“I hope that you like it….I wasn’t really sure what you might want to do. I don’t really go out that much, other than…..,” he paused, “some clubs occasionally.”

They had just sat down at the table, but the ambient noise level made it kind of hard to hear, the sounds of a hundred video games, blaring rock, and screaming people overwhelmed most conversation, even in the dining room.

He continued, “I think its open pretty late, at least until midnight. So’s the stuff outside, I’m told.”

Amelia had the briefest of frowns as he mentioned clubs, but then a neutral expression had taken its place. Olivia, on the other hand, was nearly bouncing in her seat. “What kind of games do they have? Racing? Bikes?”

“I don’t really know. Never been hear before. I saw signs for minitaure golf, and supposedly the state’s largest go-cart track. If, you know, you want to race later.”

“Well, won’t be much of a contest, because I’ll win, but sure……”and she grinned impishly.

“We can explore later, let’s order and eat first.”

“Can we get an appetizer, Mum?” Amelia hesitated, before Brett said, “Sure, what do you want to try?”

After they ordered the garlic cheese curds, whatever they were, the conversation stalled a bit, the awkwardness of people who don’t really know each other. Brett’s lame attempts at stellar conversation gambits like “what’s your favorite subject at school.” and Olivia’s one word answers were staved off by the arrival of the appetizer, which Brett very cautiously allowed the others to eat some of before he finished off the rest quickly.

After Olivia, and Brett more discreetly, licked their fingers, much to Amelia’s disapproval, Brett said “Why don’t we order, I’m sure there is a game calling our name somewhere.” A lame statement that got a nervous laugh from Amelia and a painful look from Olivia. Brett sighed, “Just let me get the waiter’s attention.”

The three of them ordered, although Amelia and Olivia both went a bit cross-eyed when Brett ordered the equivalent of soup, salad and two meals before Olivia looked around, very obviously looking for someone. Amelia asked, “What are you looking for Livy?”

“Oh, nothing, just the other person joining us for dinner?”

“What do you mean?” Brett asked.

“Well, you ordered enough for three people, so I was just curious who else was coming.”

Brett looked a bit flummoxed for a second, “Oh, yea, well, one of the reasons I don’t go out very often is how much I eat. My, ummm, abilities,” he said more quietly, “require a lot of energy.”

“I’m just messing with you,” she said in a slightly apologetic tone. “Soooo, how did you and my Mum meet?” as Brett choked on his soda.

After he was done spluttering, he responded, “Sorry, swalllowed an ice cube.” Looking across the table at his former fiance, who was concentrating intently on her drink, “I thought maybe she might have already told you over the last few days, that, we are, uhm, old friends.”

“Yea, I mean, well, she did say you known each other a long time. But, you know, I don’t remember ever seeing you before.”

“Well, uhm,” he started hesitantly, hoping that Amelia would weigh in, “Not long after we both joined the army, my friends were throwing me a party to celebrate a promotion I received, and your Mum and some of her friends were there. She obviously wasn’t your Mum yet,” and Amelia glanced up sharply, “but we were both at the same base, so, I don’t know, guess we got be pretty good friends for awhile. Later on, she was in my unit too, although we hadn’t seen each other for awhile then.”

“Well how come I’ve never met you.”

“We did, a couple times, but you were pretty little.”

“Oh, well, then, where have you been?”

“Well, I volunteered,” glancing at Amelia again, “for some projects. Then, well, obviously I have been busy lately with, you know, Alliance stuff,” he finished in a whisper.

“That’s cool…..,” before turning to Amelia, “Mum, can we check out the games before dinner gets here?”

“Sure….” and like a shot, the girl grabbed one of the cards, climbing over Brett to head for the video games.

“You did great.”

“Could have used some help, some warning.”

“What, that she was going to ask questions? Isn’t that the point?”

“Yea, I mean, I guess, I mean….shit, I don’t know what I mean. I’m just tired of all the lies Amelia. That’s all my life is anymore. Secrets.”

In a softer tone, “I…we will figure it out. I need more time.”