Chapter 37

“You’ve never been here before,” he announces, setting the menus between us on the table.

“First time,” Ben confirms.

“The Panang curry is very good today. Also you want the shrimp. Two Singha beers to start.” None of these are suggestions or questions, but delivered more as The Plan, so we shrug.

“Sounds good.”

The man picks the menus up un-glanced-at and shuffles off behind the curtain whence he came.

“I never even knew this place was here,” Ben says. “I worked two doors down for like six years.”

“I grew up in this neighborhood, like five blocks from here. It’s been here as long as I can remember. I just never knew anybody came in here.” But it’s bright and it’s clean and really all I wanted was a chance to not have to say goodbye to Ben, so I’m happy as a clam.