Neanderthal Seeks Human(23)

“That’s-” Viki blinked, her big brown eyes still continuing their open assessment, her mouth moved but she seemed to struggle for words, “-well, that’s a surprise.”

My cheeks burned; I could hear my heart drum and the blood rush between my ears. I knew that this Viki person didn’t mean to be rude; she looked honestly perplexed and, if I was reading her awkward soundlessness correctly, she was obviously stunned at the possibility that Quinn and I could be there as a couple. I felt the need to distance myself from the notion, make certain she believed I was aware that the very idea was beyond ludicrous.

I need to make certain that she knows that I know that he knows he isn’t interested... I was starting to confuse myself.

Before I realized that I was speaking the verbal diarrhea spilled forth: “Oh we’re not together. I mean, we’re sitting together and we came here together but obviously we’re not together-together. How could we be together? I’m probably never going to see him again after today. We’re not even friends. I don’t even know him. I mean, you know, really-” I inclined my head toward her and a small laugh burst from my lips, “can you even imagine? It’d be like Planet of the Apes- and he’s Charlton Heston with all the muscles and such and I’m that girl ape. They can’t be together because it’d be like a Neanderthal with a human, cross species breeding…and that’s just not right. Although Neanderthals are closely related to humans and are in fact part of the same species- if you want to be precise- they are a sub-species or alternate species of human...”

I glanced at him and gave him a closed mouth smile. I categorically hoped it dually conveyed confidence and cheerful ambivalence to the very obvious disparity in our compatibility. His eyes, however, narrowed as they watched me. I wondered if he found my analogy to be imperfect; maybe he didn’t like Charlton Heston… maybe it was due to NRA involvement; conversely, he did seem like the sort to like guns.

I cleared my throat and continued, “And why would Charlton Heston want to be with the ape? No one would, even though she has this huge- huge... brain.”

Viki blinked at me then looked at Quinn, “Where didja meet this one?”

Viki’s question was directed at Quinn but I couldn’t help answer, hoping to make up for my gaffe, “I met him last week and before that I saw him a few times at my building where he works as a security guard. I used to work as an accountant there before I was downsized.”

Viki’s unibrow crinkled over her nose until it came to a point, “A security guard?”

I gulped in air and gave her a tight smile as I reached for my coffee, wanting to change the subject, “I love coffee. Brazil is now the world leader in the production of green coffee but, in East Africa and Yemen, coffee was used in native religious ceremonies that competed with the Christian Church. Because of this the Ethiopian Church banned secular consumption of coffee for many years.” I brought the mug to my lips and sipped the bitter black brew, mostly to keep myself from talking. The coffee burned my tongue. I ignored it. “Mmmmm, coffee.”

Viki’s eyes moved between me and Quinn, her unibrow still suspended on her face, “Riiiight.” she finally said.

I heard Quinn clear his throat before he spoke, “She’ll have eggs over easy, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and toast with extra butter. I’ll have the usual.” As he ordered he pulled my menu away and handed it to Viki along with his and I noted his voice sounded different, distant. Viki gave us both a small, quizzical smile as she left.

I sipped more of my black coffee and glanced again at Quinn. He wasn’t looking at me; his mouth was a precise straight line and his temple ticked as he flexed his jaw. I couldn’t read his sculpted features. I felt like I must have embarrassed him or said something inappropriate. This was not a new feeling for me, regretting my words; but, this time, I felt remorse on his behalf.

I set the cup down and sighed, “I’m sorry.” I tried pulling my fingers thought my hair but again abandoned the effort when I encountered unruly knots. “I have a bad habit of saying what I’m thinking and-”

He held his hand up and shook his head, “No- no need to apologize.” He gave me a tight smile that didn’t reach anywhere near his eyes, “You were just being... honest. It’s not the first time I’ve been called a Neanderthal.”

“You’re not a Neanderthal.” I frowned at him, “For one thing, you’re far too tall. And, I was comparing myself to the Neanderthal due to their physical features. You know- the size of their heads.”