I Exit From Your Lies

For the holiday dinner, I followed the directions Forrest Yarrow sent me, the way I always did,

only to end up at the public restroom behind the restaurant.

Before I could even ask, his message came through.

"I'm your boss. It looks bad if we walk in together. Wait in the restroom for ten minutes, and come out once I give you the signal."

By the time I finally found the private room,

Betty Swanson was already sitting beside Forrest.

Out of habit, I ladled chicken soup into a bowl for him.

Forrest barely glanced at it, then waved a hand for someone to dump the whole thing, soup and bowl.