Airplane Rides by Jake Alexander Read Free Book Online Page B

lot of work and I was running out of time.  I made an attempt
at self-consolation, trying to convince myself that a good night’s rest and
some early morning refinement would make a world of difference.
    “I hope I’m right,” I whispered to myself.
     
    Having returned from his thoughts, Raymond glanced over.
    “Have it all figured out?” he asked clearly.
    “Not really,” I replied, somewhat surprised he was aware of my
frustration.
    “It can be very difficult. There have been many times I have
walked into a courtroom not knowing what I was going to say,” he continued.
    “But it always came to you?” I replied, noting my expectation.
    “Most of the time. Certainly when it mattered the least,” he
said with a forced grin, trailing off a bit as if he were about to turn back to
his thoughts.
    Instead he turned back to his drink and took down the last of
it.
    “Did you always live in Florida?” I asked, already knowing he
was a transplant, but allowing him some more airtime and keeping the focus off
of me.
    “Moved down in eighty-five,” he responded, without indicating
the catalyst.
    “Your family from down there?” I asked.
    “No, all from New York,” he replied shortly, while shaking the
ice cubes in his empty glass trying to get Katie’s attention.
    I noticed a hint of redness in his cheeks hiding behind his
bronzed skin.
    “And you never married?” I asked carefully.
    “No I did, I did it all,” he responded like a small confession,
exhaling to demonstrate his increasing impatience with the young woman.
     
    I looked at him for a moment, noting that he, too, was
practiced at the art of avoidance, carefully dissecting the indications of
weakness and noting how well they had been initially concealed.  Katie arrived,
still smiling, but eying us both for signs of intoxication.  I smiled at her
warmly in an attempt to convey that we were still manageable.
    “If you would be so kind as to reload us, young lady,” said
Raymond with flawless enunciation, confirming for me that “inebriated” was a
routine at which he was also well practiced.  Without obvious hesitation, Katie
went for the refills and returned a few moments later. I still hadn’t finished
my second drink and, convinced I would object to being denied my ration, she
thought to leave the third glass in alcoholic queue behind the second.  This
was the second time the young Katie had let me know who she thought I might be,
and for the second time, I had taken disturbing notice of it.
     
    Raymond settled into his fourth and I tried to return to my
notes. I glanced at my watch and was surprised again at how quickly time was
slipping away.   I needed to focus, and neither the alcohol nor my seatmate
were helping.   Katie returned and sized us up for a moment, second-guessing
her decision to continue serving us.  I did my best to smile reassuringly, but
it was Raymond who took the conversational lead.
    “So let me tell you where you should be spending your time in
South Beach,” he stated.
    Katie listened patiently as the older man rolled off the names
of several nightclubs and restaurants, noting his relationships with the owners
and permitting her to use his name for entrance. He was careful to say where he
would be, making it clear that she and her friends would enjoy both his company
and his bar tab should they select that particular location.  His words were
smooth but came off as an illegal offer.
    “Who knows, we may even convince my protégé to come along,”
Raymond said, motioning towards me with his head.
    Katie continued to smile throughout, thanked him again and left
us to wash off our filth.
     
    Raymond again returned to staring at distant memories.  I
didn’t enjoy the association, but it wasn’t worth protest. Still, I couldn’t
resist the temptation to take a poke at him in retaliation.
    “Do you think she’ll show?” I asked, like an apprentice to his
mentor.
    Raymond turned and looked me over.