Delilah and Tom - Present

With a mischievous smile Delilah looks at Thomas with his messed hair. - Now tell me, what happened yesterday? What did sweet Joe do to you?

- Sweet? I would say acidic… That baritone guy in the bar talked for two hours about his exes. I would die of boredom if I could… I signalled Joe to help me and, you can guess by now, I was totally ignored. The worst part was when I asked for another drink at the counter, Joe asked me if I was having fun with all those love stories.

Delilah swallows the tea so she wouldn’t spray him with laughter. She can see that her friend is really pissed out. One part of her, wants to tell Thomas about Joseph’s crush on him but, her other part, knows that she promised not to, and she is going to keep it... maybe she could help these two lovebirds…

- And why do you think Joe did that?

- The only reason I can come up with is pure sadism… He loves to feast his eye on my suffering.

- And yet you keep going there. You do like him, don’t you, Tom? Maybe he is doing just this to get your attention.

Thomas raises his pointing finger to her and lifts his right eyebrow, meaning that he is very serious about his words.

- Don’t… I already tried it once but was rejected. - With the same finger, he taps noisily on the table. - Got the message, no need to get shamed again… - He finishes bitterly.

- Oh? You never told me about it… This really makes me sad. I was rooting for you two… Sorry for bringing this up. - And suddenly she remembered Joseph’s words last night - “He is not ready yet”.

---___---___---___---

Joseph slowed down his afternoon run in the city’s park when he sensed Thomas’ energy. He got closer and saw the other man lying down on the grass thoughtfully watching the cigarette smoke that left his mouth. His head was on his briefcase and his shirt was half unbuttoned. Thomas didn’t react to his presence. “Even the damned ones, could feel the presence of other immortals, so why was he, a pure, being ignored?” wondered Joseph. The cigarette was put out in a portable ashtray that disappeared in the side pocket of Thomas’ jacket and remained in the same position, looking at the sky. Joseph wanted to be noticed by him so he decided to not leave the place, quite on the contrary, he approached Thomas.

- Are you feeling ok?

Thomas didn’t move his head and his eyes were still staring at the clouds. With one knee on the ground, Joseph touched the other man’s arm and, using sign language, he asked if the other man was deaf. Thomas slowly stood up, facing seriously the person that was still on his knee and answered “No” also in sign language.

- No? Then why didn’t you answer me before?

- What does it matter to you?

Joseph walked after Thomas who had already picked up his briefcase and was stepping away.

- Aren’t you an immortal like me?

Suddenly Thomas stopped, and after turning around, he looked into Joseph’s also blue eyes and then to his lips half hidden by the brown beard. The black T-shirt partially hid his tattoos on his arms. Did he have more under it? Probably yes, he thought after checking Joseph’s legs.

- So?

- Are you always this stupid or just hungry?

- Both. - With a smile showing his teeth, he reached out his hand. - I’m Thomas. Yes, I accept having dinner with you.

Joseph shook his hand and looked at his watch. - I do have some time for a bite before my shift. But I need a shower. Meet me at Heavens pub at 7, you won’t regret it.

- Promises, promises… - said Thomas in a low voice while observing the body of the other man running away. He took his mobile phone and searched for the address of the place.