Cage

by Jessie Rose Case

  Regin couldn’t believe what she was hearing from behind her. She turned. Mr Tall, dark and deadly was carrying a pink pitcher. All three of her friends had stopped in mid-sentence and were looking from one to the other open mouthed. “Are you going to introduce us.” He asked her. Before Regin could ask what he was doing there. Caroline reached out and touched his arm. “Hi I’m Caroline.” She told him in her best breathless voice. “I’m Toni. Your gorgeous with a capital G. Have we met before?” Toni asked him. Regin groaned. “Hi, I’m all yours.” The third friend told him. Regin smacked her hand on her face. Really? “Her names Cindy.” She told him. Caroline stared open mouthed. “Your catching flies Caroline.” Regin told her. “Yeah well, it’s no surprise is it. I mean. We didn’t actually believe you meant a real life tall dark and handsome but here he is and good choice by the way.” She told him pointing to the jug. “Thank you. I’m Arturo.” He told them putting down the jug. Cindy nodded. “Cool name loving that.” Regin sighed. Here we go. “Pull up a chair Arturo and tell us all about yourself.” Caroline told him. Regin widened her eyes. Ok this was going to interesting. She turned to look at him with an expression that told him. You put yourself in it now deal with it.

  Regin listened as Arturo spun a well crated story of lies. She was impressed. He obviously lied about his age. Where he lived. What he did. How he knew Regin and how they met. And the girls literally drunk it in. All that is, except her. All his story did for her was make her annoyed. He’d gone on to tell them that Regin fascinated him. That she was unique, special and was very important to him. Regin had turned to look at him then with an expression of incredibility. What drivel. She thought. But he didn’t take the hint and kept going. Told them that he valued her uniqueness and enjoyed her company. Toni burst out crying. “I wish a man thought that about me.” She told him. Wiping her eyes. Regin choked on her soda and rolled her eyes at him. Seriously. This guy was way too good at bullshitting and she didn’t need someone taking the piss. Regin had endured over an hour of the tall, dark and handsome show and had had enough. When Arturo offered to buy another round to a chorus of thank you’s from the girls and headed in the direction of the bar. Regin leaned in and told a tail of her own. Feigning feeling sick but not wanting to ruin their good time with Arturo, she was making her escape now and she’d catch up with them tomorrow. As expected, half-hearted “get well soon’s” saw her heading out the door while their attention was already back on Arturo.

  Regin was gone by the time Arturo returned from the bar. He was impressed. He’d hadn’t noticed at all. He put the pitcher down and told them he had to go. It was a pleasure meeting them and hoped to again soon. But duty called. Arturo made his way through the crowd and headed out the door. Regin’s scent was weak but it was still there. He followed at a discreet distance and hoped she did not pick him up. He knew that she could feel him if he got to close. The journey took them some time and led him to a car park. In the distance he could see Regin. She had stopped by a car. She started unloading her things. It was clear that the car was hers and she was leaving. Arturo was torn. He didn’t want her to think he was pestering her but it seemed unwise to let her go on her own. As Regin opened the car he called to her.

  Regin sat up straight and blew out a breath and turned to the voice coming towards her. She looked at him. She didn’t feel threatened by him just annoyed. She had that odd comforting thing going on, like her body knew him which was crazy. She’d never met him before tonight. “Let me help you with that.” He offered as he approached. Regin didn’t move. “I can do it.” She told him narrowing her eyes. “I’m sure you can. But I’d like to help.” Regin didn’t like to be dependent on anyone. Couldn’t stand people feeling sorry for her. But it was clear he wasn’t moving. And she wanted to get home. She was suddenly very tired. “Ok.” She told him. Regin twisted her seat around to her open car door and stood up. She held onto the buggy handles to brace her legs. Took two steps. Held onto the door frame. Turned and sat down on the driver’s seat. Arturo opened the back-passenger door and placed her basket on the floor. Regin turned in the driver’s seat and faced the steering wheel. Arturo passed her her bag. Regin took it from him and closed the driver’s door. She bent to open the boot. Arturo lifted her seat and folded it. Then the buggy and put both items in the boot. Regin’s mobility scooter was now in the car.

  Arturo came around the car, opened the front passenger’s door and got in. Regin closed her eyes resting her head on the headrest. “I’m too tired for this shit.” She told him. “Good. Take us home.” Arturo wasn’t going to leave her. What he wanted was right here.

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