The Palm

I sat there sipping on my gimlet, savoring the taste of lime while also allowing it to relax me. I looked around periodically for Carmen, waiting for her to show up. As the time began to inch closer to the dinner hour, our personal host came around to escort me from the private bar to the private dining area. I followed him closely clinching onto my glass as the condensation dripped from my drink to the floor. I couldn't figure out why I was so nervous, I wasn't the one who would be interrogated , but maybe it was because deep down I knew something was off. Carmen had been so secretive all these years and I was not prepared to here whatever it was that had her disappear for 2 years.

I sat my drink on the fine linen that was perfectly draped on the table and sat down slowly, allowing the host to push my chair in ever so slightly. I noticed the blinds were half open and immediately asked for him to close them completely. As he wandered off, I reached inside my purse, pulling out my phone and checked for any missed messages or calls. When I saw there were none, I placed my phone down and reached for my drink as I lingered over the menu. Normally I would jump at the opportunity to order at least a salad, but my nerves had gotten the best of me. I placed my drink down and slowly stood up and looked up at the ceiling and began taking slow deep breaths in and out letting all of the nervous feelings leave my body. As I let out one last breath, I sat down feeling more relaxed and confident, ready to here all that had happen.

Just as I reached for my phone to call Carmen, I felt a presence in the room... I looked up to see her standing there in the entryway... she hadn't aged one bit but I could see an unsettled look in her eyes... And I was determined to help make that look disappear from her face... no matter what it meant I had to do...