.” He smirks.

“Okay, so what do we get here? Other than the obvious.”

“Well, they have the best dumplings in the world. And I get Peking duck.”