WINDMILLS
The restaurant is decidedly less
formal than it is during the dinner hour, thanks primarily to the absence
of evening dresses and suits. But the touches of glass spread throughout
the dining room's decor and the textured beige paint on the walls help
maintain an air of sophistication for the customers who have elected to
have lunch here today.
Nick
and Ryan are settled in at a
table towards the center of the dining room. Ryan can tell that the position
is not to Nick's liking: He has always preferred to sit near a wall or
a corner. In fact, Ryan was surprised when they were seated here that Nick
didn't ask to be moved.
"So what's going on?" Ryan asks,
placing his drink back on the table.
Surprised, Nick says, "Going on?
Nothing. I just thought it would be nice to have lunch out. I know it must
be a little strange for you having Katherine in the house lately--"
"Drop it, Dad."
"What?"
"Cut it. Something is going on. I
know there's a reason you wanted to take me out to eat. You're acting all
... shifty. So what is it?"
For a moment Nick gives no response.
He glances down at the table and brings his drink to his lips for a prolonged
sip. Then he sets it down with extra care and seems to ponder it.
"Dad--"
"All right," Nick says finally. "You're
right. There is something I want to discuss -- or at least, something I
need to discuss with you. I didn't want to do it at the house."
Ryan waits for more, but nothing
is forthcoming. "I presume this has something to do with the fire."
A much more genuine look of surprise
than the one before is suddenly splashed across Nick's face.
"Come on," Ryan says. "I can tell
the whole thing makes you uncomfortable. You asked me to go check on
Brent Taylor
in the hospital. And I haven't forgotten the way you were acting
before the fire broke out."
Nick draws in an excessive amount
of air and then releases it very slowly. Ryan is about to take hold of
the conversation when Nick speaks up.
"Very perceptive, Ryan. You're right
... this is about the fire."
"What about it?" Ryan asks, unconsciously
leaning in closer.
"There's something you need to know
about it. Something that I trust will be kept between us." Nick goes back
for another slug of his drink, then exhales deeply. Finally he forces it
out. "I knew that the fire was going to happen."
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