4 Stranger (Kim)

A week had past and everything had seemed to go to normal. I gave up asking questions about last Friday. Jimmy seemed fine the next morning, a little banged and bruised but other than that he was fine. When I would ask him he managed to turn it around talking about this coming Friday. Friday the thirteenth and lucky me my eighteenth birthday. I just let it go, seeing no one wanted to talk to the chick about guy shit.

The Wednesday before my birthday I took the late shift so I could have thursday and Friday off. Not that I minded much, a few regulars and a couple tourist. John the burly cook decided to take a break and get into one of his many football glory stories. "I was great, the Pats wanted me before I even graduated college. Worked perfect for me seeing I didn't have to go far from home."

I poured Mrs Crogen more coffee and turned toward the little window John was talking out of. Laughing I interrupted him. "Yup John we know and then that damn car accident messed everything up. I am pretty sure even the new tourist have heard the story." I gave him my best sass smile, reached through the window and patted his shoulder. "But for an older guy you still look good." Leaning forward I mock whispered, "The only reason Mrs Crogen comes in is to catch a glimpse of you. You have them mature ladies fantasizing about you."

His red faced matching his hair as he turned back to the kitchen a cuss or two just for my ears. I looked at Mrs Crogen and winked. She just laughed and tried to move so she could see John walking away. Shy she was not.

I began busing a couple tables that had just left when the small bell on the door chimed. Looking up I saw a guy who had to be a tourist. Cute but a little too business slick for me. I smile and motioned the room with my hand. "Just sit anywhere and I'll be right with you." The guy nodded his understanding and made his way to the bar.

Quickly bringing the bucket of dirty dishes in the back and nudging John. "Heads up, live one coming in." John whipped his hands on his apron and started putting the cups into the washer. "Yup just give us a holler."

Grabbing a menu I made my way to our newest customer. "Can I start you off with a drink?"

I waited a minute while he sized me up. Nothing I'm not use to so I didn't bother letting it get to me. "Yeah how about a beer to start?" His voice was raspy like he had once been a heavy smoker. I would of said he had pretty blue eyes if it wasn't for the emptiness I felt when I looked in them. "Sure, draft or bottle?" He gave me the name of what he wanted and I couldn't turn fast enough to get it. Something about this guy made my skin crawl. Nothing about his looks, his brown hair was cut short, a little longer on the top. Just enough so he could put gel to it. He had on a decent black suit with a blue button up, no tie.

As I rifled through the cooler I could feel his eyes on me. Part of me wanting to tell him to take a hike, but the possible tip kept my mouth shut. Putting his beer down in front of him, I pulled out my order book. "You know what you want or do you need a few more minutes?"

He handed me the menu and gave me a smile that could had been a snarl. Like he caught a whiff of something foul smelling. Yeah I really am not loving this guy. "I'll take a burger and fries… rare. " Writing his order down I turned to the small window. "Hey John, burger still mooing with Fries."

I tried to busy myself getting his condiments together. "Miss?" I barely held in my sigh as I turned toward him. "Yes?" I tried to put on a smile, but knew it didn't reach my eyes.

"I'm sorry you just look so familiar. Reminding me of a guy I knew years ago. Hmm.. what was his name?"

I gave a shrug. "Are you from around these parts?"

"No, from France originally. That's where I knew the guy, he was a real church going kind."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Well then not my dad or one of his friends. I don't even think they have ever been to France. I mean my old man and his buddies all were in the service, but never heard any of them talk about being stationed in France." Giving another shrug.

"No I am almost sure you would have to be of his get. What's your father's name?"

Honestly the guy didn't look old enough to have known my dad twenty years ago, but I humored him anyways. "Thaddeus Delany."

His smile nearly had me crawling out of my skin. "Thaddeus, yes that was his name, though Delany is wrong. I think it must be Thaddeus de Payens. Really you could be the female version of him. Granted a much prettier version."

I looked at the guy like he had grown a second head. I think I know what my fathers name is. his voice came out as an evil whisper. "Oh look there's the Templar Dog now!"

My gaze went to the front door, my father had just gotten off his bike and was making his way in. "Let me guess, your birthday is Friday. I have a gift for you."

I turned back to him, barely registering that he knew my birthday was coming. The shiny black gun pointed at my chest grabbed my attention. "Happy Birthday pup!" My fathers yell didn't take away from the sound of the soft pop as the silencer muffled the bang nor did it take away from the burning I felt just below where my heart was.

My eyes drifted to the man's even as it seemed he vanished, then to the growing red spot taking over my blue Cristine's work shirt. My last thoughts, Damn Ms Lee won't be happy about her shirt.