THE PURE AND SIMPLE

Jacob was cutting, or at least, attempting to cut a hamburger into forkable bites. He’d been raised to eat everything with utensils, no matter what it was. But, he knew it was ridiculous to eat a hamburger with a fork. When ordering, he’d been distracted by his conversation with Tiffany and the hamburger had sounded delicious.

Tiffany was across from him. She sat erect in the dark leather booth, blond hair twisted back in a tight bun. Her small pearl earrings quivered as she cut her steak, her right-hand jerking back and forth in a nervous twitch. The fabric of her black dress pressed against her damp back. She was thankful sweat didn’t show through black.

Jacob attempted to stab a bite with his fork, but the tomato evaded the fork’s prongs.

Jazz music drifted in from the parlor off to the left. It mixed in the air with the heavy scents of rosemary, butter, and smoke. A dim orb light hung low over the table.

But no amount of fancy restaurant aura could block out the sound of munching that had been continuing off to Jacob’s right ever since the food arrived.

Gerald the guinea pig sat on the white tablecloth without a care in the world. His eyes seemed to be staring into some unknown future while his jaw worked vigorously.

Jacob spoke, “When you said you brought him everywhere, I didn’t realize it meant… everywhere.”

“Well, yes,” said Tiffany.

Jacob’s fork clinked as he set it down on the plate. He’d given up on the tomato for now. “Tiffany,” he said, looking up at her, “I find you very attractive.”

She looked up at him, her eyes wide. A deep flush rose into Tiffany’s cheeks, highlighting her cherry pink lipstick.

“I respect your hard work in the office, and I’ve enjoyed communicating with you through email. But I–” He cleared his throat, trying to not look at Gerald.

Tiffany bit her lip, reading his mind. She looked sideways at Gerald perched on the tablecloth.

He looked adorable, sitting there with his fancy white bowl, the fat on his little potato body protruding out on the sides.

Tiffany set her utensils down and pulled her hands into her lap, clasping them together to keep them from shaking.

“I’m sure you can see the difficulty of this situation,” said Jacob. “Since I’m the CEO’s son, reporters love lurking around me. They grasp at anything to tarnish my family’s name.” He let out a sigh, his shoulders losing some of their stiffness. “My father,” Jacob said, glancing at Gerald before he could stop himself, “would not be pleased.”

“I understand,” Tiffany said. “I’m sorry for wasting your time.” Her eyes began to water, and she quickly blinked. She reached over and picked up Gerald.

Jacob’s eyebrows shot up, almost disappearing into his black hair. “You aren’t wasting my time,” Jacob said. “You just can’t bring Gerald to… everywhere.”

Tiffany stood and turned away, shaking her head. She clutched Gerald to her chest. “I have to. I can’t leave him alone. He could die!” She shuddered. “That’s what happened to Harold. I can’t let it happen again.” She stumbled away, weaving through the tables and around their designer-studded occupants.

Jacob stood and strode after her. He reached out and grabbed her arm. Leaning in, he whispered, “He’s not going to die if you leave him alone for one evening.”

An older woman seated close-by eyed them. Her eyebrow wrinkles, which she had attempted to cover with makeup, deepened.

“That’s what happened to Harold!” Tiffany said. Tears tumbled down her face. “I left him. He died. It’s my fault!”

An odd feeling pressed down on Jacob’s chest. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “It’s not your fault, Tiffany. But let’s go outside, okay?” Jacob steered her toward the glass doors and mouthed to the cashier to send him the check.

The cool air was a relief from the stifling warmth in the restaurant.

Jacob rubbed Tiffany’s shoulder with his thumb and automatically evaluated the street. None of the people seemed to be hiding cameras. Their clothing was too tailored. Night lighting was bad anyway.

Tiffany breathed shakily. She hadn’t meant to bring up Harold. Now Jacob probably thought she was a crazy person.

“I’m sorry,” she said, hooking her chin over Gerald. “I just can’t leave him.” Her shoulders caved in. “I’ll… go home now.”

Jacob’s attention snapped onto her. He thought of sinking feeling in his lower abdomen. What?”

“Thank you for dinner. It was really good.” She pulled away.

Jacob’s eyebrows pulled together, and his head jerked back. “Tiffany.” He stepped in front of her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “Are you actually going to leave?”

“Yes,” she said. Her blue eyes stared up at him, almost glowing in the shadows cast from her downturned face.

Jacob stared blankly. She was willing to leave him for the guinea pig. He was the CEO’s son, heir to a fortune, and that meant nothing to her compared to Gerald.

Countless girls had hung onto him, leaving notes with their numbers on his desk, dropping napkins with red lipstick stains, jumping in front of his chauffeur to get a ride with him. He’d been forced to change his contact information countless times because employees kept selling it. The hotshot models and social media stars would never dream of missing an opportunity to be with him.

Jacob smiled. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll buy a purse for him.”

“What?” Tiffany’s eyes widened.

“A big one. You just have to promise to not put him on the table.” Jacob watched her nervously.

Tiffany straightened, her mouth opening slightly. She bit her lip. Then, a smile broke across her face. “Thank you so much, Jacob. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Jacob shook his head. “Of course.

Abigail Kennedy had a classical education which fostered her love of books. Being an avid wordsmith, she enjoys playing with words and jumping down dictionary rabbit holes. Along with writing, Abigail also enjoys drawing and painting with oils, running and being in nature.